Ever wandered what livestock judges are really looking for when they size up a heifer's hindquarters?

Or has the origin of the intriguingly named Texel sheep had you wandering? How about the definition of a gimmer lamb?

Enlightenment to these and many others posers will be available at this year's Westmorland County Show where education is top billing.

Show organiser Rodger Read is busy putting together detailed display boards offering the 20,000-strong crowd expected at the Crooklands showfield a thorough agricultural education.

The origins and characteristics of each breed of sheep, pig and cattle will be explained via the boards - largely thanks to a £13,000 grant from Rural Regeneration Cumbria.

It all fits neatly into what Mr Read feels is the Westmorland Agricultural Society commitment to keep farming at the focus of the event.

"We haven't got marching bands and your other displays. In the main ring it's the animals," he said. "Over and above other shows we are doing particularly well on the agricultural side. We have a high percentage of agricultural trade stands and farmers come because they are there and to look at high quality livestock. The tourist is here looking over the fence, seeing what's going on in farming and getting close to the animals.

"We have a lot more people interested in the countryside now, the word is the hobby farmer who is keen to meet other farmers and learn about farming practices. There is also more interest by the public in food, to know about the animals, how they're looked after, where their meat has come from. If we can stay as a farming show we can keep everyone's interest."

All the entries are not in yet but, judging by the applications landing in the show office so far, spectators should be able to see record numbers of cattle, sheep and pigs.

New this year and something Mr Read is particularly pleased with is a brand new cattle marquee. Instead of the usual four tents which were periodically sealed off as livestock was moved around, there's one super tent where people will be able to get a glimpse of the competing beasts at all times.

The now familiar disinfection mats will be around but the required biosecurity measures will not stop the public from patting the rumps of prize beasts although everyone is supposed to wash their hands before touching another animal.

The rules are onerous for organizers, requiring an extra ten staff at this year's show. Vets have been drafted in to inspect the competing animals and Kendal Auction Mart staff will be working behind the scenes helping fill in animal movement forms.

Many are cynical about the measures and question whether hand-washing and Detox-doused mat can do much to limit the spread of disease.

But Mr Read is not challenging the regulations. "The debate about whether it's right or wrong can happen elsewhere. If we are being told as a society this is the expected way of assuring people can come here safely we have to carry it through."

Away from the animals there are all the show's other attractions including the packed food hall where celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is likely to make an appearance. This year, the hapless Jimmy Dougherty star of Channel Four's Jimmy's Farm that followed his faltering attempts to start a farm will be judging the local produce.

Meanwhile, in the countryside tent, celebrity foodie and countryside champion Clarissa Dickson Wright will be signing copies of her books.

Farming Minister Lord Whitty has also included the county show on his schedule to pay tribute to the efforts of the agricultural society's training programme.

As the final entries land in the post, Mr Read is now all set for a bumper show, aside from issuing a mighty prayer to the heavens for a pause in the rain.

"It's the same ingredients as previous years," he said, "but we just have more of everything. It's going to be a great show."

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Show information...

GATES open for the county show at 8.30am and the action runs until around 5pm, next Thursday (September 9). The showfield can be found at Crooklands, just south of Kendal, off junction 36 of the M6. Tickets are £9 for adults, £7.50 for senior citizens and £1 for children. They can be bought in advance to avoid the queues on 015395-67804.

For more details see www.westmorland-county-show.co.uk