Farming Talk: Record entries and turn-out at one-day show

After months of work and organisation by people across the board the 2012 Shropshire County Show took place on May 26 with record livestock entries and record visitor numbers.

This traditional agricultural event was shared and admired by thousands of people from across Shropshire and the West Midlands and was a true showcase and shop window for Shropshire and national agriculture.

Some of the highest cattle numbers seen in many years, with 369 beef entries and 132 dairy, graced the cattle show rings and were judged by a national team of judges representing no fewer than 14 beef breeds and five dairy breeds.

All of the hard work, preparation and presentation of the cattle by our exhibitors was finally rewarded with the Supreme Champion leading the Grand Parade into the main ring.

It was a truly magnificent event seeing all the different breeds representing traditional to continental and from dairy to beef cattle.

The one-day event certainly drew some of the top cattle in the Midlands, if not the country, and made it extremely hard work for the judges to award their champions.

One judge commented on the day that it was one of the best shows of cattle he had seen for a number of years and a real credit to the exhibitors and the show for hosting a fantastic and well organised event.

Next year's show will be held on May 25 with the Shropshire County Horse Show being held the previous weekend on May 18.

We hope that the Midlands agricultural community will be coming together to make next year's event as successful, if not more successful, than this year.

Information on entries and sponsorship opportunities will be updated on our website throughout the year at www.shropshirecountyshow.com

Bernie Hutchinson, show director, of Barbers Auctions.