A new look, complete with additional classes and competitions, seminars and a campaign to find the stockperson of the year, will feature at a re-vamped Borderway Agri Expo at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday, October 29.

After last year's cancellation due to Covid 19, the 2021 event looks set to be bigger and better than ever with some 900 head of sheep and cattle entered for the big day.

The one-day event which attracts visitors in their thousands and showcases current livestock trends, as well as the latest developments in equipment and technology, also boasts a range of seminars.

Scott Donaldson, managing director at Harrison and Hetherington said: “This is a true celebration of livestock, showcasing some of the very best commercial and pedigree cattle and sheep that Great Britain has to offer, and I would like to thank everyone who has entered their stock and I wish them all the very best of luck.

“Borderway Agri Expo is also an invaluable opportunity for people to meet others within the farming industry and to learn and share important new innovations and developments.

"This year we have introduced a number of exciting additions to our programme. We have new classes in the sheep section, and a ‘Focus on the Future’ seminar series, featuring leading rural industry figures, and there is a dedicated competition to find a Young Stockperson of the Year.

"We are also delighted that Agri Expo has been chosen as the event for the presentation of the inaugural David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Mr Donaldson.

Agri Expo hosts more than 80 classes for commercial cattle and sheep, as well as five breed society shows, with exhibitors all looking to take home a share of this year’s £14,000 prize pot.

The National Suckled Calf and Cattle Show features 25 classes with six classes in the Baby Beef section.

There are also 22 National Prime Sheep classes and the highly contested class for the best pair of Mule lambs. These classes then culminate with the prestigious supreme championship.

And, there are the usual winter calf shows for the Aberdeen-Angus, Beef Shorthorn, British Blue, Hereford and Simmental breeds.

The Borderway Agri Expo is also about encouraging and supporting the next generation and the reason why a new competition to find a progressive young livestock farmer, and recipient for the David Allen Stockperson of the Year Competition.

“The younger generation has always played a key part in Agri Expo’s success and our Young Farmers and classes provide platforms for and encourage competitive showing from an early age and the new competition is to test the skills, knowledge and capabilities of the progressive livestock farmer.”

Judges:

Main cattle classes – James Crichton, who runs the 130-acre Loughrigg Farm at Egremont, Cumbria,

Baby beef and young handlers – Argyll farmer, Duncan Semple, of Dippen Farm near Carradale.

Commercials sheep – Stuart Wood, sheep breeder and full-time fireman from Aberdeenshire

Mule ewe lambs – Respected breeder, Val Brown, Leyburn, North Yorkshire

Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show – Mathew Stoker of the Easton Greys herd, Wiltshire.

Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show – Graham Tower of Hill House Farm, Welford.

Simmental Regional Calf Show – Cameron Jackson who runs The Future Herd at Woodyett Farm, Lanark.

Border British Blue Club Calf Show – Andrew Kay of the Gass herd in Ayrshire.

Hereford National Calf Show – Abbie Anderson, whose family run the Panmure Hereford herd.

Another new addition to the 2021 programme is The H&H Land & Estates seminars which will take place throughout the day with the theme ‘Focus on the Future.’

The open forums will feature leading rural industry figures plus members of the H&H team. All sessions will be interactive with Q&A sessions and will be held in Ring 4, adjacent to the main concourse. There will be three sessions taking place:

• 10.30-11.30am UK Livestock Trading: Where are we headed?

With speakers Neil Shand, CEO National Beef Association and Phil Stocker, CEO, National Sheep Association and chaired by Chris Dodds of the Auctioneers Association.

• 12.00-1.00pm A Young Farmers special – Maximising opportunity

With Emma Gray, shepherdess, Tom Vickers, Weardale Young Farmer and Northern Native Produce, and Robbie Tuer, Cumbria YFC Northern District chairman

• 2.00-2.45pm The Future of Rural Support Schemes

John Hustler, policy advisor for DEFRA, and Emma Smith, chartered surveyor at H&H Land & Estates chaired by Tim Sedgewick associate director H&H Land & Estates

The David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented for the very first time this year to mark the legacy of one of the UK’s most noted auctioneers, who spent his lifetime’s career working as part of the Harrison & Hetherington team.

A passionate livestock farmer and an exemplary role model within the industry, David is remembered for his outstanding dedication to the industry and auctioneering across the world. The aim of this award is to recognise a person with commitment, integrity, sportsmanship and accomplishment within the livestock farming industry, just like David himself. Award nominations will be judged by David’s wife, Sheila Thomlinson, and the winner will be presented at Borderway Agri Expo on October 29.

The exhibition trade area is always a key element, highlighting the latest technology, equipment and information, with the diverse range of indoor and outdoor trade stands exhibiting machinery and equipment, livestock handling and management systems.

Visitors can also benefit from specialist advice from the many breed societies along with feed, nutrition, and livestock specialists. The Gift Ring will provide opportunities for retail therapy, from a range of Cumbria’s rural and farm diversification businesses.

As well as all this, a farm focussed first aid demonstration is being held in the sheep ring, following the judging. Being held in association with Farm and Forestry First Aid, H&H Insurance, and H&H Safety, the demonstration will highlight how vital it is for those working in the farming and forestry sector to have specialist first aid training.

This year’s chosen charity is the Great North Air Ambulance Service and funds will be raised through programmes sold at Agri Expo. Harrison & Hetherington recognise the importance of the work they do, particularly in farming, and working across the north of England themselves, they view the charity as a vital service for the people of Cumbria and the Northeast.

Programme of events

National suckled calf and cattle classes – Judging 8.30am

National prime sheep classes – Judging 8.30am

Best pair of Mule ewe lambs – Judging approx 1.30pm

Simmental regional calf show – Judging 9.00am

Aberdeen Angus winter national show – Judging approx 11.00am

Border British Blue Club calf show – Judging 8.30am

Beef Shorthorn National calf show – Judging 10.45am

Hereford National calf show – Judging 1.00pm

Other attractions

David Allen Agri Expo Stocksperson of the Year – 10.00am-1.00pm

Seminars ‘Focus on the Future’ – 10.30am-3.00pm

First Aid for Farmers Demonstration – 2.00pm

Gift Ring Open from – 9.00am-5.00pm

David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award presentation – from 2.00pm

CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS approx. 4.00pm

Box off

Admission to Borderway Agri Expo and Borderway parking is free for all exhibitors, sponsors, media and visitors, although pre-expo registration is required to allow us to adhere to government guidelines and keep everyone as safe as possible.