MORE than 130,000 visitors are expected to attend this year's Great Yorkshire Show, which runs from July 12 to 14.

For one person, in particular, it will be a particularly special three days - it will Charles Mills' first show as show director.

A farmer from near York, Charles is no stranger to the event having been joint chief cattle steward for a number of years and as a member of several committees for the event organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society.

“Agriculture is firmly at the heart of the Great Yorkshire Show," said Charles. "We are delighted to showcase the best of British farming, both for livestock and arable farmers. We are a shop window across the industry and this year we are providing even more to interest our core farming visitors. "Each year thousands attend, to show their animals, browse the many stands assessing cutting edge equipment, gathering the latest information on precision agriculture and to meet up with fellow farmers and friends.”

For the first time, a live Lely Robotic Milking Demonstration will take place at the event – the first to feature at a British agricultural show - and brother and sister Edward and Victoria Goodall will bring 40 Holstein cows to be milked at the event.

More than 8,000 animals will be competing for the top awards, including around 1,000 cattle, more than 2,000 sheep and some 400 pigs. In the cattle section, the Blythewood awards for beef and dairy animals are one of the event’s highlights, particularly as the Grand Parade of Cattle in the Main Ring is the stunning backdrop to the judging.

In addition, this year the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society is holding its Summer National Show at Harrogate.

Innovation in farming will be particularly recognised through the Society’s White Rose What’s Next Award. This will be given to the product, implement, device or service that is judged to bring a significant improvement to the Yorkshire rural community or Yorkshire farmers.

Linking farmers with their customers is an important element of the Great Yorkshire Show which provides a platform for the two to engage. This will be particularly evident in the showground’s new £11.5 million exhibition hall.

For the Great Yorkshire Show, the hall will become an amazing food emporium featuring the popular Great Yorkshire Cheese and Dairy Show, a Food Theatre, an extensive range of stands and the Journey of Food exhibition.

Elsewhere around the showground there will be much to see and do including demonstrations of rural skills such as sheep shearing and drystone walling, a busy Country Pursuits Area, the latest in forestry techniques and equipment in the Forestry Area and much much more.

For the latest information including to book tickets see greatyorkshireshow.co.uk