Well, summer it seems has arrived and with it comes the start of the main summer show season. The Taking Stock team will be travelling the length and breadth of the country to report from the major shows, bringing you live reporting from many and of course plenty of pictures and the inside line where we can get it.
And this year for our sins, both myself and Chrissie have picked up a plethora of judging jobs at various shows. For me it is of the sheep sections where you'll be able to find me, my first outing was due to be Hertfordshire County, but a lack of entries due to bluetongue means my first stint will now be the interbreed group championship at Royal Bath and West.
From Shepton Mallet, next stop is Aberystwyth where I revert to my own breed and place the Southdowns. Next up is Lincolnshire County, where its the interbreed championship.
Following that will be a stint selecting young handlers at the Royal and then to wrap up the season I'm back to Southdowns again at Moreton-in-Marsh.
Chrissie, meanwhile, sticks to what she knows - beef cattle. Her first engagement will be Alyth Show, Perth, where she has the task of placing the interbreed line-up. Then the next day is fast trip south to do the heifer sweepstake and young handlers at East of England. Her final outing for the year will be Border Union, where its the interbreed once again as well as commercial beef.
Of course, we'll also be on the other end of a halter at some point over the summer - it wouldn't be a show season otherwise!
So, if you're out and about at the shows this summer be sure to stop us and say hello and if you happen to come under us as judges be sure to remember that when it comes to drinks mine's a whisky and Chrissie's is a gin - strictly after judging of course!!
And mines a large white wine!!!
Hope you both enjoy your judging, and looking forward to full reports from the shows
As the organiser of a major show I thought you'd be the one doing the buying Mrs Buttriss!
I just hope some of this sunshine lasts, I don't want a Royal or Royal Welsh like last year's.
You and me both Mr Long - no bloody rain this year I hope - you started off with sun at Newark - that in itself is a miracle!!!
Well, it look's like Balmoral could be wet tomorrow, so there's no guarantee it's going to be a dry season! Never mind we might get lucky and have a few dry days.
Any ideas what's coming out this season that's going to take some stopping, The usual faces were out at Newark, but I wouldn't say there was anything really showstopping there, although to be fair it is early in the season and there were a few with potential to fill themselves out in the next couple of months.
Well not seen much yet but the Lim heifer from Smiths is certainly one to keep an eye on - she is a fair tool!
That's fair comment, she was one of those I spotted at Newark and would be one if my picks so far.
However, I did also spot a smart Shorthorn yearling heifer while I was out and about at the weekend and a good Simmy cow and calf - I'll leave you guessing where I saw them, but suffice to say they were both on the same farm.
Off to Bath and West judging tomorrow after opening my account with a late call up tto Heathfield last weekend, so I may find more to take my fancy down there.
Not seen any really topping sheep yet, although there are some contenders pushing their forward in some breeds here in the south east.