The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2019 - Issue 63 | Page 19

EVENTS 19
• JUN/JUL 2019
Focus on Sustainability and Productivity
at Biggest Ever NBA Beef Expo
RECORD numbers of exhibitors
and competition entrants, and
over 4000 visitors headed to J36
Rural Auction Centre, Cumbria on
23rd May to celebrate the strength
and resilience of the British beef
industry, at the National Beef
Association (NBA)’s Beef Expo
2019. The industry sent a strong
message out on environmen-
tal sustainability, the need to
change and evolve to consumer
demands, with a focus on quality
and provenance.
Over 140 trade stands and breed
societies displayed the latest de-
velopments and technology within
the sector, attracting visitors from
across the country, including a
large contingent from the Northern
Ireland branch of the NBA.
The themes of consistency, pro-
ductivity and sustainability were
addressed specifically during a
lively Open Discussion session on
the future of the beef industry.
NBA chief executive Chris Mallon
and chairman Andrew Laughton
were joined by Robin Manning
of Defra, NFU national livestock
board chairman Richard Findlay
and John Geldard of L & K Group,
the owners of host North West
Auctions, to host the discussion.
The audience heard how
the development of genetics is
helping to both reduce green-
house emissions, but also im-
prove productivity and ultimately
profitability. Mr Mallon spoke of
the importance of reaching out to
the consumer and highlighting the
environmental benefits the beef
industry delivers, while main-
taining a focus on quality and the
supply of a niche product.
The discussion was the culmi-
nation of a full day of technical
seminars covering topics including
health, integrated supply chains,
future proofing for success and
challenges facing the industry.
A key highlight of the day was
the cattle competitions, bringing
in over 120 cattle entries. Overall
winner was homebred pedigree
Limousin heifer One and Only,
from John Williams, Gwynedd.
Reserve was Queen of Hearts, a
homebred Limousin x heifer, from
Jennifer Hyslop, Ayrshire.
Alongside this, the South Devon
Performance Championship was
held at the show for the third
year, bringing in over 20 entries.
The overall champion, collecting
the Harlington Trophy, was AI
Rufford Reggie, owned by RW &
SM Bostelmann of Staffordshire.
Reserve went to two-year-old
heifer Z Cilgwrrwg Cas, from Mr R
V Hartshorn of Shropshire.
The award for the best indoor
stand was presented to ForFarm-
ers, with best outdoor stand going
to L M Bateman & Co. The best
breed society stand went to the
Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society.
Chris Mallon, NBA Chief Executive
said, “We have seen a tremendous
turnout for the event, following
the two well attended and highly
informative farm visits a day earlier.
We have had some great feedback,
and are particularly pleased to
see the focus on productivity and
profitability demonstrated by our
beef farmers.”
The farm visits, hosted by the
Kelly family at Netherhall Farm,
and the Dixons at Kit Crag Farm,
gave attendees a further insight
into two family-owned, progres-
sive beef producers in the region,
and added to what was two full
days of celebration of the British
Beef Industry.
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