A champion farm's "outstanding" crop has clinched Norfolk’s top malting barley title in a competition between two rival agricultural clubs.
John McLeod, of Old Manor Farm in East Ruston, near Stalham, lifted the supreme championship trophy for Stalham Farmers’ Club in the annual tussle for honours against Holt and District Farmers’ Club.
The sample of Lucent variety, grown by farm manager David Pickering, was judged ahead of Holt's entry from William Mack, of Hempstead Hall, who grew the winter variety, Craft.
The awards were presented by west Norfolk farmer Gavin Lane, vice-president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), at the Stalham club’s annual dinner at North Walsham Rugby Club.
It was a night of triumph for Mr McLeod’s team, who also won the wheat trophy and the prize for the best sugar beet crop.
The best two-acre trophy was awarded to former club president Thomas Love, of Walcott Farms, which also won the Cantley Cup for best overall performance in the last beet campaign.
The Potato Cup’s winner was a crop of Ivory Russet grown by James Harrison at Neatishead.
Full results as follows. Wheat: 1, Milligen McLeod, Gleam; 2, Mautby Farms, Gleam; 3, LF Papworth, Spotlight. Barley: 1 and 3, Milligen McLeod, Lucent, and Maris Otter; 2, Mautby Farms, Maris Otter. Whole crop: 1, Milligen McLeod; 2, CH Callow & partners; 3, LF Papworth. Best two-acre: 1, Walcott Farms; 2, Robert Cook; 3, Milligen McLeod. Cantley Cup: 1 Walcott Farms, 2, CN Beck & Son; 3, Cubitt Siely. Potato Cup: 1 and 3, James Harrison, Ivory Russet and Challenger; 2, LF Papworth, Premiere.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here