Click on the headings below for information on:

County Competitions

County Events

County Officers

District Annual General Meetings

District Salmon Lunches & Other Events

District Secretaries

District Ploughing Match Dinners

District Ploughing Matches & Hedgelaying Competitions

Membership

MEMBERSHIP OF THE STAFFORDSHIRE & BIRMINGHAM

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

Membership of the Society includes the following benefits:

  • Admission to the County Show and the English Winter Fair on both days of each Show.
  • Use of the Members' restaurant, bar area and cloakroom facilities at the County Show.
  • Reduced entry fees for the Livestock Competitions at both the County Show and the English Winter Fair
  • Free entry into the District and County Agricultural Competitions.
  • Reserved forward parking

Membership of the Society as a Governor entitles you to the following additional benefits at the County Show:

  • Use of the Governor's Lounge and Dining Room on the first floor of the Grandstand overlooking the Main Ring

Membership Rates are as follows:

  • Single                       - £20
  • Joint                         - £30
  • Family*                    - £35
  • Governor**              - £50
  • Governor & Family* - £55 

* Includes two adults and up to three children under 16 years of age

** Includes two adults

A special reduce rate membership of £5 is offered to Members of the Staffordshire Young Farmers Club (SYFC)

Payment by Direct Debit attracts a reduction of £2 on all membership categories with the exception of the SYFC membership

If you require further advice or assistance please telephone the Showground Office on 01785 258060.

COUNTY OFFICERS AND DISTRICT SECRETARIES

COUNTY OFFICERS

Chief Executive & General Manager Mr. Richard Williams 01785 258060
Functions Manager & Trade Stand Secretary Mrs. Holly Hobson 01785 258060
Livestock Secretary Mrs. Sue Mellor 01785 258060
Bar Managers Pegasus Hospitality 01785 246395
Bingley Hall Catering Manageress Mr Trevor Powell 01785 226644
Barn Shop & Café Manageress Mrs. Doris Goodman 01889 270788

DISTRICT SECRETARIES

Burton Mrs. K Tomlinson 01283 820012
Eccleshall Mrs K Martin 01630 639711
Lichfield Mrs. V Myatt 01543 372813
Newcastle Mrs. H Charles 01630 652994
Stafford Mrs J Bostock 01785 251051
Stone Mrs. D Shelley 01889 505292
Uttoxeter Mrs. C Wheawall 01889 502245
South Staffs Mrs. J Woodhams 01902 850208
National District Mrs. K Tomlinson 01283 820012
Ladies Section Mrs. D Robinson 01543 263139

DISTRICT EVENTS

SALMON LUNCHES/SUPPERS & SOCIAL EVENTS 2009

6th March Stone District Pig Race at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford.
TBA Uttoxeter Salmon & Champagne Lunch 
TBA Lichfield District Summer Luncheon 
TBA Stafford District Salmon Lunch 
TBA Eccleshall District Summer Supper   
TBA South Staffs District Summer Social 
TBA Stone District Summer Social  

PLOUGHING AND HEDGELAYING COMPETITIONS 2008

13th September Uttoxeter District Ploughing Match by kind permission of Mr D Rushton, Ashbarn Farm, Grindley, Stafford
14th September   Lichfield District Ploughing Match by kind permission of Mr & Mrs R Leedham & Son, Syerscote Manor, Syerscote Lane, Wiggington, Tamworth, B79 9ET
20th September Stafford District Ploughing Match by kind permission of Mr & Mrs R Bower, Lower Drayton Farm, Penkridge, Stafford
21st September South Staffs District Ploughing Match at by kind permission of Messrs AS & PAC Monkton, Stretton Hall, Stretton, Nr Brewood, Staffs
27th September Eccleshall District Ploughing Match by kind permission of Mr J Allcock, Knighton Mount, Knighton, Adbaston, Staffs
28th September  Stone District Ploughing Match by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Key, 
28th September Newcastle District Ploughing Match by kind permission of Mr & Mrs Bourne at Rectory Farm, Mucklestone, Market Drayton, Shropshire
4th October Burton District Ploughing Match by kind permission of P Smith & Co Lower Castle Hayes Farm, Needwood, Burton on Trent, Staffs

PLOUGHING MATCH DINNERS 2008/2009

15th September Uttoxeter District Ploughing Match Dinner. Location at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford.
25th September Stafford District Ploughing Match Dinner at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford.
29th September Eccleshall District Ploughing Match Dinner  at Baden Hall, Eccleshall, Stafford 
2nd October  Lichfield District Ploughing Match Dinner at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford.
6th October Burton District Ploughing Match Dinner at The Craythorne, Stretton, Burton on Trent
7th October Stone District Ploughing Match Dinner at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground,  Stafford
TBA Newcastle District Ploughing Match Dinner at Adderley Village Hall 
27th February  South Staffordshire District Awards Dinner at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground, Stafford.

