Borderway Agri Expo 2012 Judges Announced
2012-06-28

With a £12,000 prize fund, the 6th annual Borderway Agri-Expo is to be held on Friday the 2nd of November 2012. Event organisers, Harrison & Hetherington have added to the interest surrounding the prestigious occasion by announcing the names of the four judges for this year’s event.

Judging the main Cattle Classes at this year’s
Borderway Agri-Expo is Gareth Corrie

The four represent almost the 4 corners of the United Kingdom, as well as being top in their respective fields. They will be following on from the success of last year, to choose the cream of the cattle, the best of the baby beef and the shining winner from the sheep.

At only thirty years old, judging the main Cattle Classes at this year’s Borderway Agri-Expo is Gareth Corrie, of Corrie Meats in Northern Ireland. From both family farm Drumhilla and family business Corrie Meats, Gareth has grown up in the agricultural world and knows the inside story on an excellent animal.

Gareth works alongside his father and brother, and together the family runs a 1200 acre farm, grazing 1000 beef and 800 dairy cattle. He is starting a pedigree herd of Limousins and is himself a regular attendee at Harrison & Hetherington’s auction marts. He has judged across Ireland for the last four years and this is his first invitation to judge in England. .

Gareth comments on the opportunity to take up the head judge position at this year’s Agri-Expo: “This is the first time that I have ever judged in England and I am very much looking forward to the experience. I come over to Carlisle a couple of times a year and it is exciting to be part of such a large event.”

“I will be looking for good quality livestock with a straight top line, and good sound movement. I have heard a lot about Borderway Agri-Expo since it was first launched and it is an honour to be invited to judge at such a large event”.

This year’s Baby Beef Classes will be judged by a farmer who knows the very best in Scottish beef - John McAlister of West Thomaston Farm near Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire.

Commenting on the judging announcement John said;

“This is the first time that I have judged south of the border. The Baby Beef classes show the best in young commercial stock and it certainly a class where I will be looking for a bit of flair”.

Judging the Sheep Classes will be Bill McKinnon, Procurement Manager for Scotbeef Ltd, Stirling. Bill has worked for Scotbeef for the last eighteen years. He also farms 150 breeding ewes near Bridge of Earn in Perthshire, and finishes 200 cattle a year.

“I am delighted to be crossing the border and I have heard a lot about Borderway Agri-Expo and it is an excellent opportunity to judge what I know will be a fantastic showcase of sheep”.

Judging the Mule Ewe Lamb Class will be Brian Ridsdale from Cumbria. Brian is a prominent mule lamb producer and dairy farmer who regularly sells at both the Carlisle and Kirby Stephen Marts.

The Borderway Agri-Expo is now one of the largest events on the agricultural calendar, attracting over 500 cattle, over 130 pens of sheep and more than 160 trade stands. It attracts 10,000 visitors from across the borders and the UK. Launched to showcase the finest of livestock, Borderway Agri Expo is now one of the leading events of its kind in Britain.

Commenting on the well-presented, dispositions of the judging panel, David Pritchard, Operations Director of Harrison & Hetherington said:

“Once again it is exciting to see such a commendable line up of judges. Hopefully we will see an even bigger number of entries and with the country’s livestock genetics going from strength to strength I know that we will see some top quality livestock on display.”

“It is fantastic to see so much interest in what will be our 6th Borderway Agri-Expo and I am delighted to welcome the judges to the Exhibition Centre later in the year to see the UK Agricultural Industry at its very best”.

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