Preparations for the Southern Agricultural Show are well under way.

Entries for all livestock, horse, vintage machinery, dog, and fur and feather sections must be forwarded to the secretary by Sunday, June 17, for this year’s show, which is being held on the weekend of July 28 and 29, at Great Meadow, Castletown, by permission of Mr and Mrs Simon Riggall.

The show’s main judging day is Saturday.

Judges from the UK and Isle of Man have been invited to attend and the organisers say they are grateful for the time they will be giving to support the show.

In the dairy cattle section, judging the Holsteins will be Matthew Williamson, of Holstein UK.

All other dairy breeds will be judged by David Anderson.

This year’s beef breeds judge is John Maxwell from Fintry, Scotland.

Mr Maxwell has judged many UK shows including the Royal Highland, and will also be judging the long wool sheep breeds.

The short wool breeds will be judged by Alan Jackson, one of the top Northumbrian texel and Suffolk breeders. Loughtan judge is Jim Middleton, a well known Manx loughtan and blackface breeder and exhibitor.

Heavy horses will be judged by Matthew Burks, of Auchengree Clydesdales and Shires, Glasgow, and the light horse section will be judged by Robert Parker-Jones and Julie Cornthwaite.

Winners in the vintage machinery will be selected by Donald Gelling, while judges for fur and feather Mr Gary Hodson of Sheffield for rabbits, cavies and cats, and Simon Pickles, Merseyside for pigeons and poultry.

Craft and produce entries are taken either on the day of the show or on Friday, July 27, between 4pm and 8pm.

Judging these sections are Les Watterson for produce, Bill Mizen for floral, Amy Ford for confectionery, Celine Appleyard and Val Nelson for arts and crafts, and Kristian Edwards for photography

,Tasked with the job of selecting the best trade stand displays this year is Manx Radio’s Simon Quine.

Organisers say that exhibiting at agricultural shows is experiencing a revival, and the Southern Show committee says it is continuing its commitment to encourage the next generation with dedicated classes for young exhibitors in every section.

The top prizes of the day will be awarded from all champions in the livestock and horse sections of the show.

However, the supreme awards judge will be chosen by the society’s president and will not be announced until just before judging is to take place on the day.

On Sunday, there will be the light horse in harness exhibits on display, and competing in the obstacle race, alongside the showjumping classes and the working hunter horse and pony dection.

For Sunday’s events, people are being encouraged to bring their et lambs to the show for the fancy dress and lamb agility contest, with prizes for everyone taking part. This year’s show president, Rebecca Sinfield, will be awarding a variety of prizes from the most colourful lamb to the highest woolly jumper.

The Friends of the MSPCA will be holding a pet show for small animals on Sunday, and they will be raising money to help animals in need.

Contact Jaqueline Street at Milan Vets in Castletown for classes and judging times.

Exhibitors are responsible for the feeding and watering of caged animals while on the showfield. Dogs on leads are welcome on both days.

The organisers say they are grateful to have the support of their sponsors, offering prizes for exhibitors, entertainment for visitors and keeping the admission charge low.

For more information about the show, visit website www.southernshow.org or contact the secretary, Sarah Comish on 07624 494497, email [email protected].

The Royal Agricultural Show takes place on August 10 and 11 at Knockaloe, just south of Peel.