How times change!

A couple of weeks ago, I discovered some very interesting reading as I came across a report of a Royal Welsh Show which took place 66 years ago.

It was then a time when the event went around each county in turn and was, on this occasion, held at Abergele.

So different from today were the type of livestock being shown as the number and type of entries reflected the popularity of breeds.

The 128 Shire horses entered in two classes highlighted the importance of breeding Shires to that local area and also shows that the numbers had not reduced after the War years when 98 shire horses were entered -despite the rapid increase in petrol driven vehicles.

Why was there an increase in show jumping classes from 215 in the previous year to 241 - was Abergele the Welsh centre for this sport at this time? There were also classes for Hunters and Welsh ponies.

Cattle classes included the Welsh Black (but numbers had declined by about a third) and Shorthorns - once the most popular dairy type -were declining in favour of the Friesian and Ayrshire breeds that gave a higher milk yield. In the ‘other cattle’ class, the two Channel Island breeds were included - Jerseys and Guernseys.

The Welsh Mountain sheep classes were said to have remained steady and there was a class for Welsh pigs.

The weather during the three days of the show was warm and sunny, the field was packed with happy smiling faces, the caterers were busy, and the traders on their 236 stands were obviously pleased with the public reaction, for everyone could enjoy their stands without charge.

The craft and other tents were full of exhibits and, most importantly, the farmers and their families were enjoying themselves in the summer weather - a sure sign it was a good show.

The animals were housed on the field and one could view them at close quarters as well as en-masse, while the various competitions were judged and then when they were paraded around the main arena. There were also competitions for horse riding, jumping and driving - all very exciting.

The main ring fencing was only a rope and looked particularly flimsy when a line of large, well-bred bulls was being paraded behind it, but perhaps the most interesting event was a demonstration by the Liverpool Mounted Police which, at the time, boasted the largest mounted contingent in Britain as they regularly patrolled the docks and were present at football matches and race meetings, including the Grand National. They were all in full dress uniform with plumed helmets carrying lances and, in the case of the inspector, a drawn sword.

They were accompanied by the Mounted Police Band and put on a display of highly-skilled horsemanship. For the grand finale, they all rode down to the far end of the arena, formed a line side by side behind the inspector, he drew his sword, the riders lowered their lances and the inspector shouted ‘charge.’ They were galloping hard towards the far end of the arena and towards a long line of terrified visitors, some of whom had broken and started to run for their lives. With perfect timing, the inspector raised his sword upright and the charge stopped only inches from the flimsy rope fence.

As today, there was something for everyone at the show - the pinnacle event in the British agricultural calendar -a fantastic four-day spectacle which gets under way next Monday, July 18-21, at the Llanelwedd showground, Builth Wells.

The livestock classes last year attracted over 7,000 entries from far and wide and an equally high number are expected again this year, promising a popular and exciting four days of competitions.

Each year, the Royal Welsh Show now attracts well in excess of 200,000 visitors to the heart of Mid Wales to come together and celebrate the very best of Welsh and British agriculture.

At 10 am on the first day of the show, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, will officially open the event and will be joined by society officials, members of the Meirionnydd 2016 feature county and other dignitaries.

Next year Carmarthenshire are to be the host county.

Significant importance of Welsh agriculture

If farm businesses are to plan for the future then they need to know the answers to such questions as ‘What happens now after Brexit?’

NFU president for Wales Stephen James reminds me: “Agriculture is a significant contributor to the Welsh economy with 60,000 people employed either full or part time on holdings in Wales. Welsh agriculture has a gross output of nearly £1.5bn and underpins a food supply chain worth £6bn annually, employing 230,000 people or 18 per cent of our workforce. It is essential that this is not put at risk.

“Negotiating and concluding trade agreements with the European Union and the rest of the world, for our exports, now becomes vital. Wales is particularly reliant on export markets and we will be looking to the UK Government to prioritise the negotiation of favourable trade agreements. Whilst doing so I would stress that it is essential that decision makers do not undermine domestic agriculture by opening the UK market to goods which do not meet our own high standards of production.”

Stephen added: “Once official notification is made, the two year window we have for exiting leaves little time to conclude our withdrawal from the EU, whilst simultaneously seeking to negotiate trade deals from scratch.”

Passion uppermost

What an absolutely unbelievable few weeks it’s been in Wales. Football fever has well and truly taken over the country. As the team prepared to face Portugal in the biggest game in Wales’ football history, we were beyond excited as we contemplated the sheer scale of this success and the magnitude of what the Wales team had accomplished. The passion, pride and spirit of the players and the connection between players and fans was inspirational to watch. Our team and our fans were the best ambassadors for Wales.

Football had catapulted Wales on to the global stage and it’s our place now to ensure we make the absolute most of this unique opportunity.

The way ahead?

A correspondent in South America tells me that Fundo El Risquillo, a farm in Chile with 6,500 dairy cows, has signed an agreement to install 64 milking robots, making it the world’s largest robotic milking farm.

The farm, owned by Agrícola Ancali and part of the Bethia Group, already has 16 robots, which were installed in 2014, resulting in an average yield of 45.2 litres for the 920 cows going through the robotic milking system resulting in a 10 per cent increase in milk production since the system was installed, and also reduces labour costs.

Agrícola Ancali manager, Pedro Heller, confirmed that as well as increased production, results have included better animal welfare conditions and less stress for the cows.

He says: “Firstly, we compared the benefits of using robotic systems versus rotary milking system. We started using robots for 500 cows, and when we saw the economic benefits and we realised that it was possible to improve production per cow by 10 per cent we decided to further explore.”

Heller added that the plan is to have the ‘best’ 4,500 cows robotically milked and sees no restriction on future growth.

Gratitude

An 80-year-old man was in a hurry to keep an 8 am appointment with his doctor. He was, he said, in a rush because he had another appointment at 9 am.

The doctor asked him what it was and the man proudly said that every morning at 9 am he went to the hospital to have breakfast with his wife.

The doctor enquired about her condition and the man replied: “For the past five years, she has suffered from Alzheimer’s and doesn’t know who I am.

“The doctor then asked why did he continue to go if his wife didn’t know who he was? “…because I still know who I am” was the reply.”

Epitaph

“To those I have wronged, I ask forgiveness. To those I have helped, I wish I could have done more. To those I was unable to help, I ask for understanding. To those who helped me, I am eternally grateful.”

Heard in the pub

“To help regain their confidence, the English football team are now trying to arrange a friendly return match with Iceland, and after that they hope to play Tesco and Asda!”