DISTRICT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS 2008/2009

Contact respective District Secretary for venue information

TBA Uttoxeter District
TBA

Lichfield District

TBA

Ladies Committee

TBA

Stone District

TBA

Stafford District

TBA

South Staffs District

TBA

Burton District

TBA

Eccleshall District

TBA

Newcastle District

COUNTY EVENTS 2008/2009

8th October Ladies Committee Luncheon in The Ingestre Suite, County Showground
16th October Ladies Committee Bridge Drive Luncheon in The Ingestre Suite, County Showground
4th  November  Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Annual Dinner & Presentation of Awards at The Ingestre Suite, County Showground
15th & 16th November  English Winter Fair
18th November Ladies Committee AGM in the President's Suite at the County Showground
27th November Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Annual General Meeting at 9pm in The Ingestre Suite, County Showground
2nd December Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Christmas Dinner & Carol Concert in The Ingestre Suite, County Showground
3rd March Ladies Committee Dinner in The Ingestre Suite, County Showground
16th April Ladies Committee Luncheon in The Ingestre Suite, County Showground
TBA Golf Competition at Brocton Golf Club.
27th & 28th May Staffordshire County Show
TBA Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society v NFU Cricket Match at Swynnerton Cricket Club at 2pm

COUNTY COMPETITIONS 2008

For individual competition schedules please click on the competition name in the table below:

Competition Entry Closing Date Judging Commences
Sheep Flock 14th  April 1st May
Grassland 21st April 5th May
Farm 16th  June 7th July
Rape & Winter Wheat 18th June 23rd  June
Beef 30th June 21st  July
Dairy Herd 11th July 28th July
Dairy Young Stock 14th July 21st July
Crops 20th August 1st September
Silage 23rd  January 2009 26th January 2009
County Novice Ploughing Championships N/A N/A

COUNTY COMPETITIONS - GENERAL NOTES

All competitors must be members of the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society.

The entry closing dates will be strictly adhered to; no late entries will be accepted from either individuals or Districts. Any class, with the exception of the Farms Competition, with less than three entries will be cancelled.

Please refer to the relevant schedule/s for the competition/s you wish to enter, complete the entry form enclosed with this booklet and return it to The Chief Executive, Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society, County Showground, Weston Road, Stafford ST18 OBD.

Presentation of all awards will take place at the Society's Annual Dinner at the County Showground on Tuesday 4th  November 2008.

There are no entry fees for any of the Competitions.

It would be appreciated if disinfectant could be available for the use of the Judge when he arrives at the farm.

SHEEP FLOCK COMPETITION

Judge: Mr E Hughes, High Peak Farm, Stone Heath, Leigh, Stoke on Trent, ST10 4PG

Entries Close: 14th April 2008    Judging Commences: 1st May 2008

Class 1 - For the Best Breeding Sheep Flock

This class may be divided by size/early or late lambing/Pedigree or Commercial at the Judges discretion.

The Competition is for Lambing Flocks and is designed to encourage good sheep husbandry. Accordingly, it will be suggested to the Judge that he should take into account the following;

1. The management, marketing and general husbandry of the flock.

2. The conformation of the flock.

3. The lambing percentages and flock production. (Note; the lambing percentages should be based on the number of ewes put to the ram.)

The Judge will take into account all records of lambs, which have been sold prior to the date of judging, accordingly, it will be helpful if any flock records can be available for scrutiny.

Please indicate on the entry form whether the flock is early or late lambing.

Prizes: First - £50 Second - £30 Third - £20

(A Fourth Prize of £10 will be awarded if there are 6 or more entries)

The Shepherd in charge of the winning entry will receive a prize of £30.

Awards:

The Geoffrey Thompstone Trophy: - (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the best flock in the Competition.

 

GRASSLAND

Judge: Mr A Robinson, Norbury Farm, Norbury, Ashbourne, Derbys

Entries Close: 21st April 2008    Judging Commences: 5th May 2008

Class 2 - Short Term Cutting Ley for the best and cleanest crop sown as a short term ley in 2006 or 2007

Class 3 - Long Term Ley  for the best and cleanest crop sown as a long term ley in 2006 or before

Class 4 - Grazing Ley

Prizes: First - £50 (kindly sponsored by Ed Weetman) Second - £30 Third - £20

(A Fourth Prize of £10 will be awarded if there are 6 or more entries)

Awards:

The Ed Weetman Trophy: - (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the best entry in the Competition.

