Borderway Agri Expo is delighted to announce the return of the highly anticipated David Allen Stockperson of the Year Competition as a highlight of this landmark agricultural event.
Open to participants from every agricultural and related background, between the ages of 10 and 28, the David Allen Stockperson of the Year Competition is a celebration of the exceptional skills, passion, and dedication exhibited by young individuals involved in the agricultural industry and the farming community.
Held on Friday 27th October at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, this year’s competition will pose a wider than ever range of challenges to the skills and knowledge of young enthusiasts in five different classes:
Class 1 – NEMSA Mule Gimmer Lamb Stockjudging: To test stockjudging skills and expertise in evaluating sheep.
Class 2 – Prime Lamb Weights: To demonstrate the contestant’s ability in accurately determining prime lamb weights.
Class 3 – British Charolais Cattle Stockjudging: To demonstrate skills in stockjudging one of the most noted cattle breeds, the British Charolais.
Class 4 – Machinery Valuation Challenge: To test contestants' skills in machinery valuation – an important aspect of farm management.
Class 5 – Auction Quiz: To challenge the contestant’s knowledge of the auction process and its significance in the agricultural industry.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three pairs in each class, with an overall trophy presented to the most outstanding participants. The competition results will be unveiled in a special ceremony at 3:30pm in the Sheep ring.
Commenting on the return of this competition, Laura Millar, Borderway Agri Expo Event Organiser said, “As an organisation, we are deeply committed to inspiring and empowering the upcoming generation. This competition provides them with a chance to push their boundaries, step out of their comfort zones, and foster their growth in knowledge and understanding, perhaps even acquiring new skills in the process.”
Last year's competition was won by best friends and Wigton Young Farmers members, Chloe Brough and Macie Rumney. Chloe Brough, who works as an Account’s Handler with H&H Insurance Brokers, dedicates her spare time to helping her father, Stewart, on her family's 120-acre beef and sheep farm near Wigton.
Chloe's lifelong involvement in farming and her participation in local sheep shows have helped her develop the skills that contributed to her success in the competition. Reflecting on her experience in the 2022 competition, Chloe noted that machinery valuation was the most challenging aspect for her, while stockjudging played to her strengths, as this is a skill regularly practiced at Young Farmers.
The pairs format of the competition allowed Chloe and Macie to complement each other's personal skills.
Chloe’s commented, “This is a great competition to enter, and it is very different to a usual stock judging competition, as in some of the cases you actually have to value the livestock. I think it’s great that Borderway Agri Expo and Harrison & Hetherington are keen to encourage and challenge us, the next generation.”
Chloe and Macie are gearing up to defend their title this year, helping to make Borderway Agri Expo 2023 an event full of excitement, learning, and competition.
