Oct 05 2011
Yet another show season comes to a close
Well, I guess we wouldn’t be the Lake District if we didn’t have rain but what a soggy September. It is hard to believe some areas are still suffering drought conditions. Here the grass is still growing and the farmers have been busy taking the last of their grass as we have had a dry but rather humid week.
As ever, our Westmorland County Show committee ignored the rain and provided, once again, a fabulous day out for all. Stock entries were up across the board and whilst some of the equestrian classes suffered a few no shows, probably because of the soft ground, there was an excellent show of cattle, sheep and pigs.
It can be quite difficult finding the entries for these late shows. Many of your gilts will have litters by this time and boars may have been sold in readiness for serving for January litters. We knew our gilts weren’t brilliant but I had entered my six-year-old British Lop Harmony sow. She had only had a small litter in July and I thought I would just see how she looked on the day. Apart from having the obvious signs of milk she was in super condition and I weaned her just before show day. She scrubbed up a treat and took her class in great style as she still walks amazing well. She was then Champion of her section. One of our other gilts was reserve champion. So, we were very pleased.
John had an even better day with Champion Saddleback, Oxford, Sandy and Black and Hampshire in the breed classes followed by Overall Supreme. The whole Sutcliffe team have worked so hard this year, especially John’s grand children.
So, that is all our shows over but already we are looking to next year. Picking our July’s that might be next year’s potential winners.
We have a couple more pig keeping courses left for 2011 and we have a one-day butchery course in October. We will be assessing pigs and discussing finishing at the farm in the morning followed by an afternoon at Airey’s butchers where we will see their slaughter facilities and have a butchery demonstration. All the details are on www.pigkepingcourses.co.uk.
