Held at the York Auction Centre, 2015’s NBA Beef Expo had its view firmly fixed on the future. Its theme was focused on technology and its power to improve day-to-day farming, together with the changing needs of modern consumers and what they want from the marketplace.

Champion Presentation with Adam Henson

The event started on Wednesday with over 250 attending the farm tours. The sun shone and farmers from across the length and breadth of the country really were given a detailed insight into the farming practices of three of our best farms. Thanks to the excellent weather, all enjoyed views for 60 miles around.

No Expo is complete without pride in excellence, and the nation’s champion beef was showcased by pedigree and commercial livestock breeders. In addition, there were demonstrations, commercial trade stands, and the younger generation – ably waiting to take the industry forward to the future.

Taking place in York for the first time ever, Beef Expo featured over 380 head of cattle, 19 breed societies, 170 trade stands and in the region of 7000 visitors (including a party of 50 farmers from Northern Ireland) - all keen to get together to admire the winners and talk over latest developments in genetics, breeding, nutrition and the industry’s latest technical inventions.

However without a doubt the highlight of the day and the perfect conclusion to this major event was the announcement of the overall Supreme Champion of The National Spring Spectacular Show [the NSSS]. This was Sooty, a Limousin Cross Heifer, bred by Bowen and Bowen and owned by Welsh farmers Rhidian and Cai Edwards [T C Edwards & Sons]. Reserve Supreme Champion was Midnight Black, a Limousin cross steer, owned and bred by TA & LC Lyon & Sons.

On receiving his trophy, Cai said: “We are over the moon to win. When we first saw Sooty she just stood out as calf, and had great width at the top and it really caught my eye.”

The £5,000 prize-funded NSSS continues to grow from strength to strength with entry numbers in the 15 classes featuring 152 head of cattle. The judges were leading Scottish Beef Breeders from Perthshire, Wilson Peters and Craig Robertson.

Wilson, who judged the Native and Continental Classes, and Supreme Champion, commenting afterwards on the strength of the entries said: “It is a tremendous show – the overall champion was so correct with a beautiful top and bottom line, and just the sort of animal the butcher wants to buy.”

The Baby Beef Classes judged by Craig Robertson also attracted entries from across the UK with the overall Baby Beef Champion being awarded to Black Beauty, a Limousin Cross Heifer owned and bred by Tecwyn Jones.

Discussing the day’s successes, NBA Beef Expo 2015 Chairman Richard Tasker and Director of York Auction Centre said: “NBA Beef Expo is without a doubt the best opportunity of the year for people in the industry at all levels to network, meet potential new customers and take home new ideas that can help to add to the bottom line.”

Throughout the day One of Britain’s most famous farmers, Adam Henson, judged the breed society stands, and was on hand, meeting visitors, discussing issues, and presenting awards.

As always the next generation were well represented, and encouraged to participate in competitions. The Young Handler Classes 12-16 years old went to Ellin Wyn Roberts, showing Eye Style and the winner of the Young Handler Classes 17-21 years old was awarded to Hannah Donaldson showing Hoity Toity.

This year’s event also saw the launch of The Future Beef Farmer Challenge, set and sponsored by EBLEX, the Charolais Cattle Society, XL Vets and Thompsons of York. The individual winner receiving the Frank Momber Perpetual Trophy was James Bonnar, from Northampton, aged 25, who works on his family’s beef and arable farm. The group prize and the Duke of Northumberland Trophy went to Askham Agrics, 4 Girl Students from Askham Bryan College – sisters, Emily and Amanda Watson from Durham, Becky Green from Derbyshire and Nicola Terry from Ripon. Organiser of the Challenge, Steve Dunkley from EBLEX said, “This competition showed the tremendous ability of the youngest generation and their strengths in the industry.”

Also featuring for the first time was the focus on understanding what people want when they go to their local butcher or supermarket. “Meeting the Changing Lifestyle of Today’s Consumer” focused on a special ASDA presentation designed to get beef farmers in touch with customer demands. Included were a Leeds College butchery competition and a cookery demonstration from Steph Moon, the celebrity Yorkshire chef, who demonstrated that beef can be made into an amazing summer supper in 30 minutes, using simple popular cuts.

