The longest running UK silage competition has opened for 2024 and is seeking entries from across the country to showcase the best examples of silage production.

The 24th AgriScot Silage Competition, which over 3000 farmers have entered since it started, is judged in two stages, one on paper and one physical assessment.

There are four different categories - Beef Clamp, Dairy Clamp, Big Bale and Young Farmer (any cut) - with the competition culminating with live judging of the final at AgriScot 2024 on Wednesday 13th November.

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The sponsors and judges look forward to receiving this year’s entries, says Andrew Best, Seed Specialist at Watson Seeds, which sponsors the prizes, and organiser of the AgriScot Silage Competition:

“Every growing year is different, and it’s always interesting to see the analysis. This year has been hard going for grass growing. It was a mild, wet winter and there was more grass coming through than traditionally would be expected but then the early summer weather meant the first cut was later for most people. We expect silage to be more fibrous in the first cut, and it will be fascinating to see the results from the later cuts as the weather has been catchy and it’s made it difficult to cut the grass at the right stage to get that nice balance between yield and quality. The competition is great to be part of, but it also demonstrates the value of knowing your silage so you can supplement appropriately and efficiently. This competition recognises the work that goes into that and why it matters.”

Stage 1: Chemical Analysis

The first stage is an on-paper entry submitted by email. Judges will initially examine the silage analysis report from each applicant, evaluating metabolisable energy, crude protein and dry matter. Along with the silage analysis, entrants should include the silage cut date. The top five entries in each category will move on to further testing.

From these, a second round of chemical analysis will reduce the field to the top three finalists in each class.

Stage 2: Fresh Sample Judging

The top three entries from each category will then be asked to provide fresh silage samples for live judging at AgriScot to select the winners.

The judges this year is Hugh McClymont and Donald Harvey who will explain in the final, held in the ring at AgriScot, what influenced their final decisions. 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.

Chair of AgriScot, Robert Neill, says,

“The silage competition is one of the longest running at AgriScot, and is always a popular ringside event. Farmers will always aim to produce the highest quality forage possible, but it’s not always easy putting yourself out there against your peers, and winning in this competition is great validation of what you are achieving.”

Before submitting any chemical forage analysis, competitors are reminded to ask permission of the silage owner and confirm that the silage will be available for fresh sampling should it make it to the final stage of the competition.

Entries for the first stage must be submitted by Monday, October 12, 2024 to Andrew Best at abest@watsonseeds.com.