Entries surge for Royal Welsh Show
Fears that the recession would lead to a drop in livestock numbers at next month’s Royal Welsh Show have been swept aside by record entries for sheep and pigs and for several breeds in the horse section. Totalling 7583, they are the highest since 2005 and are nearly 900 more than last year when numbers were depleted by bluetongue restrictions.
The record entries for sheep are up by nearly 600 on last year to 2948 representing 44 breeds, and comprise the largest display of its kind to be seen in the world. British Texels top the list for individual breeds, up by 59 to 291, followed by Badger Faced Welsh Mountain with 213 entries. Several other breeds have attracted substantially increased numbers among them the Charollais, up by 43 to 198, the Bluefaced Leicester, up 41 to 107, and the Ryeland, up 52 to 117. Beltex sheep have also increased by 40 to 114 and Black Welsh Mountain by 38 to 141.
Fifty-seven entries have been received for the lamb carcass competition.
Cattle entries have increased by 223 over last year to 942 with 192 more in the beef breeds plus an additional 31 dairy animals. Eighteen beef breeds will be on parade led by British Limousins with 159 entries. Holsteins top the 153 entries for dairy breeds with 59 and 138 entries have been received for the commercial beef classes, 56 more than last year.
This year’s record pig entries total 139 led by the Welsh breed with 50, followed by British Saddlebacks with 38. Total entries in the pig section are up by 43 on those for the 2008 show.
Goats, another section badly hit by the bluetongue restrictions in 2008, make a welcome return to Llanelwedd in larger numbers. They are up from 95 to 133 including 112 dairy goats and 21 Angoras.
Horses and ponies, especially the native Welsh breeds, are always star performers at the Royal Welsh attracting many overseas visitors to the event and this year they are certain to provide another spectacular display with record entries in the Welsh Ponies (Section B), Welsh Cobs (Sec D), Welsh Part Bred and Ridden Mountain and Moorland classes.
A total of 3421 entries have been received for the horse and pony classes. Welsh Mountain Ponies (Sec A) lead the numbers with 623 – up by 40 on 2008 – while Welsh Cobs have reached a record 561 entries and Welsh Ponies (Sec B) are up by 59 to a record 323.
Welsh Part Bred entries have climbed from 79 to a record-breaking 93 this year and Ridden Mountain and Moorland Pony entries are also a record 220.
The four-day Royal Welsh Show takes place at Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, from Monday July 20 to Thursday July 23.