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Friday 28th October 2011 Borderway Mart, Rosehill, Carlisle, Cumbria CA1 2RS

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PRESS RELEASES

Government Minister to Visit Agri-Expo

10th October 2011

Rt Hon Jim Paice MP

It has been announced today that the Rt Hon Jim Paice MP, the Minister for Agriculture, will visit Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 28th October. During his visit will take the opportunity to meet some of the nation’s foremost livestock breeders, as well as exhibitors, young farmers, and sponsors.

After touring Agri-Expo, which is run by Harrison Hetherington, he will round off the day by presenting prizes and trophy to the Champion Animal, and its owner.

Jim Paice was appointed as Minister of State for Agriculture and Food May 2010 in the Coalition Government, and was opposition spokesman on Agriculture from 1997 until the General Election last year. His brief includes farming, food, animal health, and forestry.

Operations Director David Pritchard of Harrison & Hetherington said: “We are absolutely delighted that Jim Paice is coming to the event. He is a farmer in his own right, with a herd of Highlanders in his Cambridgeshire Constituency, and he is a dedicated countryman. He started out as a Young Farmer, and trained in Farm Management, and has always been active in Agricultural Organisations in Britain and Europe. He took this into politics when he was first elected in 1987, and he has championed farming ever since.”

Now in its fifth year, Borderway Agri-Expo 2011 is the leading livestock event of its kind in the North of England, and this year it has once again attracted record entries. This year, there are 80 Livestock classes including two new breed classes, The Simmental Regional Calf Show, and The Rough Fell Lamb Classes and already there are in the region of 740 head of livestock are entered. They will be battling it out for the main prize fund of £10,000 and a selection of prestigious trophies.

Borderway Agri-Expo began in 2007 with 200 livestock entries, and since this time it has quickly grown into a showcase for some of the UK’s finest livestock. This event is now recognised as one of the leading farming events of its kind, easily on a par with some of the more established shows in the country. The event starts 8.30am in order to make sure that the busy show schedule can be completed on time.

The top-level event attracts visitors, breeders and farmers from all over the country to show some of the best quality cattle and prime lambs that Britain has to offer. It is expected to attract over 10,000 visitors.

David Pritchard confirms. “The show is very much a benchmark event as it leads into the winter season competing with other National Livestock Winter Shows. It gives farmers a chance to view the cream of the country’s livestock as well as the chance to strike some deals and catch up on the latest news away from the farm.”

Addmission to the event is free. This year Borderway Agri-Expo is supporting two charities, The British Heart Foundation and Hospice at Home.

 

Looking for a Young Stockman of the Year

7th October 2011

As part of this year’s Borderway Agri Expo on Friday 28th October young farmers from across the country are invited to compete for the title, Agri Expo Young Stockman of the Year. Carlisle’s Borderway is one the foremost livestock sales platforms in the UK, showcasing throughout the year some of the finest stock. Through Agri Expo, organisers of the event, Harrison & Hetherington, are also very keen to encourage the younger generation, and to ensure that stock judging skills are maintained.

The competition is open to all Young Farmers up to the age of 26. In total there are five judging classes, with an under 16 and over 16 in each class. Purely a placing competition for the five classes, points from all sections will be added up and the young farmer member with the highest score will be named Agri Expo Stockman of the Year, 2011.

Now in its fifth year, Borderway Agri-Expo 2011 is the leading livestock event of its kind in the North of England, and this year it has once again attracted record entries. Last year the Stockman competition attracted in the region of 150 entries from across the North of England and Scotland. The popularity of the competition is a clear demonstration of the continuing commitment from the younger generations to agriculture. This year, organisers hope they can also attract record entries of young farmers, keen to show their skills.

This year’s organiser of the competition is 25 year old Craig Brough, MRICS FAAV, a farmer’s son from Dalston, and a land agent with sister company H&H Bowe. He is currently County Chairman of Cumbrian Young Farmers, and has been a member [and former chairman of Raughton Head] since 1997. Last year, Craig won the Cumbrian Young Farmer’s Federation Stockman of the Year and was therefore keen to support the competition at Borderway Agri Expo.

Craig says: “It is very important for young people to show their ability to judge and place stock. Whatever future career you take in farming and the world of agriculture, the ability to handle, identify grade and judge livestock stands you in very good stead. We will have some tremendous stock to judge provided by Cumbrian Livestock Farmers.”

