Ref. 289976GAZETTE & HEARLD: HEDDINGTON dairy farmer Nick Tyler has fought off stiff competition to win through to the finals of The Dairy Farmer of the Future 2004.

A national vote will now decide if he will win the first prize of a weekend break in Paris and £1,000 of goods and services from sponsors.

The competition set out to find the best young dairy farmer in the UK.

A competition spokesman said: "Many enthusiastic and talented young people are determined to make a career in dairy farming despite the increasingly difficult economic conditions.

"This competition was set up to draw attention to these people who represent the future of our dairy farming industry and to recognise their technical skills, commitment and business acumen."

Following an initial shortlisting, judges visited four farms. Two farmers were chosen for the final.

Mr Tyler, 28, farms at Home Farm, Heddington, near Calne with his parents.

In the last 12 months he has supervised the development of a new unit for 550 cows. His goal is to maximise output from the new unit. He has targeted a milk yield of 10,000 litres per cow.

The judges were impressed by his meticulous planning and by his project management skills. They also acknowledged his clear plans for the future and his vision for the business and the dairy industry.

Mr Tyler said the future of the dairy industry lay in producing a quality product that the market wanted.

"There is a strong future for producers who are efficient and geared to producing a quality product," he said.

Anyone wishing to vote for Mr Tyler can call (09011) 548618, text the word TYLER to 83222 or vote online at www.thefarmingdirectory.co.uk