Dairy farmers in a field of their own on TV show
ONE of Derbyshire’s oldest social events has been showcased on a BBC TV programme.
The Ashbourne Show, which was first held 140 years ago, appeared on The Farmers’ Country Showdown on BBC One on Thursday.
The episode focused on two families who were competing in the show – the Burrows with their herd of Jersey cows, and the Etches with their Shire horse.
The programme followed the families as they prepared for the annual event, which draws in thousands of people every year.
For Jo and Alex Burrows the main goal of the show was to retain the King Edward trophy, which is awarded to the competitors who gain the most points across the show.
These can be gained from multiple events, with the Burrows family hoping their 11 Jerseys would be successful in getting enough points to retain the trophy they won the previous year.
The pair, who run a 100-acre farm near Ashbourne, would do anything for their herd of cows.
Alex said: “Morning and night we are on the farm doing jobs together. We can be at each others throats sometimes, but when we fall out we fall out over cows and it’s only because we want to do the best for them.”
The family use their cows to produce ice cream to make a sustainable income, and currently sell 9,000 litres a year.
Alex added: “Jerseys are totally unique. They’re like kids, they’re like adolescents. If a gate is open they’re
gone, if there’s a gap in the fence they’ll break through it. But then they’re such loving animals.”
Viewers saw the Burrows delighted when their herd came up trumps, with their cows earning an incredible 13 rosettes in the show on their way to retaining the King Edward trophy.
Meanwhile John Etches, who runs a farm near Tissington with his family, was hoping his five-year-old Shire mare Royston Katie, can do the business.
A regular at the show, John had to hand over the reins to his daughter Catherine who competed in the competition for the first time, as he was performing his duties in the role of chair for the day.
It was the horse’s first time in competition as well, but John was optimistic.
He said: “I have high hopes of Katie. She’s a good Shire. She’s the best one I’ve bred in a few year.”
It wasn’t to be, as Katie came second and sixth in her two events, but the Etches family were very proud of her all the same.
You can view the full programme on BBC iPlayer.