A KEY member of Cumbria’s agricultural industry is to oversee this year’s industry showcase, Beef Expo 2024.

Lisa Bennett will step into the role of chair of the organising committee responsible for the National Beef Association’s event.

Held this year at the North West Auction’s J36 Rural Auction Centre at Crooklands on Saturday, April 27, Beef Expo brings together farmers and breeders in a world class sow of British beef genetics, together with breed societies and trade organisations, and experts in every field of technology, nutrition, husbandry, and innovation to share the ideas and experience that will carry the livestock industry forward into the future.

NBA CEO, Neil Shand, said: “Lisa understands the industry and the challenges it faces inside out, but she also brings all her knowledge and experience as Chair of the highly successful Westmorland Show to support our organising team.

“In her four years as Chair of the Westmorland Agricultural Society, the show has gone from strength to strength, and expanded from one day to two. NBA Beef Expo and itself has also grown in scale and in its importance to the industry, and we are incredibly fortunate to have Lisa’s enthusiasm, event management expertise, knowledge of the area, and commitment helping to make this one of the foremost events in the NBA’s history.”

Born and brought up in Cumbria, Lisa has been involved in the livestock industry all her life. Today along with her partner Richard they farm 760 acres plus fell rights in the Lake District, running Swaledale and Herdwick sheep and hill type suckler cows. She also works as a Fields Person for NW Auctions. She said: “It is fantastic that Beef Expo is returning to the area, and I am positive about the format it is coming back in. It’s a multi-layered one-day event with free admission that makes it accessible to all and this is intended to be an event which will appeal to beef industry experts and visitors alike. We have some fantastic partners working together, including our hosts, NWA, and the NBA has organized a series of really important industry seminars.

“This is an event which covers all aspect of the beef industry, with more than 100 trade stands and over 12 breed societies attending. But for me one of the highlights is certainly going to be the NBA Commercial Cattle Show, which will give those attending the opportunity to see some of the very best British beef cattle.”