Livestock experts from both sides of the border have been appointed to judge the top commercial animals at this year’s seventh Borderway Agri Expo event.
Recognised as England’s top winter livestock show and agricultural business event, this year’s Agri Expo takes place on Friday 1st November at Carlisle’s Borderway Exhibition Centre. The four judges will be responsible for choosing winners from an expected entry of around 550 in the 26 cattle classes and 19 sheep classes.
Charles Anderson, who buys store and finishing cattle and farms around 200 acres at Stenries, Dumfries, will be judging the main cattle classes.
He said: “Borderway Agri Expo is one of the leading shows in the country and it is a great honour to be asked to judge the main cattle classes. What I will be looking for is a well-proportioned animal with a bit of style which is fit to be a good carcass animal when it is eventually finished.”
Hugh Dunlop,of Holehouse Farm near Cumnock in Ayrshire,will judge the baby beef classes. He has 120 cross bred suckler cows and British Blue, Limousin and Charolais cattle. He has no breed preference and will be looking for correctness, class and potential.
“Prime livestock is sought after and that is why an event such as Borderway Agri Expo - one of the foremost winter shows in the country - is so important for the livestock industry because it showcases the very best of British beef,” he said.
Andrew Finch, livestock manager of Dunbia (Preston) Ltd, will judge the main sheep classes; Dunbia is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of top quality red meat products to local, national and international retail, commercial and foodservice markets. The business kills and processes lambs 12 months of the year for the domestic and export markets.
Mr Finch, who has a lifetime of experience in the industry, said: “I am delighted to be asked to judge at such a high profile and prestigious event. What I am looking for is a dual purpose lamb suitable both for the UK and good export markets, so it needs to be lean and with good conformation.
“The livestock market here in the UK is very dependent upon export, so we do need to highlight the quality and availability of prime British meat. An event such as Borderway Agri Expo is very important for the industry, as it unites the breeders with the commercial farmers and gives them an opportunity to look at the most efficient and effective ways to improve their stock. I am encouraged to see that in recent years we are seeing more and more of the younger generation taking part in these events.”
Judging the special Mule ewe lamb class will be Cumbrian farmer, Harry Gass, Nunscleugh, Bewcastle. Harry is a noted stocksman. He farms a herd of suckler cows, producing high quality limousin cross suckler calves and also has,renowned flocks of swaledale sheep producing mule ewe lambs for breeding replacement, and in addition a registered bluefaced Leicester flock.
Borderway Agri Expo is a key showcase for the excellent stock and genetics in the British meat and livestock industry, which has a well-deserved reputation for quality worldwide. The calibre of judges at the event plays a vital part in attracting the very best exhibitors.
Harrison & Hetherington’s Operations Director and Agri-Expo Co-ordinator David Pritchard said: “First of all, I would very much like to thank all four judges for agreeing to judge at this year’s event.
“They are all specialists in their areas and knowing that classes will be judged by such expertise means that Borderway Agri Expo will be a key date in top exhibitors’ winter calendars. Bringing stock to the event is a fantastic industry platform for both pedigree breeders and commercial enterprises.”
Commercial livestock will be joined by pedigree animals from 5 breed societies/clubs that will be exhibiting and staging annual or winter shows at Agri Expo. This year’s event includes the Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show, Border British Blue Calf Show, Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show, Hereford National Calf Show and Simmental Regional Calf Show.
