Somerset YFC members took the top spot for Overall Team at the English Winter Fair YFC Stock and Carcase Judging Competition, held on Sunday November 17.

The club were 12 points ahead of Gloucestershire YFC, and fought off a very high standard of competition from over 140 Young Farmers members across 22 teams entered into this year's classes.

The one-day competition was hailed a great success with members praising the venue, organisation and format of the competitions thanks to Staffordshire Young Farmers members and supporters who all gave up their time to judge, steward and assist on the day.

Staffordshire YFC county organiser Julia Taylor said: "We had 22 teams entered from 16 counties across England and Wales this year, which is the highest we have seen for over ten years. The popularity of our competitions is strong amongst the members and they enjoy the quality stock and carcases available to judge as well as the facilities at the County Showground in Stafford."

After a full day of judging, the Birmingham Agricultural Exhibition Society Silver Challenge Cup, awarded for the Overall Team on the day went to Somerset YFC after they gained a grand total of 643 points in all the classes. They were followed by Gloucestershire YFC in second place with 631 points and, in third place, Brecknock YFC with 630 points.

Somerset YFC county organiser Rebecca Horsington said: “We are all extremely proud of this brilliant achievement. Truly excellent work.”

Somerset YFC was very well placed throughout the day, with successes in the individual and pairs competitions as well. Charlotte Scott came 1st in the Senior Beef Carcase round, whilst Zoe Stanbury came 2nd in the Senior Lamb Live, as did Hannah Payne in the Intermediate Beef Live. Zoe Stanbury and Elizabeth Bell came 2nd in the Live Lamb pairs and Hannah Payne and Grace Whitcombe came 2nd in the Live Beef pair. Finally Zoe, Grace, Hannah and Elizabeth then went on to come 2nd in the Live team final.

Stock-judging and carcase judging competitions remain a very important and competitive sector in the Young Farmers Federations across the country, as this day has demonstrated so well.

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