The farming showcase runs from Tuesday 8 to Thursday 10 July at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate.

Bill Cowling, honorary show director, said: “In my view you can judge a show by the number and standard of its livestock.

“We have built our reputation on the support of farmers in bringing some of the finest animals in the country to compete, and in great numbers.

“We appreciate the support we get from the farming community and despite the traumas of Bluetongue, entries are coming in fast so we are on track to maintain our reputation,” he added.

Last year there were a total of 1,119 cattle, 1,738 sheep and 357 pigs entered in the competitive classes.

At present the showground stands within a restricted zone but to allow as much flexibility as possible, the show organisers, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, have suggested that farmers enter their stock whether they are within or outside the restricted zone.

All entry details will be catalogued but livestock entry fees will not be cashed until it is known whether or not the animals can be shown at Harrogate.

The cattle section’s closing date has been altered from the usual mid May to Thursday 5 June to try to assist competitors as much as possible.

Sheep entries also close a couple of weeks later than usual – this year the date is Thursday 29 May.

To mark the 150th show, a new cattle competition has been introduced, the Blythewood Dairy Pairs and the Blythewood Beef Pairs which will be judged in the Main Ring with a presentation ceremony to follow.

The aim is to find the best matchng pair from each breed and then the winning pair from beef and from dairy will be chosen as champions with prize money set at £500 each for the Dairy and Beef Champions.

Also new for this year is the Young Handlers competition for beef animals and members of the public will also be invited to “judge” a cattle line-up in the Housewife’s Choice Cattle competition.

The Sheep Show has also grown in popularity with more than 30 breeds represented, plus the Commercial Carcases, Butchers’ Lambs, Interbreed and Terminal Sire classes.

Pig entry numbers have been steadily growing over the last decade and last year stood at 357.

The BPA Pig of the Year Final will again take place at the Great Yorkshire and will be judged on the Wednesday morning and Lord Salisbury will be at the show to present the salver to the winner.

To mark the show's anniversary all competitors in every class will receive a commemorative plaque engraved with the society’s crest.

Advance tickets for the show are £16.50 adults, concessions £14, children £7.50 and a family ticket costs £44. To book call the ticket hotline on (01423) 541222