Farmers from across the country will be heading for the Great Yorkshire Showground this weekend as the region's top autumn country event gets underway. Countryside Live Food and Farming Fair opens its doors on Saturday (28 October) and Sunday (29 October) when the cream of Britain's livestock, superb displays of food and drink, plus demonstrations of country skills will be in the spotlight.

Sheep Judging at last year's Countryside Live

The cattle and sheep classes are full with waiting lists in operation; some 167 cattle and 232 sheep entries will come in front of the judges. For sheep exhibitors the climax will be on Sunday when the livestock championships are decided. And in the National Festival of Meat, entries have closed at 23 in the Ribs of Beef section and the25 Saddle of Lamb entries will give the judges plenty to consider for the red rosettes.

Honorary Show Director, Bill Cowling said: "Countryside Live is very much a flag ship event for the industry with well filled classes and top quality stock. In the past judges have said that our livestock is the finest to be seen in any show ring and this year will be no exception. We do appreciate the support given by farmers who see Countryside Live as not only an event to win awards, but to engage with their customers - something which is becoming increasingly important to the industry."

For the first time Countryside Live will host the national stock judging championships organised by the National Federation of Young Farmers, as well as the regional classes. Some 150 young farmers from Federations including Devon, Wales, Lancashire and Yorkshire will be demonstrating their judging skills at the event, with the prize giving held at Saturday lunch time.

A key element of the Show is the Yorkshire Life Cookery Theatre, which links the food producer with the consumer and the specialist end user, the chef. Visitors can have their say on "Why Farming Matters" in a debate in the theatre which begins the proceedings on Saturday morning. All are invited to attend and take part.

Also in the Cookery Theatre, "from field to fork" becomes a reality as the winning joints of beef and lamb from the National Festival of Meat are cooked with a commentary explaining the best way of preparing the meat for the table.

Elsewhere there are classes for pigeons, poultry, honey and a fruit, vegetable and flower show. The Yorkshire Woodfair is also featured and on the Village Green, sponsored by The HACS Group, there will be demonstrations of wood turning, barrel making and water colour painting.

Countryside Live is open from 9am to 5pm on the Saturday and from 9am to 4.30pm on the Sunday. Tickets are available on the door and cost £8 for adults with concessions £7. Children up to 18 years and members of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society are admitted free.

For more information, visit the website at www.countrysidelive.co.uk or contact the organisers on 01423 541000.

County Federations who will be represented in the National Young Farmers Stock Judging Competition are:

Brecknock
Clwyd
Derbyshire
East Riding of Yorkshire
Gloucestershire
Herefordshire
Lancashire
Radnor
Shropshire
Somerset
Staffordshire
Worcestershire
Yorkshire

Fun for everyone at Countryside Live Food & Farming Fair
Education at Countryside Live! Food and Farming Fair
A “Sell Out” for Livestock at Countryside Live
Cookery Stars Showcase Regional Food
Countryside Live Food & Farming Fair 2006