Herd about this record-breaker? Staffordshire County Show enjoys successful year
The Staffordshire County Show has had one of it's most successful years to date as the number of entries in livestock competitions has smashed previous years.
There were almost 800 entries to exhibit sheep over the two-day agricultural show, which took place on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as 300 for cattle and increased numbers in the horse, dog and goat entries.
The sheep shearing competition saw around 500 people travel from as far as New Zealand, Norway, Germany, France, Wales and Scotland to enter, making it the biggest ever at the show, held at the Staffordshire County Showground.
Around 65,000 people visited over the two days, making another huge success in the show's 219th year.
Richard Williams, Chief Executive of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society, which organises the show, said: “Cattle numbers have been declining for the last few years due to things like TB and the time it takes to transport and show them, but this year we have increased from about 220 to 270.
“It is a significant increase and we’re really pleased, especially as it’s new exhibitors coming in.
“Sheep increased to 790 as well - we are absolutely full for sheep, we can’t get any more in, and Boar goat numbers have been growing year on year, this year they are the highest yet at nearly 60.
“Dogs and horses are growing too, it’s all very positive and we’re so pleased to be able to show the very best in the world of agriculture.
“Besides this though, last year was a bumper year for trade stands and this year there has been a further increase too, we are literally full, at about 400.
“We have a good reputation as a friendly show so people clearly want to both come here and be represented here.”
The show also included an antiques fair, food hall, craft hall and trade stands as well as donkey rides, falconry, ferret roadshow, fly casting demonstrations and farriers competition.
