Judge Robert Black of Drochil Castle, was most impressed by the standard and quality of the entries forward for the South West Scotland Grassland Society’s 2025 silage competition.
Speaking at the event’s competition open day and prize presentation at Crochmore Farm, Newton Stewart, by kind permission of the Kerr family, he also said he was inspired by the number of entries in each section.
“What stood out was the enthusiasm of the younger generation and the attention to detail being applied within their businesses,” said Mr Black, who was crowned British Grassland Farmer of the Year in 2023.
The dairy section drew 63 entries which averaged 35.2 dry matter with an ME 11.35 and 15.2g of protein per kg of dry matter.
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Beef entries totalled 25, and saw DM levels average 29.7, ME at 10.6 and protein at 12.89, while big bale silage accounted for 35 entries and returned DM averages of 33.5, ME at 11.01 and protein at 15.1.
In the young farmers’ classes, 12 dairy entries averaged DM 38.2, ME 11.6 and protein 15.6, and five beef entries averaged DM 24.3, ME 10.4 and protein 12.1.
Specialist crops were also well supported, with 14 maize entries averaging DM 28.9, ME 11.6 and 30.5 starch, and nine wholecrop entries returning DM 37.5, ME 10.3 and 34.5 starch.
Top honours went to the dairy winner Kevin Lawrie of Myremill Farm, Maybole, who farms in partnership with his wife Alison and parents Gilmour and Caroline. Having already secured the award for the best silage in Ayrshire, Kevin’s four-cut system impressed the judges when it was able to feed a herd of 300 cows averaging 11,500 litres per cow.
Top honours in the beef section went to the Young family, Girvan Mains, where Drew and Ann farm alongside sons James and David. The family run 500 suckler cows and finish around 5000 cattle annually. Their entry was described by Mr Black as ‘an excellent example of silage produced to suit the demands of a large-scale finishing system’.
In the young farmers’ classes, the beef prize was awarded to Jamie Smith, South Ridgehill, Beith, while Fraser Kennedy, Chapelcroft, Lockerbie, retained the young farmers’ dairy title.
Other section winners saw AW Hodge, West Scoutts top the maize category; J Gemmell and Son, Turnerhill, led the whole-crop line-up; and David Smith, Deconhill, Mauchline, claimed the honours for the best new entrant.
LEADING awards
Ayrshire – 1, Kevin Lawrie, Myremill, Maybole (DM 51.38, ME 12.1, p16.43).
Dumfries – 1, Donald Miller, Trailflat (DM 43.5, ME 12.1, p16.6)
Stewartry – 1, Brian and Michael Yates, East Logan (DM 41.48, ME 12.35, p15.52)
Wigtownshire – 1, AF and AP Hamilton, Balmeash (DM 38.77, ME 12.06, p15.35)
YFC dairy – 1, Fraser Kennedy, Chapelcroft, Lockerbie (DM 38.1, ME 11.9, p14.7); 2, Robbie McIlwrath, Townhead of Mousald (DM 28.4, ME 12.1, p17.7); 3, David Smith, Deconhill (DM 41.4, ME 12.1, p 13.3).
YFC beef – 1, Jamie Smith, South Ridgehill, Beith (DM 38.5, ME 12.0, p16.0); 2, Matthew Woods, Haughyett (DM 27.33, ME 10.92, p15.34); 3, Eve Currie, Fisherton (DM 29.72, ME 10.5, p11.98).
Open dairy – 1 and overall, (DM, ME, p); 2, (DM, ME, p); 3, (DM, ME, p).
Open beef – 1, A B Young, Girvan Mains, Girvan (DM 38.43, ME 11.28, p14.9); 2, James Bigger, Grange (DM 30.4, ME 12.1, p13.1); 3, Niall Duncanson, Marchbank Farm (DM 23.92, ME 12.2, p14.4).
Maize – 1, AW Hodge, West Scoutts (DM 24.50, ME 12.42, p8.9, starch 28.2); 2, J Rome, Ingleston Farm (DM 33.5, ME 11.7, p7.5, starch 28.4); 3, K Lawrie, Myremill (DM 24.05, ME 12.24, p7.24, starch 25.25).
Wholecrop - 1, J Gemmell and Son, Turnerhill (DM 38.19, ME 11.3, p7.89, starch 34.5); 2, J Sloan, Dormiston (DM 60.95, ME 9.8, p8.85, starch 25.32); 3, A Marshall, Hardgrove (DM 36.9, ME 9.9, p7.7, starch 27.7).
Big bale – 1, David Nelson, Redcroft (DM 40.7, ME 11.9, p15.5); 2, AF and AP Hamilton, Balmeash (DM 38.77, ME 12.06, p15.35); 3, David McCutcheon, Boghouse (DM 57.01, ME 11.63, p17.57).
Contractors – 1, Musson Contracting Ltd; 2, Peter Cowan Contracting; 3, D Watson Agri Services.
Michael Milligan prize (attention to detail) – Frazer Kennedy, Chaplecroft.
Best new entrant – David Smith, Deconhill, Mauchline.
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