Livestock excellence expected at The Great Yorkshire Show

A record breaking £94,000 is being offered across the livestock classes at one of the country's leading agricultural events, the Great Yorkshire Show.

Entries have risen year on year at the three day farming showcase which attracts competitors from across Britain. Last year the cattle, sheep and pig sections were all full with 1,005 entries in the cattle section, 1,561 sheep and 324 pigs. Dates for this year's event at the Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate are Tuesday 10 - Thursday 12 July. Livestock schedules are available from 1 April from the Livestock and Entries Department (01423 546236).

Show Director Bill Cowling commented: "This will be our 149th show, and the figures speak for themselves. Over the last decade or so, our entry figures have increased as indeed have the number of visitors - last year more than 135,000 people attended. We believe that ensuring the show remains true to its farming roots underpins its popularity. We attract both quality animals, and in large numbers so that an award from the Great Yorkshire is highly prized. "

Mr Cowling, who has a mixed farm at Pannal near Harrogate, has re-affirmed the show's commitment to its agricultural heart.

"We are in no doubt that the show will remain a focus for excellence in farming and the rural industry. The cattle shown are amongst the finest in the country - one of the sections where we have increased prize money is in the Commercial Beef where we now offer the highest amount of any show for the Supreme and Reserve (a total of £550). The sheep show is the largest in England, and we are delighted that once again we will be hosting the BPA Pig of the Year competition within our thriving pig section. All in all our reputation as a premier farming event is well deserved."

There are 20 breeds represented in the cattle section, 33 in the sheep with a new section for Black Welsh Mountain and 9 in the pigs which have new sections for Tamworth and British Lop.

Highlights of the Livestock Section at the Show include:

Cattle

Tuesday

All Beef, Commercial and Dairy breed classes

Supreme Beef Championship: Judged by a panel comprising of all of the Judges from the Beef breeds

Wednesday

Native Beef Championship: Judge D Thomlinson, Carlisle, Cumbria

Interbreed Beef Group: Judge D Thomlinson, Carlisle, Cumbria

Supreme Dairy Championship: Judge J Gribbon, Carnforth, Lancs

Young Handlers: Judge J Strachan, Saxmundham, Suffolk

Cattle Parade

Thursday

Cattle Parade

Sheep

Tuesday

All Sheep breed classes

Wednesday

Supreme Championship: As below plus a Terminal Sire judge to be selected at the Show

Interbreed Championships: Judges: A Lyons, Somerset; Mrs C Jakeman, Chester and J R Raine, Penrith, Cumbria

Commercial Female Championship: A Lyons, Somerset; Mrs C Jakeman, Chester and J R Raine, Penrith, Cumbria

Young Handlers: Judge M Withers, Beverley East Yorkshire.

Thursday

Wool on the Hoof

Pigs

Tuesday

All Pig breed classes

BPA Pig of the Year Heat: Judge R A Windsor, Nantwich, Cheshire

Wednesday

Supreme Championship: Judge R A Windsor, Nantwich, Cheshire

BPA Pig of the Year.Final: Judge W Gregory, Selby, N. Yorkshire

Young Handlers: Judge T Alty, Preston, Lancs

Thursday

Interbreed Pairs: Judge: J Cloke, Solihull, West Midlands

Young Pig Interbreed: Judge: J Cloke. Solihull, West Midlands

BPA Young Pig of the Year Heat: J Cloke, Solihull, West Midlands

The picture shows the BPA Pig of the Year winner a Large White gilt, Portbready Beryl shown by Steve Loveless of Bridport, Dorset.