Cheshire to host National Dairy Shorthorn Show

The Cheshire County show is privileged to host the first ever National Dairy Shorthorn Show in June.

Cheshire was chosen to host the prestigious competition due to the interest already shown in the breed at the event in previous years.

"This is a real feather in our cap and it’s a tremendous achievement for us to host such a special event," said John Ball, Cattle Chairman for the Cheshire County Show.

There are a significant number of shorthorn breeders in Cheshire as well as neighbouring Derbyshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Yorkshire, which has led to the county show being well supported in the past.

Shorthorns are known for their excellent milk quality, fertility and temperament. The breed has evolved over the past 200 years from Teeswater and Durham cattle that were originally found in the North East.

At the National Show on Tuesday June 21, entries will be judged on their balance and dairy strength.

The prestigious RASE trophies have kindly been loaned for the presentation, which will take place at a barbecue in the Shorthorn marquee.

Classes have been changed from previous Cheshire County Shows so the event falls in line with the Royal Show categories.

John Ball, who has a mixed dairy herd of 150 Brown Swiss and Holstein cattle near Sandbach, has been helping with the show for more than 30 years and is currently Vice Chairman.

"People love coming to Cheshire because it is such a friendly show," he said. "The atmosphere is unique in our great, big marquee. You look down and see the different colours of over 400 cattle and you can’t quite match it."

The Cheshire County Show is on June 21 and 22. For more details go to www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk or call the show office on 01565 650200.