ORGANISERS of Borderway Agri Expo, Harrison and Hetherington, today announce the much-awaited details of the 2021 pedigree judges.

The five pedigree calf show sections, Aberdeen Angus, Beef Shorthorn, Simmental, British Blue, and Hereford are held alongside the main cattle and sheep classes.

Borderway Agri Expo is being held on October 29 at Borderway Auction Mart in Carlisle and is renowned as being the UK’s premier autumn livestock show. Historically, the pedigree calf shows each attract the highest calibre of stock and together attract numbers of around 350 head of cattle.

The judges have all been selected for their expertise in their own specialist breed, and their critical eye for detail.

Scott Donaldson, Managing Director of Harrison & Hetherington said: “The Pedigree Calf shows are a very important part of Agri Expo as they give us a glimpse into the future of the respective breeds. There is always a tremendous showcase of young stock across these shows, and it is certainly no easy feat having to make the judging call. We are honoured to have so much experience and knowledge within this year’s team and I would like to thank them all for their support.”

Aberdeen Angus judge, 41-year-old Mathew Stoker, has worked with pedigree cattle for most of his life and for the last ten years has managed the Easton Grey’s Pedigrees, near Malmesbury in Wiltshire, which includes a herd of 60 Aberdeen Angus cows.

Shorthorns judge, Graham Towers from Hill House Farm near Welford, judged at the Beef Shorthorns Spring Show in 2018 and has been a regular visitor to the Agri Expo. will be femininity in the females and power in the bull calves.”

Simmental judge, 29-year-old Cameron Jackson, has been involved with the Simmental breed for most of his life and currently runs The Future Herd at Woodyett Farm, Kirkfieldbank, Lanark. Cameron is no stranger to the judging ring,

British Blue judge Andrew Kay, of Gass Farm, near Maybole, has been breeding British Blues for twelve years. This Scottish breeder set a new British Blue breed record for a bull earlier this year, when his home bred entry, Gass Okay, sold for 30,000gn at the Border British Blue Club’s annual spring show and sale at Borderway. Andrew has judged several regional and local shows, but this will be the largest and most prestigious so far.

Abbie Anderson, whose family has the established Panmure Hereford herd, has been invited to judge this year’s Herefords classes. Aged just 26, Abbie, a vet, will be one of the youngest judges taking to the ring

In addition to the main commercial cattle and sheep shows, and the pedigree shows, each year in the region of 140 trade stands exhibit at Borderway Agri Expo. These businesses who attend provide a showcase for visitors to learn more about the latest advancements across the livestock sector, genetics, machinery, and equipment along with supporting management systems.

Entries are now being taken for all classes.