Clarkson's Farm helps create 'new buzz' around farming
Summary
Shows such as Clarkson’s Farm have helped foster a ‘new buzz’ around farming which can boost the agricultural industry. That is the view of Herefordshire farmer Ally Hunter Blair who is among the special guests at this year’s Royal Three Counties show. Ally, whose family have been farming at Weir End Farm near Ross since 1968, said he can’t wait for it and looks forward to the event every year.
Details
He will be hosting and joining in on panel discussions with other industry leading experts at the Future of Farming theatre over the weekend. This is at a time where he feels the sector has become hugely popular with people who would otherwise not have a lot to do with farming. And the Royal Three Counties Show presents a great opportunity by highlighting the best of farming in the region.
“The show has always done that and been able to showcase everything to do with agriculture,” he said. “Whether that be machinery, the amount of livestock, thousands of animals. “It’s bringing the ability for people to be in the countryside and actually have more of an understanding of what is going on.
It’s great.” He said agriculture has become very popular for people who would have previously never had much interaction with farming, in part to shows like Clarkson’s Farm. “There’s a new buzz around agriculture from people who would have never been interested in it,” he said. This is bringing in new people to the industry which he believes is much needed in an industry which is constantly having to adapt.
“For me as a farmer, we need people from outside of the industry to get in because we need new ideas, we need people who will view something slightly differently than generations of farmers before,” he said. “The only way we, as an agricultural industry, survive is by adapting as we have done hundreds of times and reinventing ourselves.
“It’s a huge opportunity.” Ally, who will also be doing the commentary on the machinery demo in the main arena and highlighting the use of local produce as part of a food demo with local restaurants, says there is so much on offer at the Royal Three Counties Show for everybody to enjoy. “The variety of the Three Counties Show is just mad,” he said.
“Even if I look at what I have to do over the three days, whether that’s a cookery demo, driving big tractors around the main arena, interviewing people on stage to being part of huge panel discussions about the future of farming.
“I hate to use the phrase ‘there’s something for everybody’ but you’d struggle to go there and not find something you really enjoyed.” Tickets for Royal Three Counties Show 2026 start from £25 (under 16s are free of charge). More information and how to book can be found here .
Report source: Gloucestershire Live