Devon County Show rises to the challenge

The weather may have been dodgy, the economic outlook uncertain and farming in dire straits, but none of that stopped over 90,000 visitors enjoying the gigantic three day celebration of farming, food and rural life which is the Devon County Show.

Not even showery rain on Saturday could keep the crowds away or spoil the fun.  Trade stand holders reported brisk business, with the huge Food and Drink Marquee packed to the tent flaps with a legion of fine food fanciers, enjoying the very best that Devon food and drink producers have to offer.

Show Chairman, David Parish, said that that the event had risen to the challenges posed by weather and economics with flying colours.

"Everyone connected with the Show - our sponsors, our livestock exhibitors, our trade stand holders, our army of volunteers - has pulled together to put on a great event, and I hope and believe that our tens of thousands of visitors have had a great time.

"The fact that the car parks stood up so well to the rain on Saturday shows that all of the lessons of the last day cancellation of 2014 have been learned and applied.

"It has been Devon at its best, and the Devon County Show at its best."

Lady Arran, the President of the Devon County Agricultural Association which runs the Show, praised the 400-strong team of volunteers behind the county’s largest annual event and added: “It is so important that the Show portrays itself in the way it does. I hope the Show continues to be a beacon for Devon; it’s such an important way of being able to show what a beautiful county we live in and how very diversified it is and how very special it is and why we all love living here.”

Devon farmers turned out in strength over the three days, drawn not just by the usual superb array of livestock and more agricultural trade stands than ever, but by the most impressive turnout of agricultural politicians seen at any show for many years.  The EU Agriculture Commissioner, Phil Hogan, the current and immediate past Defra Secretaries of State, Liz Truss and Owen Paterson, and the Presidents of both the NFU and the CLA, were all there, to debate the agricultural pros and cons of the Brexit referendum, and other key farming issues.

In the livestock lines, Michael and Melanie Alford, of Cullompton, repeated their 2015 triumph, by winning the Champion Beef Animal, this time with their Limousin yearling bull, Foxhill Lord of the Rings. A Charolais heifer, shown by Cornish breeder Rob Tremayne was reserve beef champion.

There was more Cornish success in the dairy interbreeds, with J, M and C Colwell's six year old Jersey cow Quintrell Comerica Brunette carrying off the trophy for Champion Dairy Animal, with the Reserve going to a Holstein heifer, Kingston Magna Aftershock Blomke, shown by Miss H Hinks and Mr S Skipper of Dorset.

Supreme Champion Pig was won for for the second year in succession by Mr J and Miss A Newth of Shepton Mallet, this time with their three year old British Saddleback boar, Prestcombe Golden Arrow 15.

The winner of the Supreme Champion Sheep will be announced in due course, following a review of the initial judge's decision.