Yorkshire Show director proclaims ‘we’re simply the best’

Welcome from show director Bill Cowling –

Against the backdrop of recession and market turmoil, the Great Yorkshire Show is all set for another successful show as one of the UK’s premier agricultural events .

The show is again a record-breaker, with more competitive entries than ever, a total of 12,189. Livestock classes are full, and we will have a bigger sheep show than ever – again with a record entry figure. The agricultural machinery lines are well supported; the Food Hall will be full to bursting; and as ever, we will have the best of British farming on display.

There is no doubt that farmers continue to face incredible challenges, not least with the demise of Dairy Farmers of Britain, coupled with the difficulties that dairy farmers have had to contend with for many years. It is a tribute to the industry as a whole that, largely speaking, it continues to be optimistic, forward thinking and resilient and resourceful.

The public’s view of farmers is changing. In the past, we have not been particularly good at our own PR, content to quietly provide excellent food with impeccable provenance. Times have changed. As an industry, we need to ensure our customers are aware that, quite simply – we’re the best. Best at producing superb tasting meat and drink, best at looking after our livestock, best at caring for the countryside and increasingly – best at being accountable to our customers.

The Great Yorkshire Show provides the ideal platform from which to bang the farming drum – whether it’s to our government, to our customers or to the Continent and beyond. Our commitment to keeping agriculture at the heart of the Great Yorkshire Show remains unequivocal and, in turn, we remain appreciative of the tremendous support the farming industry gives us, year on year. Our new flagship building – the Regional Agricultural Centre, provides us with a superb year-round venue to continue making sure the farming voice is heard, as often and as loudly as we can.