FARMING MATTERS: Another great rally for Buckinghamshire Young Farmers clubs

As well as having loads of fun, the members learn lots of new skills, organise their own event diaries and raise money for charity.

The annual rally and country show is a highlight of the year for all those reasons, and this year’s show, held at the end of May, was once again a great shop window for the federation.

All of our Buckinghamshire clubs were at the rally and the members entered competitions as diverse as stock judging,o bale stacking and auctioneering to tug of war, cake making and photography.

They also entertained the crowds with bath tub races, bleep tests and machinery handling.

David Wright, who works for farmer Andrew Paton and Son in Haversham, took four Hosltein cows to the rally for the dairy stock judging class.

He told me: “About 20 young farmers were judging. They all seemed to be quite keen, they were looking at the merits of the dairy cow.

“ You need a good udder, good legs to carry the cow and enable her to walk well and carry herself well.”

In the homecraft tent, always a draw for visitors once the judging is over, there were designer buttonholes, garden sculptures made from recycled materials, picnic baskets and canapes for a garden party, model farms, decorated gingerbread houses, boot scrappers and weather vanes and a platter for a child’s fifth birthday party.

At the end of the day the young farmers enjoyed them sevles with a well deserved after rally party.