A dramatic rise in entries in 2017 has produced a record field for the competitive sheep and pig sections at the Royal Cornwall Show on June 8, 9 and 10.

The sheep section saw a total of 1401 entries this year, 107 more than the previous record of 1,294 set in 2016.

A total of 39 sheep breeds will be represented among the various classes in the section this year, with a further seven featuring in the rare breed sheep classes.

The Whiteface Dartmoor sheep will have its own classes at the show for the first time. With an entry this year of 32, the breed has received strong support, taking it away from the Any Other Pure Breeds category and out on its own.

Other breeds to achieve significant numbers this year are Beltex with 81, Devon and Cornwall Longwool, 57, Jacob, 51 and North Country Cheviot, who achieved their own classes for the first time in 2016, jumping to 54 from 33 last year.

The rare breed sheep classes, despite losing the Whiteface Dartmoor to their own classes, have seen numbers increase by 21 to 62 in total. Entries in the Commercial sheep, Wool on the Hoof and Young Handler classes have also risen.

The pig section also enjoyed a significant surge in numbers with 261 entries received. This figure eclipses the previous high of 222 recorded in 2006.

The Berkshire, British Lop, British Saddleback, Large Black and Tamworth breeds all registered large increases in support this year and more than double the number of young handlers have entered compared to last year.

The Pietrain pigs will have their own dedicated classes, securing 22 entries, which is nearly twice the number required. This is the first time this has happened and is a very rare occurrence in the showing world.

Cattle section entries have also experienced a rise in numbers, with an increase of 53 stalls booked over last year.

In the beef section, South Devon entries have risen from 55 last time to 127 this year; the show is hosting the breed’s National Show which has boosted numbers.

The Dairy Shorthorns lead the way in the dairy section with numbers rising from 14 to 22 this time out. The breed’s recent rise in popularity saw a return to dedicated classes last year after a 44 year hiatus at the Royal Cornwall. The Guernsey, Jersey and Ayrshire breeds have also enjoyed a rise in support.

For more information about the show please visit www.royalcornwall.co.uk