TOM and Tara Morris of East Lydeard Farm, Bishop's Lydeard, Somerset, have made it to the final of The National Grassland Management Competition 2004, which is run by The British Grassland Society and sponsored by Barclays Bank and Kemira GrowHow.

The competition sets out to find the farmers who best demonstrate excellence in the management of grass and forage, leading to profitable production and care of the land.

During the summer, regional competitions took place to find the best practitioners across Great Britain, and seven regional finalists were selected. From these a short list of three was drawn up to compete for the national title.

Tom and Tara run an organic dairy enterprise where the emphasis is on simplicity and maximising milk production from grass. The Morrises have moved against the trend towards diversification - having stopped "fringe" activities to focus solely on milk production.

The current farming system suits the farm's physical resources and the needs of the business, the family and the staff. "I want to be able to run the farm, not have the farm run me," said Mr Morris.

Attention to detail, including daily grassland assessment, ensures that pasture quality is maintained. Current pasture utilisation stands at a very high 89%, and the cows are yielding 4,786 litres from grazed grass.

Soil nutrient status is constantly monitored to ensure the correct nutrient balance. Slurry and muck storage is minimal due to innovative outwintering practices, and no "mechanical" reseeding is carried out. Clover is introduced via the cows - letting them eat grass with a high clover seed content, and then allowing them to deposit this into deficient pastures.

The Morrises show a long term commitment to environmental enhancement of the farm, with well established woodland and pond areas developed over the past 15 years or more. High off ground, which has recently been converted to organic status, is alive with wildlife throughout the year.

Innovation and new ideas are employed throughout the business. For example, pasture on high ground is made into big square bale silage, wrapped two together to reduce costs, and left at regular intervals across the field. Dry cows that block graze the area in winter can access this silage to supplement the grass they graze.

"This farm has to be seen to be believed," said the judging panel after their visit. "This farming family shows a total commitment to achieving a policy of running a simple, viable system that is environmentally sensitive, whilst retaining a desired lifestyle. Their attention to detail, innovation and execution of grassland management are truly outstanding."

The climax of the competition comes at the BGS Winter Road show, "A de-coupled future for grassland farming", to be held at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER), in Aberystwyth, on November 18.

Tom and Tara will be up against another dairy farmer from Northern Ireland and a beef and sheep producer from Wales. The winner will be awarded the coveted Kemira Trophy.