The Melplash Agricultural Society has introduced new crop classes alongside its usual farm competitions.

It has added grassland and crops to further recognise the hard work and dedication of West Dorset farmers.

Robert Bowditch, Melplash Agricultural Society director and farmer, said: "The society's farm competitions recognise and commend the good practices of West Dorset farmers, it assesses their husbandry, financial and business skills as well as their dedication to looking after the countryside.

"Many farmers we know will be missing the social aspects and friendly rivalry of the Melplash Show. The new classes, we hope, will be an exciting challenge for all farmers and growers and will encourage pride and healthy competitiveness."

The new classes are:

• Short-term cutting lay: land put down to grass, clover, herbs etc for a single season. Cut several times a year for silage or hay to feed livestock
• Long-term cutting lay: land put down to grass typically for four/five years or more. Used for grazing animals and cut around once a year
• Best field of winter wheat: sown in autumn or winter and harvest the following summer
• Best field of winter barley: sown in September/October and harvest in July
• Best field of spring barley: sown in March/April and harvested in the summer
• Best field of oats: oats can be planted in both spring and winter

The prize money for grassland and crop classes is first prize £50, second prize £25 and third prize £15. Prize money for farm classes are first prize £75, second prize £50 and third prize £25.

The competitions have been kindly sponsored by Woolley & Wallis, a regional firm of estate agents, chartered surveyors and auctioneers, and is open to farms and small holdings of all sizes within a 12-mile radius of Melplash village church. All classes are free to enter.

The competition schedules and entry forms are available online at melplashshow.co.uk and the closing date for entries is June 23.

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