Denbigh, CLARENDON:THE NUMBER of cattle on show at the 52nd annual Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show, which got under way in Clarendon yesterday, registered marked improvement over last year.
Of the eight farms represented, four were private - three more than 2003 - while the other four were Government-financed.
"We decided that we would compete to help to get the show back where it used to be," George Grindley, farm manager of Supreme Pepper Dairy, first-time exhibitors told The Gleaner.
He noted the resurgence of the cattle industry, which he said could have a positive impact on the staging of future shows. But he said there was a need for more persons to produce cattle.
Nevertheless, "There is a light at the end of the tunnel now," said Mr. Grindley. Lorin Gayle, owner of Fairview Farms in St. Elizabeth was the only private exhibitor at the show last year. He told The Gleaner yesterday that the number of cattle on exhibition could be attributed to the increase in the price for beef on the local market, especially since the imposition of a temporary ban on the product from the United States, earlier this year.
"More people are seeking to go back to rearing cattle now. They have started cleaning up their pastures, putting in water supply and planting grass," noted Mr. Gayle. Adding that this was encouraging for the cattle industry.
However, he too expressed concern with the number of mature cattle on the market at present, given that many farmers are only now restarting the rearing of cattle.
At the same time, he said the organising committee for the Denbigh Show should place greater emphasis on ensuring the comfort of farmers at the show to encourage more participation.
