Two cattle competitions will be taking place during the major beef industry event, with new classes added, and the Burke Beef Trophy is to be presented for the best commercial pair.

FOR the first time, the Burke Beef Trophy will be awarded to the best commercial pair at this year’s Beef Expo, demonstrating the commercial viability of cattle breeding and beef production. The prestigious award is widely seen as the pinnacle of cattle breeding in the UK and will be awarded to commercial cattle for this year only, to mark the occasion of the opening of the new Darlington Farmers Auction Mart.

Entries for the major cattle competitions are being actively encouraged, as we gear up towards the highlight of the beef industry calendar. This year, the event will be held at the grand opening of Darlington Farmers Auction Mart’s (DFAM) new Humbleton Park Auction Centre on Thursday 28th May 2020, following huge investment and an extensive schedule of building works.

Entries for the Burke Beef Trophy pairs class are open to cattle entered into the NCCS, and can be a pair of bullocks, a pair of heifers or a bullock and heifer, but each pair must be owned by the same exhibitor.

Andrew Lazenby, CEO of the Royal Agricultural Society commented “The RASE is delighted to support the presentation of the Burke Trophy at this year’s Beef Expo this year and we’re looking forward to an impressive entry of cattle to showcase UK beef production”.

The Burke Beef Trophy will also be awarded to the Pedigree Beef Interbreed Pair at the South of England Show, which takes place from 11th – 13th June.

Entry forms and schedules for the Beef Expo NBA Commercial Cattle Show (NCCS) will be sent to exhibitors in the middle of February, and will also be available at www.nationalbeefassociation.com/beef-expo/, with entries closing on 27th April 2020.

Gwyn Edwards of Corwen, Denbighshire will be judging the Native and Continental classes, as well as the Supreme Championships. Dafydd Lewis of Carmarthenshire will be judging the Baby Beef classes, Baby Championship and Young Handlers competition. Both will judge the Burke Trophy pairs class.

The awards are judged over 10 classes. In 2019 some 123 head of cattle were entered into the awards, along with 14 entries in young handler classes, with competition expected to be just as spirited in 2020.

For the fifth year, the South Devon Herd Book Society is holding its Performance Championships, inviting performance breeders from across the country to compete. This technical event is a showcase for Breedplan performance-recording South Devon herds, to highlight the importance of Estimated Breeding Values as a tool for breeding selection.

Each class will be judged on inspection of the animals, and on their performance (Quality Beef Index for each bull and Suckler Replacement Index for each female) and will be placed accordingly. From these winners the Male, Female and Breed Champions will be selected.

The Society is anticipating around 25 entrants across the classes, with entries open to animals between 1 and 2.5-years of age. Performance Championship entry forms will also be available from the NBA Beef Expo website, with entries closing at the beginning of May.

Bringing together the very best in British commercial and pedigree cattle, equipment, ground-breaking developments, and show classes for everyone involved in the industry, NBA Beef Expo is a celebration and exploration of everything British Beef has to offer.

A full seminar programme and working machinery demonstrations will be announced shortly, as well as farm tours and the Beef Industry Dinner, this year being held at Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley. Visitor tickets are available online and are free to NBA members.

Exhibitor trade stands and Breed Society bookings are still being taken, again full details available by visiting www.nationalbeefassociation/beef-expo/ or by contacting Katie Pearson on 07393 452544.