ORGANISERS of a highly-acclaimed winter livestock event are pushing ahead with it taking place this year.

Last year the Borderway UK Agri Expo was cancelled due to Covid-19, but it is anticipated the 2021 event will go ahead, following the anticipated end of lockdowns.

If the Government’s road map is successful, this popular showcase will take place on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Borderway, Carlisle.

Regularly seeing in the region of 900 head of livestock being shown, Borderway UK Agri Expo is one of Great Britain’s largest and most prestigious livestock events.

Like all other large-scale events across the country, Borderway UK Agri Expo was cancelled in 2020.

Harrison & Hetherington have concluded however that for this coming year the event can go ahead, given that appropriate rules are in place and adhered to.

Showcasing some of the very best beef cattle and sheep from all corners of the UK, including Cumbria, the event is a key date in the diary of livestocks farmers.

Scott Donaldson, managing director of Harrison & Hetherington, said: “It’s great to be one of the first major show events of 2021. Show after show was cancelled last summer, and all the showing enthusiasts will be looking for somewhere to go. We feel that the timing is right, and that we can start the process of getting plans together to make it work.

“During the last year, all our marts have had to find a way to conduct business that is safe, so we are confident that we will be able to do this for the 2021 Borderway UK Agri Expo. We want all those who attend the event to be assured that over the next few months, we shall be working with the authorities to come up with a robust plan to ensure the safety of all involved.”

Scott added: “It’s still going to be very much a livestock and trade show. The infrastructure will still be the same, but we will be adhering to the relevant government guidelines at the time. The caveat is that we could be subject to arrangement changes at the very last minute. We have no idea how things will go over the next six months, so we have to be able to adapt to the reality of the situation, but we’re well used to doing that now.”

Recently, well-known dairy farmer David Yates, 90, was recognised for his life achievements with the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award at his Castle Douglas home for his contribution to the dairy industry.