 

RAPE AND WINTER WHEAT COMPETITIONS

Judge: Mrs A Massey-Fryer, Sudbury Park Farm, Sudbury, Ashbourne, Derbys

Entries Close:  18th June 2008.    Judging Commences: 23rd June 2008

Class 5: For the best and cleanest field of Rape

Class 6: For the best and cleanest field of Winter Wheat

The Class for Rape will be divided into Spring & Winter sections if there are sufficient entries.

The Class for Winter wheat will be split into Feed and Milling if there are sufficient entries.

Prizes: In each Class First - £50 Second - £30 Third - £20.

(Fourth Prize of £10 to be awarded in any Class with 6 or more entries)

Awards:

The J B Sands Perpetual Trophy: (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the best entry in the Competition.

 

FARMS COMPETITION

Kindly Sponsored by Barclays Bank

Judge: Mr W G Baskerville, Common Lane Farm, Kings Bromley, Burton on Trent, Staffs  DE13 7JF

Entries Close: 16th June 2008    Judging Commences: 7th July 2008

The judge will consider production and profitability, general tidiness, technical efficiency and conservation.

Class 7/8: Entries will be taken for the class and will then be split by acreage into two equal classes. Competitors that have won either class (or their equivalent) in 2005, 2006 or 2007 are not eligible to enter.

Class 9: For the First Prize winners in Classes 7and 8 (or their equivalent) in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

Note: Only those farms with the homestead within the County boundary or within 10 miles of it are eligible to enter.

All land within the Staffordshire County Boundary and to a distance of 10 miles outside the County Boundary must be declared to the Judge, however, only land around the home farm will be judged..

The Judge will choose the Overall Championship winner in the Competition from the four classes.

Prizes: In each Class: First Prize - £80 Second Prize - £50 Third Prize - £30

Awards:

 The Philip Solari Esquire Challenge Cup: (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the best farm in the Competition together with an additional prize of £50.

The Madders Perpetual Challenge Trophy: (To be held for one year) will be awarded to the winner of Class 7.

The David Parton Perpetual Trophy: (To be held for one year) will be awarded to the winner of Class 8.

The Express and Star Challenge Cup: (To be held for one year) will be awarded to the winner of Class 9.

 

DAIRY HERDS COMPETITION

Kindly Sponsored by the Yorkshire Bank

Judge: Mr A Whitehurst, Hurst Farm, Bramshall, Uttoxeter, Staffs ST14 5BQ

Entries Close: 11th July 2008    Judging Commences: 28th July 2008

Class 10/11: For the Best Herd of Dairy Cattle; open to any breed, pedigree or non-pedigree herds. (Entries will be taken for the overall competition and will then be split by herd numbers to give two classes of equal number.)

The Champion Prize Winner is not eligible to compete for two years following their success.

All the necessary records should be available at the time of judging including dairy slips and dairy herd costing information. The Judge will not inspect any young stock, which are not in calf.

Class 12: For the Best Progeny; open to any breed, pedigree or non-pedigree for all Progeny that are in the dairy herd.

Note: Records for all animals should be available for inspection by the Judge if required.

Prizes: In each Class: First - £50 Second - £30 Third - £20

A prize of £30 will be made to the Herdsman in charge of the winning herd in each Class.

Awards:

The F T Brough Trophy: (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the Best Herd in the Competition.

The S Monckton Perpetual Challenge Cup: (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the Best Progeny over 18 months of age by one sire.

 

 DAIRY YOUNGSTOCK COMPETITION

Kindly Sponsored by the Yorkshire Bank

Judge: Mr Edward Seaton, Styche Hall Farm, Styche, Market Drayton, Shrops

Entries Close: 14th July 2008    Judging Commences: 21st  July 2008

Note: Entries for the County Competition are by nomination following District Competition Judging and are restricted to one per District. Any member wishing to enter the District Competition should contact their District Secretary.

Class 13/14 For the Best Group of Dairy Youngstock.

Entries will be split into two classes by number of animals entered.

All Youngstock from day old calves upwards, housed and outside will be judged.

Prizes: In each Class: First - £50 Second - £30 Third - £20

(A fourth prize of £10 will be awarded in any class with 6 or more entries)

 Awards:

The WH David Hobson Challenge Trophy: (To be held for one year.) will be awarded for the best Group of Dairy Youngstock in the Competition.

