A WORCESTERSHIRE family farming business has shown that a market focus coupled with a well-managed system can deliver high margins.

The dairy herd owned by the Surman family, at Ryall, Upton-on-Severn, and producing well over one million litres of organic milk a year, competed against 1,500 other dairy herds to be named Milkminder Manager of the Year 2005 at the European Dairy Farming Event at Stoneleigh.

Oliver Surman, who manages the farm, said: "It's particularly satisfying to win when we're judged against all comers, some of which are organic like ourselves but the majority would be conventional non-organic herds."

Surman Farms extends to 850 acres and was converted to organic production nearly five years ago. The business aims to work closely with the market to maximise the benefits of organic production. All the milk is sold to Cotteswold Dairy at Tewkesbury.

The Surman family recently launched their own branded organic beef and lamb under the name of Pegoty Hedge. Sales are growing steadily and the family are now planning to launch their own branded organic dairy products.

Promar national dairy consultant Derek Gardner said judges were impressed with many aspects of the Surmans' system.

"They have achieved an excellent level of technical performance from their organic system working within the constraints imposed by an organic regime," he said.

"They have got close to their market and by producing what their customers need are achieving a performance not only well in excess of the organic average but also ahead of allcomers."