A POPULAR agrictutural show is set to highlight rare breed livestock more than ever this year.

Moreton Show organisers are working hard to boost support for the UK’s rare and minority livestock breeds.

And this year will see competition classes for rare breeds including Gloucester Cattle.

Moreton Show Livestock chairman, Will Bevan said: ‘It’s fantastic for the show to be able to offer a greater number of classes for rare breeds in 2024.

"I am particularly excited to see the introduction of Gloucester Cattle classes. This distinctive local breed - which was once extremely rare – has in recent years made a great comeback. It is fitting that Gloucestershire’s best celebration of farming and rural life hosts classes for the county breed of cattle’.

Show organisers said the cost of living and environmental pressures have impaced the UK’s livestock industry.

Many livestock rare breeds are increasingly seen as lower cost, both environmentally and economically on land, and can often provide a more sustainable source of protein and fibre.

The spokesman added: "Exciting new developments for the 2024 Moreton Show include the introduction of competition classes for UK rare breeds, including Gloucester Cattle - winning the Stuart Mace Cup, and ‘Any Other Native Rare Breeds’ Cattle Class, winning The Society Chairman Trophy and £200.

"These thrilling new classes will see an array of beautiful UK rare breed cattle go head-to-head for the championship."

 

Moreton Show already hosts a huge range of classes for rare breeds including the prestigious National Cotswold Sheep Society Show.

In 2023, Moreton Show received more than1,000 cattle and sheep entries.

Mr Steve Parkes, Show vice chairman said: ‘Moreton Show provides a great platform for rare breed livestock keepers to travel from far and wide to compete their animals at a friendly and welcoming traditional country Show’.

He added: "The need to preserve rare breeds is essential and the holding of breed specific classes ensures the continued improvement and relevance of a breed."

Show chairman, Stuart Mace stated: ‘Moreton Show has strong charitable principles; one important objective is the promotion of and education in agriculture, to both farmers and the public. By hosting more classes for rare breeds, and encouraging more people to exhibit at the Show, we are working hard to fulfill this objective.’

The Moreton Show Livestock Schedule will be published in April. Anyone wishing to receive an email to say the schedule is online, and entries open, can write to the Livestock Secretary: lynne@moretonshow.co.uk.

Not only will rare-breed sheep and cattle be on show, but the show will also host a display of Oxford Sandy and Black pigs. The locally developed breed of pig, with a rusty brown coat and black spots, will be the centerpiece of a new feature provided by the Oxford Sandy and Black Pig Group Charity.

There will also be a display of rare breed heavy horses including Shires, Suffolk Punch and Clydesdales. 

Moreton Show takes place on Saturday, September 7.

Children under 5 are free. For more details visit moretonshow.co.uk.