For the first time ever, two sisters will be exhibiting in the ring in the commercial cattle classes at Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 27th October. Charlotte Davies aged 27, and younger sister Georgia, 23, are exhibiting for the first time this year, and they’re looking forward to the experience with a mixture of excitement, hope, and apprehension.
The sisters help run two family farms in Leicestershire totaling 500 acres, finishing 600 head of cattle a year. Together they own a flock of 300 Texel cross ewes which they manage alongside the flock of 1,000 across their parents’ farms.
Passionate about farming, both sisters started work in the family farming business immediately after leaving school. Charlotte also works part time in a local abattoir, and Georgia as a self-employed farm worker.
Through their sheep, Charlotte says the family already has a great respect for the livestock tradition in the North West. “We lamb a total of 1,300 ewes, and we sell some lambs into two local butchers here, but the remainder of our lambs go to Harrison & Hetherington’s Kirkby Stephen mart. We started selling there about two years ago when our own mart closed, and it’s certainly worth travelling to as when we go to Kirkby we know the buyers are the best we can hope for our lambs.”
The Davies sisters also help manage a small suckler cross breed commercial herd, breeding primarily for show cattle, and at Agri Expo this year Charlotte will be showing a British Blue Cross heifer, and Georgia a Limousin Cross heifer. As this is their first time at Agri Expo, they won’t be showing home bred stock. The British Blue was bought privately from Wales and the Limousin Cross at the Welsh Winter Fair.
As far as being prepared for Agri Expo is concerned, the sisters are no strangers to showing, says Georgia. “We have been showing regularly at our local fatstock markets, and we show lambs throughout the summer at local shows. We’ve shown cattle at the Royal Welsh and we placed first in a class at the English Winter Fair.”
But older sister Charlotte admits to being slightly apprehensive at the prospect of showing for the first time at one of the UK’s premiere agricultural events.
“Having never shown at Agri -Expo before we are really looking forward just to being there at Borderway. We know the standard is very high, but we need to start somewhere. It would be great to bring a rosette home, but we know this may be a pipe dream.
“Whatever happens, we’re both looking forward very much indeed to coming up to Carlisle. We know it is the best winter livestock event and we’re truly looking forward to being part of it.”
