THE future of the UK cattle industry is under threat if bovine TB is not brought under control, Environment Minister Owen Paterson said at the Royal Three Counties Show.

Abberley Hall-educated Mr Paterson was speaking as the first of two pilot schemes to shoot badgers was starting close to the showground at Malvern.

“We had the disease down to 0.01 per cent in 1972 and we have let things slip badly since then,” he said.

The major long service award at the show went to 79-year-old Jack Webb from The Glebe, Great Witley near Tenbury, to mark his 50 years service for G W Ballard of Abberley, near Tenbury.

Mr Webb received a silver award and bar, plus the long service cup, for a career which has involved not only livestock and arable farming, but also designing many farm building and specialist units, including a large pig facility.

􀁧 THE show saw an incredible performance by Baron’s Cross Charolais Stud, in Aymestrey, near Ludlow.

In the Charolais section the stud won the junior male championship and reserve, the female championship and reserve, the male championship, the female championship and supreme charolais championship.

In the interbreed section the reserve in the group of three was also won.

This success was hot on the heels of the Shropshire County Show when the stud won nine championships or reserves.

Best of all Charbron Goddess was named champion of the breed and supreme champion of show for the beef section.

􀁧 THE Beltex lamb, reared by Ben James of Tenbury Farm Supplies, won the champion and 1st prize for the Lamb Carcase at this year’s Royal Three Counties Show.

The carcase killed at 19kg, was sold for a show record of £710. Liveweight of the lamb was 36kg with a MLC class of E2.

The winning of the champion carcase has been the pinnacle of achievement so far for the Beltex flock of the James family from Tenbury Wells.

The lambs from Hereford Market in the carcase competition performed as follows: 1st and champion: Tenbury Farm Supplies.

3rd: R Helme, Ford Farm, Leominster.

3rd crossbred: H J Pugh, Jugs Green Farm, Staplow.

5th: B Blandford and Son, Netherton Farm, Eastnor.

6th: G Merrick, Jugs Green Farm, Staplow.

The Ullingswick Perpetual Trophy for the best native carcase was won by M/s D W and R Palliser, The Limes, Norton Canon.