TB fears force agriculture show to cancel cattle classes

Concerns about bovine TB have forced an agricultural show to cancel its cattle classes, highlighting the ongoing impact of the disease on farming in Wales.

Organisers of Llanilar Show say the decision follows a routine annual TB test at Castle Hill Farm, near Aberystwyth, where a small number of inconclusive reactors were identified.

The animals must undergo a further test 60 days after the initial screening, which falls after Llanilar Show on 8 August.

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Although a temporary county parish holding licence is granted for the show, the licensed area field has been grazed by cattle this year.

As a result, both the farm owners and the show committee concluded it would be “highly irresponsible” to host cattle on the field at this time.

In a statement, organisers said the decision had been made “with great regret but is the only responsible option if we are serious about eradicating bovine TB in Wales”.

The latest Welsh government figures show bovine TB continues to decline nationally, though there were still 567 new TB incidents recorded in the 12 months to December 2025, and 11,257 cattle slaughtered.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales said it sympathised with and supported the difficult decision made by the show committee. 

“This once again highlights the far-reaching impact that bovine TB continues to have on rural Wales and demonstrates why the new Welsh government’s commitment to a new approach to managing TB is so important,” a spokesman said.

“We now look forward to seeing that commitment translated into action with urgency.”

Disappointment for exhibitors

The cancellation is a disappointment for exhibitors, particularly breeders of native Welsh Black cattle.

Caryl Griffiths, who farms near Llangybi with her mother, Eirian Lewis, keeping 10 pedigree Welsh Blacks alongside 25 cross-bred weaning calves, had hoped to show their Welsh Black heifer, Eirianfa Erin.

While supporting the committee’s decision, she said the loss of another opportunity to exhibit was disappointing.

“Unfortunately, we don’t have much choice of shows to take our Welsh Black cattle to now, as they just get put in the ‘any other breed’ classes.”

She said declining exhibitor numbers had led to the loss of many dedicated breed classes.

“Llanilar was one of the only shows left in the area to do Welsh Black classes. We will now have to wait until Talybont show at the end of August.”

Exploring alternatives

Organisers are exploring the possibility of introducing on-farm judging before show day, with photographs and video footage of the cattle displayed during the event.

Further details are expected in due course.