Three National shows, coupled with a further three breed competitions will be just a few of the highlights of this year's UK Dairy Day, to be staged on Wednesday, September, 11 at the International Centre, Telford, Shropshire.

The must see one-day dairy business event, featuring new products, seminars, and several practical demonstrations, is now in it's sixth year, with the individual cattle breed shows proving a major attraction.

This year, just shy of 100 dairy exhibitors to include seven from Scotland will be competing for a share of the £25,000 prize money and for the top awards amongst the Holsteins, Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, Dairy Shorthorn, Guernsey and Jersey sections.

The event which kicks off at 8.00am to 5.30pm is free to attend and will see the firms of A and S Lawrie, Cuthill Towers; R and S Clark, Fineview; Firm of DM Lindsay, Harperfield; T Lockhead and Sons, Kedar; J and I Wilson, Carskerdo; BG Yates and Son, Logan and B Weatherup and Partners, Parkend, compete in the Ayrshire, Brown Swiss and Holstein National Shows.

As always, some of the best known judges from around the world have been selected to put the cattle through their paces too with Robbie Radel from Queensland, Australia, selecting the top winners in the Brown Swiss, while Patrick Ruttimann from Switzerland, who also owns the Ruegruet herd, will be placing the Holsteins.

Back amongst the home nations and Gilmour Lawrie, Brieryside, South Ayrshire, has the honourable task of judging his red and white breed during it's National Show, while Seimon Thomas from the West of Wales, will be selecting the best from the rest amongst the Dairy Shorthorns. Jersey judge is Matthew Paye from Lancashire and former president of the English Guernsey Cattle Society, Colin Gleed, Bolter End Farm, will be the man in the middle of his breed ring.

Along with the numerous cattle judging classes, milk producers can also sit in on a large number of seminars featuring calf rearing, genomics and feeding and finishing dairy bull calves.

More technical seminars highlight the key points in a successful transition period, to driving more margin from feed inputs; how to rethink a protein fomulation and reducing feed costs and ammonia reduction on farm.

Practical demonstrations always prove popular here too and this year's foot trimming and knife sharpening; Neogen Genomic Clinic, and Type Classification and Linear Scoring are expected to attract the crowds. Experts will be on hand to offer advice in each section.

Another highlight of the event, is the New Product Competition which again sees 12 new products selected as finalists all of which will be displayed in the concourse at the event and judged that morning. They include Fibraque Oriane from Ouest Elevage; Cockpit from Afimilk; Alltech and Keenan; Premier Nutrition's Total Transition; two entries from the Calf Company to include Omtima Climate Calf Barn and Lactoorganic 26-16; Clarifide® Plus from Zeotis; Feed Alert from Collinson; Buitelaar's The High Health Unit; Delaval; Agriton PowerGrain® from EM Agriton Ltd and Youngstock Application from Allflex Livestock Intelligence. The judges this year at Rachael Fawkes and Paul Coyne from IDEXX – sponsors of the competition and Henry Richards from NBDC.

UK Dairy Day will again feature various important industry zones to include:

Calf Rearing Zone

The calf rearing zone, covered with a polytunnel, will feature suppliers and experts focussed on calf rearing who will offer advice throughout the day on calving, rearing, health, hygiene, feeding and housing.

Innovation Zone

The Innovation Zone, sponsored by Harper Adams University, will feature businesses that can provide advice, innovation insight and solutions to support dairy businesses.

Share Knowledge Zone

Returning to the first floor will be the dedicated Sharing Knowledge Zone with table top displays promoting industry initiatives, training providers and charities. The area will feature the seminars and a careers board for exhibitors and visitors to promote current opportunities within the dairy industry. The event is also accredited for Dairy Pro and BASIS CPD points.

Sue Cope, event director, commented; “At a time when Brexit poses uncertainty, UK Dairy Day will provide an opportunity for dairy farmers and the industry to discuss the future challenges that Brexit may present, to network, share knowledge and do business at a time of year when important decisions need to be made.”

“The event is free to attend along with free parking and Wi-Fi. There is no need to pre-register – just arrive, receive a wristband and enter the venue. For anyone looking to invest, diversify, review new equipment or seek advice from industry experts, UK Dairy Day offers the platform to speak to all those connected to the industry.”