A WILTSHIRE farm has made it through to the final round of a national award.

Roundbarrow Farm, in Pitton, Wiltshire, has been shortlisted in the southern region round of this year's ForFarmers Excellence in Farming Awards, in the Forage Management category.

The farm is run by Richard Sainsbury and his wife, Claire,

Richard and Claire milk 215 Friesian cattle and produce milk for Tesco as Arla owners.

Their closed herd average an annual yield of 6,792 litres per cow, with 4,000 litres per cow coming from forage.

Richard aims for the herd to graze from mid-February to December.

ForFarmers Account Manager Peter Cade, who nominated the farm, explained why he felt they are deserving of the award: “Richard has been successful primarily because of his attention to detail when it comes to running his business.

"He chooses his farming practices to best fit his farm, he knows exactly what his herd and the land need, and how to get as much out of the farm that he can.

"Most importantly, he invests in his land.

"At Roundbarrow Farm, they reseed grass and crops every five years, carefully calculate fertiliser and slurry use, and monitor soil condition closely.

"I’m thrilled for them to be shortlisted and believe they deserve to win the national award.”

Richard and Claire are also finalists in the southern region in the Forage Manager of the Year Award category.

The winner will be announced at an event in London in November.