 

BEEF COMPETITION

Judge: Mrs Richardson, Sunnyside Farm, Yeaveley, Ashbourne, Derbys

Entries Close: 30th June 2008    Judging Commences: 21st July 2008

 This competition is designed to encourage good cattle husbandry, therefore, it will be suggested to the Judge that he take into account the management, marketing, general husbandry and conformation of the herd. All cattle in the respective classes must be shown 

Class 15: Intensive Feeding Cattle

Class 16: Grazed Feeding Cattle 

Class 17: Pedigree Suckler Cattle

Class 18: Commercial Suckler Cattle

Prizes: In each Class: First - £50 Second - £30 Third - £20.

(A fourth prize of £10 will be awarded in any class with 6 or more entries.)

Notes:

Cattle in different Classes must be shown in different fields or pens.

Awards:

The George Myatt Perpetual Trophy: (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the Best Herd in the Competition.

 

CROPS COMPETITION

Kindly Sponsored by the NatWest Bank Plc 

Judge: Mr N Furnival, Hungers Heath Farm, Ashley, Market Drayton, Shrops

Entries Close: 20th August 2008    Judging Commences: 1st September 2008

Class 19/20: Maize - For the best and cleanest crop of not less than 5 acres.

(Note: The class will be split by acreage of field, into two equal classes if there are more than 10 entries.)

Class 21: Grass Seeds - For the best and cleanest crop, sown in 2007

Class 22: Potatoes - For the best and cleanest crop of red or white potatoes of not less than 2 acres.

Class 23: Beans - For the best and cleanest crop of beans

(Note: the class will be split into spring and winter if there are sufficient entries)

Class 24: Fodder Crop - For the best and cleanest crop of not less than 2 acres of Stubble Turnips, Fodder Beet or Kale.

(Note: Any crop in Class 24 with more than 4 entries will be split into its own class, moreover, only one entry for each of any of the crops listed may be made.)

Prizes: In each Class: First - £50 Second - £30 Third - £20.

(A fourth prize of £10 will be awarded in any class with 6 or more entries)

Awards:

The G V Prestwood Championship Challenge Cup: (To be held for one year) will be awarded for the best entry in the Competition.

 

SILAGE COMPETITION

Judges: (Maize) Mr P Smith, Lower Castle Hayes Farm, Needwood, Burton on Trent, Staffs 

               (Grass, Bagged & Wrapped) M M Wain, Chatcull Old Hall, Eccleshall, Stafford, ST21 6QF

Entries Close: 23rd January 2009          Judging Commences: 26th January 2009

Class 25: For the best clamp of grass silage.

Class 26: For the best clamp of maize silage.

Class 27: For the best sample of bagged or wrapped silage

The judge will assess the silage on inspection, however, an analysis should be available for his reference.

Entries for these classes will be confined to District first and second prize-winners in Classes 25 & 26 and District first prize winners only in Class 27. Nominations in all Classes to be forwarded to the County Office by the respective District Secretaries. Any member wishing to enter the District Competition should contact their District Secretary.

Prizes: In each Class; First: £50 Second: £30 Third: £20

(A fourth prize of £10 will be awarded in any class with 6 or more entries.)

Awards:

The Staffordshire Farmers Ltd. Silver Salver: (To be held for one year) will be awarded to the winner of Class 25.

The D. A. Stubbs Perpetual Challenge Trophy: (To be held for one year) will be awarded to the winner of Class 26.

 

COUNTY NOVICE PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS

JUDGE: Mr J Ward, Oakamore, Blackbrook, Hanbury, Burton on Trent, Staffs, DE13 8TX

 Open to any competitor at a District Ploughing Match who has never won a first prize in any class in any ploughing competition

Any competitor wishing to be judged for the Novice Championship must indicate on the entry form for the District Ploughing Match that he or she is eligible..

RULES:

1.  Entry to the County Novice Championship will be via the relevant District Ploughing Match entry form and will be limited to reversible classes.

 2.   A novice is defined as someone who has never won a Class, including a Young Farmers Class or Novice Championship, at a District or any other Ploughing Match. However, winning a class in a District Ploughing Match held after 1st September 2008 would not debar the competitor from entering the County Novice Championship.

3.    Each District will identify the best three novices at their Ploughing Match that have entered the County Novice Championship: the County Judge will then award points to each of the three competitors based on their finished work

 4.   On completion of all the District Ploughing Matches the County Judge will rank all competitors based on the number of points he has awarded at the individual District Matches, prizes will be awarded to competitors ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

 5.    A competitor may enter the County Novice Championship as many times as he or she wishes by entering more than one District Ploughing Match.  

6. Competitors must live within the County of Staffordshire or within 10 miles of the County boundry.

 PRIZES:

 First Prize £100, Second Prize £50, Third Prize £25

 Further information can be obtained from District Secretaries or by contacting the County Office on 01785 258060.