The FWAG Cymru - National Grid Silver Lapwing Awards 2007

Outstanding examples of commercial farmers enhancing the environment on their farms 

The FWAG Cymru - National Grid Silver Lapwing Farm Conservation competition for 2007 has been won by Peter Davies of Slade Farm, Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan, in the face of very stiff competition. The judges were astounded by the way best environmental practices are so well integrated into the ambitious farm business activity at Slade; an impressive range of species are identified and supported. Terry Clarke was one of the national judges: "this farm delivers outstanding commercial and conservation results. The scale of the exercise, with mixed beef, sheep and pig production alongside arable is impressive but even this is shaded by commitment and enthusiasm, an enthusiasm that spreads to the involvement of rangers at the adjacent Heritage Coast Centre."

Mr Davies was presented with a cheque for £800 and an engraved, slate farm gate plaque, by Mr Edward Perkins, President of the Royal Welsh Show at the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society's Winter Fair at Llanelwedd.

Runners up were the north Wales regional winner - Bini Jones of Fferm T? Isaf, Ffestiniog, Gwynedd and the Mid-Wales winner - the Cnewr Estate, managed by David Vaughan. Both received a cheque for £200 and a slate plaque.

Glenda Thomas, Director FWAG Cymru said "The Silver Lapwing competition sets very high standards and our finalists are all very worthy winners reflecting the activities of many, many farms in Wales. They show that commercial farming and conservation goes hand in hand".

This is the first time that FWAG Cymru has staged its own Silver Lapwing Farm Conservation competition, but there has been a FWAG UK competition running for some 28 years.  National Grid have sponsored the award, and Clare White of National Grid, who was one of the national judges said "National Grid are delighted to be involved with the competition, highlighting environmental management and agricultural production working in tandem." The other national judges were Rod Williams of the Countryside Council for Wales and Terry Clarke, a dairy farmer from Pembrokeshire. Terry was last year's FWAG UK Silver Lapwing Farm Conservation Award winner, and this  was a tremendous achievement as it was the first time that a Welsh farmer had won the award  for 15 years, and the first time a dairy farmer had won the award for over 25 years.