Devon County Show - Farming renaissance continues at Devon County Show

Whether it’s debating the challenge of boosting food production by 40 per cent over the next 20 years, the opportunities offered by the renewable energy agenda, the chance to see the latest in dairy technology and farm machinery and equipment, or just the prospect of meeting old friends and admiring some of the finest livestock in the country, the Devon County Show will be offering something of interest for every farmer in Devon from May 19 to 21.

The profile of the farming and food sector has never been higher or more positive in recent years than it is at present, what with food prices rising across the world, and the experts warning of shortages ahead, and that will be reflected in a show which will be richer than ever in farming interest.

No-one will be happier about that than this year’s Show President, Major Ranulf Rayner.

“Farming is at the heart of Devon and I’ve been determined in my year as President to to do everything I can to put it firmly back at the heart of the Show”, he said.

“We’ve got the trade stands, the industry leaders and the livestock, but what we really need now are the farmers and their families to come along and support their show and farming in their county.  It’s part of what farming in Devon is all about.”

Numbers of agricultural trade stands are up again, and include tractor dealers, all-terrain vehicles, agricultural buildings specialists, dairy equipment manfacturers and renewable energy specialists.  Livestock entries are also coming in thick and fast, with sheep numbers on a par with last year and cattle entries set to show an increase, especially as the Devon Red Ruby Cattle Society will be staging its National Show in conjunction with the DCS.

“The most famous farmer in Britain”, BBC TV Countryfile and Lambing Live star Adam Henson, will be making a guest appearance on the Friday, not only filming for the programme but also taking part in a debate on the Devon YFC stand (time?) on how to feed a rapidly growing world population.

As a substantial sheep farmer in Gloucestershire who has become something of a champion for British wool, Adam will no doubt be particularly interested in the Bowmont sheep being shown by Lesley Prior, who farms on the edge of Exmoor.  The Bowmont was bred by a research institute in Scotland as the British hill farmer’s answer to the Merino in terms of wool quality.  Its incredibly fine fleece sells for up to 15 times the price of ordinary wool and Lesley has the only pure-bred flock in the country.

All of the major farming talking points will be up for debate at the breakfast laid on for the Devon farming and landowning community on the opening morning by the CLA and the DCAA.  And there could be some fireworks, with the CLA’s Chief Economist, Dr. Alan Buckwell, Devon County Council Chief Executive Phil Norrey, and the Agricultural Story Editor for the BBC’s The Archers, Graham Harvey, on the panel.

Should we be embracing GMs to feed the world, or does the key to “sustainable intensification” lie much closer to home, in local networks and reduced dependency on fossil fuels?

Are wind turbines and solar farms a climate-saving blessing or a landscape-ruining curse?

Will corn prices stay sky-high, or was that £200 a tonne just a blip?

And, with the Government set to announce its decision on badger controls at around the time of the show, will a cull provide a desperately-needed breakthrough in the battle against TB, or spark a destructive confrontation between animals rights activists and the farming community?

With questions like those certain to be raised, it promises to be a very lively debate.

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