The competition has begun in the build-up to an annual agricultural show.

The Melplash Agricultural Society judges have been visiting farms for both the farming and flock category.

Each farm entered in the farming category is visited by a team of judges who walk to farm to look at the husbandry of crops and the livestock, how well the environment is cared for, the maintenance of the machinery and fixed assets and so on.

The winners from this year's farming category are:

Small Category (199 acres or fewer):

  • Winner: Mr and Mrs David and Ruth Wilkins, Rampisham Hill Farm, Rampisham

  • Best environmental practice: Mr and Mrs Dan and Jo Stover, Lower Brimley Coombe Farm, Stoke Abbott

Medium Category (200-599 acres):

  • Winner: Mr Andrew Romans, Charity Farm, Litton Cheney

  • Best Ley and Environmental Practice: Messrs Kevin and Edward Goodfellow and Mrs Jo Goodfellow, Higher Silkhay Farm, Netherbury

Large Category (More than 600 acres):

  • Winner: Mr Brian Huxter, Symondsbury Estate, Symondsbury

  • Best Ley and Best Environmental Practice: Messrs R.J. Maltby, Long Barrow Farm, Long Bredy

Specialist Dairy Farm Category judged by Mr James Cossins, stewarded by Mr Michael Fooks

  • Winner: Mr Jim Loescher, Denhay Farms, Broadoak

  • Best Ley & Best Environmental Practice: Mr Jim Loescher, Denhay Farms, Broadoak

Brian Huxter, farm manager of the Symondsbury Estate, winner of the large farms category, said: "Being the winner of the society's large farm category was great news for all the team.

"It is great recognition for the hard work and commitment that the team put into the estate throughout the year."

The flock competition rewards farmers in the area for their shepherding and flock management skills.

The competition is open to sheep farmers with large, medium and small flocks, who keep sheep for breeding, whether commercial, pedigree or rare breed, and live within 12 miles of Melplash Village Church.

The winners from this year's flock category are:

Small Flocks (15-30 ewes):

  • Winner of The Melplash Agricultural Society Perpetual Plaque- Harry Brooks, Hardington

Medium Flocks (51-300 ewes):

  • Winner of the JRB Bowditch Perpetual Cup- Mr and Mrs Wilkins, Hooke, Beaminster

Large flocks (301 ewes and over):

Winner of The Newall Perpetual Cup- Martin Yeates, Swyre

Harry Brooks, winner of the small flocks category, said: "We were really pleased to win the small flock competition with our Poll Dorsets.

"We have had some good results in the show ring this year, with our storm ram 'Poorton Z122' being breed champion at the Royal Bath and West.

"We are very much looking forward to the Melplash Show in August."

The winners will be awarded their cups by the society president, Mr Richard King, at the Melplash Show on Thursday, August 23.

For the full list of results, you can visit melplashshow.co.uk/latest-news