On Sunday, 27th November, members from across the Staffordshire County Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs will take part in a variety of Public Speaking competitions including Junior Reading, Junior Speaking, Intermediate Call My Bluff, Senior Brainstrust and Situations Vacant. There will also be the Member of the Year Competitions held on the same day.
These competitions are very kindly supported B & B Tractors of Tutbury. Sara Paloni, Group Marketing Manager said “For the third year running B&B Tractors are proud to sponsor Staffordshire YFC County Public Speaking Day. Along with Staffordshire YFC, we believe that encouraging up and coming members to speak publicly about current and popular topics in the agricultural industry is the best way to bring awareness to the farming community.”
Members who come first or second place in the competitions will have the opportunity to take part in the area round which is also being hosted by Staffordshire YFC on Sunday 19th February 2023.
For full details about the day, please click here.
Glamorgan YFC take top spot for the second year!
Glamorgan YFC members were ahead of Somerset YFC taking the Overall Team Cup again at the English Winter Fair YFC Stock and Carcase Judging Competition held on Sunday 20th November. Their members fought off a very high standard of competition from over 100 young farmers’ members across 16 teams entered into this year’s English Winter Fair YFC Stock and Carcase Judging classes. The one-day competition was hailed a great success following a great comeback year for YFC clubs across England and Wales after the pandemic. The competition organiser from Staffordshire YFC, Julia Taylor said “It has been such a positive day with members from across England and Wales travelling to Staffordshire and competing against fellow members in the Stock and Carcase Judging. YFC members really appreciate being able to hold this type of competition using the excellent facilities at the County Showground in Stafford and it is a pleasure to organise them on behalf of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society.”
The English Winter Fair took place at the weekend, 19th – 20th November and the YFC classes were kindly sponsored by Elanco Animal Health with very generous prize monies on offer. Young Farmers were able to judge Live Lamb and Beef Classes and Lamb and Pork Carcase Classes thanks to support from the show organiser, Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society along with Elanco Animal Health. Louise Radford of Elanco Animal Health said “Elanco AH Ltd, suppliers of leading brands such as CLiK & Zolvix are proud to be sponsoring the YFC Classes at this year’s English Winter Fair, working alongside Staffordshire YFC and the English Winter Fair Committee.”
Catherine Johnson of Elanco Animal Health alongside the English Winter Fair Committee Chairman, Robert Cartmail, presented the members with their prize cards in the main ring.
In the Live Lambs class, judged in Bingley Hall, with the lambs kindly provided by Toby Lawton, the highest scoring Senior Competitor was awarded Marita Warner-King of Gloucestershire YFC with 92 points. The Overall Intermediate Competitor was Isla Albutt also of Gloucestershire YFC with 90 points. The highest scoring team in this class was awarded to Marta and Isla for their combined total of 182 points.
The Live Beef class was judged in the stalls, with some fine cattle provided by the very supportive exhibitors at the show. The highest scoring Senior Competitor was Michael Burley of Glamorgan YFC with 76 points. In the Intermediate Section, Lottie Hill of Somerset YFC came first with 94 points. As a team, Somerset YFC took first place in this class, with members Dan Cox and Lottie Hill scoring a combined total of 169 points.
The Carcase Classes were all judged in the excellent Carcase Hall facility with carcasses very kindly provided by Messrs Bradshaw Bros. In the Lamb Carcase class, the Overall Senior Competitor was won Rebecca Jeyes of Warwickshire YFC with 90 points. The Overall Intermediate Competitor was Lauren David of Glamorgan YFC with 95 points. The Overall team in this section was won by the team from Glamorgan YFC, with members Rob David and Lauren David who achieved a combined total of 176 points.
The final class of the day was the Pork Carcase Class. The Overall Senior Competitor was won by Angharad Llewellyn of Worcestershire YFC with 91 points. The Overall Intermediate Competitor was Emily Bell of Somerset YFC with 93 points. The Overall Team in this final class was won by Angharad Llewellyn and Kitty Dingley of Worcestershire YFC with a combined total of 171 points.
