Stewartry silage makers Keith and Colin Davidson of Halmyre Farm, Haugh of Urr, have been crowned the best in Scotland.
They are the new Scottish Grassland Society silage champions after winning the South West of Scotland title .
During the last few weeks, the three Scottish Grassland Societies (SWSGS, EOSGS and N of Scotland) have held their local silage competitions and the winners went forward for the final of the Scottish Grassland Society.
The final has been coordinated by the BGS Regional Council member, Mr Ian Whiteford of Hilltarvit, Cupar, who also accompanied the judge, Mike Martin of Garguston, Muir of Ord,to judge the three finalists in Scotland.
Mr Martin said: “The standard of all three finalists in the three grassland society areas was, as I had expected, of a high calibre and demonstrated their enthusiasm to make grass contribute to the success of their business.
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“The overall winners were Keith and Colin Davidson, Halmyre, Haugh Of Urr, Castle Douglas. Their attention to detail on their dairy farm was very impressive and their rations were well formulated to make full use of their excellent silage and the way that father and son worked together impressed me.
“Son Colin took full responsibility for the pit work and he made sure that there was no waste on the top, sides and face of the pit. The pit is filled across the whole area not in a wedge shape and there is time given to consolidate the silage before being covered with Kling, a plastic sheet and then green silage cover.”
He added: “Father Keith, who is president of the Ayrshire Cattle Breed Society, took great pleasure in showing me his prize Ayrshire cow. One of the best in the country being housed in the cubicle shed along with the other 200 cows they milk.
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“A percentage of their milk is made into ice cream and is sold at various venues in the area and is managed by Keith’s wife, Jane. This is an excellent example of diversification with the family.”
Second place went to John Shand, Chapelford, Clachan, Buckie.
The winning silage from the Davidsons, which was a first cut sample, and analysed as Dry Matter 37.6 per cent.
