HARRISON and Hetherington is gearing up for its 12th Borderway Agri-Expo which has attracted another stellar line-up of livestock from across the UK and introduced new classes as a result of growing interest.

This year's event, which will be held at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday, November 2, will see no fewer than 900 head of cattle and sheep be shown in 57 livestock classes, with five breed society shows also taking place on the same day to include the Aberdeen-Angus Winter National show; Beef Shorthorn National Calf show; Borderway British Blue Club Calf show; Hereford Regional Calf show and the Simmental Regional Calf show. As always, the younger generation will be playing a key part in the show, with both the Young Farmers classes and Young Handlers classes staged throughout the day.

Now established as one of the leading agricultural events in the UK, spectators will be able to witness exhibitors battle it out for a £14,000 prize fund and visit the 150 trade stands forward on the day. The new classes include the best pair of Blue Texels lambs and a class for a pair of Herdwick cross lambs.

Judging the main cattle classes is Alan Veitch from Drumlone, in Co Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, while Fife-based Craig Malone, Pitcairn, Cardenden, will be selecting the baby beef classes. In charge of sheep classes is William McAllister, Ballymena, Co Antrim and renowned Lancashire sheep farmer, Thomas Binns from Hecklin Farm in Clitheroe, will judge the best pair of Mule ewe lambs.

Harrison and Hetherington’s joint managing director and event organiser, David Pritchard, explains Borderway Agri-Expo's 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.

“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," he concluded.

Programme of events

08.30 National suckled calf and cattle classes (23 classes plus championship)

08.30 National prime sheep classes (22 classes plus championship)

08.30 Simmental Regional calf show (8 classes plus championship)

08.30 Hereford Regional calf show (8 classes plus championship)

09.00 Baby Beef (6 classes plus championship)

10.00 Stockjudging competition – Agri-Expo Stock Person of the Year

10.30 Aberdeen-Angus Winter National show (12 classes plus championship)

10.45 Border British Blue Club Calf show (8 classes plus championship)

13.00 Beef Shorthorn National Calf show (8 classes plus championship)

13.30 Best pair of Mule ewe lambs

16.00 Championship awards and presentations