RICHARD Boyes from Bleary YFC has been named the winner of the Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster (YFCU) 2010 silage making competition sponsored by John Thompson and Sons Limited.
The competition began in November with members from throughout Northern Ireland taking part in regional heats and from these David Dodd (Spa YFC), Richard Boyes (Bleary YFC), Stephen Ferguson (Derrygonnelly and Churchill YFC), Ian Armstrong (Clanabog
an YFC), Jonathan Hutchinson (Curragh YFC) and Jonathan Porter (Lylehill YFC) made it through to the final.
During this, the competitors were assessed by judges Hugh McCluggage from John Thompson and Sons Limited and David McCracken from Banbridge.
The judges travelled to the farm of each competitor and carried out a visual inspection of the silage taking into account its fermentation, digestibility and dry matter content as well as the sealing of the silo and the way in which the effluent was collected. They also conducted an interview with each of the finalists in relation to how the silage was made and their current feeding policy.
Once again the judges were greatly impressed by the enthusiasm of the finalists and their superb knowledge of silage making.
The overall quality of the silage was the highest the judges have seen over the last 10 years, which was reflected in the excellent quality of their livestock.
In a close run competition Richard Boyes from Bleary YFC was announced as this year's winner with David Dodd (Spa YFC) taking second place and Jonathan Porter (Lylehill YFC) was placed third.
The YFCU would also like to extend a note of appreciation to John Thompson and Sons Limited for their continued support of this event.
"Six new finalists but the same high standard," these were the comments from the judges David McCracken, Banbridge and Hugh McCluggage from sponsor John Thompson & Sons Ltd.
The judges were impressed with the quality of the silage on the six farms visited despite the fact that weather wise 2009 was a difficult year for making good silage.
Fermentations were excellent and they were making good use of the silage in the winter feeding plans.
The enthusiasm and commitment shown by the finalists was to be commended. The judges wish all the finalists success in their farming careers.
