The Summer Show Initiative is a project that aims to offer people of all ages who are involved in the agricultural industry, a chance to learn the skills needed to enable them to support and take an active role in exhibiting cattle at agricultural shows in their locality.

For some time now, summer shows have found that the numbers of cattle entries have dropped, a situation which is causing concern to show organisers and members of the rural community who are determined to safeguard traditional skills and events so important to the fabric of the countryside.

Young Farmers Clubs and breed societies in the South West are being asked to approach their members to recruit interested parties who would like to learn the skills needed to participate in cattle shows throughout their region.

There are existing projects that cover fatstock showing and judging and young handler classes at winter and summer shows; this project will aim to allow handlers to enter their animals into mainstream classes and compete alongside their peers on an equal footing, rather than against other YFC members only.

Bill Harper of Harpers Home Mix Ltd, Holsworthy, Devon has offered his backing and support and has presented a perpetual trophy to be awarded.

Duchy College has been approached and they have been asked to be the training organisation behind the project. Leading the training is Colin Hutchings from Brompton Regis, Somerset, a senior cattle judge who has been involved with all types of showing for in excess of 50 years!

Pete Reed will co-ordinate the project and liaise with Young Farmer Club leaders throughout the South West. The training will be open to all members and will take place at three locations. One to be at a member's farm on the Devon/Somerset border, another at Bill Harper's farm at North Tamerton on the Devon/Cornwall border, and one to be at a member's farm in Cornwall.

The plan will be for those participants to gain points at their local show, or shows, during 2005. The exhibitor with the highest number of points at the end of the season will be awarded a cash prize and the Harper's Trophy.