Royal Welsh animals keep cool... thanks to sun cream and vinegar

The event returned to the Llanelwedd showground, just outside Builth Wells, this week, for the first time in three years. But, just as visitors, organisers and exhibitors were looking forward to finally banishing the nightmare of Covid-19, which caused postponements the last two summers, a fresh hell awaited in the form of a record-setting heatwave forecast for the 2022 event.

It’s meant people scrambling for shady spots during the opening two days as temperatures soared into the mid-30s – Wales recorded its hottest day ever with a blistering 37.1C in Hawarden, Flintshire, on Monday. The Met Office said that broke the previous record of 35.2C, set in the same place, in 1990.

There were numerous medical emergencies recorded on the showground on the show’s opening day as spectators battled the blistering conditions; and spare a thought for the 8,000 or so animals entered into the livestock competitions, parading around the rings at the mercy of the unforgiving sun.

This young lad gives his overheated cow a good hose down

And while show organisers have mobilised impressively to counteract the heat – £50,000 has been spent on extra fans and ventilation this year in the livestock sheds, while extra water has been made available – animal owners have been deploying more mysterious methods in order to keep their prized pets hydrated and cool.

Simon and Emma Haley’s herd of Highland cattle have a distinctly human look about them anyway; their standout long shaggy coat providing a mop of hair that could easily lead to them being mistaken for a moody teenager. And the successful County Durham couple have been slapping the factor 30 on their cows more than on themselves.

“We’ve been applying sun cream to the cattle, rubbing it on their noses as it’s the most exposed area, just like a person’s,” said Simon, who arrived at the Royal Welsh having taken in the Great Yorkshire Show and the Royal Highland Show, in Scotland, in June.

Herdwick owner Debbie gives one of the flock a cold shower on Tuesday

Despite the scorching temperatures predicted, the couple didn’t contemplate pulling out. “We never thought of not coming, because it’s the biggest show,” he said.

“It’s been hot for the animals and there’s been a lot of rumblings but I guess you’re bound to get that at any show, whatever the weather. In terms of animal welfare the water supply has been adequate, but less so for human consumption. The biggest problem I’ve found is no dialogue with organisers; it’s their way or no way.

“There could have been better planned show times; why not do it earlier or later in the day, because there was hardly anyone watching on Monday when we were in the ring. Organisers put us on in the middle of the day as they told us that we are a big attraction, but we’re out in the ring for three-and-a-half hours of the day.”

For the slumbering beasts that call the pig sheds home, the heat exacerbated the lack of a key component already missing at the show from their natural habitat – mud. Sunburn is actually a major issue for light-skinned pigs, one reason why they like to cover themselves with mud.

But handler Judy Hancox has her own liquid solution. “Apple cider vinegar,” she revealed, when asked if she had any secrets to cool down her drove of pigs.

“I rub it behind their ears. If there’s vinegar in the water they’re more likely to drink it.”

Vinegar, when it dries, is also rumoured to cool the pigs. Judy said it made a massive difference when, in Monday’s sweltering temperatures, show chiefs blocked public access to the pig sheds.

“When they decided to close the shed to public, the temperature went down dramatically within minutes,” she said.

Judy, from South Cerney, near Cirencester, added: “The weather didn’t deter us at all from coming, it’s the most important show and just look at this beautiful pig shed.”

As for Aberdare couple Debbie and Gerwyn Pittard, the simplest solutions are the best for their herd of Herdwick sheep. “There’s no special trick or hidden secret…unless a blue bucket of water counts,” said Gerwyn, who is hoping to add a red rosette to that blue bucket as he and Debbie celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this week.

“The record temperatures didn’t put us off because we knew they’d installed these new fans, they’ve spent £50,000 and it’s made a great deal of difference to our shed, certainly,” added Debbie, speaking to us as she was giving one of the flock a cold shower ahead of competing today.

Despite the problems with the stifling weather, Debbie said she wouldn’t have missed the return of the show for the first time in three years. “Everybody’s been saying ‘we can’t wait to see you at the Royal Welsh’,” she said.

“It doesn’t really matter where you place, it’s just about being part of something again.”

Simon and Emma Haley’s herd of Highlands are trying to keep cool

Show week was ushered in amidst a frantic amber warning from the Met Office, as well as, for the first time, red alerts which warn of “potential serious illness or danger to life”. A national emergency was declared due to the hot weather.

Chris Jones, the deputy chief medical officer for Wales, said that anyone who owns or is responsible for an animal has a “legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure its welfare needs are met”. He urged show exhibitors to inspect their animals often. If they have any concerns about the welfare of livestock, they should immediately contact the on-site veterinary team.

But there has been praise for event organisers, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), with ceiling fans in the livestock buildings installed or updated ahead of the show. Competitors were also offered extended opening times to arrive, from 7am on Saturday, July 16, until 10pm, to allow them to travel early in the morning or at night, when it’s cooler.

The RWAS is working in partnership with the Met Office, Welsh Water, Public Health Wales, Wales’ chief veterinary officer, Powys County Council and emergency services to ensure the show is a success, whatever the weather.

Mared Jones, head of operations at the show, told BBC News: “It’s great to have the sun back and have the sunshine, but please wear appropriate clothing.

“Dwr Cymru will have water dispensers here, so bring your flasks and you can top up as much as you want.

“Wear a hat, sun cream and there’s plenty of places, shadows here to sit down under the marquees and stuff, so just be careful.”