Farmers urged to get entries in for Newport Show
One of the Midlands’ leading agricultural shows has opened entries for this year’s competition.
The annual one-day Newport Show, which has a reputation for attracting some of the top livestock in the region, has published its schedules for the show on July 8 at www.newportshow.co.uk/exhibitors.
There are 119 cattle and sheep classes with categories for native and continental dairy and beef cattle and the chance to win coveted titles such as Supreme Interbreed Champion.
Sheep farmers can compete in categories including Texel, Beltex and Zwartbles as well as other continental and native breeds. The horse show includes 75 classes of showing, jumping, dressage, and a qualifying round for the Shire Horse of the Year championships at the Horse of the Year show in October. The closing date for livestock and horse entries is June 23.
This year’s Show President is Richard Maddocks, who runs the family’s 1,200-acre mixed arable and dairy farm, which includes the Wynford Holstein herd, at Great Chadwell, near Newport.
He said: “One of the main attractions of the show for farmers is the setting of the Chetwynd Deer Park as it’s such an attractive place to come and exhibit.
“We have invested heavily in improving facilities over the years for unloading and show preparation and we also offer competitive prize money with £350 for the top champions in show.
“Also, as a one-day show, we are exempt from pre movement testing for TB. All these factors coming together means we attract some of the best livestock in the region.”
Last year’s RNH Construction Interbreed Dairy Champion, Knowlesmere Jordan Diamond bred by the Whittaker family from Wem, scooped the ultimate title of its breed – 2016 All Britain Holstein Mature Cow – after gaining the Newport prize.
The winner of the Tern Veterinary Supreme Interbreed Beef Champion, a Limousin Simsie Lonny, won seven other titles across the country including at Stafford and Nantwich shows.
Mr Maddocks follows in the footsteps of his father and grandfather as President and has a proud record of attending the show every year of his life, including as an exhibitor.
“My family has shown cattle there since 1949 and I’ve won some of the top prizes over the years,” he said. “The show is a chance for the rural community to get together, exhibit some of the finest livestock in the region, and celebrate what is great about agricultural life.
“We still have a strong agricultural focus but have introduced new features like the Festival of Food recently that underlines the role that agriculture plays in the food that ends up on our plates.
“We’ve also developed the rest of the show programme to offer an all-round day out for people where they can relax and enjoy some top class entertainment while catching up with friends, family and colleagues.
“It’s a great day out and an important date in the farming calendar for our community.”
Entertainment will include live main ring performances on stage from bagpipers the Red Hot Chilli Pipers and demonstrations by the UK’s first and number one mountain bike tricks, stunts and skills display team, Team M.A.D (Mountain Bike Aerial Display), and vintage vehicle and machinery displays.
This year’s Festival of Food features guest star Candice Brown, the winner of last year’s Great British Bake Off, workshops and a Street Food market. There are also craft and antique stalls, family activities and a funfair.
Detailed schedules and how to enter the competitions can be found at www.newportshow.co.uk/exhibitors.
Advance tickets are on sale for the show at www.newportshow.co.uk and membership packages offering additional privileges are available.
To keep up to date with show news, like the Newport Show Facebook page or follow it on Twitter @NewportShow.