PLENTY TO BRIDGE THE GAP
PLENTY TO BRIDGE THE GAP
1999 may be a gap year for Smithfield, that doesnt mean theres nothing of interest to stockmen. The Royal Smithfield Club has organised a winter primestock show at Lichfield that takes place on Dec 2 and which we preview here. Based on the successful event that took place in the last Smithfield gap year in 1997, it has been widened to include livestock judging and is aimed firmly at producers of commercially finished beef and lamb.
Meanwhile, preparations for the first Smithfield Show of the new millennium – which will take place at Earls Court from Nov 26-29, 2000 – are already well advanced. The organisers report that larger stand areas than ever before have been booked by the leading multinational tractor and machinery makers.
In fact 92% of the stand space has already been sold, including the entire ground floor, a total area of 60,000sq m. And the organisers are working hard to develop other specialist sectors, particularly those that cater for arable and dairy farmers. There will also be regular fixtures like the farmers weekly Farmer Forums, as well as new items like a special area focusing on farm security.
If you want to find out more about next years Smithfield Show, you can always look at the Smithfield website – www.royal-smithfield.co.uk