Vicky Sloane-Masson, who with her husband Neil bred and produced the supreme champion at last year’s Royal Manx, has been discovering that lockdown had its positive side, opening up new opportunities to get involved with farming events in the UK that it wouldn’t normally be practical for them to attend.

One of these was the Royal Cheshire County Show which this year was held online. Vicky and Neil entered a January-born calf which won its class and Cairbre Bluesky Honeybee who won not only her class but also Best Cow in Show.

Vicky says: ’It was exactly the same preparation as for a normal show except we didn’t leave the yard. I had my whites on and the kids helped with the filming. The calf show had five judges from all around the world: I was really excited about that one.’

Normally the family would only show their livestock in the island because of the difficulties of leaving their dairy herd and of taking an in-milk cow across for an event, so this is the first time they have had a chance to measure their animals against some of the best in the UK.

And it isn’t just the showing they have been enjoying. Vicky says: ’There have been webinars which we wouldn’t normally attend and stock judging competitions that the kids can get involved with.’

Their next target is an online show which is being organised by the Farmers Guardian.