A RECORD number of farmers from across Cumbria and North Lancashire took part in this year’s Westmorland Agricultural Society’s Silage Competition.

2022 saw 101 entries from 67 farms after last year saw the much-anticipated event cancelled because of the pandemic

The competition is split into six categories including dairy clamp, beef clamp, hay, whole crop, maize and big bale and is judged in two sections, one for analytical/nutrient content and the other on a visual assessment.

This years’ event was sponsored for the first time by New Breed UK, a leading supplier of ruminant nutrition products and consultancy services to the farming and rural community, and following nutritional analysis 27 entries were shortlisted for visual judging to be carried out on farm because of the closeness of the analytical scores.

Chris Wilson, Langwathby, judged Dairy and Whole Crop, John Holliday, Clifton, judged Maize and Hay, while Matthew Robinson, Old Hutton, was the judge for the Beef and Big Bale categories.

Christine Knipe, Chief Executive of the Westmorland Agricultural Society, said: “There is keen competition and friendly rivalry between the farmers and not only a regular on the farming calendar, it is also a great social occasion to share knowledge and best practice.”

Mark Borthwick, Director of New Breed, added: “Our expert panel of judges were very impressed with the high standard of silage across the competition and commented that there were some very strong contestants.”

Results: Dairy Clamp: 1, D Jarman, Brow Top Farm, Branthwaite; 2, J Ferguson, Blencogo House Farm, Wigton.

Beef Clamp: 1, A Dixon & Son, Kit Crag, Selside; 2, JA & R Geldard & Sons, Low Foulshaw Farm, Levens. Hay: 1, D McClure & K Little, Wood Broughton Barn, Cartmel; 2, GM Sedgwick & Son, Lockbank Farm, Sedbergh. Whole Crop: 1, JS & IM Wilson, Monk Moss Farm, Whitbeck; 2, A E & M K Hayhurst,Natland Park Farm,Natland Maize: 1, A & S Morley, Petteril Bank, Southwaite; 2, J Ferguson, Blencogo House Farm, Wigton. Big Bale: 1, D McClure & K Little, Wood Broughton Barn, Cartmel. 2, GR Wadsworth, Raines Hall, Sedgwick.