Farm & Crop competition

Show Description

Entries for our annual Farm and Crop competitions are now open! The Society’s Farm and Crop competitions recognise and commend the good practices of West Dorset Farmers;  it assesses their husbandry, financial and business skills as well as their dedication to looking after the countryside.  A team of judges will visit farms - Medium Farms will be judged on Tuesday 7th July 2026, Small and Large Farms will be judged in Wednesday 8th July 2026.

Crop & Grass Ley judging: Tuesday 7th July 2026
Short-Term Cutting Ley - land put down to grass, clover, herbs etc for a single season.  It is cut several times in a year for silage or hay to feed livestock.
Long-Term Cutting Ley – land put down to grass typically for 4/5 years or more.  Lower yielding than short-term ley but gains over the years.  Used for grazing animals and is probably cut once a year.
Best field of Winter Wheat - wheat is sown in Autumn or Winter and harvested the following Summer.   The wheat is used for milling for making bread and animal feed e.g.. cattle and dog food.  The straw is used for animal bedding in the winter.
Best field of Winter Barley – sown in September/October and harvested in July.  it is predominantly used for feed and makes a useful crop in a rotation for example turnips or kale which are used as winter feed to feed the cattle.  Straw is used for animal fodder or bedding.
Best field of Spring Barley -  sown in March/April and harvested in the summer.  It is a cheaper crop to grow than winter barley and although yields are lower the gross margin is comparable.   Barley goes to the brewing industry for making beer and is also used for animal feed.  The straw is a valuable feed for young stock and bedding.
Best field of Arable Silage.

Prize money for grassland and crop classes:  1st prize £50, 2nd prize £25, 3rd prize £15.

Prize money for farm classes:  1st £75, 2nd prize £50, 3rd prize £25.

The competitions have been kindly sponsored by Woolley & Wallis a leading regional firm of estate agents, chartered surveyors and auctioneers, and is open to farms and small holdings of all sizes within a 12-mile radius of Melplash village church.  All classes are free to enter and offer prize money and certificates for the winners.  Trophies will be presented at our annual show being held on Thursday 27th August 2026.