The 5 sections are: Breeding Beef Class [4 beef heifers], Prime Beef Class [4 beef bullocks], Breeding Sheep Class [4 breeding sheep], Prime Sheep Class [4 prime sheep], Silage judging, and an Animal health questionnaire. The Stockman Short Animals' Health questionnaire is set by the local veterinary group. Entrants have to be able to judge across all of the disciplines and demonstrate a full knowledge of stockmanship skills.

Stock for the competitions is sourced from various local farmers and the judges will be renowned livestock breeders and judges from the area.

The competition runs from 10.00am – 1.00pm. Entry forms are available on the day at the Stocksman of the Year Stand,

Anyone wishing to enter the competition can either register on the Young Farmer’s Stand on the day or email Carolyn Charlton. Carolyn.charlton@borderway.co.uk

 

2011 Showcasing the Best of British

22nd September 2011

Now in its fifth year, Borderway Agri-Expo 2011, the leading livestock event of its kind in the North of England, being held on Friday 28th October at Carlisle’s Borderway Exhibition Complex is once again attracting record entries.

After last year’s annual show, Operations Director David Pritchard said, “Our plans are to grow Borderway Agri-Expo following its success last year which attracted more than 600 livestock entries, 100 trade exhibitors and over 10,000 visitors. We achieved a formula which proved to be appealing to both specialist livestock breeders, rearer’s and trade exhibitors alike from throughout the UK and beyond, and it’s certainly one we are going to build on for the future.”

And this year they will more than follow up on this promise. Hosted by leading livestock auctioneers Harrison & Hetherington, exhibitor entries are up and there a number of new classes, events and exhibitors.

In the region of 700 livestock entries will be battling it out for the main prize fund of £10,000 and a selection of prestigious trophies.

It was only five years ago that Agri-Expo began with 200 livestock entries and in this short time, it has quickly grown into a showcase for some of the finest livestock in the country. This event is now recognised as one of the leading farming events of its kind, easily on a par with some of the more established shows in the country. To deal with the new classes and the increased numbers of livestock due to pass through the judging ring, this year it will start at the new time of 8.30am simply in order to make sure that the show schedule can be completed on time.

David Pritchard, Operations Director at Harrison & Hetherington is the main co-ordinator of the event, he explains why he is looking forward to this year’s show;
“The Borderway Agri-Expo is now a top level farming event. We have visitors, breeders and farmers coming from all over the country to show some of the best quality cattle and prime lambs that Britain has to offer. The show is very much a benchmark event as it leads into the winter season competing with other National Livestock Winter Shows. It gives farmers a chance to view the cream of the country’s livestock as well as the chance to strike some deals and catch up on the latest news away from the farm.”

In addition to a host of established shows and classes, new for 2011 will be:

The Simmental Regional Calf Show which has 40 entries. This pedigree breed is being promoted as an outstanding suckler cow and a fast growing terminal sire. The breed is noted for its excellent mothering qualities, its longevity and fertility. Ron Loftus who is a pedigree Simmental breeder and Vice Chair of the North West Simmental Club, tells us why he was so keen to attend:
“The Borderway Agri-Expo is the foremost livestock show in the North, and we wanted to ensure that Simmental were represented and promoted as this will help to reinforce the breed in the North West Area. The Calf Shows are definitely increasing in popularity and we are delighted that in this the first year the there are so many Simmental entered. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors for their support.”

The Baby Beef Class - This class sponsored by AW Jenkinsons of Penrith was introduced due to the demand for breeders to view animals with future potential and as only animals below 380 Kilos and born after January this year are eligible to enter, it is sure to create a lot of interest. Judging will take place between 12 noon and 1.30 pm.

The Rough Fell Lamb Class – although this majestic horned sheep with black and white facial marking is not yet widely known, it is synonymous with the upland areas of South Cumbria. One of Britain’s largest carcase mountain sheep, due to their supreme white fleece they are exceptionally hardy and can survive in the toughest of upland habitats. This new class has been organised with the help of local breeders Brian and Jane Knowles who have their own considerable sized flock of Rough Fell sheep. Jane Knowles who is Secretary of the Rough Fell Sheep Breeders' Association says,
“This is a very good showcase for any breed and having visited the Borderway Agri-Expo previously, I felt that the breed really did need to be represented. The Rough Fell Sheep are big and meaty and good enough to show and compete with the best of the best. There will be a number of entries from members of the Rough Fell Association including some of our own.”

