Forage For Profit Awards Reveal fast Progress In Farming Industry

armers recognised for exceptional forage at Awards Evening
Eighteen farmers producing some of the UK’s best quality forage were celebrated at the Mole Valley Farmers’ Forage for Profit Awards which recognises the art and science of making good forage.

Now in its third year, the Forage for Profit scheme was launched in 2009 to encourage and support farmers to produce better quality and higher quantities of forage. Mole Valley Farmers has analysed over 3,000 forage samples from UK farmer members each year since 2009 and has seen strong progress and a good rise in metabolisable energy (ME) levels.

Graham Ragg, Mole Valley Farmer’s Arable and Fertiliser Sales Manager says, “Initially our analysis in 2009 showed an average of only 10.3 ME across the 3,000 forage samples which is just maintenance level. In 2010 it had risen to 10.8 and for 2011 the average was 11.1, with some farmers managing as high as 12 ME.

He continues, “When we launched the Forage for Profit scheme we never expected to see such progress so quickly and feel that we have been able to provide real support enabling farmers to produce the best quality forage, resulting in more profitable businesses.”

The Forage for Profit Awards recognise farmers in the following categories: Dairy Forage; Beef Forage; Maize Forage; Big Bale Forage; Most Improved Forage and, new for this year, Grazing Forage. The six winners were announced as follows:
•    Maize Forage Award – Graham and Jill Duke, Launceston, Cornwall
•    The Big Bale Forage Award – Aled Rees, Cardigan, West Wales
•    The Dairy Forage Award – Pete Turner, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
•    The Beef and Sheep Forage Award - Richard and Jean Tully, South Hams, Devon
•    The Most Improved Forage Award – Tom Dening, Yeovil, Somerset
•    Grazing Forage Award – Bill and David Saunders, Bodmin, Cornwall

The entrants were visited on farm by a different panel of industry expert judges for each category. The winners were chosen following in-depth judging which considered forage clamp and bale management, rationing systems, reseeding programmes, cutting date awareness, enterprise profitability and forage analysis results.

Dr Chris Bartram, Head of Nutrition at Mole Valley Farmers and one of the judges for the Dairy Forage Award explains, “The Dairy Forage Category was a close contest but in the end we chose Pete as the winner for his attention to detail on forage production and nutrition and his overall understanding of the importance of high quality forage in driving profit. I was impressed by his focus on cow comfort, and his willingness to take on board new ideas to move the unit forward.”

The Forage for Profit Award winners received their prizes at a ceremony in Bristol which included a presentation from leading practical research scientist, Dr Sinclair Mayne, Departmental Scientific Advisor in Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) discussing the importance of high quality forage, current research projects and future developments.

The Mole Valley Farmers Forage for Profit scheme delivers expert advice and guidance on forage production from cutting dates to weed control through specially trained staff and dedicated publications. For more information about Forage for Profit email Graham Ragg on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.molevalleyfarmers.com.

Winners Details

Maize Forage Awards – Graham and Jill Duke, Launceston
500 acres made up of 300 acres of grassland, 100 of wheat and 40 of maize. Over the last eight years cow numbers have risen from 90 to 250 cows producing an average of 8,500 litres per cow per year with 150 young stock and 120 beef cattle. Maize is crucial to milk output in the winter and this year fresh weight yields have varied from 17.5 tonnes/acre to 25 tonnes/acre with the quality of 34% dry matter 33% starch which was pleasing.

Grazing Forage Awards - Bill and David Saunders, Bodmin, Cornwall
2000 Romney ewes, only grassland with no silage made or concentrates bought. The judges were impressed by their excellent grazing management and flock performance.

Big Bale Forage Award - Aled Rees, Cardigan, West Wales
A 700 acre organic farm with 150 dairy herd yielding 6,750 litres. Aled has perfected the storage of all wrapped forages giving great flexibility including storing high protein red clover bales to boost milk protein.

The Dairy Forage Award – Pete Turner, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire
An Oxstall herd of 328 cows producing 8,850 litres per cow on a farm comprising 1400 acres. Grass silage and very high quality maize silage are the cornerstones of the business.

The Beef and Sheep Forage Award – Richard and Jean Tully, South Hams, Devon
300 acres of which 100 acres is winter wheat or winter barley and a herd of 70 spring calving Aberdeen Angus cows which are strip grazed on kale in the winter months, supplemented with 2 kilos of hay and 1 kilo of straw.

The Most Improved Forage Award – Tom Dening, Yeovil, Somerset
A 900 acre farm with 600 acres grassland and 300 acres wheat, barley, oats and beans. A herd of 200 cows producing a milk from forage figure of over 4,000 litres. Tom has a clear plan of farm objectives and a road map of how these are to be achieved.

For more information on Mole Valley, please visit their Website.