East of England Winter Stock Festival 2009 Expands to Two Day Event

East of England Winter Stock FestivalWith the intention of building on the strength of last year’s inaugural event, the East of England Winter Stock Festival has been increased to a two day event to cater for the strong commercial classes and build on the pedigree sale offering.

This year’s show and sale will take place on Friday 13th and Saturday 14th November and will be held at the Peterborough Showground.

Last year’s show was a huge success, comments livestock manager Kerry Buttriss. “We were particularly pleased with the numbers forward in the commercial classes, not to mention the quality of stock, with exhibitors coming from as far away as Wales, Derby and Somerset.

“We plan to build on that success this year and will be adding extra commercial classes, including separate classes for heifers and steers sired by a British Blue and Limousin. Classes will also be split by weight and we will also be holding the successful baby beef classes.”

Judging all the commercial classes this year will be butcher Stuart Clatworthy from Highbridge, Somerset. No stranger to the showing scene, Mr Clatworthy has judged at many shows including the Great Yorkshire Show in 2008.

The pedigree offering will see official society sales taking place for Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Herford and Charolais cattle. Taking care of judging in the Aberdeen-Angus and Beef Shorthorn rings will be William McLaren jnr, Perthshire, while Norman Smith, Suffolk, will be judging the Charolais classes. Judges are yet to be announced for the other sections and classes will be made available for all breeds wishing to enter the show and sale.

Taking care of official sale proceedings once again will be Newark Livestock Auctioneer Paul Gentry. A substantial amount of prize money will be on offer for exhibitors thanks to generous sponsorship from ASDA, Biobest Herdcare and Caltech.

Schedules are now available for the East of England Winter Stock Festival and entries close on the 5th October. For more information contact Kerry Buttriss 01733 234451; email kbuttriss@eastofengland.org.uk or visitwww.eastofengland.org.uk