THE 2016 Christmas primestock showing season kicked off in great style this week as farmers brought their best young sheep and cattle to New Haye Farm near Ivybridge.

Plympton Primestock Show on Monday, October 31 saw unseasonably warm weather and a third supreme champion prize in a row for young Ivybridge farmer Lewis Cook.

This year Lewis’ top prize winning beast was British Blue X heifer U Belong 2 Me, which was purchased in Wales. Lewis also exhibited the reserve champion in the halter-led section, a Charolais X heifer called U Don’t Own Me bought at Exeter market. 

These two cattle will go on to compete at other local primestock shows before finishing the season at either Exeter or Sedgemoor in December.  

In the commercial section, Peter Phillips of Modbury exhibited the champion and reserve champion, both British Blue X heifers.

The sheep section saw the introduction of some new classes this year: pairs classes for British and continental breeds, and a class for four commercial lambs. The champion sheep was exhibited by Jilly Rowdon of Blackawton, with Phil Dallyn of Ipplepen taking the reserve champion place. 

Jonathan Bell of California Cross won the cup for best pair of continental cross sheep and Rob Steer of Avonwick took the honours in the commercial sheep section.

Emily Pearse from Widecombe-in-the-Moor won the trophy for the best animal exhibited by a Young Farmers Club member, while Kelly Wakeham of Chivelstone won the shield for young farmers beef stock-judging.

The committee thanked Mr and Mrs David Smallridge for so generously allowing the use of their site, the many local businesses who sponsor the show, and everyone else that contributes to making the show what it is.

The showing season continues in other market towns across South Devon in the run up to Christmas: Churston Fatstock Show on November 14; Totnes Christmas Show on November 20; Newton Abbot Christmas Show on December 3; Kingsbridge Fatstock Show on December 6; and Dartmouth Fatstock Show on December 13.

With the closure of so many local livestock markets, these shows are also social occasions providing an opportunity for people to meet up.