Agrifest South West

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AGRIFEST SOUTH WEST 2021 BACK WITH A BANG

Agrifest, returned in a blaze of glory to Westpoint Arena in Exeter after an absence of 2 years.

Organised for the first time by the Devon County Agricultural Association, the festival celebrated the most prestigious pedigree primestock cattle and lamb from across the region.

The festival, proudly sponsored by Mole Avon Country Stores, culminated in the crowning of Agrifest 2021’s Supreme Champions. In the cattle section, the award went to Frankie, a 17-month old Limousin owned by RJ Wright and Son and which came top of its class in the Bred and Fed Category. Reserve Champion was Something Special, another Limousin and winner of the Primestock class. 

Mr D Cheacker who judged the final round said: ‘It was a tough decision.  There were so many fantastic specimens in the ring.  But Frankie was the one that impressed me most – a sound bullock with a good back end, excellent top line and really evenly fleshed.  A true champion’.

In the primestock lamb category the Supreme Champion accolade was awarded to a pair of lambs which won the ‘total weight over 70kgs but not exceeding 80kgs class.  Reserve Champion was Claire Elworthy for her pair of Texels. 

Other notable winners included Penfound Royal Nairn, crowned Champion Young Bull of the Year and owned by Mr Hopper of Bude.

The Steak and Burger competition was judged by butcher Dave Haggett, and Harrison Brockington, ex MasterChef professional and owner of Gather Restaurant, Totnes.  The winner of the championship title for the third consecutive time was a sirloin steak from Regency Butchers from Bridgwater cut from a Belted Galloway. The runner up was a Farm Wilder, M C Kelly, Beef Burger

The event brought together farmers, agricultural traders, professionals and researchers under one roof to discuss, showcase and celebrate farming in the UK.  Visitors were also offered the opportunity to attend a series of seminars hosted by a line-up of luminaries from the agricultural sector offering their views on cutting edge innovation and technological solutions for modern farming in action.

Robert Venner, Chairman of Agrifest: ‘We were delighted with how the show was run this year by the DCAA team.  Everything went smoothly, there was a very high standard of stock, and a really good turnout of both exhibitors and visitors.  We are hopeful that the success of the exhibition this year in the hands of the DCAA will secure Agrifest’s future for many more years to come.