WESTMORLAND County Agricultural Society will welcome HRH The Countess of Wessex to the Annual Silage Competition today.

In her role as President of the Society, Her Royal Highness will be attending during the visual judging at Lords Plain Farm, meeting judges and exhibitors.

Record entries of almost 100 have been submitted for the competition, which sees silage samples analysed by sponsors, Carrs Billington, for nutrient content and scored against a matrix of the “ideal” fodder.

Shortlisted entries will then be visually judged by an independent panel who also look at management on farm before arriving at the overall winners.

Now recognised as one of the largest of its kind in the country, competition is usually keen amongst the farms taking part, with exhibitors coming from throughout the Society’s area.

The 2019 event will also include educational workshops for secondary school pupils looking at the role livestock nutrition and animal welfare plays in the production of food.

Christine Knipe, chief executive of Westmorland County Agricultural Society, said: “We are delighted and privileged that the Countess of Wessex is attending the Society’s Silage Competition. We are all really pleased to have her support and it is wonderful for all concerned with the Westmorland Agricultural Society”.

The Countess is a keen supporter of agriculture, farming and food production. The 2019 Westmorland County Show will be held at the Showground, Lane Farm, Crooklands near Kendal on Thursday September. 12.