This year's winner of the Pembrokeshire Early Potato Growers Crops competition, promoted annually by the Pembroke County branch of the NFU, is Martin Evans for a field of the Lady Cristl salad variety grown at West Farm, Cosheston. Mr. Evans also grows earlies at Bubbleton, Penally. Mr. Evans says that this has been an exceptional year for the potato crop in Pembrokeshire and he has already completed harvesting the 25 acres which he has grown. "The fields were protected from frost attack with a plastic mulch after being planted early in February and no irrigation had been necessary," he said. The runner-up was last year's winner and nearest neighbour, Mr. John Hayman, who farms at Brompton Park, Burton - on the north side of the Cleddau estuary. Mr. Evans, who has a highly commendable record of successes in potato crops competitions, received the challenge trophy from the crops judge, Mr. David Mathias, at the Growers Conference held at Trecenny Farm, St. Davids. Mr. Mathias commented that after being a grower for many years studying other farmers crops was had proved a most interesting experience. "You all appear to have accepted the message loud and clear, to make sure that what you do grow is what the consumer wants," he said. The guest speaker was Mr. Richard Hirst, chairman of NFU Headquarters Horticultural Committee, who said he fully recognised that growers were examining closely their commercial arrangements. He reminded that the industry was now having to pay close attention to unusual rainfall patterns, and subsequent run off from arable fields, as the Water Boards now demand that rivers remain pristine clean. He urged growers to monitor closely every aspect of their husbandry programme and to do all things to the very best of their ability, making good use of such environmental schemes as may be available and preserve water quality at all times. Field results

Open crops, 4-10 acres: 1. F. J. Hathway, Broomhill Farm, Angle; 2. J. Hayman, Brompton Park, Burton; 3. D. R. John, Lammaston, Pembroke. 10- acres and over: 1. J Hayman; 2. W. Richards, Windmill Park, St. Brides. Covered crops, 4-10 acres: 1. F. J. Hathway; 2. J. Hayman; 3. D. R. John. 10 acres and over - 1. M. Evans, West Farm, Cosheston; 2. G. Lewis, Pearson, St. Brides; 3. D. Phillips, Windsor, Lamphey. Salad varieties: 1. M. Evans; 2. G. Lewis; 3. D. R. John. Set skin bakers: 1. W. Simon, West Farm, Orielton.