Ed Hicks, the chairman of Moreton Show, has called on shoppers to back British farming.
Speaking ahead of this year’s show on Saturday, September 7, Ed Hicks, who farms at Barton-on-the-Heath, said: ‘Our farmers produce some of the best food in the world, from our Cotswold lamb and beef to Gloucestershire cheese and dairy produce.
‘As we prepare for our Moreton Show, we’re facing a critical time for British farming. With Brexit on the horizon this autumn - deal or no-deal – we could see a new agricultural revolution. Farmers are ready for the challenge but we also need the backing of British shoppers.
‘Home grown British food is key to ensuring our food security and buying British meat and produce ensures that people are eating food that’s produced to high environmental and welfare standards.
‘At Moreton Show, our livestock classes will showcase all that’s best in British farming and food. The competition within the show rings may be keen but our farmers are always happy to chat to people about what they do and to share their food stories.’
Moreton Show celebrates its 70th anniversary this year and more than 20,000 visitors are expected at the 165-acre showground on the Batsford Estate in the north Cotswolds for a host of top-class livestock competitions which all come with informative and entertaining commentaries.
These include the National Poll Hereford Cattle Show, which has been a feature of the show since 1967, with farmers travelling from all over the UK to show their prized animals.
The show also includes one of the country’s most prestigious competitions for showing beef and dairy cattle, the SELEKT Three Shires Cattle Trophy. This is the ‘Triple Crown’ of the cattle show ring, with the best show animals competing at three Midlands agricultural shows to win the title. Following the Hanbury Countryside Show in Worcestershire and Burwarton Show in Shropshire, Moreton Show completes the competition and the Three Shires Cattle Trophy – with a £1,000 top prize - will be awarded to the exhibitor who gains the most points.
In addition, Moreton Show has been included among some of the top events in the country to host the Walkers Shortbread Aberdeen-Angus Show Herd of the Year Competition. The prestigious contest carries a handsome trophy and prize money of £500. It involves exhibitor bred cattle accumulating points for placing first, second or third at ten shows around the country. Moreton Show has been included for the second time in four years.
Now recognised as one of the biggest one-day agricultural shows in the country, Moreton Show’s celebration of rural life takes in dogs and goats, alpacas and chickens, more than 1,000 horses in five equestrian rings, 350 trade stands, fabulous food and the best in flowers, vegetables and home baking.
Tickets are on sale now through the website and there are savings to be made if you buy in advance of the show.
