As Covid-19 spread across the UK this spring, agricultural shows were forced to cancel. But this sad state of affairs didn’t last long for some as enterprising farmers and smallholders went virtual to save their summer fixtures. Events large and small are now taking place online using photograph and video entries.
“We thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” says Sarah Barnes, a Red Poll cattle breeder who entered the RBST’s Greatest Online Agricultural Show in May. “We scrubbed and polished our cattle so that they would look their best. We put halters on them and we dressed in our white coats as if we were actually at a show. Come judging day, we waited excitedly for the results, and our boy Hopeham Jabari was reserve champion. We love to show and what’s happening now has made a somewhat nonexistent season much better.”
Kayley Kennedy, show organiser for the Beltex Sheep Society, believes that online shows are “fun” and that they have acted as an effective shop window for breeders for forthcoming sales. The Beltex Online Shows are even doing their bit for charity, too.
“Entries are free,” Kayley says. “But I’ve set up some JustGiving pages so that people can donate to RABI/RSABI if they want to. Some members asked that their prize-money be donated too, which is great.”
VIRTUALLY EVERYWHERE
Since going online, showing has never been easier, or more popular.
Esta historia es de la edición August 2020 de Country Smallholding.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición August 2020 de Country Smallholding.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The Secret World Of The Honey Bee
Who knew that honey bees are the best builders? Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development reveals how they build their parallel wax combs with extraordinary accuracy
Tip the light fantastic
The latest offering from Ifor Williams Trailers is the Single Axle Tipper, which is simply perfect for small-scale farmers
The legacy of The Good Life
The Good Life captured the public’s imagination when it first aired in 1975. On Country Smallholding’s 45th birthday, Jeremy Hobson looks at this and other programmes with a self-sufficiency slant that have captivated urban and rural dwellers alike over nearly half a century
‘The hens took shelter under the pig trailer in the paddock'
A tree Armageddon frightens poultry diarist Julian Hammer’s flock and leaves him with a mammoth clear-up job
Tools of the trade
In the second part of his mini-series on tools that are useful around the holding, Kevin Alviti takes an in-depth look at the iconic scythe, a thistle paddle and forks that were once virtually indispensable to small-scale farmers
The nightclub bouncer of the sheep world
Adam Henson waxes lyrical about the Texel, which boasts such a stocky body that it resembles a box of muscle on four legs
Buying on a tight budget
As demand for smallholdings increases and prices continue to rise, is there a way to achieve your dream without forking out a fortune? In the first part of a new mini-series, Liz Shankland explores the possibilities
Crazy for crafts
In an ordinary back garden and single paddock near Kidderminster, Kay Dalloway has created both a thriving smallholding and a successful fibre business — all while working full time for the NHS. Helen Babbs drops by to find out about her ventures
Game on
A little preparation in the autumn months will help to make the transition into winter smoother and put your garden and tools on a better footing come the spring, says Stephanie Bateman
1975 And All That
Country Smallholding is 45 this month. To celebrate, Jeremy Hobson takes a look at some of the changes — both good and bad — to small-scale farming over that near half-century
