Chairman of judges, David Cotton says "What makes a Gold Cup finalist? The questions on the entry form will give you an opportunity to review your business and to think about its future. I would recommend answering all the questions which will help you focus on your direction. Results on paper are only part of the story - yield, somatic cell counts, bactoscan and margin all help, but what about the business? Where is it going? What are the long term objective aims? Who is responsible for the decisions? Is there a long term plan with objectives or are you just drifting? Where will you be in 5 years time? These are all questions that the judges take into consideration when looking at the individual businesses.

David Cotton centre 

"Having completed and returned the entry form, if you are notified that you are a finalist, the judges will visit the farm for an hour and a half. This will involve a chat around the kitchen table, a look at the cows and youngstock, a good look around the buildings, a discussion on any improvements made together with any proposed improvements, any diversifications that add to the bottom line and how it fits in with the core business. How will the business look if there is an open day the following year - would this be an opportunity or a threat? In all, a lot to consider if you are to be the next Gold Cup Winner."

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