Hello everyone
This week, we’re putting livestock in the spotlight as we count down to Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 30th October.
With around 800 cattle and sheep entered, we’re looking forward to a tremendous showcase of British livestock here at Borderway. Thank you to all our exhibitors. We know how much work goes into preparing your animals, and we can’t wait to see you in the ring.
Seven National Calf Shows
Our National Calf Shows provide an important platform to showcase youngstock and the future of our seven featured breeds, bringing together around 350 animals. This year, we welcome the British Limousin and British Charolais National Calf Shows to Agri Expo for the first time, and both have attracted a great lineup of entries.
The judges casting their eyes over these classes are:
- Aberdeen-Angus – Dallas Allen, Stouphill Herd
- Beef Shorthorn – James Scott, Fearn Farm
- British Blue – Craig Drysdale, Kinnesswood Herd
- British Charolais – Matthew Milne, Elgin Herd
- Hereford – Jimmy Spiers, Pepperstock Herefords
- British Limousin – Thomas Illingworth, Glenrock Herd
- Simmental – Reece Simmers, Backmuir Herd
Commercial Cattle and Sheep
Battling it out for the rosettes and supreme championship honours will be a fantastic lineup of almost 200 commercial cattle and around 145 sheep. With such a strong showing of livestock, the rings will be a sight to behold, and our judges will have their work cut out.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our judges who have agreed to take up this challenge.
Boomer Birch, from a farming background in Staffordshire, will judge the commercial cattle. Beef Programme Manager at Cogent Breeding Ltd, he also runs the Sky High Hereford and Boomer British Blue herds alongside his wife Millie and has enjoyed championship success at Agri Expo.
Balfour Baillie, of Sebay View Farm, Tankerness, Orkney, will take charge of the Baby Beef classes. Farming alongside his family, he runs Limousin and Belgian Blue cross suckler cows and is a familiar face on the Scottish show circuit.
Jack Smyth, of Smyths Livestock in County Tyrone, will judge the sheep. He runs a beef and sheep enterprise with pedigree Charolais cattle and around 300 ewes, and has enjoyed major success in both the show and sales rings.
Martyn Archer, from Northumberland, will assess the Mule Gimmer Lambs. A respected Bluefaced Leicester and Mule breeder and former NEMSA chairman, he brings a wealth of experience to the role, having first judged at Agri Expo in 2017.
From experienced exhibitors to those joining us for the first time, we look forward to welcoming everyone taking part and following the competition throughout the day.
Join Us Ringside
Whether you’re exhibiting, supporting friends and family or simply coming to enjoy the livestock, join us at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, on Friday 30th October. Judging begins at 9am.
Visit www.borderwayagriexpo.uk for more information.
Best wishes,
Laura Millar
Event Organiser
Borderway Agri Expo
