Top farmer milking it! (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Top farmer milking it!

Richard Woolford and the family's Holstein cows Picture Ref: 98983-20A DAIRY farmer has proved himself the cream of the crop by getting to the final of an agricultural competition.

James Woolford, who farms at Hook near Wootton Bassett, is in the last five in the south west section of the Dairy Farm Business of the Year award.

The winner of the section will get a coveted trophy, a free trip to London and a theatre outing for a family of four.

The final will be held at the Silver Jubilee Dairy Show at the Bath and West Showground in October.

Mr Woolford, 57, has farmed 82-hectare Hook Farm since 1971 when his father handed the reins over to him.

He has now gone into partnership with his son Richard.

He hadn't even thought about entering the competition until his bank manager encouraged him to.

"I'm gobsmacked to have been nominated. It is nice to be selected we'll see what happens."

Mr Woolford and his family produce 1.5m litres of milk for Waitrose supermarkets through Dairy Quest and have also received a 10-year Quality Award from Dairy Quest for their specialist Holstein cattle.

Hook Farm got to the final five after going before several judging panels and being picked out of a host of applicants.

The five will go head-to-head at the show on October 5.

Mr Woolford said: "It's just one of those things it's in your blood like a nasty disease!

"By going into partnership with my son we are hoping to keep up the tradition of the family-run business and this show will give us the chance to keep Wiltshire's flag flying, if we can."

As part of the judging, each farm has been toured and all the farmers interviewed about plans and policies, even going as far as to analyse the dairy costings and accounts.

A spokesman for the show said: "The competition aims to highlight dairy farmers in 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 lot of entries from across the south west from farms that derive the majority of their income from milk production."

Tickets for this year's show, held in Shepton Mallet, can be obtained by ringing on 01749 822200 or the credit card hotline on 01749 822222.

Jonathan Whelan