The Devon Bronze Otter, now known as the John Whetman Devon Bronze Otter, is an annual award that highlights the commitment farmers are making to wildlife and nature friendly farming.
A judging panel including NFU South environment and land use adviser Hattie Severinsen alongside organic farmer Sam Walker and Rob Wolton from the Devon Hedge Group visited the Mudges and the other finalist, Richard Dormor from Seaton in East Devon.
Understanding natural capital
Winners David and Shirley run Huccaby Farm, a 350-acre Duchy of Cornwall tenanted beef and sheep farm high up on Dartmoor. It is one of seven Duchy focus farms across the country which has helped them understand their natural capital and carbon footprint.
The farm is already at Net Zero and has a range of important habitats, such as ancient woodlands, pasture, hedges, moorland and rough pasture.
The Mudges keep their stocking levels low, with 80 suckler cows and 150 sheep. This allows the unique landscape to thrive, with flower rich fields that welcome a range of special species.
Ensuring the landscape thrives
The farm is currently in a Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreement, and David and Shirley are looking at future SFI options They have received Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) funding for new hedges and other maintenance on farm.
Diversifications include a campsite, a venue space and portable toilet hire.
As with much upland farming, it can often be difficult to remain economically viable, but this does not stop them from being environmentally conscious and ensuring the landscape is thriving.
Shirley is part of the local farm cluster, a new landscape recovery project in the area and has a keen interest in dung beetles.
They carry out soil testing, harvest rainwater and have bird surveys on farm. They also start school visits in September to offer education about the farm to students.
Third-generation farmer Richard Dormor is at Southdown Farm, which is around 200 acres with beef and sheep enterprises and overlooks the Jurassic Coast.
“Each farm had its own unique characteristics and challenges.
“It is great to see the ongoing work farmers are doing for nature being recognised and awarded.”
Environment and land use adviser Hattie Severinsen
Herbal lay mixes
Richard also has a caravan site on the farm and supports his two brothers with a neighbouring farm and bistro.
A key feature of Southdown is the herbal ley mixes that are ‘mob grazed’ by Richard’s livestock. He tries to limit fertiliser use and encourages wildlife in surrounding hedges and verges.
A 100KW solar panel array provides much of the electricity needed for the farm’s caravan park during the summer months and beehives were recently installed next to it.
Passionate about education
Forty per cent of the farm is classed as public footpath and Richard embraces the footfall this brings, allowing access to areas like his wildflower meadows, which helps to showcase the nature thriving on the farm.
A wildflower hedgerow
He is passionate about educating the community and tourists visiting the area to explain what he is doing on farm and working towards improving nature. He has used FiPL funding to install educational signage about the farm.
He hopes to include more SFI options and is looking into soil testing.
It was a very close contest between two impressive farms, but in the end the Mudges just emerged victorious with slightly higher marks from the judges.
A brilliant day
Hattie said: “It was a brilliant day judging both farms, each had its own unique characteristics and challenges.
“It is great to see the ongoing work farmers are doing for nature being recognised and awarded. I hope to get involved in the judging again next year and encourage all farmers to talk about the work they do on farm for nature.”