Fingers crossed as farmers take on competition

Here they met with very tough competition, but Whitchurch was placed second and travel to the Southern area finals, which will be held in two weeks' time in Cheltenham. Best of luck to them and we hope they can progress to the final held in Blackpool at the beginning of May.

Shropshire has not only had success treading the boards but our public speakers have also picked up numerous placing at the West Midland area finals, with the junior public speaking team, two intermediate "Just a Minute" teams and a senior mace debating team, as well as the ballroom dancing team, all going through to the next stages of their competitions. We have our fingers crossed that they will make it to the national finals.

Away from the competitions we have hosted our first Agri Forum Discussion Group. Two of our main sponsors, Alltech EC-O2 and Shropshire Farm Vets, gave presentations on the carbon footprint of British farms and herd health plans for dairy and beef cattle respectively.

More than 50 young farmers participated in a lively question and answer session following the presentation. There is great enthusiasm from our members for more similar events and farm walks to discuss many of the hot topics affecting British agriculture today.

There is much uncertainty and volatility in the agricultural sector at present. However, the one thing that is certain is that the enthusiasm of young people for farming and the countryside is as strong as ever.

Shropshire Young Farmers was represented at the NFU conference by Meg Lloyd, of Rea Valley Young Farmers, who has reported back on the latest information to come out of the discussions.

Our next big social event is the popular Easter Ball, this year with a "sequins and sparkles" theme at Ludlow racecourse. Tickets are going fast and are available at www.ticketsource.co.uk

Before we know it, all the clubs will be hard at work preparing exhibits for the Young Farmers marquee at the Shropshire County Show on May 28. The theme this year is Broadway musicals.

* Ed Potter is county chairman of Shropshire Young Farmers