The 2015/16 All Wales Clamp Silage competition, run in conjunction with the RWAS, and sponsored by Wynnstay, has been won by Pembrokeshire farmer Richard Philips of Orton, and a member of Narberth Grassland Society.

The competition is open to all members of the 20 Welsh grassland societies. The winner from each society is then entered into one of the five regional finals.

The winners from those go on to the All Wales final which is judged by a technical judge John Evans, industry sponsor Dr Huw McConochie and the previous winner Andrew Reed.

Whilst the quality of the silage is a key factor, the judges also visit each farm to assess clamp management and feeding practices amongst other efficiency markers.

This year, the silage analyses were sponsored by Agri-Lloyd on behalf Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies (FWGS).

Mr Philips’ winning silage was made predominantly from intermediate and late heading high sugar diploid ryegrasses and white clover mixtures. It analysed out at DM 30.6%, D-value 74.8%, ME 12.0 MJ/kg DM, and CP 14.2%.

Mr Philips runs a 230 cow dairy herd with an average milk yield of 8790 litres/cow, butterfat 4.23 % and protein, 3.33 %. He also rears 30 beef cattle each year on the 170ha (420acre) south-facing unit, 250ft above sea level.

Last year, 170 acres of grassland were taken for first cut, 150 for second and 100 acres for third cut. First cut was made on 19 May, second cut on 30 June and third cut on 11 August, giving a total tonnage of 2900t freshweight (5.1t DM/ha @30%DM). Grass was wilted for 24-36hrs and an additive used.

There were seven people involved in the silage-making process and the entire operation took three days. Maize (40 acres) was also grown.

During the winter months, cows each receive a daily ration of 32.5kg grass silage, 12.5kg maize silage and 9kg of concentrate.

Lead judge John Evans said: “The farm inspections were impressive in that we probably only found a forkful of waste between the five clamps examined. Efficient feeding procedures, careful rationing and good all round management were evident on all the farms.”

This made the decision very difficult with only a fraction of marks separating the farms. Mr Philips was closely followed by joint runners-up: Messrs Evans and John Parry.

Messrs Evans of ASL & CE Evans, Cwmwythig, Capel Bangor are members of Aberystwyth Grassland Society. Their silage analysed out at: DM 32.8%, D-value 73.8, ME 11.8 MJ/kg DM, CP 14.9%. The Evans family farm 536 acres, which is all down to grass, and at 195ft asl.

They milk 485 cows and carry an additional, 30 beef animals per year and take sheep wintering. The dairy herd averages 8690 litres/cow, butterfat 4.32% and 3.29% for protein. A three-cut silage system is used, and first cut was taken on the 28 April with a 24hr wilt.

Also joint runner up was John Parry of Goitre Farm, Kerry, Newtown, a member of Upper Severn Grassland Society and a previous All Wales winner. His silage analysed as follows: DM 37.3%, D-value 69.9, ME 11.2 MJ/kg DM, CP 11.5%. Mr Parry farms 230 acres plus 300 acres of hill ground.

He has 70 suckler cows and calves and 1200 ewes with 1800 lambs reared per year. A single cut of silage was taken on 9 June and wilted for 24hrs. The operation was done by contractors within two days. The clamped silage is fed to sheep on a self feed/easy feed system which gives a significant saving on labour and machinery.

The other finalists (and regional winners) were: Mr J Bryn Jones, Ty Newydd Farm, Abersoch, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, a member of South Caernarfon Grassland Society. And Mr O Anstey & Son, Ty-Fry Farm, Penddylan, Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, members of Glamorgan Grassland Society.

The All Wales Clamp Silage competition has been running since 1979. This year’s winner is a member of Narberth Grassland Society which was the first society to be established in Wales, and was formed in May 1962.

The Federation of Welsh Grassland Societies (FWGS) was formed in 1966, and this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.