Manx farmers taking part in the Christmas Primestock Show event at the Meat Plant were praised by the UK grader who judged the competition as being ’a credit to the island’.

Adrian Crowe, from the Meat and Livestock Commission, was very impressed by the quality across all sections of the show which was organised by the Southern District Agricultural Society, and hosted at the Meat Plant by Isle of Man Meats. Mr Crowe also said that the standard was so high the island’s farmers would be competitive at shows anywhere in the UK.

Zoe Hampton, secretary of the Southern Distirct Agricultural Society, said: ’Thursday’s Prime Stock Carcase Show was an excellent evening.

’All the team at the Meat Plant worked really hard and it was a great showcase night for Manx produce. Invited judge, Adrian Crowe, complimented the exhibitors on the exceptional quality on display.

’The championship, reserve champion and the British Beef Challenge Trophy went to Trevor Quirk, producing top quality stock from his farm in Cronk Y Voddy.

’A lot of hard work goes into producing top quality animals and Mr Crowe was very impressed with the finish on Trevor’s animals. Well known exhibitors and frequent top prize winners, Ashley, Sandra and Michael Kinvig were again in the awards, taking reserve for the British Beef Challenge Trophy and the Champion Bull Carcase, with Eleanor Chadwick coming away with the reserve.

’Alan and Alison Rothwell took the championship prizes in the lambs with the Beltex cross breds standing out again.

’Sarah Kewley took the reserve champion, in the same winning order from Monday night’s live show.

Shaun Dean won the pig championship and reserve with his outstanding stock from Bayview Farm.

’The Young Farmers Competition, one of their biggest of the year, ran parallel to the main show and, again, many attended from the Federation to make it a big success.

’The judge clearly enjoyed working with the Young Farmers, talking through the process, and said it was really impressive how knowledgeable and enthusiastic they all were.

’Top awards of the night for Young Farmers were taken by Jake Phair, overall winner, with Hannah Moore and Nathan Mealin second and third respectively. The prizes were provided by IOM Meats and JDW Engineering.’

Kirree Kermode, procurement officer at Isle of Man Meats, said: ’It’s always great to have such excellent feedback from experienced judges like Adrian Crowe.

’We must say a big thank you to all the farmers who attended, to Adrian, Southern District Agricultural Society secretary Zoe Hampton, and to chef Maciej Mierzejewski who cooked some delicious pulled pork and apple baps with home-made puddings. We had a great turnout, especially from the young farmers, so there were plenty of mouths to feed.’

Both agricultural societies would like to thank exhibitors, supporters, volunteers and Judges for making the Show so successful.

The champion carcasses were purchased by, and will be displayed at, WE Teare Butchers in Ramsey and Lee Mayers in Kirk Michael.

Championship results for the Christmas Prime Stock Carcase Show

Organised by the Southern District Agricultural Society and the Royal Manx Agricultural Society

Beef Section

Grace Chadwick Cup for the Champion Beef Carcase - Trevor Quirk

Reserve champion - Trevor Quirk

British Beef Challenge Cup for the most points on aggregate - Trevor Quirk

Reserve - Sandash Farms

R. D Howland Trophy for the Best Limousin/Limousin Cross Carcase - Trevor Quirk

Champiojn Bull Carcase - Sandash Farms

Reserve - Eleanor Chadwick

Lamb Section

J. Faragher Ballahick Cup for the Champion Lambs - Alan and Alison Rothwell

Reserve - Sarah Kewley

Ballaglonney Cup for the Best Single Carcase - Alan and Alison Rothwell

Pork Section

Clibrans Trophy for the Champion Pig Carcase - Shaun Dean

Reserve - Shaun Dean

Young Farmers Stock Judging

1, Jake Phair; 2, Hannah Moore; 3, Nathan Mealin.

Junior winner - Kaylee Devereau