CUMBRIAN farmers are turning out in force with their livestock for this year's Borderway Agri Expo.

The event hosted by leading livestock auctioneers Harrison & Hetherington will be held in Carlisle on Friday, October 28.

Drawing visitors and exhibitors from all over the UK, the packed schedule includes a trade event and seminars dedicated to livestock farming.

Exhibitors from Cumbria include Matthew Benson from Pennington, Ulverston; Jack Bland from Westward, Wigton; DW Charlton from Skelton, Penrith; the Ellis family from New Hutton, Kendal; Ian & Nathan Granger from Glasson, Wigton; the Priestley’s from Kirkcambeck, Brampton; and Neil Slack from Newby, Penrith.

Scott Donaldson, Managing Director for Harrison & Hetherington, said: “The return of Agri Expo last year highlighted just how important this showcase and exhibition is for the livestock sector as a whole. Once again, this year we have an exceptional line-up of judges to judge an incredible entry of quality cattle and sheep – a task I am never enviable of!”

Highlights of the day include the 22 National Prime Sheep classes, the 25 National Suckled Calf and Cattle classes, Pedigree classes, Young Handler classes and the David Allen Stocksperson of the Year Competition.

Agri Expo will also host five breed society shows; the Border British Blue Club Calf Show; Simmental Regional Calf Show; Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show; Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show; and the Hereford National Calf Show.

In the region of 850 head of sheep and cattle will pass under the watchful eye of a talented line-up of judges; Allan Wight of Crawford will judge the Sheep classes, Michael Alford from Collumpton, Devon, will judge the Commercial Cattle classes, and Duncan Semple of Argyllshire will judge the Baby Beef. Judging the Mule Gimmer Lamb class is Cumbrian farmer, Trevor Foster. Pedigree judges are Fraser Cormack, Pamela Nicol, Chall Pearsons, William McMordie and Varrie Loggie.

Returning this year are the David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award and H&H Land & Estates seminars.

Also for the first time, this year's event will be fully livestreamed with guest commentators Libby Clarke and Andy Frazier doing the talking across the commercial cattle classes, and Scott Brown taking the mic for the sheep classes. All three are notable names across the broadcasting circuit