AN OXFORDSHIRE dairy farm has been shortlisted for a prestigious agricultural award.

Redlands Farm, in Hook Norton, run by the Gasson family, is up against five rivals in a contest to win the Gold Cup, awarded annually by the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers.

About 500 farms across the UK entered the competition.

The farm has been in the Gasson family since 1921 and has a purpose-built dairy unit in Sibford Road, north of the village.

At a time when many dairy farmers are selling up, saying they cannot make a living because of low milk prices, the Gassons have continued to invest in their business, which supplies supermarket Waitrose.

The farm now has a herd of 400 Holstein cows, having built up the herd from 220 cows in the late 1990s. A new building to house 200 cows is planned for the next 12 to 18 months, replacing older buildings.

Chris Gasson, inset, who recently took over from his father Ray, said: “With the massive investment we have made, we are committed to dairying. I believe there is a future for efficient dairying. We’re trying to do that by making best use of our people’s skills.”

Farming with the environment in mind is also a priority for the Gassons. Redlands is part of the WildCare scheme, under which at least 10 per cent of the land must be used as wildlife habitats.

The cup winner will be named at the Dairy Event show at the National Exhibition Centre, in Birmingham, on September 6.