Gold Cup
RABDF / NMR GOLD CUP COMPETITION
Sponsored by National Milk Records (NMR), the Gold Cup is the UK’s leading national dairy award, recognising dairy businesses for all-round excellence. First launched in 1920, it has been won by some of the country’s most progressive and influential dairy farmers.
ENTERING
Entering the Gold Cup is straightforward, with a streamlined online application process.
To reduce the amount of information entrants need to gather manually, we use reports available through Milk Recording Organisations. As you complete your entry, you will be prompted to provide the relevant reports along with any additional supporting documents required.
Step-by-step ‘How to Guides’ are available for:
National Milk Records (NMR) customers
Cattle Information Service (CIS) customers
Herds recording with QMMS can request guidance directly, please email Andrew Bradley.
The competition is also open to non-recording herds, with data submitted manually.
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
The competition is open to dairy businesses that can demonstrate:
- Strong herd performance, including high standards of health, welfare and fertility
- A profitable and resilient business
- Effective staff management
- Environmental responsibility
- A sustainable dairy enterprise fit for the future
Whether you operate a crossbred grass-based herd, an indoor high-input high-output system, a pedigree herd or a spring block calving herd, the Gold Cup is open to all systems and herd types.
- All entries must be submitted by Friday 11 September 2026
ASSOCIATED AWARDS
The Gold Cup also incorporates several prestigious associated awards:
- Silver Salver – Presented to the qualifying Holstein herd with the highest value of total solids produced (fat and protein)
- Lilyhill Trophy – Presented to the qualifying Jersey herd with the highest value of total solids produced (fat and protein)
- Chairman’s Cup – Presented to the qualifying non-Holstein or non-Jersey herd with the highest value of total solids produced (fat and protein)
The Chris May Memorial Bowl, awarded for the highest average Lifetime Daily Yield, continues unchanged.
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2025 - T. N. Morrow and Partners of Treveale Farm, Ladock
2024 - Harper Adams Future Farm
2023 - George Brown & Hallam Mills, Bisterne Farms, Hampshire
2022 - The Logan Family, Holehouse Farms, Ayrshire
Hosted annually by the winner of the prestigious RABDF/NMR Gold Cup dairy award
More than 1,000 dairy farmers and industry professionals visited Treveale Farm, near Ladock, Cornwall, on 30 June for the RABDF NMR Gold Cup Open Day, marking the first time a Cornish farm has won the prestigious award since the competition began in 1920.
Hosted by T N Morrow and Partners, the event showcased how long-term investment, strong management and a focus on efficiency have helped develop one of the UK's leading dairy businesses.
Opening the event, RABDF Chair Robert Craig said Treveale Farm demonstrated the importance of investing for the future despite the current challenges facing the dairy sector.
"The Morrow family has taken a long-term view of the industry, making significant investments for the next generation, including a new dairy unit in 2018 and a youngstock unit in 2023 as well as doubling their pedigree Holstein Maymor herd over the past 14 years to 471 cows," he said.
"If we want an industry that is fit for the future, farmers need the confidence to invest. While the current market remains difficult, businesses with strong management and a clear long-term strategy are best placed to succeed."
