Three New Livestock Competitions at Beef Expo 2009
03/03/09

Two major beef cattle shows and a cattle presentation competition for youngsters will be new features of this year’s national beef event, Beef Expo 2009, to be held at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, on Thursday, May 21, 2009.

Beef Expo 2008 - photo courtesy www.limousin.co.uk

Lloyds TSB Agriculture has been confirmed for the second year running as major sponsor of the event which is organised by the National Beef Association.

The National Spring Spectacular Show will be open to both Continental and native breed pure and cross-bred steers and heifers with a total prize pool of £4700.

Championship awards, sponsored by Caltech, will include a top prize of £500 for the champion and £250 for the reserve and £200 each for the baby beef, steer, heifer and exhibitor-bred championships.

In addition, class prizes of £100, £50, £25 and £25 will be awarded for the first four placings in each class (£110, £60, £35, £25, £25 and £20 for the first six placings if eight or more in the class). The champion, if home-bred, stands to pick up £1000 in championship and class prize-money.

The show of pedigree calves, designed to demonstrate the top genetics in the national beef breeding herd, will offer separate classes for native breed and Continental bull and heifer calves. Cash prizes will include £100 for the champion and £50 for reserve, £50 each for the Continental and native breed champions and £25 for the reserves, and class prizes of £40, £30, £20 and £10 for the first four places. Total prize money for the supreme champion calf works out at £190.

The cattle presentation competition, open to youngsters aged 14 – 20 years of age, will be based on points gained for cattle dressing ability, showmanship skills and general knowledge of cattle husbandry.

These new events are being held in conjunction with the Commercial Show Cattle Society and the Three Counties Agricultural Society and organised by a joint committee under the chairmanship of Clive Davies.

“We believe these events will provide an added attraction to Beef Expo and we look forward to a large entry in all three sections,” said Mr Davies.

Judge of the Spectacular will be leading Anglesey beef farmer and showman, Arfon Jones, Ty Calch, Paradwys, Bodorgan, Anglesey, a former winner of the championship and a former judge at the Royal Smithfield Show.

The pedigree calf classes will be judged by well-known Charolais, Welsh Black and commercial cattle breeder, John Owens, Shobdon, Leominster, Hereford, and the cattle presentation competition by expert stockman, Peter Bodily, 29 Manor Close, Stoke Hammond, Milton Keynes, Bucks.

Closing date for entries for all three competitions is April 10 and entry forms are available from the show organiser, Jane Smith, Longwood Farm, Trostrey, Usk, Monmouthshire. NP15 1LA. Tel: 01291 673939. E-mail: jane.smith@btclick.com

Beef Expo is held at a different venue each year and attracts thousands of beef farmers and industry professionals from throughout the UK and Ireland, as well as interested visitors from several European countries.

This year’s theme for Beef Expo is “Beef up your Returns” and the programme for the event will follow the successful format developed in recent years, including an extensive trade stand area, beef breed demonstrations and educational and advisory exhibits focusing on both beef from the suckler herd and beef from the dairy herd.

Practical demonstrations of livestock equipment will include cattle handling systems, feeder wagons, telescopic handlers, straw chopping and bedding machines and mill and mix machines.

A continuing programme of seminars will take place throughout the day, linked to the themed demonstration area, and other features will include open and young farmers’ stockjudging, a competition for auctioneers and the selection of the National Farm Shop Butcher of the Year and Young Beef Ambassador of the Year.

In addition to Lloyds TSB Agriculture as major sponsor, mainline sponsors will include Dunbia, EBLEX, IAE, the Hereford Cattle Society and the Three Counties Agricultural Society.

On the day before the event – Wednesday, May 20 – visitors will have the opportunity of visiting three leading Herefordshire beef farms, followed by a two hour beef conference starting at 4.00pm addressed by top industry figures and the pre-event dinner in the evening. Both the conference and dinner will be held in the Severn Hall in the showground.

The cost of admission to Beef Expo is £10 (£5 for NBA members applying for tickets in advance and free of charge to juniors under 16 years of age) and £34 for the conference and dinner or £5.75 for the conference only. Prices include VAT. Costs for the farm tour will be available shortly.

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