The Michael Bradshaw Award for the Overall Stockjudging Team was awarded to Montgomery YFC with Somerset YFC in second place and Glamorgan YFC in third place. The Michael Bradshaw Award for the Overall Carcase Judging Team was awarded to Glamorgan YFC with Worcestershire YFC taking second place and third place awarded to Somerset YFC.
After a full day of judging, The Birmingham Agricultural Exhibition Society Silver Challenge Cup, awarded for the Overall Team on the day went to Glamorgan YFC after they gained a grand total of 653 points in all the classes. They were followed by Somerset YFC in second place with 649 points and in third place, Worcestershire YFC with 599 points.
Stockjudging and Carcase judging competitions remain a very important and competitive sector in the Young Farmers Federations across the country, as this day has demonstrated so well. The facilities at the English Winter Fair are ideal for YFC to showcase this. Next year, the English Winter Fair committee will continue to host these competitions for YFC members and looks forward to welcoming the National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs again, to take part in this very successful show, with their Live and Carcase Judging Competition Finals, which were also held again at the Show this year.
To view a full set of photos from the day, please click here.
The presentations of awards were made by Mr Tim Packwood, Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society Chairman, to the following Clubs and Individuals:
Most Outstanding County Officer: Beth Allen, Social & Funding Chairlady.
David Palij Award: Awarded to the Club that has done the most for charity/community work during the last 12 months.
Winner: Ashley YFC; Runners up: Eccleshall YFC
Manifold Marketing Award: Awarded to the Club who best promotes their Club and engagement in Club, County & Community Events.
Winner: Eccleshall YFC, Joint Runners-up: Ashley YFC & Uttoxeter JNFU
The Richard Mottershead Club Programme Award: Awarded to the Club gaining the highest number of points within the Club Efficiency Competition for the Club Programme section.
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU; Runners up: Eccleshall YFC
Scrapbook Award: Awarded to the Club who produces the most interesting and unique scrapbook based on the activities of their own Club over the past membership year.
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner Up: Ashley YFC
Junior Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner Up: Lichfield YFC.
Intermediate Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Leek YFC, Joint Runner Up: Ashley YFC & Waterhouses YFC.
Senior Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner Up: Waterhouses YFC.
Overall Stockjudging Cup: Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU, Runner Up: Waterhouses YFC.
Most Improved Club – Competitions Cup: Awarded to the Club that has achieved the highest improvement in points for competitions from the 2020/2021 year.
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC
Small Clubs Trophy: Awarded to one of the four smallest Clubs in the County with regard to membership, that has achieved the most points throughout the year for competitions.
Winner: Chase YFC; Runner Up: Lichfield YFC
Mr Ken Unwin MBE Memorial Cup: Awarded to the Club who most improves in Public Speaking, Stock Judging, Carcase Judging and Tug of War.
Winner: Leek YFC; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC
Overall Competitions Cup: Presented to the club with the most points for the Competitions that have been held for the last 12 months:
Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU; Runner Up: Eccleshall YFC
W.H.D. Hobson Cup: Awarded to the Club with the highest increase in membership.
Winner: Leek YFC, Runner Up: Uttoxeter JNFU
Newsletter Shield: For the best contribution to the Young Farmers’ Book of the Year
Winners: Leek YFC; Joint Runners Up – Ashley YFC & Uttoxeter JNFU
Mr & Mrs W.A. Taylor Senior Merit Award: Awarded to the most outstanding individual at Club or County level was presented Hollie Kelly of Chase YFC who has displayed outstanding leadership skills within her club, Chase YFC.
Junior Merit Award: This is presented to the most outstanding junior individual at Club or County level was presented to Joe Knight of Leek YFC who has thrown himself to an array of activities and helped at many events within his club, Leek YFC.
