Events

events Harrison & Hetherington has announced that the annual Borderway UK Dairy Expo will return to Carlisle in 2022

The UK’s leading livestock auctioneers, Harrison & Hetherington, has announced that Borderway UK Dairy Expo will return on 12th March 2022. Held annually at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, Dairy Expo has become a key industry event for dairy farmers across the UK and Europe; regularly seeing in the region of 7,000 visitors, it is now one of the greatest events of its kind.

Like many large-scale events, Dairy Expo was unfortunately cancelled earlier this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was, however, fortunate to be able to run in March 2020 and was in fact, for many, the final fling before the UK was plunged into lockdown for the first time.

Organisers Harrison & Hetherington is looking to the future with a welcome return for the 10th Borderway UK Dairy Expo in March 2022. Glyn Lucas, Dairy Auctioneer for Harrison & Hetherington, said: “The team behind the Expo were devastated when we had to cancel the 2021 event due to lockdown. However, we are all very much looking forward to its return for the 10th time in 2022, which is real testament to its success and placement? within the dairy industry.”

UK Dairy Expo now prides itself as one of the key calendar dates in the dairy industry. It acts as a shop window for breeders and producers and brings together some of the UK’s finest dairy stock. Alongside this, it is also a trade event where businesses within the industry can showcase the latest research, developments and innovative technology that farmers can utilise to improve efficiency and productivity as we navigate the uncertain times ahead.

Glyn Lucas adds: “The agricultural sector is facing vast changes and it is the responsibility of all those within to embrace those and find a way forward. Dairy Expo is an ideal networking event where people can make the most of having access to recent industry trends and developments.”

In addition to the livestock classes, the Borderway UK Dairy Expo programme will also include Breed Society shows, the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement award, a next generation school programme plus various demonstrations, details of which will be finalised closer to the event. For more information on Borderway UK Dairy Expo, please visit: www. borderwaydairyexpo.uk

Diversified award finalists take new approach to farming

A farm which lets visitors take alpacas for a walk and another which uses a converted grain silo as part of a stunning wedding venue are among the finalists in a new diversification award.

In partnership with the Royal Bank of Scotland, and supported by SAC Consulting (part of Scotland’s Rural College), the Inaugural AgriScot Diversified Farm of the Year Award celebrates the achievements of Scottish farming and crofting businesses which have diversified and added value to their primary agricultural activities.

After receiving high-quality entries from all over the country, the three finalists are from Angus, Orkney and West Lothian, with the winner to be announced at AgriScot in February.

The finalists are: Bain Farm, Orkney Bain is a dairy farm run by Lara Hourie and her family on Orkney. The business, which operates under the brand The Orkney Dairy, has added value to their milk by producing natural yoghurt, flavoured yoghurts, milk, and flavoured milkshakes.

Through the support of LEADER funding and Orkney Islands Council in 2017, Lara and her family installed a purposebuilt facility in a converted farm workshop. Since then, the business has gone from strength to strength.

Cairns Farm, West Lothian Caroline and Graham Hamilton are fourth-generation hill sheep farmers. With a family succession on the horizon and a desire to create a viable business future for the next generation, they made a significant investment in a wedding venue and self-catering offer at Cairns Farm. Incorporating original farming features – including a converted grain silo as a grand entrance – into the design of their venue, they have created something unique and of its place which connects their guests to their land and farming heritage. Newton Farm

Louise and Graeme Nicoll run a mixed tenanted family farm of 550 acres in Angus. Out of a series of challenges in 2016 was born the farm tour concept of bringing visitors on to their farm. There is a range of tour activities available, including the chance to walk alpacas and even feed a Highland Cow. They also have a key focus on engaging visitors with whatever is happening that day on the farm. The winner will be announced at AgriScot on 9 February 2022. To find out more about diversification, visit www.sruc. ac.uk/diversification