ENTRIES from the south west will be taking part in the 2024 Borderway UK Dairy Expo in Carlisle later this week (Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16). 

This year's showcase has a record entry of more than 460 dairy cattle. Entries from the south west include: Panda Holsteins from Molland Ridge Farm, Chulmleigh; Isla Arrell from Shrewsbury and the Saxby Family from Westcott Farm, Tiverton will all be showing Jerseys; from South Gloucestershire, Zoe Cambridge showing Brown Swiss; and Red & White exhibitors includes Shropshire’s First Look Genetics.

This showcase is for the best the British dairy industry has to offer, and this year, the spotlight is on the young and upcoming generation of dairy breeders and farmers.

UK Dairy Expo event organiser, Glyn Lucas, said:  “The continuing development of our dairy industry is absolutely crucial to the supply of the highest quality dairy produce for UK consumers.

"And, we are absolutely delighted to be able to give our industry a globally respected stage to show their wonderful cattle and the advances that are being made in technology and systems that are helping our farmers to futureproof their enterprises and build a successful future.

“Our line-up of international judges this year reinforces the status of the event, and we are incredibly grateful to our judges for travelling round the world to take on the daunting task of picking our show winners from the formidable line-up of such outstanding livestock, and from the next generation of dairy farmers who will be competing for honours this year.”

Judges include Brown Swiss breeder and show winner, Ben Govett, who will judge the Holstein, Brown Swiss, and Dairy Shorthorn classes; Australian Jersey dairy farmer Daniel Bacon will judge the Jersey, Red & White and Ayreshire classes; Holstein Master Breeder John Cousar will judge the British Friesian classes; and Wisconsin based genetics expert Roger Turner will judge the International Showmanship classes. 

UK Dairy Expo 2024 will include a trade exhibition with some 100 organisations sharing the latest industry trends, research, ideas and developments.

There will also be the presentation of the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises a dairy cattle breeder or exhibitor judged to be a high achiever and excellent role model within the industry.

"We would like to thank our mainline sponsors, Carr’s Billington, Cattle Information Service, Holstein UK and HSBC for their crucial support, not only for this event but for the sector as a whole," added Glyn.

“We are extremely grateful for the support of our trade exhibitors, the Breed Societies, the industry experts and of course the judges whose standing and reputation commands so much respect at the highest levels within the dairy arena worldwide.

“Of course most importantly, we thank the breeders and farmers of all ages who bring their magnificent cattle to Borderway from the four corners of the UK. They prove without any doubt that the future of the dairy industry is bright, and the opportunities are huge. 

“Our industry offers global solutions to many of the current issues that face our planet such as climate change, nutrition and food security.  UK Dairy Expo is where the dairy industry meets and where the future of our industry is shaped, and we look forward to welcoming you all to the Borderway Exhibition Centre.”