Devon County Show - County Show strengthens farming focus

Devon County Show organisers are looking to build on the success of last year’s renewed emphasis on farming, with an even stronger programme of agricultural events.

Topping the list will be the Devon Red Ruby National Show, to be staged in the livestock judging rings alongside the show’s own livestock classes.  The first such national show, staged at the Royal Cornwall Show last June, was a huge success and Devon breed officials are confident of an even better turn-out this time, as the event comes home to Devon.

Although its origins date back to the eighteenth century, the Devon Red Ruby has become one of the fastest growing cattle breeds in Britain in recent years, thanks to the combination which it offers of being able to put weight on whilst grazing on poorer quality “conservation” grasslands, the superb flavour of the meat and the docility and ease of management which the Devon has always offered.

Meanwhile, the County Show will once again be giving farmers and landowners the chance to debate the big agricultural talking points of the day, chief amongst them being the “Farming and Food Futures” report, produced by more than 400 international scientists, which sets farmers the target of producing 40 per cent more food in the next 20 years, using less land, water and oil.

What will that mean for farming and the countryside in Devon?  Are farmers in any state to rise to the challenge, as cash is drained from the industry by cost increases and supermarket buying power?  What role will GM crops have to play?  Can food production be both intensive and sustainable?  To what extent can local supply chains contribute to solutions?

These are the sorts of questions that will be debated at an Open Forum, staged as part of the CLA Breakfast on the opening morning.  A high-powered panel of leading farmers, scientists and politicians is being assembled to lead and inform the discussions.

The Show could also become the focus of national farming attention, given that it is likely to coincide with the publication of the review of agricultural red tape, being carried out for the Government by former NFU Director General, Richard Macdonald, on the one hand, and the announcement of the outcome of the Government’s consultation on badger culling as part of its TB control strategy, on the other.

One man who knows all about the tragedy of TB at first hand is the popular BBC Countryfile presenter, Adam Henson, who has lost over 50 of his rare breed cattle to the disease on his farm in the Cotswolds.  Adam will be at the Show, not to just to report on proceedings for Countryfile viewers, but also, as an experienced and knowledgeable cattle breeder, to lend a hand with the judging.

Besides all of that, the NFU will have a major presence, the Devon Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs will be organising its own debate on the future of farming in what is always one of the most colourful and vibrant stands on the showground, and numbers of farming trade stands are expected to show another significant increase.

In addition the County Show will offer a great array of local food, a lovely flower and garden show and non-stop and traditional entertainment in six rings around the 92 acre showground.

There’s family fun with the dare-devil Bolddog Lings motorcycle display team, a seven-a-side rugby tournament involving the rugby academies from Exeter, Plymouth and Truro and Titan the robot will be wandering the Avenues entertaining visitors (on Friday and Saturday). There is also top show-jumping, scurry driving, axe racing, sheep racing, a dog show, countryside pursuits, vintage tractors and steam engines.

Devon County Show is on May 19-21 at Westpoint, Exeter. Once again children go free on Saturday and, for the first time, this year senior citizens are eligible for the buy-one-get-one-free offer on all three days of the Show. Additional savings are available if tickets are bought in advance. To book and for more information, 01392 353700, info@dschow.org, www.devoncountyshow.co.uk

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