8 NBA BEEF EXPO JUN / JUL 2024 • farmers-mart . co . uk
8 NBA BEEF EXPO JUN / JUL 2024 • farmers-mart . co . uk
LADIES OF BRITISH BEEF CELEBRATED AT NBA BEEF EXPO
Cumbria played host to one of the one of the most important gatherings for the UK ’ s beef industry , which saw support and commitment to British Beef Farmers from Government Ministers , and two Limousin X Heifers scooping the top accolades in the National Commercial Cattle Show .
THE National Beef Association ’ s 2024 Beef Expo took place on Saturday , 27th April , at North West Auctions near Kendal . The event brought together the very best in British cattle in the National Commercial Cattle Show , and the 13 attending breed societies showcased the very best pedigree cattle . With a large trade exhibition and a seminar programme focussing on the future of the beef industry , the 2024 Beef Expo has been hailed a huge success .
A true celebration and exploration of everything the British beef industry has to offer , this year ’ s event was timed to coincide with British Beef Week . For the first time this event which was very well attended , was free for visitors to attend and Beef farmers travelled the length and breadth of the UK to gather at J36 , Crooklands Rural Auction Centre . The National Commercial Cattle Show , featured over 100 head of cattle with the main commercial classes expertly judged by Northamptonshire farmer Frank Page . Lincolnshire ’ s Jonathan Lyon was responsible for judging the baby beef and young handlers classes . In the final line up of overall winners it really was “ Ladies Day ”.
In the National Commercial Cattle Show Penrith ’ s Neil Slack ’ s November 2022 born Limousin Cross Heifer , Pepper , took the Supreme Champion accolade , with Stewart and Lynsey Bett , from Kippen in Scotland taking Reserve with their April 2023 born Limousin Cross Heifer , Electra .
On receiving Overall Champion , Neil said , “ It ’ s tremendous , it ’ s been a local show to us this year , so that makes it extra special . She ’ s a fantastic beast , I love it when a plan comes together , it ’ s a great result !”
Gareth Small and Beth Wilkinson from Leyburn in North Yorkshire scooped Baby Beef Champion with Kind of Magic , a Limousin Cross Baby Heifer , and Kevin Ludgate , from Battlesden Bedfordshire , took reserve with his Limousin Cross Baby Heifer Sexy Pants . Gareth said on winning , “ This is her first show out , she ’ ll be rested now until Christmas , her mum was a very famous show heifer called Pocahontas , who won a lot of shows , and her two full sisters Black Magic and Voodoo Magic were very successful
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Sir Mark Spencer & Neil Shand
at the shows as well , Black Magic won the Great Yorkshire Show , and Voodoo Magic won in Balmoral . It ’ s been a great day and we ’ re just delighted with the result .”
In the Young Handlers Classes it was the ladies who came to the fore with fifteen year old Olivia Matten awarded Champion Young Handler , and Elizabeth Haughan taking the Reserve .
This year ’ s NBA Beef Expo saw a record number of more than 100 trade exhibitors and 13 Breed Societies attend the event , to help highlight the latest research developments , technology , and innovation in the industry . The Best Breed Society Stand award was presented to Hereford Cattle Society , Datamars was awarded Best Indoor Trade Stand , and Agri Lloyd scooped Best Outdoor Trade Stand .
To packed audiences , the seminars included panellists from the three main political parties , Sir Mark Spencer , Minister of State at the Department for Environment , Food & Rural Affairs ; Daniel Zeichner , Shadow Minister for Farming , Food , Fisheries and Rural Affairs ; and Tim Farron , MP and Westmoreland , Furness &
Eden Liberal Democrats , discuss farming , food & finance ; leading supermarket procurement directors debate how best to build from farm gate to baskets ; AHDB hosted a discussion on whether or not suckler cattle can thrive in a subsidy-free landscape ; and Farmers Weekly unveiled the insights from their ‘ State of the Industry Survey ’.
In summing up his seminar , Andrew Meredith , Farmers Weekly Editor , who presented results of the comprehensive survey on the British Beef Industry said , “ The Farmers Weekly Survey was completed by over 1100 respondents , with findings showing an industry that is going through rapid and significant change . Many are scaling up , many are cutting back , and concerns about profitability abound . High prices for finished cattle are welcome but the cashflow needed to get them to that position is a challenge .”
Discussing the day ’ s successes , NBA Chief Executive , Neil Shand said : “ I can only thank everyone , on behalf of the NBA and the organising committee , for coming in great numbers , and I really hope everyone had a great day .