"There are a lot of proud grandparents"

So said the farmer standing next to me as we watched the Young Farmers show their stock.

The Mart and another company (or two) sponsor a competition every year. Young stock are allocated to young farmers. They feed and tend them until this week. The stock are shown in competition and then sold at auction tomorrow.

Annette came to clean this morning and she mentioned the event. I had no intention of spending valuable packing time at The Mart, but I could not resist. I've been at home on my own too much this week and I enjoyed getting out.

I was testing a new long lens. It proved to be too long for the job, but it took some good images. I've added a couple of extras. There was a good atmosphere tonight.

The second extra shows the reserve champion. It took a long time for the cow to settle to be photographed. The young handler had already had difficulty controlling the cow during the competition. She looked quite stressed.

The first extra is one of the many young people who sat  high up on the bars around the ring. 

I wish I had more time to edit before I go away, but I'll do the best I can.