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THE final results of the Dairy Farmer of the Future competition have been announced with James Willcocks of Bodmin, Cornwall, taking the winner's trophy.

The 38-year-old was presented with the trophy and prize money at the Farm Health Planning Seminar area on the first afternoon of the Dairy Event and Livestock Show.

Katie Lomas, co-judge and FG's livestock editor, told the crowd James had impressed all the judges with his focus, commitment and professional approach to achieving a good work life balance.

James and his wife, Kiki, tenants on the 200ha (500-acre) Tregleath Farm, milk 270 cows. They are using Brown Swiss, Norwegian Red and New Zealand Friesian/Jerseys in a three-way cross-breeding programme and are set to move to a spring and autumn block calving system as well as taking numbers to 300 in the next 18 months.

Runner-up was Michael Colwell, 37, also from Cornwall.

Tom Pugh, 23, from Eardisley, Hereford, was Highly Commended.

Now in its ninth year, the annual competition is run by Farmers Guardian and its sister publication Dairy Farmer, and aims to recognise and reward young dairy farmers across the agricultural industry.

Article by kind permission of Farmers Guardian

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