Staffordshire FCN/YFC Kindness & Compassion Award: **NEW FOR 2022** Awarded to a YFC member who has shown an example of outstanding kindness, compassion and care to others in the last 12 months. This was awarded to Danny Emmott of Ashley YFC
The final awards of the evening are the most prestigious to receive and are judged throughout the year as a “Club Efficiency” Competition, which encapsulates all aspects of a YFC Club. The aim of the competition is to encourage members and Club Officers to work together as an effective team for the benefit of all members. Judges look for all aspects of how the clubs are run and hope to see good club administration and record keeping, strong leadership and governance and active promotion of the clubs through publicity and community engagement. They also want to see teamwork, ideas and enthusiasm from all club members. From this competition, the following awards were presented:
Most Outstanding Chairman: Winner: Jessica Bradley, Eccleshall YFC
Runner-up: Charlotte Goodwin, Uttoxeter JNFU
Most Outstanding Secretary: Winner: Annabelle Hopton, Uttoxeter JNFU
Runner-up: Holly Swift, Eccleshall YFC
Most Outstanding Treasurer: Winner: Alicia Bexon, Uttoxeter JNFU
Runner-up: Sophie Hicklin, Leek YFC
Most Outstanding Club Leader: Winner: Jack Salt, Ashley YFC
Runner-up: Kate Mollatt, Uttoxeter JNFU
Club Efficiency Shield: Winner: Uttoxeter JNFU
Runner-up: Eccleshall YFC
Photos from all the award winner can be found HERE
On Sunday 30th October – 17 teams headed to Powerleague in Stoke for the 5-a-side football leagues
Who knows maybe some future Lions or Lionesses out there?
Results as follows;
Men’s League
Ladies League
Photos from the day can be found HERE
Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs are pleased to announce that their Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is held on Friday 4th November is being supported again this year by Pickering and Butters, a firm of Staffordshire Solicitors who were founded over a century ago, with offices based in Stafford and Rugeley. The County AGM is usually attended by over 200 invited guests and members of the Federation and is the most prestigious meeting of the Staffordshire YFC year. Retiring County Chairman, Toby Hall is looking forward to reporting on successes that Staffordshire YFC has had during his year in office.
At the County AGM there will be several awards and presentations including the “Most Outstanding Chairman” and “The Merit Award” which is given for the most outstanding contribution made by an individual to their club and/or county as well as club awards for Community Work and Overall Competitions.
Toby Hall, County Chairman said “As a charitable youth organisation we are so grateful to our clubs and members for making such a positive comeback following the covid pandemic. We really appreciate the support from Pickering and Butters, at our County AGM this year. With support from companies as well as members and the wider rural community, we are able to continue to deliver our valuable services including a vast programme of Competitions, Social events, and training so that young people can come together in rural isolated areas to enjoy everything that YFC has to offer.”
Sean Spinetto, Head of Department for Business at Pickering and Butters said “We are honoured to continue our long association with Staffordshire YFC by sponsoring their 2022 AGM. We look after the interests of many clients in the rural community including those from a younger generation. We are privileged to be given the opportunity to support them in any way we can such as sponsoring this event and hope our relationship with Staffordshire YFC will continue to flourish”.
For more information about the Staffordshire YFC AGM and details of how to join at YFC club is available on the website www.staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk or contact the County Office on 01785 248645 for further details.
The Staffordshire countryside will once again see around 100 festive tractors take to the road in a charity Christmas convoy on Sunday 4 December.
Arranged by Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs alongside South Staffs Water, this will be the third event of its kind, with the impressive parade of tractors travelling a 20-mile route through the villages of Hamstall Ridware, Blithbury, Abbots Bromley, Blithfield, Colton and Hill Ridware in aid of charity.
The first event was held in 2019, with 80 tractors taking part, increasing in 2021 to almost 100 tractors. The tractors were lit up with Christmas lights, inflated Santas and one had a rotating Christmas tree. The events over the two years held have raised over £10,500 benefitting four charities including The Midlands Air Ambulance and Water Aid.
This year’s event will be raising money for two chosen charities; Staffordshire Young Farmers Clubs and Midlands Air Ambulance.
Nina Yiannoukos-Benton, senior catchment advisor at South Staffs Water, said:
“We love helping to organise the tractor run, not only does it raise money for charity but it’s a huge feel-good event for the communities we serve. We love to see the smiles on the people’s faces as we drive by. We work really closely with the Staffordshire Farmers, to ensure we maintain good wholesome drinking water for our customers and to trial new methods of working, so it’s a wonderful way to celebrate that work too.”
