Creamery laps up grassland achievements.

A NORTH Wales creamery is celebrating after a second farmer supplier in three years won the National Grassland Management competition.

Dylan Tudor Jones, of Bryn Rhydd, Edern, near Pwllheli, collected the coveted award at last week's Dairy Event, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire In 2007, the same award was won by fellow South Caernarfon Creameries' producers Arthur and Marian Owen, of Llannefydd, Denbigh.

The judges were swayed by Dylan's ability to produce high quality grass on difficult land: not only is part of the farm boggy, it is prone to burning up in dry years.

The 297 acre farm, which carries 150 Holstein dairy cows and more than 200 sheep, recently saw the installation of 1.5 miles of cow tracks from 10,000 tonnes of stone and gravel.

Dylan said the award came as a shock. "We were invited to attend the Dairy Event but we really had no idea that we had won anything," he said.

SCC chief executive Alan Wyn Jones said the success reflected the "exceptional farm management and grassland expertise" of the creamery's member farmers.

"This is a fantastic achievement for the entire family," he added.

North Wales has now produced the previous three national winners after last year's victory by Bala beef and sheep producer Emyr Jones.

CAPTION(S):

Dylan and Anwen Jones