Top prizes for new exhibitors

By Sheria Brathwaite

Two first-time participants in the Agrofest 2023 livestock show took home a number of prizes.

Co-owner of Sunflower Farm Hadyn Nicholls placed first in every animal class he entered.

During the sheep show he won the top prizes for the No Teeth Ram Any other Variety class and the Four Teeth Ewe Any other Variety class.

In the goat show he had the best Four Teeth Saanen Doe, the best No Teeth Alpine Doe and the best Four teeth Alpine Doe.

Nicholls said his success was no surprise to him because he knew he put in the work for the results.

“Whatever competition I enter I take home the top prizes so this is nothing new to me. I am successful because I am dedicated and hard-working and I have a strong quest for knowledge. Anything I get into I do research and critique what I do. I am a sucker for winning,” he said.

“I was always interested in farming too. It helped me during school; so I consider myself as a grassroots farmer. It is something in my blood.”

Nicholls’ farm is located in Mangrove, St Philip where he also rears chickens and rabbits.

He recently started a goat milk pilot project where he blends the milk with an assortment of fruits such as banana, pineapple, strawberry and peach.

He said it was his goal to get the products into supermarkets after the pilot was completed.

Nicholls added that consuming healthy food was important and his milk blends were sugar-free and tasty.

It was also a proud moment for the owner of Abbi’s Farm’s Alex Riley and his farmhands over the weekend.

Riley’s animals placed third in the Heifer from Beef Breed Under 12 months class and first in the Heifer from Beef Breed Over 12 months and over two years class. The latter cow also won the coveted Best Heifer in Show prize.

Riley said it was an exciting experience for him. He said his farmhand Joshua Bailey encouraged him to participate in the livestock show.

Bailey was also excited, especially since the cow that won Best Heifer in Show – a Charolais – was a last minute entry.

Riley added that his business mostly focused on pork production but rearing cows was a passion of his as well.

sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb