This year’s Primestock Show, jointly organised by the Southern District and Royal Manx Agricultural Societies, celebrated the Manx livestock industry and gave local farmers the opportunity to showcase their excellent work.
The show kicked off on November 25 at Knockaloe Mart, Patrick, with classes for prime cattle and lambs judged by Ian Lancaster from Clitheroe.
Isle of Man Meats then hosted the second part of the event, the Young Farmers’ competition and Carcase Show on November 28. His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor Sir Richard Gozney attended the event which was held at Isle of Man Meats’ meat plant and presented the awards to the winners. Also represented were Tesco and Northgate Foods Ltd (both buyers of Isle of Man Meats products), the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA), and Trade Distribution Ltd which recently announced a partnership with Isle of Man Meats.
All of the guests enjoyed delicious food, using all local produce, cooked by talented chef Maciej Mierzejewski.
The evening started with more than 30 Young Farmers taking part in a stock judging competition. The overall winner of the judging competition was Rob Watterson, with Sarah Moore and Sophie White in second and third respectively. Prizes were kindly provided by Trade Distribution Ltd and Isle of Man Meats.
The Carcase Show was judged by Sam Taylor of the Meat and Livestock Commission UK and she praised the quality of entries which made her job exceptionally difficult. For cattle, Graham Watterson took the top prize, as well as winning all of the top awards in that category. Alan and Alison Rothwell took all championship and reserve prizes in the lambs, while Shaun Dean won the pig championship and reserve again, with his outstanding stock from Bayview Farm.
Phil Parsons, Plant Director at Isle of Man Meats, thanked His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor and all of the other guests for attending. He added: “The Primestock Show is a fantastic showcase of the Manx farming industry. We were delighted to host the showcase event and welcome so many Young Farmers, farmers, buyers and industry representatives to the plant, to celebrate the industry as a whole. Many congratulations to all the winners.”
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