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The Hampshire Farms & Conservation Competition 2013

This year's prestigious annual event took place on the 24th & 25th June.

Tom Coleman

Tom Coleman 2013 Champion

The Judges were invited onto 30 Hampshire farms representing over 51,000 acres of the county. The farms were judged in four Open Classes and a Championship Class. Farm sizes ranged from 440 to 5,000 acres.

The Patrons of the competition, The Hampshire Farmers’ Club and Romsey Agricultural Society, organised ten judges from around the country from afar afield as Scotland, Herefordshire and Essex. In gratitude for their hard work over two days, the judges were treated to excellent accommodation in spectacular surroundings at Bereleigh House, near Petersfield and competitors, judges, stewards and sponsors enjoyed a wonderful hog roast at West Stoke Farm. The results were announced at the annual Farm Walk held at Lower and South Farms, East Meon on Friday 28th June in front of 300 of the Hampshire farming community.

First place in the 2013 Championship Class was awarded to Tom Coleman of Lower Norton Farm with the reserve champion going to Barfoot Farms.

The Judges were most impressed by the high standard of the farms that they saw, particularly so as this has been an incredibly difficult year for farmers battling the weather. Crops, livestock and buildings are all inspected with emphasis given to the overall achievement of the farmer in relation to their available resources. A range and number of diversifications undertaken by the farms, and a particular emphasis on conservation and environmental stewardship were taken into account.

Chairman of the organising committee, Alastair Wilson said, “We have had another successful year with a maximum number of entrants in each class, which demonstrates the support for the competition by Hampshire farmers. Both the judges and the competitors all felt that they had really benefited and took something away that would help improve their respective businesses. This really is a highly regarded competition with many other agricultural societies being envious of the high standard that the competition sets. I would encourage farmers in Hampshire to consider entering next year. We are of course extremely grateful for the loyal support from all of our sponsors, in particular our main sponsors, NatWest Bank and Koch Fertilisers without whom the event could not have taken place.

 

The 201 3 results are:

 

Championship Class: Champion – Lower Norton Farms
Reserve Champion – Barfoot Farms
Special Award – HN Butler Farms Ltd “by far the most impressive diversification we saw”

 

Class 1 :

1st- Rees Farming
2nd – NGJ Rowsell
Special Award – M&R Moreton “for their cut flower business”

 

Class 2:

1st – GL Porter & Son
2nd – Whitsbury Farm & Stud
Special Award – Wilson Atkinson Farms “for their contribution to improving downland habitats that were absolutely inspiring”

 

Class 3:

1st – G Horn & Sons
2nd – Trinley Estate
Special Award – Matterley Estate “such driven belief in the face of obstacles to achieve so much alternative income whilst not losing touch of personal objective – to have fun!”

 

Class 4:

1st – Nigel Pond
2nd – Michelmersh Manor – John & Fran Drake
Special Award – J & J Parsons “for excellent pond restoration, which was carried out for no financial reward, and their enthusiasm for wildlife”

 

Further information about next year’s competition in June 2014 can be obtained from Alastair Wilson, Chairman of the Farms Competition on 01 962 763900.

 

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