The Royal Show - Media & PR - Press Releases

March 24th 2009

Royal Show Lamb Competition will reflect the demands of High Street butchers

The Royal Show has announced a re-vamped National Lamb competition for this year’s event that will encourage farmers to exhibit uniform groups of high quality lamb carcases that are suited for high volume markets.

Under the new format, which has been established in collaboration with EBLEX, farmers are invited to enter a group of six lambs that must be representative of the type of lambs produced by the commercial flock on the farm. This group of six can be any breed or cross and the carcases must fall into the 18-21 kilogram weight range. The Saleable Meat Yield will be judged from one carcase, which will be butchered according to set specifications and priced as if being sold on the High Street.

Royal Livestock and Equine Manager Sarah Deeming said: “We feel the main lamb competition class at the Royal Show must reflect the reality of commercial sheep production. In the considerably modified competition, the number of lambs per group has been reduced from eight to six, and the weight range has also changed. This is the first year that we have included Saleable Meat Yield in the criteria. We are confident that this will make it a more meaningful competition from a commercial point of view, as well attracting more contestants.”

The Royal Agricultural Society of England is aiming to ensure that this year’s show is bigger and better than ever. The Society is putting particularly emphasis on ensuring that the show offers real business benefits for farmers. As well as the outstanding livestock section, there will also be an informative conference programme concentrating on the commercial realities of farming in 2009.

The Royal Show takes place from 7-10 July at Stoneleigh. For further information and to buy tickets to the show, visit www.royalshow.org.uk.

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For further media information contact:

Peter Crowe
Ceres
T: 01189 475956
M: 07967 504034
E: peter.crowe@ceres-pr.co.uk

Naomi Barry
Ceres
T: 01189 475956
M: 07920 098498
E: naomi.barry@ceres-pr.co.uk

Notes for editor
The Royal Show is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE). RASE is an independent charity with over 6,000 members including the general public and the farming community. RASE works towards a sustainable, vibrant future for British Agriculture and the rural community.

For more information about RASE, please contact: 02476 696969 or visit the website www.rase.org.uk.