Farming Monthly National May 2016 | Page 45

| Livestock Livestock 2016 event More than 300 trade stands and new sponsors, as well as free entry for all means that this year’s event should be more popular than ever. e're thrilled to announce over 300 trade stands have so far signed up, and we have some new sponsors to announce too McDonald's sponsor the new Beef Arena and Germinal the ramped up Forage Field. Free ticket offer goes live Pre-registration for FREE entry went live recently and we immediately received scores of clicks. To recap, persistently low prices across the livestock sector led us to agree to open doors to all visitors - that's farmers,their families, managers and staff - to save money on the gate and enjoy a day away from the farm. FREE entry also applies to vets, consultants, other industry professionals, and you too! Live demonstrations and debates This year's event is all about sharing information, ideas and no nonsense practical advice to help visitors' businesses to survive the next 18 months. We're at an advanced stage of preparing our W www.farmingmonthly.co.uk extended practical demonstrations, discussions and seminars. Beef Arena - NEW for 2016, dedicated to handling measuring and monitoring to help all rearers and finishers improve their management systems. Main features - live EID demonstrations offering a "Which Guide" to leading equipment, handling systems, weigh crates, cells and accompanying software. BVDFree England - NEW for 2016, will be hosting both formal talks and drop in sessions to help producers to find out more about engaging with the scheme designed to eliminate the disease from the national herd. Calf rearing demonstration with the firm underlying message detailed attention to youngstock management will pay dividends later on. This practical demonstration will showcase a variety of feeding and housing systems complementd by a series of valuable knowledge sharing seminars. Forage Field designed to help all livestock farmers to learn more about how to exploit the massive potential of homegrown forage, the most cost efficient feed. The practical area will be split into two making more from grazed grass and from ensiled forage. Foot trimming demonstration, one of the best attended features is returning to demonstrate some of the most popular techniques supported by independent commentary. Healthy feet, a practical workshop designed to help producers understand waht causes lameness, its impact and how to reduce incidences. Livestock Learning - NEW for 2016, conference theatre offering essential knowledge to help all visitors make effective decisions for a sustainable business. Award winning farmers will be taking to the platform with industry specialists. Machinery demonstration arena - NEW for 2016, working mixer wagons, loaders, bedders, straw choppers - essential kit for most intensive dairy and beef farms. Visitors will be able to observe and compare models and weigh up the cost saving opportunities as they are put through their paces. Sheep handling demonstration, a four in one hands-on demonstration offering visitors wide ranging take home advice to improve your flock's overall performance. Test drives - an opportunity to make more informed buying decisions on the latests 4 x 4s around The NEC's specially configured 2lm off-road course. And finally....livestock Five hundred stall places available for the National Dairy Show with six different breeds, the National Charolais Show and the Devon Herd Book Society's Performance Championship; plus the Lleyn Sheep Society's national competitive award with penning for 100+ animals. May 2016 | Farming Monthly | 45