This year’s judges are all renowned experts in their fields. The main cattle classes will be judged by Archie MacGregor, of Allanfauld Farm, Kilsyth, near Glasgow. No stranger to the show ring himself, he has judged at many of the UK’s leading livestock events including UK Smithfield, Beef Expo and the Irish Christmas Show in Belfast. Archie whose family have been breeding prize winners since 1926, visited the Borderway Agri-Expo for the first time in 2010, impressed by what he saw, he was delighted to be invited to judge this year.

Judging the Baby Beef Classes will be John Robertson who farms at Newton of Logierait, Ballinluig, Pitlochry. A successful breeder of top quality commercial cattle, his own suckler herd is a mixture of British Blue and Limousin cattle, he knows exactly the traits to look for and has also been a judge of this class at the Scottish Winter Fair.

The main sheep classes judge will be Andrew Atkinson from Croft House Farm, in Felliscliffe, Harrogate, Yorkshire. A regular purchaser at Harrison & Hetherington’s Kirkby Stephen Auction Mart, Andrew each year he finishes in the region of 10,000 hoggs and between 500 and 1200 cattle. Andrew is also an experienced judge having taken on a similar role at the Royal Smithfield and several livestock events in his native Yorkshire.

He will be joined in judging the sheep classes by Mike Allan who runs a farming enterprise near Cleveland, North Yorkshire, he will have the responsibility of choosing the winners of the popular special class for the for North of England Mule ewe lambs.

The Main Suckled Calf Show has in the region of 250 entries competing in over 20 classes

Many of the UK Breed Societies use the Borderway Agri-Expo for their annual or winter shows and this year this includes:-

• The Aberdeen Angus National Winter Show – launched at the show last year by the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society

• The National Beef Shorthorn Calf Show organised by The Beef Shorthorn Society

• The Hereford Regional Calf Show

• The Border British Blue Calf Show

• The National Prime Sheep Show

• Mule Ewe Lamb Class

Mr Ron McHattie Chief Executive of The Aberdeen Angus Society explains why the event is growing in importance in the agricultural calendar, “We use the Borderway Agri-Expo as our National Winter Aberdeen Angus Show. It is here because of the location and because of the pulling power of the event for commercial beef farmers, the key target audience for the Aberdeen Angus Breed.”

At any major rural showcase it is always very important to encourage next generation of farmers and to ensure that they are represented. This year the Young Farmers Competitions will include the hugely popular YFC Stockman of the Year competition.

The exhibitions and demonstrations are always a highlight and this year there are more trade stands and exhibits than ever. All the country’s main Breed Societies for Cattle and Sheep will be on hand to explain more about the special traits of each particular breed. There is also a wide range of supporting services and machinery shows and demonstrations providing everything from financial advice to feedstuffs, clothing to cattle equipment, tags to tractors and veterinary services to vitamins.

Any major event is not possible without sponsorship and support and David Pritchard is keen to acknowledge the huge contribution from so many individuals and organisations:
“We would like to thank all those who take part in the show, the livestock farmers, the exhibitors and very importantly all of the sponsors. This year the main show sponsors are Carrs Billington, Morrisons, Norbrook and Lloyds TSB Agriculture. We also have the 25 sponsors of the class competitions.”

Louise Welsh, Agriculture Manager at Morrisons who are one of the major sponsors tells us why they feel it is important to be part of this Agri-Expo: “Morrisons is a major buyer of livestock from British farmers. We support events like the Harrison and Hetherington Borderway Agri-Expo that give us the opportunity to speak to farmers directly and build even better relationships.”

This year Borderway Agri-Expo is supporting The Heart Foundation and Hospice at Home.

Borderway Agri-Expo will be held at the Carlisle Borderway Centre, Rosehill, Carlisle, Cumbria on Friday 28th October. The centre is adjacent to J43 of the M6 motorway and has ample free parking.

