Farmers praised for crops in difficult year of rainfall

Farmers have been praised for their '˜excellent' crops in a difficult year of heavy rain.

The comments were made during the judging of the Petworth and District Agricultural Association’s annual on-farm competition.

Judges were Richard Alderman of R Alderman Crop Management, Colin Hedley from CJH Environment Consultants, Mike Capsey dairy farmer from Capel and Calvin Otto of Thakeham Farms .

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Competitors were praised ‘in what has been a difficult year with heavy rainfall in June but was made up for by a dryer than normal august allowing harvest to be completed in excellent conditions’.

Julia Mcdavid of Fitzleroi Farm Fittleworth won the winter Oilseed Rape competition and also the best crop overall and will receive the Boxall cup. The judge praised the crop for its ‘clean, full field appearance with excellent potential’.

The winner of the best farm was father and daughter team Roger and Kate Lywood of Marshalls Farm Kirdford. Judge Colin Hedley said: “This is a farm with great energy and belief in the future of dairy farming which is taking all steps under its control to improve profitability now, but with a clear and exciting plan for expansion in the future.” Dairy farm judge Mike Capsey echoed this and awarded them best dairy.

Prizes are awarded at the ploughing match on Saturday, September 24 at Manor Farm Heyshott. The match will be open to the public. Ploughing is from 9am-12.30. Lunch is served at 1.30 and prize giving at 3pm. Lunch tickets are available from secretary Zoe Childs at [email protected] 01403783014.

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Results: Best Farm: 1 Roger Lywood; 2 G Chandler & Son, Moor Farm, Petworth; 3 T R Tupper, Bignor Farms, Bignor. Best commercial dairy herd: 1 Roger Lywood; 2 Brinsbury College Pulborough; 3 D H Tupper Farms, Upwaltham.

Clamp of maize silage: 1 James Renick, Buddington Farm, Easebourne; 2 Roger Lywood; 3 Jonathan Lywood, Battlehurst Farm, Petworth. Clamp of grass silage: 1 James Renwick; 2 Jonathan Lywood; 3 Clive Stickland, Burchetts Farm, Wisborough Green. Bale of silage: 1 Clive Stickland; 2 Lee Dallyn, Strood Farm, Petworth; 3 Johnathan Lywood.

Hard wheat: 1 N Moss, River Park Farm, Lodsworth; 2 T R Tupper, Bignor Farms; 3 D H Tupper Littleton Farm, Upwaltham. Soft wheat: 1 G Chandler & Son, Moor Farm, Petworth; 2 D H Tupper Littleton Farm. Spring wheat: 1 S Carter, Headsfold Wood Farm, Loxwood; 2 R Wilkins Pallingham Farms Wisborough Green.

Winter oilseed rape: 1 Fitzleroi Farm, Fittleworth; 2 R Green, Mitchell Park Farm, Petworth. 3 T R Tupper, Bignor Farms. Spring oilseed rape: 1 T R Tupper. Spring linseed: 1 T R Tupper. Winter oats: 1 R Wilins Pallingham Farm, Wisborough Green; 2 R Green, Mitchell Park Farm, Northchapel; 3 R Perry, Netherlands Farm, Halfway Bridge. Spring oats: 1 K L Gadd & Son, Ridlington Farm, Duncton. Rye: 1 C Waites, Malham Farms, Wisborough Green. Spring Barley: 1 Leconfield Farms: 2 T R Tupper. Organic crop: 1 R A Dallyn & Sons Waltham Park Farm, Coldwaltham. Winter beans: 1 R A Dallyn & Sons; 2 G Chandler and Son; 3 Leconfield Farms. Spring beans: 1 S Carter; 2 G Chandler & Son; 3 N Moss, River Park Farm. Peas: 1 G Chandler & Son, Moor Farm. New Grass Ley: 1 Clive Stickland, Burchetts Farm, Wisborough Green; 2 Peter Strudwick, Castle Farm, Amberley; 3 John Hancock, Hurlands Farm, Selham. 2nd year Grass ley: 1 John Hancock; 2nd Clive Stickland; 3 Peter Strudwick. Old Grass ley: 1 John Hancock; 2 Clive Stickland; 3 Roger Lywood, Marshalls Farm.

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