Press Releases 2008

06 July 2008

Depleted livestock lines still set high Royal Show standards

The cattle and sheep producers who beat the bluetongue restrictions to get their animals to the Royal Show, set very high standards as they battled for the coveted rosettes at this year’s event.

In all, some 200 cows and bulls and 400 sheep (against an expected 1200 and 1600 respectively) made it to the Stoneleigh judging rings – barely a quarter of those which would have competed had the showground not found itself trapped in a bluetongue surveillance zone and virtually inaccessible to animals in the key livestock producing areas.

Chief Royal Show Cattle Steward, William Cumber, paid tribute to the stockmen who had got their animals to the judging ring.

“The enforced low turnout was a desperate shame for the potential exhibitors and the thousands of interested livestock enthusiasts who see the Royal, quite rightly, as the most prestigious competitive event of the year. Nonetheless, standards were very high and success was opened up to one or two excellent flocks and herds who will now raise their game to hang on to their titles as Royal Show champions when all stock return next year.”

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Notes to Editors

Press release issued by Julie Bublaitis, Marketing Assistant, Royal Show.
Tel No: 02476 858 217 Email: julieb@rase.org.uk

The Royal Agricultural Society of England, organisers of the Royal Show play a leading role in the development of British agriculture and a vibrant rural economy through the uptake of good science, the promotion of best practice and a coordinated, impartial approach to wide-ranging rural issues (see www.rase.org.uk).

The Royal Show will be held from 3-6 July at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.