Show off your silage!

ENTRIES are open for this year’s AgriScot Silage Competition.

It showcases the very best of this year’s silage production from across the country.

There are four categories: Young Farmer (for those aged 30 years and under), Beef Clamp, Dairy Clamp and the Big Bale.

The competition will be judged in two stages, one on paper from a silage analysis, and one physical assessment.

The finalists will be announced in the weeks before the live judging at AgriScot on Wednesday November 19.

Organiser Andrew Best said: “I’m expecting to see some variation in silage quality depending on cutting date. Every growing year is different but the weather through this silage season is a complete contrast to last year. With an unusually dry spring and summer it’s been a challenging season. We’ve been faced with a long drought period which has led to a rapid reduction in grass growth.

“I expect those who sacrificed some yield and took an early cut in May will have had better quality silage and it will have helped to reset the field for subsequent cuts. Those who held off until later in the year ran into drought issues leading to a reduction in quality, so it will be interesting to see the results from the later cuts.

“The competition is great to be part of, and it also highlights the value in knowing your silage so you can supplement according to the fluctuating weather conditions. It is a competition that recognises the input and hard work that goes into making silage and why it matters.”

This year’s expert judges - David Lawrie and James Baillie, both from livestock farms - will not only select the winners but will also explain their decision during the live final in the AgriScot ring. The winners of each category will be awarded with 10 acres of any Watson Seeds Castle Mixture, with second and third place, receiving five and two acres, respectively.

Entries for the first stage are open and must be submitted by Friday October 24 to Andrew at [email protected].

n Find out more at www.agriscot.co.uk