Dan Buglass: Revving up for best in shows

Published on Sunday 21 June 2009 21:42

IT'S the big one this week – the Royal Highland Show, which opens its gates on Thursday morning and closes on Sunday evening. It will be a great success, it invariably is, but some decent weather would certainly help.

However, a myriad of other shows take place each year from late spring to early autumn. Some – like Turriff, Perth, Ayr, Dumfries and the Border Union – are substantial events that involve a great deal of organisation. But whatever the size, the success of such shows is down to the efforts of a large army of volunteers. Without the commitment of so many people, they could not take place. But are they worth all the trouble involved? Unequivocally, yes.

Showing does not come cheap and it is a source of some amazement how well most events are supported by the machinery trade. Taking a combine, tractors and associated equipment to an event entails a considerable degree of hard work, but the same firms turn out year after year.

It is difficult to gauge just how much business is done at local shows. Probably not a lot on the day, but the various representatives will spend a lot of time talking to potential customers.

The deals will be sealed at a later date. Incidentally, any farmer seeking to buy a new tractor would be well-advised to make his intentions known soon as there is a long waiting list.

Personally, I have little interest in modern machinery: the technology is way beyond my understanding. My preference is for the equipment of former times and it is an interest shared by many as evidenced by the large crowds that turn out to watch vintage tractor parades. Many of these machines have been lovingly restored. And it is worth remembering that some are worth quite a lot of money.

But it is the livestock that invariably hold my attention and it never ceases to amaze me how in this era of much-reduced staff numbers how most classes attract so many entries. Trimming, washing and grooming take time, but the exhibitors take great care in presenting their charges to best effect. The cynics will say, as they always have, that the whole business is a waste of time, but I beg to differ even in this age when performance figures are increasingly important in the livestock industry.

PEDIGREE breeders will readily affirm that showing is one of the most effective forms of advertisement. I remember many years ago at Dumfries show a Blackface ram won the championship. He was spotted by several breeders and subsequently sold for 49,000 at Newton Stewart. I could see the undoubted merit of that particular sheep, but could never fathom how he came to be christened as "Basil Brush".

I have even judged at a handful of shows and there have been amusing moments. High in the Lammermuir Hills at Ellemford, I was charged with judging the Scotch Mule classes.

I was a shade nervous, but the placings did not seem to greatly upset anyone. Thereafter my stewards invited me to accompany them to the beer tent.

There was no need to ask twice and we duly enjoyed a dram or two, but suddenly the tent almost collapsed.

Some miscreant had cut the guy ropes, but no-one left the tent and the festivities continued unabated.

My involvement with shows nowadays is largely confined to acting as a commentator during the inter-breed competitions. I have performed this task at a number of shows, but now restrict it to just the Border Union and Dumfries. It is not quite as easy as it sounds and some homework is essential to keep the ringside informed not just about the animals on parade, but also the state of the industry.

There can be some amusing moments, however, and I recall one particularly wet and miserable day at Ayr covering the beef cattle inter-breed contest. My notes were virtually useless as the rain lashed down.

The judge was taking a long time to reach a decision. The senior steward, that great character Andrew Morrow, came over and wondered if there was anything that could be done to speed the process.

No problem, I said, before switching on the microphone and announcing to the sparse ringside that the judge was now about to draw up his short leet. He had no option and Andrew remarked that he had never thought of such a tactic.

AND then there is the legion of horses and ponies. Many farmers regard the presence of the equine brigade as little more than a nuisance. But the viability of many, especially smaller, shows would be seriously in question without the horse and pony sections. The exhibitors frequently pay substantial entry fees and the prize money is usually far from rewarding.

But this is the week when Scotland stages the most important show in the UK. The Royal Welsh may occasionally attract a larger attendance, but the Royal Highland at Ingliston, near Edinburgh, is where real business is transacted; don't miss it.