Vowgarve farm is a 110 head dairy unit that has been farmed by Brian Knipe and his family down through generations. Despite having no natural wildlife assets, the owner and his family have gone to great lengths to create wildlife corridors, improve hedgerows, create wetlands and increase farmland birds. The owner makes maximum use of manures, water and grass swards.

The Silver Lapwing Competition is the UK's most prestigious farm conservation award, in which farms throughout the British Isles are recognised for their pioneering and innovative conservation activity. The award is unique to farmers who run a successful commercial enterprise alongside good environmental stewartship.

The two runners up for this year award were also announced at the FWAG Silver Lapwing presentation on the Waring Estate. They were Mr Alan Hunter of Eglinton, Co. Derry and Robert James Ingram of Rathfriland, Co. Down. Both farms were highly commended by the judges. Dr Alan Galbraith of DARD Countryside Management Branch presented the prizes to the three winners.

Cormac McKervey of award sponsors - the Ulster Bank Ltd - stated: "the high standard of the entries indicates the ability of farmers here to enhance our countryside while getting on with the running of their businesses. The entrants were commercial businesses focused on generating profit. As these businesses have developed and grown over the years they have done so from a sound environmental base which has grown as part of the business. It is great to witness the enthusiasm and pride shown by the farmers. Thanks to FWAG for their work in continuing to help farmers here recognise that good environmental management is part of good commercial farming."

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group thanks everyone who participated in this years competition and in particular to all the farming entries, Dr Alan Galbraith of DARD for presenting the prizes and The Ulster bank Ltd for their support of FWAG and farming.