Farm World cattle relocation resisted

by Yvette Brand A move to relocate cattle breeding societies from their traditional home at Lardner Park has been met with resistance from some exhibitors.

The societies have been advised that next year’s Farm World will be the last time they will exhibit in sheds along the Burnt Store Rd boundary.

The row of sheds and facilities have been home to cattle societies and exhibitors for 40 years.

But Lardner Park has decided it is time to develop new facilities so that cattle activities on the site can grow.

Gaylene Garratt, whose family has been exhibiting South Devon cattle regularly over the past 40 years is opposed to the move.

She said their attendance at Farm World would be jeopardised if they were forced to take in portable yards and use pop-up structures.

Ms Garratt said societies had made several improvements to the shed facilities over the years, with some building in accommodation and kitchen facilities.

“They told us it was prime land…they have 120 events at the site and can’t use that space outside of Farm World.

She said they were told current facilities had to be demolished to allow for better utilisation of a prime section of the site.

Ms Garratt said many cattle exhibitors were concerned about the loss of their facilities and atmosphere in the current facilities.

“It’s like a hobby farm atmosphere and that will be lost.

“For most societies it will impact whether they attend. There are a lot of unanswered questions,” she said.

Currently, the majority of cattle exhibitors and societies are located along the Burnt Store Rd boundary. Some are located around yards and the rotunda at the bottom end of the site.

Lardner Park chief executive Nicola Pero said the board would consult closely with cattle breeders and societies about future development of facilities.

She said cattle breeders had been told to “formulate a wish list” of what they would like.

Ms Pero said they could not cater for cattle exhibitors where facilities were currently located when that area was considered a prime useable area for other events throughout the year.

“Farm World is four days of the year but Lardner Park does 120 events each year.

“At the moment they are in the main entrance…there is no room for future growth (for cattle).

“Lardner Park’s business profile is about evolving, expanding and increasing. We want to increase our position in agri-business, cattle included. We want to grow the activities of cattle breeders across the board, not just during Farm World,” Ms Pero said.

Nar Nar Goon Simmental breeder John Leek admitted it was the end of an era for cattle exhibitors but said they had to embrace change.

“We are used to the atmosphere there, we are used to the friendship of the other cattle breeders there and we are used to the convenience.

“We aren’t happy to move because we are comfortable there but we can’t stop progress and that is something that Lardner Park has done right from the start.

“I can understand why people are upset but change has to happen.

“Eventually things have to change. They are going to shift us to new facilities and it will be bigger and better for everybody.

“If the board is true to their word they want to grow cattle not close it,” he said.

Mr Leek said new facilities and yards would provide opportunities for a multi-vendor show and sale or other events outside of Farm World.

Ms Pero also said the condition of the existing sheds and facilities raised some occupational, health and safety concerns.

She said the changes would be implemented by 2019 and they hoped cattle exhibitors would work with them to design purpose built facilities.