THE latest developments and innovation within the entire ruminant sector will be represented at the Dairy Event and Livestock Show, the UK’s largest livestock business event, to be staged on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th September, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) on the outskirts of Birmingham. Nick Everington, chief executive of the organiser, the Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, said the show would be building on the huge success of its inaugural event at the NEC last year which attracted a record number of 480 exhibitors and 16,000 visitors. “Relocating the UK’s largest specialist event in the NEC with its large, modern, easily accessed venue, has repositioned it from being a good farming show to a very professional exhibition reflecting the true worth of the industry. “This year our plans are to further build on that format, offering comprehensive technical, business and financial information for the entire UK ruminant sector, and also provide a one-stop shop for all livestock farmers, their partners and their staff,” Mr Everington said. The event will be officially opened on the first day by Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice. The Farm Health Planning (FHP) seminars will be returning to the event for the fourth consecutive year, this time with a revised format.
Working together
Some of the UK’s leading livestock vets will be teaming up with farmers on the platform to discuss how they are working together to solve some of the most common issues found among
dairy and beef herds: milk fever, fertility, lameness, Johne’s, mastitis and BVD. Managed by the Cattle Health and Welfare Group, and chaired by BCVA members, visitors will be encouraged to participate in the sessions using voting keypads.
“The event is a must attend for vets, not only for the FHP presentations, but also to investigate the latest developments in milking and handling livestock that impact on their clients’ businesses, together with dairy hygiene and veterinary products from all the leading animal health companies,” said Mr Everington. The event is introducing two major features to the two-acre Livestock Hall. The National All Breeds Show, a joint
agreement made by RABDF and Holstein UK, is the dairy sector’s
premier competitive event staged over two days of judging. Tipped to become one of the top dairy cattle exhibitions in Europe, the show will feature leading genetics from seven different breeds and a comprehensive range of classes covering calves, heifers, stockmanship and milking cows. The second new feature, New Smithfield, developed by the RABDF in partnership with the Royal Smithfield Club, will be dedicated to all beef farmers looking to improve suckler income and maximise finisher prices by controlling factors they can manage on farm.
The Dairy Event and Livestock Show will stage various other new
features within the eight-acre building housing inside stands, which is divided into 11 colour-coded zones according to industry sector to enable visitors to easily locate exhibitors. They include the new RABDF Business Debates and the Feed Science Forums, and a new workshop focusing on improving beef performance and efficiency. For further details, see www.dairyevent.co.uk.
