RWS 2017

[Hummin-Cummins]

Thought there was some outstanding stock on display at the show today a credit to their owners and our industry!!


H-C

 

[Northeastfarmer]

Never been before but apparently it's a must for any stock farmer

 

[topground]

Is it possible for the paying publc to walk the stock lines, cattle and pigs? I understand they were closed off on the first day until 5, anyone know what the position is on subsequent days? I would like to go next year but unless I can see all of the stock there is no point, dont want to stand ringside and wait for them and I want to talk to breeders. Livestock lines closed off until at least 3 pm at the Three Counties by whch time we had to go home to do some work having arrived at 8:30. No access to the lnes made it a waste of a trip and the entrance fee for us this year, wont go again

 

[Downser]

I was there yesterday and the cattle lines were open at 12.30 although you always struggle to see them as mostly lying down

 

[Ballygreenan]

Closing off the cattle lines to the general public has become the most unfortunate part of the RUAS Balmoral show. Apparently it is an attempt to prevent less livestock savvy 'townies' from getting injured. I have witnessed it in the past, Mum with the tribe of kiddies out for the day to 'see some farm animals' pushing the youngest in a push-chair allowing the slightly older kids to wander up and touch the cattle. I'm told that someone took a knock as an animal was being moved to or from the showring and a big claim was lodged. So unfortunately the rest of us have to suffer!

 

[Owain2014]

I went up on the first day and there was two very unhelpful stewards on the cattle shed. When I tried entering I was told you can only enter if you had livestock in their or a pass (I saw a lot of people getting told the same thing) but if you walk around the back of the shed you can get in and walk around. On the way out he was told by my wife to explain himself a bit better lol. Stock was great as always.

 

[BELOWAVERAGE]

Is it possible for the paying publc to walk the stock lines, cattle and pigs? I understand they were closed off on the first day until 5, anyone know what the position is on subsequent days? I would like to go next year but unless I can see all of the stock there is no point, dont want to stand ringside and wait for them and I want to talk to breeders. Livestock lines closed off until at least 3 pm at the Three Counties by whch time we had to go home to do some work having arrived at 8:30. No access to the lnes made it a waste of a trip and the entrance fee for us this year, wont go again

I can remember going to the Three Counties on a school trip when I was 13(42 years ago) and they asked if any members of the public wanted to lead cattle in the grand parade, so I went to the cattle lines and was given a Shorthorn cow to lead round.

 

[kmo]

I went up on the first day and there was two very unhelpful stewards on the cattle shed. When I tried entering I was told you can only enter if you had livestock in their or a pass (I saw a lot of people getting told the same thing) but if you walk around the back of the shed you can get in and walk around. On the way out he was told by my wife to explain himself a bit better lol. Stock was great as always.

Did the same, wasn't let in one end, walk round the other end and straight in.

Closing off the cattle lines to the general public has become the most unfortunate part of the RUAS Balmoral show. Apparently it is an attempt to prevent less livestock savvy 'townies' from getting injured.

If they are worried about health and safety why do they let exhibitors fill the centre passage with their "stuff". You're then edged over to walking right behind the cattle, single file, negotiating lawn chairs, pitch forks , electric cables and tack boxes

 

[GTB]

If they are worried about health and safety why do they let exhibitors fill the centre passage with their "stuff". You're then edged over to walking right behind the cattle, single file, negotiating lawn chairs, pitch forks , electric cables and tack boxes

Where do you suggest they keep their stuff then?

 

[kmo]

Where do you suggest they keep their stuff then?

In the empty stalls, there seemed to plenty of no shows.

 

[GTB]

In the empty stalls, there seemed to plenty of no shows.

Well they need their stuff nearby I expect but if more space were available they could be allocated some space for storage I suppose. In truth the buildings should have been built a bit wider but I suppose they were state of the art when they went up.

 

[Davy_g]

Closing off the cattle lines to the general public has become the most unfortunate part of the RUAS Balmoral show. Apparently it is an attempt to prevent less livestock savvy 'townies' from getting injured. I have witnessed it in the past, Mum with the tribe of kiddies out for the day to 'see some farm animals' pushing the youngest in a push-chair allowing the slightly older kids to wander up and touch the cattle. I'm told that someone took a knock as an animal was being moved to or from the showring and a big claim was lodged. So unfortunately the rest of us have to suffer!

I'm afraid for the show to get insurance it's only going to get worse. As an exhibitor I was delighted to have the hoards of kids and folk who have no idea about livestock kept out whilst preparing and showing cattle.
I do feel with a little more thought and planning the organisers could have at least half the lines open at any one time given half are showed in the morning and half in the afternoon. It is very bad to hear folk travelling half the length of the country, queuing up, paying in and not getting to see what you want.

 

[Ballygreenan]

I'm afraid for the show to get insurance it's only going to get worse. As an exhibitor I was delighted to have the hoards of kids and folk who have no idea about livestock kept out whilst preparing and showing cattle.
I do feel with a little more thought and planning the organisers could have at least half the lines open at any one time given half are showed in the morning and half in the afternoon. It is very bad to hear folk travelling half the length of the country, queuing up, paying in and not getting to see what you want.

As an exhibitor do you not feel that attendance at these shows is in a way your shop window, your opportunity to show off your prized livestock to prospective customers, especially if you have picked up a few rosettes?

 

[Davy_g]

As an exhibitor do you not feel that attendance at these shows is in a way your shop window, your opportunity to show off your prized livestock to prospective customers, especially if you have picked up a few rosettes?

Nope. As soon as showing is over and the cattle are looked after I go and enjoy myself. I also am chair of my regional breed club and spend a lot of my time on the stand.
I see some friends who would not leave their stock in fear of loosing a sale. I think that is sad.
I enter because I enjoy it.
HS&E is a fact of life and it is only going to get more draconian, we need to do our best to work around it or there won't be livestock at the shows at all soon.

 

[GenuineRisk]

I can't see any reason why actual farmers can't register to get a livestock armband at the gate to enter the livestock sheds at any time. It annoys me as when we're showing as said above, it's our shop window and we do sell bulls from the lines on occasion. Push chairs/strollers should be banned, though - it's too mush of a risk during showing days in my opinion, especially at the Welsh, where it's usually jam packed in the lines, although I understand it was less crowded this year ?

We don't stay on the lines 24/7 although we do like to ensure our cattle are clean and tidy at all times, so you do have to be around a fair bit - I personally hate seeing messy dirty cattle and everything all over the place as soon as showing's finished (not aimed at you @Davy_g - can only speak for what I see around our shows here) - looks unprofessional. That said, being on the lines in the evenings with drinks and food and folk you don't get to see that often, etching info and gossip and having fun - that's the great part about showing!!