Local trio lauded for wildlife sensitive farming

Organisers of the Great Yorkshire Show, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society has today announced the five regional winners of its annual Tye Trophy competition which rewards farmers who match successful commercial farming with sound conservation practice.

The regional winners are: Malcolm Fewster of Listing Mill Farm, Cleckheaton (West & South Yorkshire); Timothy Fothergill of Red House Farm, Easby, Richmond (North Yorkshire); Geoff Riby of Low Stonehills Farm, Fraisthorpe, Bridlington (East Yorkshire); Simon Hare of Trees House Farm, Brignall, Barnard Castle (Tyne Tees), and Edwin Taylor of Wallish Walls Farm, Shotley Bridge, Consett (Northumberland).

The overall champion, to be chosen from the five regional winners, will be revealed at the Great Yorkshire Show which takes place in Harrogate on July 14-16.

The winners ceremony takes place on the Wednesday with the Society’s president, Lord Crathorne, officiating.

Charles Mills, regional judging panel chairman of the competition, said: “I’ve been involved in judging the Tye Trophy competition since it began in 2007 and it’s interesting and rewarding, to see how it’s developed.

“There is a growing awareness amongst farmers that conservation is a valuable addition to successful commercial farming, which is how it should be.

“As ever, the standard of entries has been high, and all our winners deserve praise and recognition. They exemplify what can be achieved when conservation is an integral part of commercial farming practice, and the benefits which result.”

Top of the judging criteria was the degree of integration of conservation into a well-run commercial farming system, and also evidence of future strategy in taking the measures forward. The extent to which existing habitats and features have been retained, enhanced and managed effectively was also considered.