South West farmers producing some of the UK's best-quality forage were celebrated at the Mole Valley Farmers' Forage for Profit Awards, which recognises the art and science of making good forage.

Now in its third year, the Forage for Profit scheme was launched in 2009 to encourage and support farmers to produce better quality and higher quantities of forage. MVF has analysed over 3,000 forage samples from farmer members each year since 2009 and has seen strong progress and a good rise in metabolisable energy levels.

Graham Ragg, MVF's arable and fertiliser sales manager, said: "Initially our analysis in 2009 showed an average of only 10.3 ME across the 3,000 forage samples, which is just maintenance level. In 2010 it had risen to 10.8 and for 2011 the average was 11.1, with some farmers managing as high as 12 ME.

"When we launched the scheme we never expected to see such progress so quickly, and feel that we have been able to provide real support, enabling farmers to produce the best-quality forage, resulting in more profitable businesses."

The awards recognise farmers in six categories. The winners were: Maize Forage Award, Graham and Jill Duke, Launceston; Big Bale Forage Award, Aled Rees, Cardigan; the Dairy Forage Award, Pete Turner, Bradford-on-Avon; Beef and Sheep Forage Award, Richard and Jean Tully, South Hams; Most Improved Forage Award, Tom Dening, Yeovil; and Grazing Forage Award, Bill and David Saunders, Bodmin.

The entrants were visited on-farm by a different panel of industry expert judges for each category. The winners were chosen following in-depth judging which considered forage clamp and bale management, rationing systems, re-seeding programmes, cutting-date awareness, enterprise profitability and forage analysis results.

The winners received their prizes at a ceremony in Bristol which included a presentation from leading practical research scientist, Dr Sinclair Mayne, departmental scientific adviser in Northern Ireland's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, discussing the importance of high-quality forage, current research projects and future developments.