The ActewAGL Farmyard Nursery is by far the cutest part of the show and it’s not every day the kids get a chance to get up close and personal with the other kind of kids.

We have a variety of baby animals, and their mums, including sows and piglets, cows and calves as well as ducklings, chickens, puppies, cats, kittens and more.

Visit Kindy Corner, a hands-on area in the Nursery where children can meet, stroke, cuddle, hold and talk to some of these friendly little animals.

There’s an even cooler than a cool hatching display, so come along and watch some of these little babies come into the world for the first time! Plus, you can have your picture taken with your favourite animal at the photo stall inside the Nursery (but you might have to catch it first).

If watching dogs turn themselves inside out sounds fun to you check out the agility competition on Saturday. Watch as dogs weave their way in and out of obstacles at a rapid rate. Paris Hilton’s pooch probably uses similar skills to dodge the paparazzi!

The comp concludes with a grand finale as winning dogs from each event compete for the prestigious title "Best of the Best”.

With the alpaca section continuing to grow, it has become one of the main show cases for Alpaca Breeders. Every year the quality of the Animals has made the competition harder, making the ribbons earned in the Canberra Show well respected within the Alpaca community.

Judging is done over the  Saturday and Sunday of the show, and with the introduction of Colour Championships there will a broader range of animals for you to see. Alpaca fibre is one of the best in the world, with Australian Breeders making a substaintial impact on the quality of the products produced. So come along and see this new industry, talk to the people involved, pick up some information at the help desk. Judging starts at 9.00am each morning.

The cat section is located in the Snowy River Room (Map Ref B3). Behold the judging of 16 breeds over two days and view the cat display from 9.00am to 5.00pm Saturday and Sunday.

The short-haired breeds will be displayed on Saturday including Burmese, Siamese, Orientals and Bengals. Breeds rare to Canberra such as the Japanese Bobtail, Selkirk Rex and the Cornish Rex will be on show. Don't miss them!

On Sunday, favourites such as the Persian, Exotic, Siamese and Birman will be there. There will also be Ragdoll kittens on display. Also on display are companion cats known to many as moggies). See the judges judge the cats and describe the features and origins of the breeds.

Over five hundred cattle from 22 breeds are on show this year with the highlight being the National Capital Whiteface Feature Show, bringing together the best Herefords and Poll Herefords from our local region and interstate.

The Hereford originated in Herefordshire in south-west England and is one of the earliest British cattle types to have been systematically improved or upgraded. The purebred strain was not established until the early 1700s, with early cattle ranging in colour from red, with a white head, to grey and light grey. They were first imported into Australia to Hobart in 1826, not reaching the mainland until 1827, with further importations made in the 1840s. The Hereford is one of the numerous breeds in Australia. It is found throughout the country in all extremes of environment, but particularly in the central and south-eastern States, South Australia and South Western Australia.

The Poll Hereford was first developed in significant numbers y Hereford breeders in the USA. The breeders (from the Mid-West) saw benefits in a hornless breed, so naturally occurring “hornless” Herefords were selected and bred. By 1907 there were sufficient numbers to establish the first Poll Hereford register. The breed was introduced to Australia in 1920, when three bulls and three cows were imported into Queensland. Further shipments followed. The breed expanded rapidly in Queensland and spread to the southern states. The first breed association was formed in 1922 and the Australian Poll Hereford Society was established in 1933. The breed is adaptable, and is now established throughout Australia. It has become one of the more numerous, in terms of both animals and registered stud herds. However, the highest numbers are still found in the Eastern States.

The judging of the magnificent line up of Herefords and Poll Herefords will commence at 9am Saturday 27^th February

The fifth Canberra Calf Capers competition commencing at 5.30pm on Saturday is not to be missed. Young handlers dress themselves and their calves for an incredibly cute competition.

A major highlight of Sunday’s Programme is the Parade of Cattle Champions and judging of the Supreme Beef Animal of the Show.

At 11.00am the Grand Champion bull and the Grand Champion female representing each of 22 breeds will parade on the cattle judging lawns, adjacent to the wood-chopping arena. This is a great opportunity for show goers to see these massive prize-winners up close. But not too close!