Leek Life November/December 2013 | Page 37

STAFFORDSHIRE YFC Local Young Farmers hope to bring home the bacon... L eek Young Farmers will be among entries from across the length and breadth of the country as Staffordshire YFC prepares to host this years hotly contended English Winter Fair. With a prize fund topping £400 on offer in the Young Farmers’ Stock and Carcase judging Competitions at this year's event taking place at the County Showground in Stafford, thanks to backing by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX). 17 Teams from across the Country will be competing in the highly thought of competitions which takes place over the weekend on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th November. The teams made up of eight members will be judging Live and Carcase Beef, Live Lamb, and Pork Carcase on Sunday 17th November from 9.30am. The Secretary for the Young Farmer Classes, Mrs Julia Taylor spoke to Leek Life explaining: “Young Farmers will be able to judge the Beef and Pork Carcase in the purpose-built Carcass Hall, which is a fantastic facility available to us thanks to support from EBLEX and the show’s organisers, the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society.” Young Farmers will put their skills picked up in county rounds of the YFC’s Stock and Carcase competitions against others in this nationwide event to secure prizes. “It is a great way for members to test their skills at judging stock on the hoof and on the hook. Each team is given 10 minutes to assess stock and then two minutes to give reasons to the panel of judges for their choices. It is always a popular date on the YFC calendar and well supported by counties across the country,” added Mrs Taylor. In addition to cash prizes YFC teams will also compete for the Birmingham Agricultural Exhibition Society silver cup for the team accumulating most points which last year went to Herefordshire YFC. New for 2013, available to all YFC competitors on Saturday 16th November, is a three course meal being held in the Bingley Hall Restaurant and Herdsman’s Supper Disco entry for only £10. Tickets for this are on sale now, available from the Staffordshire YFC Office. Young Farmers attending the event will also be able to see the Show's championships take place in the main arena in Bingley Hall as well as witness the spectacle of the grand auction of prize-winning animals from both the live arena and Carcass Hall on Sunday afternoon. Leek Life November/December 2013 37