It’s going to be a very special year for the cattle section at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show. The show has been selected to host the prestigious Burke Trophy, for beef and dairy cattle, in 2015.

The Burke Trophy, a former highlight of the Royal Show, will be presented to the best pair of beef animals, one male and one female, and best pair of dairy cattle, both female. The winners for both awards will be chosen out of all the breed classes at this year’s event.

The trophies are a much coveted prize and considered to be the Holy Grail in the cattle showing world. It is a massive achievement to win the trophy, but an honour to be invited to be judge.

The trophies are presented courtesy of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. They were the jewel in the Royal Show’s crown for 58 years, but since 2010 and the show’s demise, a different agricultural show in the country is selected each year to host them.

It is a major coup for the Royal Cornwall Show to be hosting both the beef and dairy awards. It is the first tim e that both of the trophies have been presented at the same event, apart from at the Royal Show itself.

The show’s cattle section has always been well supported. Last year 614 cattle stands were booked, representing an increase on the 2013 entry. The show takes place on June 4,5 and 6 and with all eyes on Cornwall this year, it is hoped that entries will surpass last year’s number.

Royal Cornwall Agricultural Association Secretary, Christopher Riddle is delighted, but not surprised, that the cattle world’s equivalent of the FA Cup will be heading to Cornwall.

“It is a great honour to have both the dairy and beef Burke Trophies at the Royal Cornwall Show this year, particularly as it is the first occasion that both have been awarded at the same show.

“It will be a major highlight of this year’s show and a positive reflection of the standing that the show has within the livestock showing circuit nationally.

“Our cattle stewards stage an excellent, well-organised section and this is recognition of their hard work.”

Generous sponsorship of the prize money for both Burke trophies comes courtesy of Rumenco Ltd, including divisions Nettex and Progiene. As joint manufacturers of nutrition, animal health, and hygiene products that are all designed to optimise stock performance, they are well placed to be involved, and keenly anticipate the event.

Entries for the livestock and equine classes, along with the many other competitive sections at this year’s show, have just opened. More information about the Royal Cornwall Show and online entries can be found by visiting www.royalcornwall.co.uk.