The benefits of Technology were clearly demonstrated in three seminars. This is much more useable and affordable now than it has been in the past, and the focus was to make more farmers aware of what it can do for them. Mike Powley, who chaired the three seminars said:

“They were exceptionally well attended and a high level of interest was shown, in particular in the VIA and EID seminars. The aim was to demonstrate the technical side of beef farming and how it can help farmers going forward. Farmers need to be more aware that to be more efficient they need to have more animals, and less manpower, especially as they can no longer rely on subsidies. Hopefully through these seminars we demonstrated that if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.”

“I would like to thank all of the speakers for their time and expertise, and sharing this with farmers the length and breadth of the country.”

Farming has its light hearted moments and these were represented at Beef Expo 2015 by The Auctioneers’ Handler Challenge – the competition was designed to see if Britain’s top Auctioneers can show as well as sell! Judged by Charles Mills, Show Director of the Great Yorkshire Show, the inaugural challenge was won by Trevor Simpson, of Hexham & Northern Marts, who said afterwards “I have never done this before in my life, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the whole process and I will be happy to do it again!”

Best Breed Society Stand was awarded to the Beef Shorthorn Society, who just pipped to the post the Hereford Cattle Society which was awarded highly commended. The British Charolais Cattle Society received Commended and The Best Small Breed Society Stand was the South Devons.

The breed Society Stands were judged by Adam Henson who commented afterwards: “We judged them on a number of criteria, impact, the stock on the stand, overall presentation of the stand, messages and availability of follow up information.

“The good stands were very good, however some demonstrated room for improvement. Breed societies need to learn from one another, and step into the professional world together.”

In the indoors trade stands, Carrs Billington Agriculture was the overall winner, Dow Agrosciences Ltd were Highly Commended, and Northern Nutrition received Commended. R.A.B.I received Best Small Stand. The Best Small Stand was awarded to RABI.

There was a large number of outdoor trade stands and L M Bateman, suppliers of cattle handing equipment, picked up the Best Outdoor Trade Stand for their “Attention to detail, customer welcome and product knowledge.”

Highly Commended went to 3 in 1 Advantage Feeders, and Huntsmoor Park Farm received Commended.

Chris Mallon, Chief Executive of the NBA said: “Coming to York has been a great success - the farms tours demonstrated the diversity of beef farming in this area and that this is a tremendous cattle breeding county. Today’s event, Beef Expo, is full of and practical activities designed to give beef farmers the opportunity to future-proof their businesses so I am sure that many have taken away with them some very useful information and advice.”

The presentations included Foot Trimming and Pneumonia prevention held by Phil Alcock of Bishopton Veterinary Group. Demonstrations of grassland management machinery and cattle feeding systems were held by Ripon Farm Services throughout the day.

Concluding, Richard Tasker, Event Chairman, said: “The huge crowds that have come to Yorkshire and the York Auction Centre, have had a superb day. We are all grateful to the support of the many volunteers, and event and competition sponsors. This year’s mainline sponsors included York Auction Centre, Caltech-Crystalyx, Dunbia, Eblex, Lloyds Bank and Farmers Guardian as our media partner, and we thank them all.”

“This was not just a huge event for the National Beef Association, but also for Yorkshire as a county, and for us at the York Auction Centre.”

