Cattle numbers continue to rise
This is a momentous year for Britain so the New Forest & Hampshire County Show are celebrating this too by having ’The Best of British’ as their main theme and the cattle section is truly taking this up. Historically cattle were one of the initial reasons for holding an agricultural show. This Show in particular has always tried to ensure that livestock play a large part on the showground and of course this is the only Show in the top ten in the UK, that actually transforms a green field site into a traditional agricultural Show.
Recent major internal road improvements, e.g. resurfacing one of the main roads into the showground, have made it much easier for livestock owners to bring their animals into the Show which is a bonus for everyone! (NB if you are coming to the Show via the M27 please do not go off at Junction 1 as that road is notorious for its delays. Take Junction 3 (M271) then at the end take second exit up onto the A35, follow the signs and that will take you eventually to the Showground ’ a much quicker route!)
This year’s Show is, as usual, host to a variety of cattle classes including Jersey, Holstein, Aberdeen-Angus, Hereford, British Charolais, British Simmental, Rare Breeds and many more. In 2011 there were large increases in the number of cattle attending especially Holsteins and Jerseys. The Show is looking forward to welcoming some superb cattle that have travelled from far and wide to compete. One of the special features of this Show is that the cattle lines are built to ensure the public can really come up ’close and personal’ to the cattle and enjoy wandering through the lines, seeing for some, their first close up sight of these wonderful animals.
New for this year the Show is delighted to announce that there will be special ’Best of British’ Dairy and Beef classes. Also the traditional parade of Champion cattle will be extended to encompass Tuesday and Wednesday this year. The only other major change to the schedule will be that the Dexter’s classes will now be on Wednesday and have two new classes Best Exhibitor Bred and Best Non-Exhibitor bred on the Thursday.
The Show is fortunate to always attract the highest quality judges and this year is no different so 2012 is looking good as the Show continues to strive to encourage new exhibitors to come and experience and enjoy the New Forest & Hampshire County Show. Confirmed in this year’s judging line up is Robert Temple who is judging the Charolais and Simmental classes, who last year had an incredible show season of his own highlighting his own judging credentials.
The Show will be held at New Park, Brockenhurst on Tuesday 24th, Wednesday 25th and Thursday 26th July.
