THE Pembrokeshire County Show, held over three days excelled in the quality of livestock with an overall Carmarthen farmer scooping the dairy championship.

Winner Elwyn Thomas, of Carmarthen, said: "The facilities offered to accommodate and show prize-winning cattle cannot be faulted — they're equal to the best which we might expect anywhere."

Held under the presidency of David Roach, a building contractor with a passion for breeding Welsh Mountain ponies, the attendance was marred by adverse weather on the last day.

"We can still count on an attendance of approaching 90,000," said Mr Roach.

Ladies' Day on the Wednesday, led by Judy Roach, included fundraising activities for a local charity.

Benefited

Several other charities benefited with a barbecue arranged for the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and the young farmers putting in a major effort for Kidney Research Wales.

Conversation among farmers centred on the likely increase in the cost of animal feed over the coming winter, not due to a bad harvest in the UK, but caused by growing conditions that have prevailed, particularly in Russia and Canada.

The inevitable introduction, despite EU intervention, of genetically modified disease- resistant crop species was also talked about.

In the showing ring, best from almost 1,000 horse and pony entries was given to local Section An enthusiast, Pat Owen, with her six-year-old home-bred grey mare, Syfynwy Waterfall.