The visit by the Earl and Countess of Wessex made it a right royal occasion as the couple mingled with showgoers and toured the food displays and viewed the livestock, where entry numbers equalled previous records.

Leading figures in the world of agriculture came down to Devon for the opening day including Peter Kendall, the National Farmers' Union president who paid a flying visit during the morning. He spoke to a group of eight senior members of the Devon Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs discussing issues including the ongoing problem of bovine TB, which continued to cause havoc among cattle herds in the county.

"We know there is going to be price volatility in farming for some time to come, but my message to them was to keep positive," he said.

"The milk price is a special concern at present, but Devon is a great part of the world to produce milk and there is a good chance that within a year, we shall have a government that tackles TB at its source in wildlife."

The opening day always sees the judging of beef cattle, sheep and pigs. For the first time at the show, and in an attempt to streamline the classes, three different breeds were judged in each ring at one time. The object, said senior steward John Dawe, from Crediton, was to allow the public more time to inspect the entries at first hand in the cattle lines. "To start with, it was a bit of a jumble, but it settled down quickly and has proved a success," he said.

And for the first time in England, two Speckled Park cattle made an appearance in the show ring, exhibited by Vicky Maynard and Matthew Smith, from Bradninch, who imported the new breed from Ireland.

Miss Maynard said: "Their beef is excellent and is naturally marbled. They are very docile, they convert forage well – and they are very pretty."

A cross between White Park cattle, Aberdeen Angus and Beef Shorthorn, she predicted that Speckled Parks would soon establish a major reputation as a beef breed in England.

In the pig pens, the nation's top judge Phil Fowley, from Angelsey, paid tribute to the quality of the entry and their turnout. "We have seen some exceptional specimens in the ring" he said. "The Gloucester Old Spots would be a credit at a show anywhere."

Sentiments like that are music to the ears of show secretary Ollie Allen, who stressed that the livestock exhibits were at the very heart of the event. "They are our star attraction," she said.

But the show as a whole, should exemplify everything that was good about Devon's agriculture, local food and drink, she insisted.

The recession, too, was having an effect, she said. Takings on the gates at 1pm had equalled the total for last year's first day. "People want to get back to normality," said Mrs Allen. "I think our visitors this year are sending a definite message to the Government saying they have had enough of doom and gloom and they want to enjoy themselves."