Michael Pollitt, agricultural editorBroadland farmers scooped top awards in the Norfolk County Farm Business championships.The judging of the 31st annual competition, which was carried out earier this week, has produced an outstanding first win in the championship class for Henry Alston, of Billockby Farms, near Acle, for the family's livestock and arable enterprise.Michael Pollitt, agricultural editor

Broadland farmers scooped top awards in the Norfolk County Farm Business championships.

The judging of the 31st annual competition, which was carried out earier this week, has produced an outstanding first win in the championship class for Henry Alston, of Billockby Farms, near Acle, for the family's livestock and arable enterprise.

Members and supporters of the Aylsham Agricultural Show Association, which organises the annual competition, will be invited to tour the championship farm on Thursday, July 8, at 5.30pm.

And the special award, the Leonard Papworth Trophy for the manager or foreman of the supreme champion farm, will be presented after the tour of the farm by show president Marion Williams.

The reserve supreme champion was Mid-Norfolk farmer Andy Boesen, of AKH Boesen, Westwood Farm, Great Ryburgh, near Fakenham.

The livestock category for the Sir John White Jubilee Cup, which is sponsored by Anglia Farmers, was won by Mid-Norfolk farmer Nigel Carey, of Mill Farm, Great Witchingham, who welcomed about 25 members of Norfolk Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, to his 400-acre organic holding. Mr Carey was last year's runner-up in the annual FWAG competition.

The winner of the large farm category was Albanwise Farms, which is based at Barton Bendish, near Downham Market, but also has other enterprises including one at Saxlingham, near Holt.

The reserve was another former Norfolk champion farm, Heygates Farms, of Snailspit Farm, near Swaffham, run by Will Gribbon.

In the medium farm category, the champion was Tim Place, of Place UK, Church Farm, Tunstead, near Stalham, and his team including farm manager Jon Lowe. The reserve went to another former champion farm run by James Chapman, of SW Chapman and partners, of Clarke's Farm, Martham.

In the smaller farm category, the champion was Richard Hirst, who welcomed about 200 visitors at last weekend's Open Farm Sunday. Mr Hirst, of Carr Farm, Ormesby St Margaret, is also a former chairman of the NFU's horticultural board.

The reserve went to Robert Alexander, of Bush Green, Pulham Market, who is a first-time entrant.

The farm competition is sponsored by land agents Brown & Co and chartered accountants Larking Gowen.

Members of Anglia Farmers have been invited to tour Mr Alston's Billockby Farms on Wednesday evening. All places have been taken.