Ian and David Green have been named regional finalists in the ForFarmers Excellence in Farming Awards, as a result of their attention to detail towards forage production.

The brothers, finalists in the Forage Manager of the Year category, run a 150-head organic herd at Bedchester Farm, near Shaftesbury.

Over the past five years they have produced an average 63-67 percent of their milk from forage, generally taking four cuts of silage a year and paddock feeding cows on a rotational grazing system. Soil nutrition is carefully planned, using a combination of macro and micro-nutrients to not only encourage growth, but balance pH and palatability.

ForFarmers technical manager Philip Ambler, who was one of the judges in this category, said: ‘Ian and David’s system is very much an established success. Their attention to detail is exceptional and the quality of grassland is apparent when you walk the fields.’

All regional finalists go head-to-head with other farmers from across the country at the final round of the competition in London at the end of November, where one will be crowned the national winner.

The ForFarmers Awards is now in its fourth year and aims to recognise and reward farmers that are excelling in one of the three awards categories: Dairy Feed Efficiency Award, Forage Manager of the Year and Youngstock Producer of the Year.

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