Overhaul of farming show

Major changes to Staffordshire's annual National Primestock Show and Sale have been announced.

The Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society is making the changes to meet the demands placed on working farming families, encourage greater support from meat buyers and bring clarity to the provision of winter livestock shows.

Local beef farmer and show chairman George Greaves said committee members were working hard to recognise and react to the changing climate for livestock farming.

"The changes being announced are designed to meet the needs of today's farming community and put the show on a secure footing for the future," he said.

The event will still be held in Bingley Hall at the County Showground, in Stafford, over the weekend of November 17 and 18 but under the new identity of the English Winter Fair Show and Sale.

"This brings the former National Primestock Show in line with the other main national winter events – the Welsh Winter Fair and Scottish Winter Fair.

"It reflects the industry's desire for greater regional identity for meat and meat products as championed by the Meat and Livestock Commission and the English Beef and Lamb Executive.

"It will also make the provision of winter shows more uniform and met with unanimous support when put before the show committee," explained Mr Greaves.

The show's new logo embraces these changes in its design and is being incorporated into literature to be mailed out to prospective exhibitors of beef, sheep, pigs and turkeys within the next few weeks by show secretary Kate Tomlinson.

Mr Greaves said other major changes aim to make key elements of the show more accessible to working farming families who face mounting pressure from the decline in labour on many units.

"A concern has been that the championships that normally conclude on a Saturday afternoon conflict with the need for some visitors to return home and tend to livestock.

"To improve the enjoyment for showgoers it has been decided that the show schedule will change with most championships – with the exception of the Baby Beef competition – being moved to Sunday morning. This will culminate in the supreme show champion beast being announced shortly before lunch," he said.

There will also be an important rule change for exhibitors to observe. A significant step has been taken by the show committee to ensure meat buyers – a key component of a successful show – are given a realistic opportunity to purchase the supreme champion.

"We have to recognise this is a show celebrating the very best of prime livestock destined for the food chain. We have therefore taken steps to ensure the supreme champion enters the ring for that purpose, should be put up for auction and allow meat buyers – many whom remain loyal and supportive of the show – to compete and win the beast for their customers."

After Sunday morning's championships, the traditional auction of prize-winners and carcasses will commence under the expertise of Bagshaws Auctioneers of Uttoxeter and Bakewell at 2pm. Live cattle will follow at 3.30pm. There will be a food hall showcase, young farmers' national stock judging and carcass competitions. A hog roast is also planned as a welcome for exhibitors staying at the venue on the Friday evening.