Annual Competitions

Annual Hedging Competition

Each Year in February, the Society, along with Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying Association hold an annual Hedging Competition at Lane Farm, as part of the Hedging Grand Prix. The Grand Prix is made up of hedging competitions across the North West and include Junior and Novice classes as well as Open and Championship classes. For more information, please contact Lancashire and Westmorland Hedge Laying Association.

Hedging Competition Report & Results 2017

Hedging Results 2018

Hedging Results 2019

Hedging Results 2020

Hedging Competition 2022

What a great sight to see the hedgers return for the Society’s Annual Hedging Competition on Saturday, part of the Lancashire & Westmorland Hedge Laying Association Grand Prix series.  Early spring sunshine greeted the 15 hedgelayers who tackled one of our own hedges on the Showground.

Interest in the traditional craft of hedgelaying has been boosted by the taster and training events held by the Society and it was fantastic to see so many taking part in their first competition, which we hope is the first of many events in which they will compete.  Judges Peter Airey and David Knowles, were very impressed with the overall high standard of hedging and the skills so expertly demonstrated by all competitors, particularly the juniors; surely showing a promising future for this ancient craft.  Congratulations to John Handley taking the honours for the best hedge on the field.

Certificates, rosettes and prize money were presented by President Henry Robinson who thanked everyone for their support.

Hedging Results 2022

Annual Silage Competition

Westmorland County Agricultural Society Annual Silage Competition will take place in January 2024.

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank New Breed UK for offering their sponsorship and support this year, it is very much appreciated.

SILAGE COMPETITION 2023

In early February, farmers from across Cumbria and North Lancashire took part in the Westmorland Agricultural Society’s annual Silage Competition.  This year an incredible 82 entries from 53 farms were received confirming this important competition is widening its appeal and growing in popularity.

The competition is split into six categories including dairy clamp, beef clamp, hay, whole crop, maize and big bale and is judged in two sections, one for analytical/nutrient content and the other on a visual assessment. This years’ event was sponsored for the second time by New Breed UK, a leading supplier of ruminant nutrition products and consultancy services to the farming and rural community.

Following nutritional analysis by New Breed UK, 23 entries were shortlisted for visual judging where an inspection of the silage was carried out on site at each shortlisted farm.  Chris Addison, Kings Meaburn, judged Dairy and Whole Crop, Jonathan Mason, Levens, judged Maize and Hay whilst Robert Thornton, Ravenglass was the judge for the Beef and Big Bale categories.  All the judges commented on the pleasure in seeing so many young people involved in the competition and making decisions on farm and actively involved in producing high quality forage.

The results were announced at a special celebratory supper held on Thursday 2 February at Lane Farm with each judge recounting their day’s judging tour supported by photos.  Winners were presented with a trophy and special New Breed award by John Sowerby, President of the Westmorland Agricultural Society.

Special thanks to the New Breed team, for supporting this year’s competition.  Not only did they take and analyse the samples, New Breed also supplied chauffeurs for judging day, covering the length and breadth of the county, donated each farm with a smart fleece and provided special prizes for the winners.

Dairy Clamp

1st:     A & S Morley, Petteril Bank, Southwaite

2nd:    S & SA Webster, Aurora Park, Scales

Beef Clamp

1st:     GB & EA Metcalfe & Sons, Holme House, Mansergh

2nd:    A Dixon & Son, Kit Crag, Selside

Hay

1st:     GM Sedgwick & Son, Lockbank Farm, Sedbergh

2nd:    J & R Bell, Sunny Brown Farm, Crook

 Whole Crop

1st:     JS & IM Wilson, Monk Moss Farm, Whitbeck

2nd:    WE Callion & Sons, Lodge Farm, Great Clifton

Maize

1st:     MH & AR Robinson, Holmescales Farm, Old Hutton

2nd:    A & S Morley, Petteril Bank, Southwaite

Big Bale

1st:     JR & S Handley, College Green Farm, Heversham

2nd:    RJ Stott, Crosscrake Farm, Stainton