Julia Taylor, County Organiser at Staffordshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, said:
“The Christmas Tractor Run is an event that Staffordshire YFC is very much enjoying organising and working with South Staffs Water to bring festive cheer to the rural villages along with the route. We are so really looking forward to seeing the public supporting the event and are very grateful for their generosity. The feedback from the tractor drivers, general public and all those involved has continued to be really positive and our team of 80+ stewards and helpers are ready to deliver another successful event this year.”
Bookings for tractors to register for the event will open on 1st November and close on 14th November. The bookings are all being taken online including payment of £20 using this link https://form.jotform.com/221352932936357 or call 01785 248645.
On Thursday 6th October 2022 the Carcase Judging Competition was held by kind permission of TG Sargeant & Sons of Bramshall.
Many thanks to the judges and stewards for assisting during the evening.
Photos from the evening can be found here
Results are as follows;
| 16 & UNDER – PORK | |||
| 1ST | Jamie | Cheadle | 92pts |
| 2ND | Brendan | Leek A | 89pts |
| 3RD | Sophie | Abbotsholme | 85pts |
| 16 & UNDER – BEEF | |||
| 1ST | Tom | Waterhouses | 83pts |
| 2ND | Charlie | Eccleshall A | 82pts |
| 3RD | Tom | Leek A | 77pts |
| 16 & UNDER – LAMB | |||
| 1ST | Adele | Waterhouses | 84pts |
| 2ND | Adam | Uttoxeter | 77pts |
| 3RD | Charlie | Eccleshall A | 75pts |
| 21 & UNDER – PORK | |||
| 1ST | Alfie Waring | Cheadle | 92pts |
| 2ND | Charlotte | Abbotsholme | 91pts |
| 3RD | Lois Lockett | Ashley | 90pts |
| 21 & UNDER – BEEF | |||
| 1ST | Lizzy James | Leek | 133pts |
| 2ND | Charlotte Martin | Ashley | 129pts |
| 3RD | Hollie Kelly | Chase | 128pts |
| 21 & UNDER – LAMB | |||
| 1ST | Anne Cooper | Leek | 137pts |
| 2ND | Matt | Uttoxeter | 116pts |
| 3RD | Jonathan Goodwin | Chase | 115pts |
| 28 & UNDER – PORK | |||
| 1ST | Tom Bowers | Eccleshall A | 94pts |
| 2ND | Henry James | Leek A | 93pts |
| 3RD | Johnny Wheawall | Uttoxeter | 90pts |
| 28 & UNDER – BEEF | |||
| 1ST | Rob Mollatt | Uttoxeter | 143pts |
| 2ND | Will Leese | Eccleshall A | 137pts |
| =3RD | Robbie Nilson | Chase | 135pts |
| =3RD | Connor Whitehead | Eccleshall B | 135pts |
| 28 & UNDER – LAMB | |||
| 1ST | Phil Wilson | Uttoxeter | 133pts |
| =2ND | Peter Cotton | Waterhouses | 124pts |
| =2ND | Henry Robinson | Ashley | 124pts |
| OVERALL TEAMS | |||
| 1ST | LEEK A | ||
| 2ND | UTTOXETER | ||
| 3RD | ECCLESHALL A | ||
All clubs should refer to and follow guidance in this document when planning and holding a Bonfire and/or Fireworks evening which may be public or private to their club. Click HERE to download a version or for a printed copy, contact the YFC Centre.
For any assistance or help with this, don’t hesitate to contact the YFC Centre.
A prize fund of over £700 is on offer in the Young Farmers’ Stock and Carcase judging Competitions at this year’s English Winter Fair, Stafford, thanks to backing by Elanco Animal Health, global leaders in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. YFC members will be forming teams from across the Country that will be competing in the Stock and Carcase Judging competitions, held at the English Winter Fair on Sunday 20th November along with the NFYFC Live and Carcase Judging two day competition over the weekend.
The teams made up of 8 members will be judging Live Beef, Live Lamb, Lamb and Pork Carcase on Sunday 20th November from 9am. The Secretary for the Young Farmer Classes, Mrs Julia Taylor explained, “Young Farmers will be able to judge the Lamb and Pork Carcase in the purpose-built Carcass Hall, which is a fantastic facility available to us thanks to support from Elanco Animal Health and the show’s organisers, the Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society.”
