Farming Talk: Record levels of entries for County Show

As May 26 draws ever closer, final licks of paint have been applied and finishing touches are being made to the preparations for the Shropshire County Show to accommodate the record levels of livestock which will grace the show rings at the Berwick Road site at Shrewsbury.

It is fantastic to see such enthusiasm and support for the one-day county show, especially in the livestock lines.

I have been coordinating beef cattle, dairy and sheep entries with my team at Market Drayton market.

This year we have seen our sheep numbers nearly double and at an eight-year high with 461 entries from 77 different exhibitors.

Texel entries have commanded top slots with this continental breed extremely popular and it is also great to see our very own Shropshire native sheep out in force.

Beef cattle entries are also running at a very pleasing high with 364 entries exhibited by 98 individuals.

Hereford numbers top all sections with our cattle chair Mrs Hazel Timmis, an avid Hereford exhibitor herself, instigating the three-line whip and rallying support.

This year the dairy entries are amazing with no fewer than 121 forward from 17 different locations.

Holsteins have led the way with the biggest number of entries.

The future of our industry in the hands of the young handlers is also very pleasing to see they are represented with sheep, beef and dairy classes all having a good proportion of entries.

It is extremely humbling how the local and national livestock fraternity has rallied to support this new one-day show in Shropshire, especially when you look at levels of support at other shows and the increased TB restrictions.

Pigs and poultry also have experienced some fantastic levels of entry with poultry increasing from 159 entries last year to 286 this year.

Let's hope the rain declines and the sun shines for what looks to be a very busy and well-supported part of the show.

Bernie Hutchinson, of Barbers Auctions, is part of the Shropshire County Show team