Press release: 04.09.2014
Livestock entries now open for
East of England Smithfield Festival
Primestock showing enthusiasts from across the UK will descend on the East of
England Smithfield Festival this December, with some of the most prized
silverware in the livestock industry up for grabs.
With livestock schedules for the event now available and entries being accepted
event manager Kerry Buttriss says the organisers are once again expecting a
bumper entry from the country's top showmen.
This year’s East of England Smithfield Fesitval, which once again has Newark
Livestock Market as the major cattle sponsor will once again see top drawer cattle
and sheep on show in the primestock classes as well as the ever expanding
pedigree calf shows.
"Primestock classes are once again at the core of the show, but there is no
doubting the increasing popularity of the calf classes as breeders look to showcase
the latest genetics available from their herds," she added.
“This year’s show will feature pedigree calf classes for Aberdeen-Angus, Beef
Shorthorn, Charolais, Limousin, Lincoln Red, Red Poll, Simmental, South Devon and
Sussex cattle.”
In the primestock section it will be the turn of well known Welsh primestock and
baby beef exhibitor Wendy Morgan of Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, to place the
entries.
Mrs Morgan is a well known face on the commercial show cattle circuit having
judged at Beef Expo last year and has also bred many show winners, including last
year’s Countryside Live champion, the carcass champion at the English Winter Fair
in 2012 and the steer champion at Brecon in 2012.
Across in the sheep rings Derbyshire-based farmer and butcher Matthew Prince is
this year's judge. Mr Prince runs a successful family butchers from his base at
Highfield House Farm, Chesterfield, as well as breeding pedigree Texels, Beltex
and Suffolks.
Both judges will be looking for animals suited to the modern butchers trade with
that added extra showring sparkle.
Mrs Buttriss said she expected entries to be strong in all sections, with enquiries
already being received from new exhibitors keen to showcase their stock at the
UK's most prestigious primestock event.
"There is no doubting the Smithfield titles are still the ones every primestock
enthusiast wants to win."
Alongside the live classes the event will once again host lamb carcass and beef ribs
competitions to showcase the very best stock on the hook. "These classes continue
to prove popular and are a great way for producers to demonstrate the quality of
their livestock without the need to prepare them for the showring.”
Also returning again this year are the popular Young Stockpersons competition and
the College Challenge, both of which are deigned to allow the next generation of
farmers and stock people to showcase their skills, explained Mrs Buttriss.
“This year’s judge for the Stockpersons Challenge is well known British Blue and
Simmental breeder Boomer Birch, while the beef section of the College Challenge
will be judged by Hereford and Aberdeen-Angus breeder William Haire, while
former Texel and Beltex breeder Neil Pamplin will judge the sheep section of the
College Challenge,” she added.
“We are looking forward to building on the success of previous events and the early
indications are that both livestock and trade stand numbers will increase again this
year.
“We’ve already received confirmed bookings from a number of major trade
exhibitors and have had many other enquiries too, including from potential
sponsors.”
All enquiries about the event, including applications for trade stands, should be
made through the East of England Agricultural Society’s Livestock office.
Editors notes:
Press release issued by moonandbaa.com on behalf of the East of England Agricultural
Society
For more information contact Kerry Buttriss, East of England Agricultural Society (01733 234
451) or email kbuttriss@eastofengland.org.uk
This year’s East of England Smithfield Festival takes place on Thursday 4 and Friday 5
December at the East of England Showground, Peterborough.