The Beef cattle with be judged from exhibitor stock at the show and the lambs are kindly provided from Madders and Johnson of Hopton. Young Farmers will pit their skills picked up in county rounds of the YFC’s Stock and Carcase competitions against others in this nationwide event to secure prizes. “It is a great way for members to test their skill at judging stock on the hoof and on the hook. Each team is given 10 minutes to assess stock and then two minutes to give reasons to the panel of judges for their choices. It is always a popular date on the YFC calendar and well supported by counties across the country” adds Mrs Taylor.
New sponsor, Louise Radford of Elanco Animal Health said “Elanco AH Ltd, suppliers of leading brands such as CLiK & Zolvix are proud to be sponsoring the YFC Classes at this year’s English Winter Fair, working alongside Staffordshire YFC and the English Winter Fair Committee.”
In addition to cash prizes YFC teams will also compete for the Birmingham Agricultural Exhibition Society silver cup for the team accumulating most points which last year went to Glamorgan YFC.
This year again there will be a 2-course meal being held in the Boden Room, exclusively for YFC members followed by entry into the Herdsman’s Supper Disco entry for only £12 on the evening before the competitions, Saturday 19th November. This evening is also kindly supported by Bagshaws Auctioneers.
Young Farmers attending the event will also be able to see the Show’s championships take place in the main arena in Bingley Hall as well as witness the spectacle of the grand auction of prize-winning animals from both the live arena and Carcass Hall on Sunday afternoon.
For any further information about the YFC Classes at the English Winter Fair, please contact Julia Taylor on 01785 248645 / 07984 174557 or email her direct on organiser@staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk.
To download the rules and information for the competitions, please click here.
Since hearing the sad news of the passing of HM the Queen, the Patron of The National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, some past members of Staffordshire YFC have been remembering an experience that they will never forget. Back in 2006 on 31st March, five members plus the County Organiser, Julia Taylor, were chosen to represent Staffordshire YFC at a Tea Party held for 200 pensioners who were also celebrating their 80th birthday, the same as her Majesty at the time.
The five members – Bryce Mackellar, Trevor Shelley, Vanessa Rowlinson, Reuben Moss and Toby Lawton along with Julia, created a stand depicting YFC activities to showcase the organisation. As part of the local displays put on by other rural organisations from across Staffordshire, the YFC stand was of great interest to both Her Majesty and The Duke of Edinburgh and the group were fortunate enough to meet and speak to both of them.
Looking back at that moment, Bryce Mackellar was asked to talk to Charlotte Smith on BBC Farming Today at the weekend. Bryce recalled it being a “surreal and fabulous day.” Her Majesty took a great interest in the display and particularly the silverware and what it was awarded for. The Duke of Edinburgh was keen to speak to dairy farmer, Reuben Moss about his dairy herd, and particularly the breed that they were, as he was a fan of Ayrshires.
County Organiser, Julia Taylor said “It truly was an honour to be asked to accompany the five members on this special day, we all felt very proud to represent YFC. Looking back now, we all realise even more what a great day it was and thank Staffordshire YFC for giving us the opportunity.”
The Queen made a very positive impact on the YFC movement and members, including past member, Mary Wilkinson (nee Cartmail) who was also fortunate to receive an award at The Royal Smithfield Show back in 1998, presented by Her Majesty. In more recent times, this year back in June, Staffordshire YFC lit a beacon as part of the Jubilee celebrations after the County Show which saw members all come together to recognise the momentous occasion.
As clubs across Staffordshire are now holding their Annual General Meetings at the start of the new membership year, there will be a moment of reflection and silence, to mark the passing of HM the Queen at the start of each meeting.
You can hear the full interview with Bryce by listening back on iPlayer (go to 21:52 mins into the programme https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001byfb). And you can read the report that Staffs YFC wrote about the occasion back in 2006 by clicking on this link https://staffsyoungfarmers.org.uk/day-queen-met…/
