Suffolk Farm Business Competition

The Suffolk Agricultural Association and, competition sponsors, Clydesdale Bank are pleased to announce the results of the 2007 Suffolk Farm Business Competition. The Presentation of trophies and Award took place on 5 July at a special awards luncheon at the winning Small Farm.

The competition is divided into three farm categories - Small (up to 200 hectares), Medium (200 - 399 hectares) and Large (over 400 hectares). Judging took place on 18 and 19 June and all categories were very well supported. The competition also attracted a number of new farms this year. Prizes are awarded in the competition to third place with Special Awards available in each category for Best Crop, Livestock Enterprise and Conservation.

This year's Judges came from Essex. Roger Burroughs and Alan Ponder judged the Small Farms, Tony Hayward and William Gardner judged the medium farms and the large farms were judged by Andrew Fairs and Tom Stevenson.

The winners of the Large Farm category was James Foskett Farms Ltd of Low Farm, Bromeswell. The Judges were impressed with the great attention to detail producing high quality crops on a massive scale and the overall management of the farm business.

Porters Farms (Walpole) Ltd retained their title winning the Medium Farm Competition for the second year running. The Judges were particularly impressed with the conservation strategy on the farm and also awarded the Porters the Special Award for Best Conservation Management.

Winner of the small farms competition was Valley Farm Ltd of Wickham Market. The farm, run by Sarah Ling and David Robertson is predominately a riding establishment but also has 11 hectares of wheat. The judges were impressed with the overall business management of the farm, which received very high marks for both the enterprise management and social/community involvement.

The Suffolk Agricultural Association and Clydesdale Bank were, once again, extremely pleased with the number and quality of farms entered into the competition this year. David Hughes, Senior Agribusiness Partner with Clydesdale Bank, commented: "The most impressive aspect of this competition is that virtually all the entrants display a positive 'can-do' approach to business development, an attitude which definitely plays a major part in helping to deliver the right end results."

2007 SUFFOLK FARM BUSINESS COMPETITION - RESULTS

Class 1 - Farms up to 200 hectares

1st Prize and the F W Barker Perpetual Challenge Cup and Tankard - Valley Farm Ltd, Wickham Market, Suffolk

3rd Prize - Fletcher & Dunt, Park Farm, Charsfield

Special Awards

Best Arable Crop - Fletcher & Dunt, Park Farm, Charsfield (Wheat)
Best Livestock Enterprise - White & Partners, Peakhill Farm, Theberton
Conservation - New Bells Farm, Haugley Green, Stowmarket

Class 2 - Farms of 200-399 hectares

1st Prize and the Cranworth Perpetual Challenge Cup and Tankard - Porters Farms (Walpole) Ltd, Hill House Farm, Walpole, Halesworth,

2nd Prize - Plant Larter Farms, Rookery Farm, Framlingham

3rd Prize - L W Rolph & Son, Grove Farm, Ufford, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Special Awards

Best Arable Crop - Plant Larter Farms, Rookery Farm, Framlingham
Best Livestock Enterprise - J R Grimsey, Raydon Hall, Orford, Woodbridge, Suffolk
Conservation - Porters Farms (Walpole) Ltd, Hill House Farm, Walpole, Halesworth

Class 3 - Farms of 400 hectares and over

1st Prize and the King George VI Memorial Challenge Cup - James Foskett Farms Ltd, Low Farm, Bromeswell, Woodbridge

Special Awards

Best Arable Crop - F G Taylor & Son, Grove Farm, Clopton, Woodbridge (Robigus)
Best Livestock Enterprise - David Black & Son Ltd, Red House Farm, Stowmarket
Conservation - R H Forrest & Co, Stonham Aspal, Stowmarket

For further information about the 2008 Farms Competition contact Sue Bennitt at the Suffolk Show office.