Since 1953, the Association has organised a crop competition, which is now one of
the most keenly awaited events in the annual farming calendar of South Suffolk. From a competition starting with nine classes, it now has 20, which reflects to a great extent the changing pattern of farming. The first chairman was Phil Rolands Esq.; the other chairmen, in chronological order, were C. Fulford Esq., T. H. Hogsbjerg Esq., Stanley Wade Esq. R. Nott Esq. and J. Wayman Esq. The present chairman is James Nott Esq. The first prize giving dinners were held in the Town Hall, Sudbury, followed by prize giving dinners in the Athenaeum, Bury St Edmunds, the Corn Exchange, Bury St Edmunds, the Stoke-by-Nayland Golf Club and latterly at The Mill Hotel in Sudbury. Over the years, the attendance at these dinners has averaged 185. Since its inception, the organising secretary of the competition was S. G. Wise Esq., of Houghton Hall, Cavendish who after over 50 years passed the reins on to G. Allen Esq., who then passed them onto Georgina Thornton in 2019.