PLACE	NO	EXHIBITOR	NAME
CLASS 1 NATIVE HEIFER
1	4	Mr & Mrs G Woollatt - highest exhibitor bred	Starburst
2	3	Frank Page	Miss Trouble
3	2	James Glaves	Ayton Erotica
4	1	D & A Blockley	Southfield Nymph
CLASS 2 - NATIVE STEER
1	8	P & E B Robson - highest exhibitor bred	Diesel
2	6	D & A Blockley	Diesel
3	10	Mr & Mrs G Woollatt	Leonard
Champion Native no 8, reserve Native no 4
CLASS 3 - OTHER CONTINENTAL STEER
1	14	Turnbull Family	Hired Gun
2	13	A Scarborough	Bonfire
3	11	S I & LJ Evans - highest exhibitor bred	The Grand Canyon
CLASS 4A - BRITISH BLUE SIRED STEER
1	23	N E Slack - highest exhibitor bred	Dodging Bullets
2	20	Marwood & Wilkinson	Vin Diesel
3	19	J L Marks	Nobby
4	51	Callum Bailey	Shuff
CLASS 4B - BRITISH BLUE STEER
1	22	JM & SM Priestley - highest exhibitor bred	Rock On
2	17	Mike Dickens & Family	Diesel
3	18	TA & LA Lyon & Son	Carney
4	21	Mudd & Bentley	Badger
CLASS 5A- LIMOUSIN SIRED STEER
1	53	T C Edwards & Sons	Un Bach
2	33	R Miller	Red Adair
3	28	Robyn P Jones -highest exhibitor bred	Llanfair Jewel
4	37	G & J A Sedgewick	Black Hawk
5	24	Callum Bailey	Ollie
	34	J Paterson & Son	Sam's The Man
	39	Turnbull Family	The Gambler
CLASS 5B- LIMOUSIN SIRED STEER
1	32	TA & LC Lyon & Son - highest exhibitor bred	Midnight Black
2	27	R Alun Elias	Sky Walker
3	30	Mike & Bob Kingston	Sole Power
4	25	Paul Brannen	Moorsley
5	41	Mr & Mrs G Woollatt	McVitie
	35	J Paterson & Son	The Minion
CLASS 6 - STEER UNDER £1400
1	47	S & K O'Kane	Sam
2	43	Miss L Brookes	The Crafty Codger
3	42	Barker & Johnston	Rocky
4	49	CG & AJ Sutcliffe	Captain Mannering
5	48	Gwanwyn Rowlands	Rolant Coch
Champion Continental steer 32, Reserve continental 53
CLASS 7A - BABY STEER
1	63	John Williams	Mad Max
2	54	Matthew Jones - highest exhibitor bred	The Dazzler
3	58	J L Marks	Tonto
4	57	TA & LC Lyon & Son	Radar
5	56	Mike & Bob Kingston	R2-D2
CLASS 7B - BABY STEER
1	60	P & S Sellers	Rambo
2	61	N E Slack - highest exhibitor bred	The Real McCoy
3	50	G & JE Bell	Max
4	52	Mike Dickens & Family	Black Jack
CLASS 8A - BABY HEIFER
1	74	JB & FK Jones	Strawberry Split
2	85	P & S Sellers	Miss Chance
3	66	Miss L Brookes	Flashy Lassey
4	68	T C Edwards & Sons - highest exhibitor bred	Kardashian
5	84	P & S Sellers	Top Notch
	79	JM & SM Priestley	Wild Card
	90	D Thompson
	94	Beth & Luke Wilkinson	Milkshake
	65	Thor Atkinson	Smarty Pants
CLASS 8B - BABY HEIFER
1	75	Tecwyn Jones - highest exhibitor bred	Black Beauty
2	82	P & EB Robson	Sassy Lassy
3	78	S & K O'Kane	Angel
4	70	S J Harryman	Double Trouble
5	73	G & E Jones	Rumour Has It
	91	D S Townend	JoJo
	92	John Williams	Lavish Alice
	83	Gwanwyn Rowlands	Ela Lois
	69	R Alun Elias	Amber
	71	M Harryman & S Warriner	Miss Style
CLASS 9 - ANY OTHER BREED HEIFER
1	96	Mrs P Dale - highest placed Charolais Heifer	Skirpenbeck Flyer
