Farming Monthly National April 2017 | Page 31

| Events Beef Expo 2017: A Key Beef Industry Event NBA Beef Expo is a true celebration of the strength of the great British Beef Industry and is the UK’s key annual event held on behalf of the industry. It brings together the very best British pedigree and commercial cattle. Hosted by the National Beef Association (NBA), the 2017 event will take place at the NAEC Stoneleigh, Warwickshire on Thursday 18th May. he 2017 NBA Beef Expo provides British breeders and producers with an excellent platform to showcase the quality of their cattle, and visitors can expect to see some of the finest examples of British breeding from all corners of the UK. As the event will be the first of its kind post Brexit, there will undoubtedly be a focus on what this means for British farmers in terms of opportunities moving forward. A major feature of the event is the National Commercial Cattle Show (NCCS) which will see, as always, farmers from the length and breadth of the UK showing the very best cattle from their herds, all hoping for a share of the £5000 overall prize fund. Alongside the NCCS, visitors have the opportunity to browse in the region of 120 commercial and educational trade exhibits, as well as specialist Breed Society stands. NBA Beef Expo is a nucleus for knowledge sharing and networking. Trade exhibitors will highlight, through displays and demonstrations, the latest industry trends and developments as well as nutrition and genetics. Applications are now open for businesses, traders and breed societies wishing to attend the 2017 event. Now a firmly established feature of the event is the Future Beef Farmer Challenge which was T www.farmingmonthly.co.uk launched back in 2015 for beef farmers aged 36 and under. Entrants can take part as an individual or as a team and the winner of each section is presented with a trophy. The competition challenges entrants’ knowledge of the beef sector at both a practical and scientific level, which is fundamental to the future strength and success of the industry. As in previous years, the highly anticipated farm tours will take place on Wednesday 17th May giving people the opportunity to gain an insight into how various beef enterprises are managed. This year the farm tour includes three diverse beef farms all championing efficiency in their relative sectors and showcasing the very best of British beef production. As part of the event the NBA will also be hosting a range of seminars and workshops held by various industry professionals. Chris Mallon, Chief Executive of the NBA commented: “Plans for NBA Beef Expo 2017 are certainly in full swing and we are very much looking forward to welcoming farmers and exhibitors to the event in May. Following the UK’s Brexit decision this year, this will be a key focus as we offer support and help British producers who may have concerns surrounding this.“British beef is the best in the world with our farmers producing high-welfare, high quality meat, that is fully traceable, the NBA is constantly working hard to engage with farmers and producers to drive the industry forward. NBA Beef Expo provides an excellent platform for us to do just that.” Rosie McGowan, Development manager of the NBA commented “This is my first Beef Expo and I am looking forward to meeting NBA members in the new Members area at Beef Expo which will be situated by the NCCS Show ring. I strongly believe that the NBA should work on behalf of its members and I am keen to find out what the members want from the NBA so we can act upon their comments going forward” Trade stand applications, visitor tickets and cattle show entry forms are now available online on the NBA Beef Expo website, www.beefexpo.co.uk, where further detailed information about the event can also be found. April 2017 | Farming Monthly | 31