COWBIT agricultural student Christina Tyrrell has been named Young Stock Person of the Year at the East of England Smithfield Festival.
It was a new class at the show and Christina, who is a first year degree student at Riseholme Agricultural College, was up against people who had grown up on farms with cattle, whereas her family farm – J W Tyrrell & Son – is purely arable.
Christina qualified for the competition at Deeping Show in the summer with a Lincoln Red heifer and in the final was competing against 14 other young stock people aged 18 to 21.
She said: “I was surprised when my name was announced for first place because I didn’t think I stood a chance because the others compete at many other shows across the country and they have more experience than me. East of England Smithfield was only the fifth show I had ever shown at.
“To win the first time it was held is a great achievement. I know dad is very proud. It’s just a pity the family farm is no longer suitable for cattle due to the new Spalding to Peterborough bypass cutting it in half.”
Christina’s success was with an eight-month-old Beef Shorthorn x British Blue Friesian steer owned by Charles and Sally Horrell from Thorney. Marks were awarded for showing skills and techniques as well as answering questions on general livestock and showing knowledge.