Anyone who wanted to glean some extra knowledge about breeding and producing top quality beef cattle would not have failed to be well impressed by attending this year’s traditional Tivyside Agricultural Show.

Begun in 1873, this increasingly popular annual event rarely fails to attract show entries from some of the best livestock farmers in the Teifi Valley, and this year was no exception.

Held as usual at Glanllyn fields, adjoining the Ffostrasol road near Newcastle Emlyn, the beef animals being paraded before the judges included Welsh blacks, Charolais, Limousins, Simmentals, British blues and commercially cross bred steers and heifers.

President Seimon Thomas remarked that he was particularly grateful to all the livestock breeders who had presented their animals in such an outstanding way and he also expressed his gratitude to the judges who had so generously given up their time – not least his sister, Teleri, who has her own Limousin herd in Co Meath, Ireland – and was present to assist the team of judges.

Seimon himself judged the inter-breed beef pairs, groups of three and the chosen team of five as selected by the breed judges earlier in the day.

This highly prestigious team challenge, generously sponsored by Kevin and Anne Davies of Cawdor Cars, was awarded to the all black team of commercial animals presented by four different owners. The runners up were the Limousin team with the Welsh black line-up third.

The champion beef animal was Balzar Elegant from Jade Phiilips, a home bred British Blue second calver shown with her seven-month-old calf. In reserve was the Limousin, Calogdale Izzy, bred by Gareth Lee and Catrin Lloyd. Ifan Phillips produced the best beef pair and the group of three award went to the Limousins from Phil and Gemma Davies.

Dairy cattle entries still remain at a low level and it was Hannah Evans who paraded the champion milker, the Jersey, Tregibby Tequillas Panama, carrying her fourth calf and the champion heifer was the Ayrshire, Longwood Brazen Marie, from Ieuan James and, to take the best pair prize, she was shown with the in calf heifer, Rickred Paula, from Dan Rickard.

Gwynne Davies and Linda Western took best from the sheep entries with their three-year-old North Country Cheviot ram and the prize for the group of three was taken up by the poll Dorset trio from Cery Davies.

Heading the pig section was a Welsh sow carrying her third litter from the Goldfoot herd of Teify and Rhys Evans.

Supreme from the horse and pony winners went to Zandor 5th, the 11-year-old bay gelding ridden by Danielle Fenrich ahead of the Section C champion, the 12-year-old chestnut mare Tyngwndwn Angharad shown in hand by Catrin Reed.

Best in the dog show was a 30 month old pointer bitch, Ridanflight a Rose, owned by Ceinwen Bridden and winners in the marquee included Glenys Rees –handicrafts and preserves, Evelyn Evans – most points in floral classes, Andrew Davies – horticulture and floral art, and Troedyraur Club in the YFC section.