The Livestock Event 2014: more livestock + new technical

The Livestock Event, the UK’s leading livestock trade show held at The NEC, Birmingham on 2 and 3 July and organised by RABDF Events, will be welcoming a record 400 livestock entries and over 450 trade exhibitors, providing the most comprehensive offering of any UK event, all under one roof in the most easily accessed location.

Farmers can drive straight in off the motorway network to free parking on hard standing, travel by train or plane to Birmingham International just 10 minutes undercover walk away, or take a free coach from one of 34 auction marts located throughout England and Wales.

The Event which will be officially opened on the first morning by farm minister, George Eustice MP will be show casing the latest equipment including over 100 new products. Cutting edge technology will be complemented with timely financial and business advice, for example on the benefits of forward buying to secure better input prices and become less reliant on spot purchases.

Visitors will be able to watch the cream of the crop of dairy cattle, and some of the UK’s highest performance recorded beef cattle in the National British Blue and Charolais Shows and the Aberdeen Angus National Junior Championship.

Away from the ringside, visitors will have the opportunity to evaluate automated systems – the event is staging a robot milking and feeding demonstration with 40 commercial cows, along with a robotic equipment display from the world’s leading milking machine manufacturers. The new off road venture will feature some of the latest UTVs and 4 x 4 pick-ups for test driving around The NEC’s specially configured off – road track. The Healthy Feet and Forage Field exhibitions will include farmer interactive sessions on mobility scoring and plate metering while useful tips can be picked up from the 50 short seminar sessions focused on animal health, nutrition, business, practical farming issues and career opportunities.

RABDF chief executive, Nick Everington commented: “Livestock Event is responding to last year’s visitor survey by offering more livestock and more technical exhibits resulting in the largest ever offering, all of which has been designed to help farmers make more money, and enjoy a day away from the farm with their partner, herdsman, nutritionist and vet.”

Barclays national agriculture specialist, Oliver McEntyre commented; “We are proud to be principal sponsor of Livestock Event; it grows in stature every year and is firmly established as one of the premier agricultural business events across Europe. The buzz of excitement around The NEC last year was palpable, and we are expecting to entertain and engage with thousands of customers on the Barclays stand over the two days, showcasing our commitment and understanding of UK agriculture.”

See www.livestockevent.co.uk