FROM bricklaying to fence-erecting, cow-milking to jelly-eating, budding farmers from across Oxfordshire got a chance to showcase their skills at their annual rally.

The county’s 240 Young Farmers, aged 10 to 26, staged the rally at Hill Farm in Steventon on Sunday, pitting their wits against each other in practical, physical and downright silly challenges.

The family event, which attracted more than 1,000 visitors, also included a craft fair, a display of vintage tractors and stalls from Oxfordshire farm producers.

The Oxfordshire Federation of Young Farmers organises the day each year to promote its activities.

Among this year’s challenges were car cramming, a tug-of-war and a team competition to build the best dog kennel from wooden pallets in an hour.

Younger competitors show-ed off their skills at driving tractors, judging animals, handling guns and skinning rabbits.

Harry Barnes, 21, who works as an agricultural labourer in Ducklington, said farming now offered more of a future for young people than it had for years.

He said: “The next 20 years are going to be a lot better than the last 20.

“Everyone needs food and fuel, and the population is growing.

“We have been relatively unaffected by the recession, and the outlook looks a lot better than it did a decade ago when we had to cope with BSE and foot and mouth disease.”

He added: “Young Farmers is great social craic, and having moved into the area to work, it’s a good way of meeting more people.”

James Crawford, 25, from Enstone, added: “It’s a great group to get involved with and lots of fun.

“Generally, the future looks positive. There are a lot of old people in the industry, and it needs new people to come in and take it up.”

The county Young Farmers president, David Farrant, a retired farmer from Eaton, said: “The young farmers we have now are highly enthusiastic and much more responsible than we were when I was a young farmer.

“People from across Oxfordshire, including in Oxford, can become members.

“They don’t have to have anything to do with farming, but just an interest in the countryside.

“It gives them self confidence, and motivates them to do things they never thought they could do, and the social life is incredible.”