Enillwyr Cystadleuaeth Byrnau Mawr a Silwair Clamp CAFC
The All Wales Silage Competition organised by the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society now has two sections – one for clamp silage and the other for big bale silage.
The All Wales Clamp Silage Competition has been run in conjunction with the RWAS for many years but the secretary of the Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies, Charlie Morgan, has always maintained that big bale producers should have equal recognition. Consequently, sponsorship having been obtained, the Royal Welsh has agreed to a request for equal standing for a Big Bale Competition and this year will, for the first time, see the Big Bale winner receive an award at the Royal Welsh Show.
The 2009 winner is Andrew Lewis of Cilgwyn Mawr, Newport, Pembrokeshire, a member of the Cardigan & District Grassland Society, who runs a 210 acre dairy and sheep farm. The judges were impressed by the simplistic but effective approach demonstrated by the winner, and also by the runner-up, Robert Jenkins of Cilhaul, Trefeglwys, Caersws, Powys (Upper Severn Grassland Society).
Analysis of the winner’s silage showed a DM of 46.4%, CP 17.7, ME 11.5, Ammonia-N 6.9% and a D value of 72%. Cows in the milking herd are yielding 6700 litres on a rotational grazing system and concentrates fed are 1.lt/hd/pa.
The Big Bale Competition is sponsored by bpi agri.
In the Clamp Silage competition, sponsored by NatWest Bank, the task of selecting a winner is becoming increasingly difficult as the standard of the entries continues to improve year on year, said the judges. They finally gave the award to John Parry of Goitre Farm, Kerry, Powys, a member of the Upper Severn Grassland Society.
The winner runs a 230 acre unit and 200 acres of grass keep with 60 suckler cows and calves plus 60 finishing cattle, a flock of 850 ewes and 100 ewe lambs. The winning silage had a DM of 28.5%, CP 13.2, ME 11.2 and Ammonia-N 4.8. The judges commented on how rare a self feed system now is, and a self feed sheep system even rarer. The 4ft high indoor clamp was extremely efficient, however, and wastage was minimal feeding 450 ewes.
The runners-up for this year’s prize were Messrs Tim William James of Farthings Hook Farm, Henrys Moat, Clarbeston Road, Pembrokeshire, members of North Pembrokeshire Grassland Society.
The presentation of the awards will take place on the opening day of the Royal Welsh Show.