farming news
Judges Announced for Borderway Agri-Expo 2012
With a £12,000 prize fund, the 6th annual Borderway Agri-Expo takes place on November 2 this year. Event organisers, Harrison & Hetherington have added to the interest surrounding the prestigious occasion by announcing the names of the four judges for this year’s event.
The four represent almost the four corners of the United Kingdom and are highly regarded in their respective fields. They will be following the success of last year, choosing the cream of the cattle, the best of the baby beef and the shining winner from the sheep. At only thirty years old, judging the main Cattle Classes, is Gareth Corrie, of Corrie Meats in Northern Ireland (pictured). From both family farm Drumhilla and family business Corrie Meats, Gareth has grown up in the agricultural world and knows the inside story on an excellent animal. Gareth works alongside his father and brother and together, the family runs a 1200 acre farm, grazing 1000 beef and 800 dairy cattle. He is starting a pedigree herd of Limousins and is himself a regular attendee at Harrison & Hetherington’s auction marts. He has judged across Ireland for the last four years and this is his first invitation to judge in England. .
Gareth comments on the opportunity to take up the head judge position at this year’s Agri-Expo: “This is the first time that I have ever judged in England and I am very much looking forward to the experience. I come over to Carlisle a couple of times a year and it is exciting to be part of such a large event.” “I will be looking for good quality livestock with a straight top line and good sound movement. I have heard a lot about Borderway Agri-Expo since it was first launched and it is an honour to be invited to judge”. This year’s Baby Beef Classes will be judged by a farmer who knows
the very best in Scottish beef - John McAlister of West Thomaston Farm near Bonnybridge, Stirlingshire. Commenting on the judging announcement John said; “This is the first time that I have judged south of the border. The Baby Beef classes show the best in young commercial stock and it certainly a class where I will be looking for a bit of flair”. Judging the Sheep Classes will be Bill McKinnon, Procurement Manager for Scotbeef Ltd, Stirling. Bill has worked for Scotbeef for the last eighteen years. He also farms 150 breeding ewes near Bridge of Earn in Perthshire and finishes 200 cattle a year.
“I am delighted to be crossing the border and I have heard a lot about Borderway Agri-Expo and it is an excellent opportunity to judge what I know will be a fantastic showcase of sheep”.
Judging the Mule Ewe Lamb Class will be Brian Ridsdale from Cumbria. Brian is a prominent mule lamb producer and dairy farmer who regularly sells at both the Carlisle and Kirby Stephen Marts. The Borderway Agri-Expo is now one of the largest events on the agricultural calendar, attracting more than 500 cattle, over 130 pens of sheep and in excess of 160 trade stands. It attracts 10,000 visitors from across the UK. Commenting on the judging panel, David Pritchard, Operations Director of Harrison & Hetherington said: “Once again it is exciting to see such a commendable line up of judges. Hopefully we will see an even bigger number of entries and with the country’s livestock genetics going from strength to strength, I know that we will see some top quality livestock on display.”
Full details and entry forms for the 2012 Borderway Agri-Expo can be found on
www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk or telephone 01228 406230
Lloyds TSB discounts loans to
support farm business
development
Discounted lending is now available for farm businesses from Lloyds TSB Agriculture through the Government- led National Loan Guarantee Scheme (NLGS). The NLGS is part of a package of measures to support the UK’s small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) including agricultural businesses. It allows Lloyds TSB Agriculture to offer discounted lending rates for a range of purposes including the finance of land purchase and capital improvement projects, according to Lloyds TSB’s Agricultural Policy Director Alick Jones.
“The scheme allows us to offer a discount of 1% against our normal term loan interest rates for the first five years on a new arrangement, and it is available to new and existing customers,” he explains. “Businesses with an annual turnover of up to £50 million are eligible for loans from £25,000 up to five million pounds with a term of between one and 25 years. “Lloyds TSB Agriculture can offer capital repayment or interest-only loans on this scheme, including options with capital repayment holidays, subject to our normal responsible lending policies. “Participation in the mainstream agricultural support schemes is not expected to disqualify farmers from participation in the NLGS but State Aid considerations may have to be taken into account by the borrower in some circumstances.”
The discount on borrowing rates also applies to Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance HP loans for the purchase of farm machinery and equipment and vehicles. Farmers wanting to take advantage of the scheme should speak to their local Lloyds TSB Agricultural Manager as a first step to establish their eligibility and finance requirements. Contact details can be found at www.
lloydstsbbusiness.com/agriculture
Farming Page 36
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