Staffordshire County Showground welcomed thousands of visitors on 15 and 16 November with a packed two-day schedule of stock judging and competitions featuring some of the UK’s leading beef, sheep and pig producers.
The NFU had a stand alongside the main showring and spent time talking with farmers and growers about current sector issues and speaking to MPs at the event about the government’s inheritance tax policy which threatens many county farms and rural businesses.
Officeholders and staff spoke to Stoke-on-Trent South MP Allison Gardner and Cannock Chase MP Josh Newbury with farm finances and inheritance tax high on the agenda with the Budget then looming on November 26.
They urged the MPs to continue to back British farms and food production and to make the case to Treasury to safeguard family businesses.
The English Winter Fair is a big draw for young farmers with various competitions including the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (NFYFC) stock judging competition.
“I thought it was great to see everyone at the fair and events like these just help bring the farming community together.”
Martin Brown, Staffordshire County Chair
This year saw the highest number of cattle and calves exhibited in a decade with nearly 360 animals at the event and the number of people attending was up compared to 2023.