The results are in for the annual Melplash Agricultural Society’s flock competition which rewards farmers in the area for their shepherding and flock management skills.

It is open to sheep farmers with large, medium and small flocks who keep sheep for breeding whether commercial, pedigree or rare breed and live within 12 miles of Melplash village church in Dorset.

Competitors are judged on their business skills, good husbandry and dedication to looking after the countryside.

There are four categories – small ( up to199 acres), medium (200 – 599 acres), large (over 600 acres) and dairy. Each category is judged by a team of judges who assess the overall management of the farm. They look at the profitability, the farming system, the crops and the livestock. Special awards in each category are given for conservation and environmental practises and for the best ley.

This year, Rampisham Hill Farm in Hooke, farmed by David and Ruth Wilkins, did especially well in the competition, winning both the Medium Sized Flocks competition and the Best Managed and Cultivated Farm.

David said: "We are very pleased to have been awarded first place both for our flock and our farm management. Entering flock competitions that are judged on your farm means that the judge will inspect your whole flock and scrutinise your management and welfare practices against other farms and so there is no room for error.

"Looking to the future, we are aiming to continue to improve our flock performance, as well as bringing up our two young daughters in a farming environment that we can be proud of. Supporting shows such as the Melplash Agricultural Show is vital for the local farming community to showcase to the wider region the importance of local farming to our economy and the environment."

The results of the best managed and cultivated farm, and best managed livestock for 2019 are:

Small Farms (199 acres and below)

Judge: Mr Rob White

1st Mr & Mrs David & Ruth Wilkins, Rampisham Hill Farm, Hooke

2nd Mrs Alexa de Ferranti, Lower Hewood Farm, Hewood

Best Temporary Ley – Not awarded

Best Environmental Practice: Mrs Alexa de Ferranti, Lower Hewood Farm, Hewood

Medium Farms (200-599 acres)

Judges: Mr Rob White

1st Messrs. Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay Farm, Netherbury

2nd Mr Andrew Romans, Charity Farm, Litton Cheney

3rd Messrs. Walbridge, Bridge Farm, Hooke

Best Ley: Messrs. Walbridge, Bridge Farm, Hooke

Best Environmental Practice: Messrs. Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay Farm, Netherbury

Large Farms (over 600 acres)

Judges: Mr David Bright & Mr Rod Crossley

1st Mr Nick Bragg, Frogmary Farm Ltd, South Petherton

2nd Messrs. Crutchley, Mappercombe Farm, Nettlecombe

Joint 3rd Mr Brian Huxter, Symondsbury Estate, Symondsbury

Messrs. Maltby, Long Barrow Farm, Long Bredy

Best Ley: Messrs. Crutchley, Mappercombe Farm, Nettlecombe

Best Environmental Practice: Mr Nick Bragg, Frogmary Farm Ltd

Specialist Dairy Farm

Judges: Mr Mark Partridge & Mr Andrew Small

1st Mr J. Loescher, Denhay farms Ltd, Broadoak

2nd Mr Allaster Dallas, Evershot Estate Ltd

3rd Mr Stephen Raymond, Childhay Organic dairy

Best Environmental Practice: Mr Allaster Dallas, Evershot Estate Ltd

The winners of each category will receive their awards from the Society’s 2019 President Mr Tim Frost at the Melplash Show on Thursday 22 August.