Farmers across the region are invited to enter this year’s South West Dairy Farm Business of the Year Competition.

Every farmer who enters will receive free tickets to the Dairy Show at the Bath & West Showground in October, and each finalist will receive two tickets for the prestigious Dairy Industry Dinner plus accommodation on the eve of the Show.

The ultimate winner will be presented with the coveted trophy and certificate at the Show, plus an extra special prize of a trip to London and a theatre outing for a family of four.

The competition, sponsored by Barclays Bank and Milk Link, is open to all farm businesses across Devon, Cornwall, Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Gloucestershire whose income is mainly derived from milk production.

Entry forms are available from the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, BA4 6QN or telephone 01749 822 2000. The closing date for entries is 15th August 2005.

All finalists will be visited by the panel of judges who will tour each farm, discuss farming plans and policies with the families and analyse the dairy costings and accounts provided by each business.

The competition aims to highlight dairy farmers in the South West who are best prepared to meet the challenges facing them and who can demonstrate a profitable way ahead. Last year’s competition attracted a high level of entries from across the whole South West region from farm businesses that derive the majority of their income from milk production.

The final result will be announced at the Silver Jubilee Dairy Show at the Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet on 5th October, where the winner receives the prestigious trophy and certificate and will be among the VIP guests at the show’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

Tickets for this year’s Dairy Show, sponsored by NatWest, Dairy Crest and Farmers Guardian, can be obtained from the Showground on 01749 822 200. Advanced saver tickets are available now on the credit card hotline on 01749 822 222.

For further information and pictures please contact:
Fran Weelen, Marketing Department, Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset
Tel: (01749) 822 213 Fax: (01749) 823 169
e-mail: fran.weelen@bathandwest.co.uk
www.bathandwest.co.uk