SINCE its inception 13 years ago, Agri Expo attracts some of the finest commercial sheep and cattle from across the length and breadth of the UK, along with the best of the best pedigree genetics across the five pedigree shows. With a prize fund of £12,000, this year Agri Expo is once again set to feature hundreds of livestock.

WITH over 80 classes, Agri Expo has regularly seen in excess of 770 entries across its commercial and pedigree cattle, baby beef, and sheep classes and each year seems to grow in size, scope and reputation.

Lynne Grieve, a fieldsperson with H&H, is a farmer's daughter, and has been brought up with sheep and cattle all her life. She has been an integral member of the team at Borderway for almost twenty years. Originally from Whiteside Farm near Bellingham, Lynne loves nothing better than returning home to help on the farm. In organising the livestock entries Lynne is supported by her colleagues, Grant Anderson, David Holliday, James Little and Anna McGregor.

Lynne said: “I would like just to reiterate, that the event would not be possible at all without the hundreds of stockmen and women who proudly present their sheep and cattle. In point of fact, we have seen entries for cattle topping 770 in peak years, so whatever expectations might be, our farmers often exceed them! I spend weeks pulling the entries and encouraging people to bring their stock forward, whilst always trying to improve each year. Naturally, for this year, it is different, but the feedback is that people are keen, restrictions have now been lifted, on the whole, and everyone is upbeat and showing great positivity.”

When asked what the biggest challenge is for Lynne in the managing of the livestock entries, she explained that the struggle does not come from the commitment to the event, but securing information about what we must adhere to; “There is a lot of legislation, and paperwork, but this is our job which we do day in, day out through the sales. We are there to support and to make the event as easy as possible for people to exhibit their livestock.”

“For me, it is the whole build up to the event. It’s exciting when the event is launched, and then the weeks move on and the deadlines come and go; the sportsmanship throughout is incredible.”

"At Agri Expo everyone will always tell you that there is never a loser - the stamp of the stock is so high everyone is a worthy winner. I am certain everyone will agree; the anticipation that builds on the day to see who scoops the overall champion of champions is a true adrenalin rush.”

“This will be the first Agri Expo since the pandemic and we are so excited to have the buzz back in the ring in October. Each year the quality of the stock is a real credit to all of the exhibitors, and this really is such an important event to showcase all this incredible livestock. Agri Expo is expected to attract in the region of 800 head of the highest calibre of sheep, commercial and pedigree cattle.”

Borderway Agri Expo 2021, Friday, October 29, Borderway, Rosehill, Carlisle, CA1 2RS.