There were more than 600 entries to this year's sheep classes at the Suffolk Show, and chief steward Tim Pratt said this showed an increase in the popularity of the animal.
New classes like the Dorsets were attracting more entrants - and an increasing number of people saw sheep as a way to enter farming.
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He said: "Numbers are up and there is a lot more interest in sheep farming.
"One of the attractions is that it is a reasonably inexpensive way of getting into farming - it is cheaper to buy a few sheep to get started than buy a herd of cattle."
Exhibits came from across East Anglia and there were judges from across the country.
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Mr Pratt added: "The Suffolk Show is a major event now because it is one of the biggest in the country."
He said there were always a good number of entries from Essex because that no longer had a large agricultural show.
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