Borderway Agri Expo celebrates 10 years with record entries

Established in a year when Foot and Mouth and Blue Tongue were hitting the headlines, since its inception, Borderway Agri-Expo has seen over 6,500 head of livestock exhibited, and it is now one of the largest autumn livestock event in the UK.

This tenth anniversary event sees a record number of 810 entries, with 965 head of livestock presented for judging, all hoping to take home a share of the £15,000 prize pot.

Making the journey across the Irish Sea to exhibit at Borderway Agri-Expo are cattle breeders Robert Miller of Moneymore, Northern Ireland, JCB Commercials of Newtownards, Northern Ireland, and past champion Dermot Small of Kilkeel, Co Down.

Running alongside the main livestock classes are five special breed society shows, a number of special breed society awards and a stockjudging competition.

Following introduction last year, the 2016 event will once again include the extremely popular Young Handler classes which aim to support and inspire the future generation of farmers.

Kindly sponsored by XL Vets, each class boasts £50 prize money and the winner will be presented with a cup.

Breed Society Shows featuring at this year’s Agri-Expo are:

r Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show

r Border British Blue Calf Show

r Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show

r Hereford Regional Calf Show

r Simmental Regional Calf Show

Judging the cattle classes this year, having judged at the very first event in 2007, is Jimmy Mulholland of Great Orton Carlisle. The Baby Beef classes, first introduced in 2010, will be judged by Michael Durno of Auchorachan, Glenlivit. In the sheep section, Haig Murray, originally from Lockerbie, will judge the main sheep classes, and William Wallace of Gapshields, Carlisle, will judge the Mule Gimmer classes.

Testament to the on-going success of the event is highlighted by the continued support of the mainline sponsors; Carrs Billington, Morrisons, Cogent, Norbrook, Lloyds Bank and Farmers Guardian. Without the backing of such respected companies within the industry, Borderway Agri-Expo would certainly not have established such firm foundations in the early years.

Reflecting on a ten-year success story, David Pritchard, Operations Director for Harrison and Hetherington commented: “It is incredible to see how Borderway Agri-Expo has grown since its launch in 2007. Of course Borderway Agri-Expo is an excellent showing platform, but it is also now a key industry event, and for the commercial breeders, it is the icing on the cake in terms of the prize that they want to win.

“Our aim from the outset has been to use Agri-Expo as an education forum for anyone with an interest in the industry. Looking at the scale of the event today, it has without a doubt been an outstanding success, and hopefully will continue to flourish.”

In addition to the plethora of livestock classes, Borderway Agri-Expo offers visitors the opportunity to take full advantage of the knowledge sharing network via 160 trade exhibitors who are set the attend.

With everything from machinery and equipment to livestock handling and management systems, as well as specialist advice on feed, nutrition and genetics, visitors can explore ideas and keep up to date with the latest industry trends and developments.

Also making the trip from Northern Ireland to exhibit is Quicktag who manufacture livestock identification tags.

A special feature at this year’s event will include a workshop on clipping, fitting and showmanship from Show Time Supplies. Led by Callyn Hahn, and run in association with Sullivan Supplies and Aesculap Clippers, these are proving increasingly popular in the USA. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest techniques to bring out the best in your stock.

Agri-Expo really has become a prime platform for showing cattle, with entries taken from all corners of the UK. For many breeders and livestock farmers, the showing is they key part of the day, however, another key part of the day is browsing the array of associated companies and organisations which are an integral part of the progressive British livestock industry.

Programme of Events:

08:30 National Suckled Calf and Primestock Cattle Classes (22 classes plus Championship)

08:30 National Prime Sheep Classes (20 classes plus Championship)

08:30 Border British Blue Club Calf Show (8 classes plus Championship)

08:30 Simmental Society and Regional Calf Show (8 classes plus Championships)

09:00 Baby Beef (6 classes plus Championship)

10:00 Stockjudging Competition - Agri-Expo Stocks Person of the Year

10:30 Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show (12 classes plus Championships)

10:30 Hereford National Calf Show (13 classes plus Championships)

13:00 Beef Shorthorn Society National Calf Show (8 classes plus Championships)

13:30 Best Pair of Mule Ewe Lambs

16:00 Championship Awards and Presentations

Full details of the 2016 Borderway Agri Expo can be found at www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk or by telephoning 01228 406200.