Enjoy it on video: 2012 Driffield Show

Record rainfalls have seen the cancellation of the Great Yorkshire Show, Bingley Show and North Yorkshire County Show and after a deluge on Tuesday night, organisers at Driffield Agricultural Society could be forgiven for having thought the worst. The ground held up well, however, and sustained periods of sun made for an enjoyable event.

Predictably, the main ring and cattle rings proved the biggest draw, with farmers getting an opportunity to show their animals in front of a large crowd.

Taking the top prize of Supreme Beef Champion in the judging was the Garrowby Estate at Bugthorpe near York.

Judges were sufficiently impressed with the 15 month old home-bred limousin bull to give it the top honour.

Sam Twigg, showing the animal on behalf of the estate, told the Yorkshire Post: “It has had a good year so far. He won at the Skipton Limousin extravaganza and he took third in his class at the Great Yorkshire Show too.

“I don’t think he will be shown anywhere else this year but we are delighted to win here.

“It has been a good competition and a lot to aim against.”

Second place was Ken Jackson from Doncaster.

Mr Jackson was back showing this year after a two-year absence during which time he was battling Defra through the courts to prove his prize-winning bull Boxster was not infected with Bovine tB.

The farmer ultimately won his case and yesterday Boxster’s son was among the cattle he showed. He took the reserve championship with his British Blue bull.

“It’s great to be back showing,” he said. “It has been nearly two years without it.

“I’ll be taking this one to Malton, Pateley Bridge, Ryedale and Kilnsey too.”

Show president Richard Farnsworth acknowledged the current economic climate along with the dreadful summer weather was making life tough for farmers at the moment.

“Plans for the future development of the showground have been made difficult by the current economic climate but all possible ways forward are still being considered.

“After a prolonged period of miserable weather during April, May and June, making life very difficult for farming and other industries in the area, we have all been hoping for a fine and sunny day.”