2	98	JM & SM Priestley	#Hashtag
3	95	Barker & Johnston	Fancy Nancy
4	97	Harryman & Warriner	She's a Diamond
CLASS 10A - BRITISH BLUE SIRED HEIFER
1	106	TA & LC Lyon & Son - highest exhibitor bred	Peppermint
2	93	Beth & Luke Wilkinson	Millie
3	103	Hannah Donaldson	Hoity Toity
4	112	D S Townend	Jubilee
5	105	S & NV Jowett & Family	Sweet Caroline
CLASS 10B - BRITISH BLUE SIRED HEIFER
1	108	S & K O'Kane	Sparky
2	104	S J Harryman	Bonny
3	113	J & R Waind	Bob Marley
4	102	G C Brown	Bees Imogen
5	101	G & J E Bell - highest exhibitor bred	Lola
	99	R Atkinson	Bronte II
CLASS 11A - LIMOUSIN SIRED HEIFER
1	130	Tecwyn Jones	Brenmick Joy
2	135	Frank Page - highest exhibitor bred	French Kiss
3	125	M Harryman & S Warriner	Red Hot Honey
4	86	P & S Sellers	Here Comes Trouble
5	133	J L Marks	Annie Power
	139	Owain Roberts	Eye Style
	87	P & S Sellers	Eyecatcher
CLASS 11B - LIMOUSIN SIRED HEIFER
1	89	N E Slack - highest exhibitor bred	Elsa
2	88	P & S Sellers	Tickety Boo
3	116	Thor Atkinson	Shamrock Ambassador
4	137	Miss SL Priestley	Hot To Trot
5	76	Mudd & Bentley	Strawberry Daiquiri
	115	Thor Atkinson	Miss Moggs
	120	Mike Dickens & Family	Tea For Two
CLASS 11C - LIMOUSIN SIRED HEIFER
1	121	T C Edwards & Sons	Sooty
2	141	G & J A Sedgewick - highest exhibitor bred	Priceless
3	143	Beth & Luke Wilkinson	Hightown JoJo
4	140	P & EB Robson	Juicey
5	122	R Alun Elias	She's a Peach
	118	Messrs Dent	Ella Eyre
	131	TA & LC Lyon & Son	Granite
	119	Messrs Dent	Poppy
CLASS 11 D - LIMOUSIN SIRED HEIFER
1	132	S & K O'Kane	Tootsie
2	126	M Harryman & S Warriner	Chanel
3	117	Miss L Brookes	Too Cool To Fool
4	136	JM & SM Priestley	Daddys Girl
5	129	G & E Jones - highest exhibitor bred	Eye Candy
	123	D Hall	Table Top
	124	S J Harryman	Keskadale Hazel
CLASS 12 - HEIFER UNDER £1400
1	145	Mike Dickens & Family	Our Decision
4	148	D S Townend	Miss Mac
3	147	J L Marks	Skippy
5	149	J & R Waind	Poppy
2	144	J H Craggs	Tutti Fruiti
CLASS 13 - 12-16YRS HANDLER
1	156	Ellin Wyn Roberts	Eye Style
2	157	Beth Wilkinson	Millie
3	153	Joshua Jack
4	154	Alicia Legg	Wendys Revenge
5	152	Fiona Jowett	Sweet Caroline
	150	Harry Blockley	Southfield
	155	Harris Priestley	Southfield Nymph
CLASS 14 - 17-21 YRS HANDLER
1	160	Hannah Donaldson	Hoity Toity
2	158	Lucy Corner
3	161	Cai Edwards	Un Bach
4	165	Kerry Scott	Ella Eyre
5	162	Sioned Elias	She's a Peach
	159	Clare Dent	Poppy
	163	Llyr Wyn Jones	Black Beauty
	164	Kerry Scott	Hot To Trot
CLASS 15 - AUCTIONEERS CHALLENGE
1st	169	Trevor Simpson, Hexham & Northern	Black Hawk
5th	166	David Fearon, Harrison & Hetherington	Ella Eyre
3rd	167	Ted Ogden, CCM Auctions	Tootsie
2nd	168	Jimmy Fawcett, Leyburn Mart
4th	170	John Walton, Hexham & Northern

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