This year’s event has attracted in the region of 150 trade stands and in the region of 900 head of show stock, with many entries from across the North West of England. Exhibitors will be battling it out for a share of the £14,000 prize fund, across the 57 classes and 5 breed society shows.

Borderway Agri-Expo 2017

The breed societies choosing to use Agri-Expo for their shows are:

• Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show

• Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show

• Border British Blue Club Calf Show

• Hereford Regional Calf Show

• Simmental Regional Calf Show

The outstanding line up of judges travelling from Ireland, Scotland and England, now recognise this event as a major date in the farming calendar and will have the enviable task of ranking almost 900 of the most impressive livestock from the UK.

For the very first time, Blue Texel’s will be represented with a class to award the best pair of lambs, a class which is sure to attract some fierce competition with breeders. In addition, a new class for a pair of Herdwick cross lambs has been added.

Judging the main cattle classes is Alan Veitch, from Drumlone, in Co Fermanagh, in Northern Ireland, the Baby Beef Classes by Craig Malone, from Fife, and William McAllister, from Ballymena in Co Antrim will be in charge of the sheep classes. Renowned Lancashire sheep farmer, Thomas Binns from Hecklin Farm in Clitheroe will judge the best pair of Mule ewe lambs.

In the livestock section, there are prizes for Baby Beef Supreme Champion, Champion Steer, Champion Pair of Hillbred Lambs, Champion Pair of Continental/Down Lambs, with judging culminating with the Overall Cattle Champion.

In addition to the breed societies, there will also be the National Suckled Calf & cattle Show, with 31 classes available for Baby Beef, Continental and Native bred cattle, and the National Prime Sheep Show, with 23 classes available for Continental and Traditional bred sheep. Both shows will be together with a Supreme Championship Award.

This year, and unlike any other, the younger generation will be playing a key part in Agri-Expo’s success, through both the Young Farmers Classes and Young Handlers Classes. Not only does this provide a base for true competitive showing, it will further inspire the future generation of farmers and highlight the strong importance of the livestock trade.

Harrison & Hetherington’s Joint Managing Director and Event Organiser, David Pritchard, explains its increasing role in promoting and supporting the industry:
“Borderway Agri-Expo has become a unique event for the agricultural industry to come together to celebrate its achievements, meet with industry representatives to discuss current issues and gain knowledge and information about new innovations and technologies within livestock management.

More than ever this event offers the farming community a valuable meeting point to remind ourselves, and our customers, about the fantastic successes of our industry and what we can offer global markets in the future.

It also gives us the opportunity to encourage the younger members of our industry, who are full of optimism and energy and will take our products into new post-Brexit era.”

In support of the livestock sector, Harrison and Hetherington are also delighted to see a very strong presence from the national breed societies, many of whom will use this prestigious platform to hold their own breed shows, giving them the opportunity to showcase the qualities of their specific breeds to a very targeted audience. Joining this category, will be newcomers who acknowledge the value of attending this event, including the Blue Texel Society.

Secretary of the Blue Texel Society, Cheralyn Henderson, speaking in advance said:
“The Blue Texel Sheep Society are delighted that there is an Inaugural Blue Texel Class this year at Borderway Agri-Expo. This will showcase the breed and support our goal of promoting the breed as a Prominent Terminal Sire at one of the Countries leading Agricultural events.”

Based in Preston, Myerscough College will be returning to Agri-Expo this year, both with a stand and showing in the sheep classes. Myerscough College was one of the first farm businesses to bring Dutch Spotted sheep into the country. The core of their flock includes 1,000 North of England Ewes with 450 Ewe Lambs, a mix of Suffolk Crosses and Dutch Spotted.

From a college point of view, the Dutch Spotted is a new breed and therefore they are at the forefront of research in the UK for this breed. On their stand, they will be highlighting the breed’s commercial viability. The Dutch Spotted tups are renowned for being very active and fertile and the ewes are easy to lamb, producing active lambs which suckle very quickly.

Commenting ahead of the event, Peter Mitchell, Shepherd Coordinator at Myerscough College, said:
“This is our third year showing at Borderway Agri-Expo and we have been awarded rosettes each time. Our students will be presenting a pair of pure-bred Dutch Spotted gimmer lambs and some cross-bred lambs.”

Agri-Expo is an excellent event and a place where students can see some of the very finest livestock that in the UK. Those that are showing learn the art of sheep-handling and the exhibition trade area provides networking opportunities and an educational showcase, where they can learn about the wider agricultural industry, genetics and job opportunities.”

A major platform for highlighting and showcasing the latest technology, equipment and information, the diverse range of trade stands will be exhibiting machinery and equipment, livestock handling and management systems. Visitors can also benefit from specialist advice on feed and nutrition and livestock genetics.

British Wool, the last producer-run board in the agriculture industry, represents a majority of the UK Wool Producers and will be offering people to learn more from exhibitors through demonstrations. Held immediately after the sheep judging in the sheep ring, British Wool will be holding a workshop session, to help sheep farmers maximise their wool’s potential.

Demonstrating the importance of Agri-Expo to the industry is the support, endorsement and active participation of its mainline sponsors: Carrs Billington, Morrisons, Norbrook, Lloyds Bank and Farmers Guardian. All represent different areas of business within the livestock industry and all are integral to its ongoing and long-term future.

In conclusion, David Pritchard added:
“I am very much looking forward to this year’s event and encourage anyone associated with the farming industry to attend, join the conversation and make this a truly positive and influential occasion which plays an important role in the direction of livestock farming.”

Programme of Events -2018:

8.30am National Suckled Calf and Cattle Classes (23 classes plus Championships)

8.30am National Prime Sheep Classes (22 classes plus Championship)

8.30am Simmental Regional Calf Show (8 classes plus Championship)

8.30am Hereford Regional Calf Show (8 classes plus Championship)

9.00am Baby Beef Classes (6 classes plus Championship)

10.00am Stockjudging Competition – Agri-Expo Stockperson of the Year

10.30am Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show (12 classes plus Championship)

10.45am Border British Blue Club Calf Show (8 classes plus Championship)

1.00pm Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show (8 classes plus Championship)

1.30pm Best Pair of Mule Ewe Lambs

4.00pm Championship Awards and Presentations

	Related Links
	Newbie Award to Highlight Europe's Best New Farmers
	Event Celebrates the Role of Young People in Crofting
	Arable Farmer Awarded Top Trophy at Farmers Oscars
	Nationwide celebration of Young Farmers’ Clubs