Livestock Champions to Judge Borderway Agri-Expo

27th May 2011

The organisers of Borderway Agri Expo, Harrison & Hetherington have announced the judging panel for their annual event to be held in Carlisle on Friday 28th October. The experts who will be awarding the prestigious £10,000 Prize Fund are well known champions in their own right – Archie MacGregor, John Robertson and Andrew Atkinson.

Archie MacGregor

Archie MacGregor, of Allanfauld Farm, Kilsyth, near Glasgow, will be judging the main cattle classes, and is no stranger to the show ring himself. He has also judged at many of the UK’s leading livestock events including UK Smithfield, Beef Expo and the Irish Christmas Show in Belfast. He says “I first started showing in 1975 and we have bred four Smithfield champions of our own. Until recently we showed our own livestock at the Scottish Winter Fair and several of the summer shows. I visited the Borderway Agri-Expo last year and was very impressed with the event and am delighted to have been invited to judge.

The MacGregors have been farming since 1926, consistently producing prize winning stock from their herds of Charolais and Limousin Cattle and 1200 Blackface Ewes, 200 Mule ewes and 40 pure Texels. The Charolais herd was established on their 1400 acre farm in 1970 followed by the Limousin Herd in 1985 and Archie now farms with his son.

Judging the Baby Beef Classes will be John Robertson who farms at Newton of Logierait, Ballinluig, Pitlochry. His own suckler herd is a mixture of British Blue and Limousin cattle and he also has 650 ewes, mainly Texel Cross. Focusing on breeding top quality commercial cattle, John has had many successes in the showring, including Champions at Smithfield and the Scottish Winter Fair.

Speaking about his role at the event he said, “I have judged the Baby Beef Class at the Scottish Winter Fair in the past so I am looking forward to going down to Carlisle to judge at Agri-Expo 2011, and it is a real honour for me to be invited. I will be looking for the style and class needed for a nice butcher’s animal rather than extreme muscle.”

The main sheep classes judge is from South of the Border. He is Andrew Atkinson from Croft House Farm, in Felliscliffe, Harrogate, Yorkshire. A regular purchaser at Harrison & Hetherington’s Kirkby Stephen Auction Mart, Andrew finishes in the region of 10,000 hoggs and between 500 and 1200 cattle. Andrew who has judged at the Royal Smithfield Show twice and other Yorkshire shows says, “This is the first time I have taken part in the Borderway Agri-Expo and based on its reputation I know there will be some fantastic sheep classes. During the judging I will be scanning the ring for full-fleshed animals with supreme carcase quality.”

The show also puts on a special class for North of England Mule ewe lambs and this has attracted enormous interest at the previous events. This years judge will be Mike Allan who runs a farming enterprise near Cleveland, North Yorkshire.

Harrison & Hetherington are the appointed auctioneers for all major beef, dairy and sheep breed societies throughout the UK and operate 7 livestock marts in the region. The Agri-Expo is a big event on the agricultural calendar, attracting over 500 cattle and over 130 pens of sheep and more than 150 trade stands. It attracts 10,000 visitors from across the borders and the UK. Launched to showcase the region’s finest livestock, the Borderway Agri Expo is now one of the leading events of its kind in the UK. Given the standard of animals at the show, it is vital that the judges are also of the highest calibre.

Commenting on this year’s event Harrison and Hetherington’s event organiser and Operations Director, David Pritchard said:
“This is our fifth Agri- Expo event here at the Borderway Exhibition Centre and we are absolutely delighted to welcome such a prestigious panel of judges. The show has a vital role in showcasing some exceptional quality livestock from across England, Wales and Scotland. Each year we are building on our successes and this certainly would not be possible without the support of our livestock breeders, exhibitors, sponsors and the farming community.”

The individual shows at the 2011 Borderway Agri- Expo will include the National Suckled, Calf & Primestock Show, National Prime Sheep Show, National Breed Society Calf Shows for Aberdeen Angus, British Blue, Hereford and Beef Shorthorn, Simmental and a Special Mule Sheep Show. Up and coming champion breeders will also be encouraged with a series of competitions for young farmers.

Away from the livestock ring, the trade stands, educational exhibits and machinery demonstrations will show farmers the latest techniques and equipment for increasing the efficiency of livestock breeding.

For more information on the event contact David Pritchard, the event’s co-ordinator, on 01228 406230 or 07778 623748 or events office Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Carlisle on 01228 406230.