UK Dairy Expo At Carlisle

UK Dairy Expo is set to be recognised as a world-class event with livestock entries, trade stands and elite sale entries exceeding expectations according to organisers Harrison & Hetherington. The agricultural event takes place on Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd March at Borderway Exhibition Centre, Carlisle. The UK’s latest agricultural show features over 80 competitive classes and individual awards, 300 livestock entries and 125 trade-stands. A sale consisting of 30 elite heifers follows the International Youth Dairy Championship (7pm Friday) and the show will also feature the introduction of UK Dairy Expo Princess, Laura Hickey. UK Dairy Expo has taken 16 months of planning from the initial stage of conception to delivery. The show, established as a national event, is expected to have the largest number of dairy cattle entries this year and fills a seventh month gap in the UK show calendar according to Livestock co-ordinator Glyn Lucas.

“The UK Dairy Expo team set out to deliver a leading agricultural event in order to promote the best interests of UK dairy producers. The event is aimed at commercial and pedigree breeders and includes trade-stands, exhibitions, business seminars, international dairy youth championships; an all-breeds dairy show and interbreed championship as well as an elite auction sale featuring the best of British breeding.

“The show provides a format allowing networking opportunities, marketing, buying and trade selling, the promotion of British livestock as well as agricultural technology and machinery to an international audience. The event is a ‘one-stop show’ and has received immense support from the dairy industry,” he says.

The event has captured the imagination of UK dairy farmers and show animals will come under scrutiny from two of the world’s most respected cattle judges, Canadian experts, Brad Sayles and Donald Dubois. Mr Sayles (Ontario) is casting his expert eye over the young stock showmanship section on Friday as well as judging the Red and White and Component breed line-ups on Saturday juxtapose Mr Dubois (Quebec) who is judging the Holstein dairy classes.

Friday’s International Youth Showmanship cattle clipping classes will be judged by one of Europe’s leading cattle show fitters and expert leadsperson, Erica Rijneveld.  Young handlers from the UK, Ireland as well as mainland Europe will compete for the prestigious title by demonstrating their expertise by washing, clipping, preparing and leading animals in the show ring.

The show has been well-supported with trade stand entries 25% above the original estimated level. The innovative format has created immense national and international interest according to UK Dairy Expo co-ordinator David Pritchard. “The event has garnered massive national and international interest and show results and photos will be viewed in over 120 countries worldwide.

“However, I’d like to thank all our sponsors, exhibitors and the trade-industry for their incredible support in helping to make this new agricultural show possible. We now look forward to welcoming everyone to Borderway Exhibition Centre on the 2nd and 3rd of March for the inaugural staging of UK Dairy Expo,” he concluded.

For further information please contact - UK Dairy Expo Event Co-ordinator - David Pritchard on 01228 406230 / 077786 23748.
or UK Dairy Expo Livestock Co-ordinator - Glyn Lucas on 01228 406230 / 07711 610255.