Uncertainty surrounding Covid-19 restrictions has led to the cancellation next March of one of the country’s top dairy cattle shows, due to take place in Carlisle.

After much deliberation, Harrison & Hetherington, organisers of Borderway UK Dairy Expo, announced this week that the event scheduled to take place in March 2021 will no longer be going ahead.

Rated as a creme de la creme among Europe’s top dairy cattle shows, the Expo went ahead last March despite coronavirus concerns.

But organisers feel that due to the latest restrictions surrounding mass gatherings and social distancing, the 2021 event would not be able to operate safely.

David Pritchard, joint managing director of Harrison & Hetherington, said: “The 2021 event would have been our 10th showcase, so naturally it is with deep regret that we have had to postpone the showcase.

"These are incredibly challenging times and though we have tried to come up with solutions which would adhere to the current guidelines, there would still be risks even with a scaled-down event.”

He added: “Though our 2020 expo was down in numbers attending on recent years, the day was still a tremendous success and we were thrilled by the enthusiasm of our visitors, globally renowned judges, sponsors and exhibitors. We receive incredible support each year from the dairy industry, and we are really looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Borderway, and we are at present hopeful that we may celebrate our 10th UK Dairy Expo later in 2021.”

Attracting around 7,000 visitors each year, the Expo presents the best of British dairy genetics and industry innovation to the rest of the world.

The event is regarded very highly within the industry.