Victory for the Herefordshire Stockjudging team at this year’s English Winter Fair was especially meaningful, as two team members were competing for the very last time.
It’s the final year of competing in YFC for Chloe Watkins and Andrew Bennett but their haul of trophies means they can bow out on a high – especially with the overall John Spear Trophy.
At NFYFC’s Beef and Lamb live and carcase competition, supported by KERBL/Rutland Electric Fencing, Chloe and Andrew both also won the Senior team Bob Williams Trophy and Chloe won the the Smithfield Trophy for Beef Live and Carcase with Jac McQuiston, the individual live and carcase category and the individual carcase category.
For Chloe, from Pontrilas YFC, this was the perfect finale to years of dedication and success in YFC competitions – and she also had a very lucky mascot with her on the day.
“It was a really good way to finish off by competing at the English Winter Fair. It was maybe a bit more special for me this year as I had a little boy in August – he was with me as well. It was really nice to still be able to compete.”
The English Winter Fair provides a unique platform for young farmers to demonstrate their knowledge and practical skills in assessing both live animals and carcases. Competitors are judged on accuracy, presentation, and their ability to explain their decisions.
Chloe, who practised with her club and county ahead of the competition, said:
“The English Winter Fair is nice as it’s over two days and you have the social in the evening too with the other Young Farmers. I like the competition as you put the skills together for both live and carcase.
“It hones your skills and knowledge across the two classes rather than just doing one. And the classification is an additional element that we don’t do at the county round, which makes it more challenging at the national final.”
NFYFC competitions like these play a vital role in developing skills that are essential for the future of British agriculture. Chloe, who lives on her husband’s family dairy farm and grew up on a beef and arable farm, said her success in the competition followed many years of practising.
“I joined Young Farmers because my older brother was in YFC and he was competing at Stockjudging so I had a go as well. It took me several years to get the order right. My brother actually told my mum that he didn’t think I’d ever get it as I was so useless! I persevered though and it has paid off!”
While this is Chloe’s final year of competing, she is now focusing on influencing a new crop of stockjudgers and has already helped junior members practice reason giving in the lead up to this competition.
“We have got some really keen members in the club who really want to give it a go and aren’t afraid to get involved and want to learn from whoever they can.
"I want to help them develop their skills in what to look for and in developing their reasons as well,” said Chloe who was delighted that one of her protégés came second in the Staffordshire Stockjudging competition at the English Winter Fair.
The competition was sponsored by Kerbl/Rutland Electric Fencing and supported by Bagshaws Agriculture. Members of the winning team also each received Kerbl/Rutland Electric Fencing energisers.
NFYFC was hosted by the Staffordshire & Birmingham English Winter Fair Committee, who were celebrating their 175th anniversary – a milestone originally set for 2024, but postponed due to the show’s cancellation from Bluetongue.
Each competitor, judge and steward received a memento to celebrate the anniversary.
For a full list of Stockjudging results see here.
