With November well under way the agricultural sector’s attention will be fast turning to the primestock show season.

It’s the time of year when producers across the British Isles take part in stock shows for the Christmas markets, and the Isle of Man is no exception.

Local prime stock shows are a great celebration of the British livestock industry and farming as a whole, giving farmers opportunity to showcase the very best of their work from the previous year and allow butchers the chance to buy and advertise top quality stock in the run up to Christmas.

Primestock shows have been run on the island since 1866 and from the mid-fifties, when the fatstock became centralised by the government, the island’s two agricultural societies agreed to take it in turns to run the event each year.

The Southern District Agricultural Society Committee is delighted to be hosting the event this winter.

Run in two parts, the first section of the show will be held on Monday, November 27, at Knockaloe Mart, with classes for prime cattle and sheep. Judging will start at 6pm and it is an open event so all are welcome to attend.

Judging for pigs will take place at the Meat Plant on Tuesday, December 2. Due to health and safety regulations, no spectators are permitted at the plant for this.

Following the success of last year’s show hosted by the Royal Manx Agricultural Society, this year’s event will follow a similar format and includes classes for breeding heifers and ’baby beef’.

There are classes for young handlers and the Young Farmers will be running their stock judging competitions alongside.

The showcase event for Manx meat, The Carcase Show, will be held at the Meat Plant with the permission of Isle of Man Meats on Friday, December 1 with viewing from 6.45pm. The main awards prize giving will be at 8pm. Hot food and drinks are available at both events.

The Primestock Show is generously supported by the following companies; the Manx Beef Producers’ Association, NFU Mutual, Isle of Man Farmers Ltd, J W Kneen & Son, Keigs Agriculture Ltd, Sadlers Agricultural Supplies Ltd, Davison’s, Milan Vets, Chrystals Ltd, and Lloyd’s Animal Feeds.

The society says it is pleased to once again be hosting this event and is grateful for all the support shown and for the sponsorship of local companies. For further information about the show, or if you would be interested in contributing to any aspect of the society’s work in agriculture and the community, contact the secretary on 494497, email [email protected]