Dairy Show 'In A Day' - NEC Excels

NI-based dairy farmers are being urged to use well-established transport links to access a major farm expo this autumn.

The Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers' (RABDF) plans are well underway to stage its Dairy Event and Livestock Show on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 September at the NEC, Birmingham. Organisers said that its new venue less than 15 minutes walk from Birmingham airport and noted that more than 400 exhibitors have already confirmed stand space bookings, of which approximately 25% have booked additional stand space compared with last year.

"Relocating the UK's largest specialist event to the NEC is proving to be an exciting challenge," says RABDF Chief Executive, Nick Everington.

"In the first instance the move is enabling us to continue to build on the event in its current format, offering comprehensive technical, business and financial information for the entire UK ruminant sector, and also provide a one-stop shop for dairy, beef, sheep and goat farmers," he said.

"Furthermore, the new venue, with its larger, modern and easy accessed facilities, is destined to make a serious statement of professionalism on behalf of the UK livestock sector; it reflects the event as up to date and progressive, in particular to retailers and processors, international visitors, the next generation and recruits to the industry."

Targeting the rural community in NI specifically he said that RABDF's decision to relocate the event to the NEC provides the opportunity to increase exhibitors; since 2003 numbers have increased by 62% from 280 to 454 exhibitors last year, and also to expand its 2009 attendance, which was up by 12% on the year, with increased visitor numbers from both the UK and overseas.

"The much improved access to the venue via rail and air, as well as road, will for example enable farmers to make a return day trip to the event from throughout England and Wales as well as further afield - Northern Ireland, Ireland and Scotland. The airport's proximity also introduces real advantages for international delegates."

He also said that spending the day in a "controlled environment will enable visitors to leave behind Wellington boots and focus on doing business".

He said: "The event will see the return of the prestigious dairy classes, where farmers will be able to watch seven dairy breeds compete for the breed and interbreed championships, while the beef, sheep, goat and breed promotions will allow farmers to compare the benefits of each breed.

"The event will also host the popular technical features including the foot trimming, mixer wagon and goat demonstrations, Diversifarm, Renewables and Milkmade exhibitions as well as the Native Breeds National Show and Exhibition and the down to earth soil surgery.

"Furthermore, new features are being introduced including a series of interactive farm health planning seminars, feed science forums, EID and EBV demonstrations together with the MeatMakers exhibition, designed to show farmers how they can either maximise carcase value or process their own meat on farm.

"For exhibitors, the site offers better visitor flow and the potential for an increased number of contacts," he explained, noting that the professional working environment will also enhance efficiency and offer better access for 'build-up and breakdown'.

He added: "Ultimately, the NEC venue will offer the opportunity for future expansion as we plan to build the Dairy Event and Livestock Show to become the flagship not only for the UK industry, but also to rival its European counterparts."

(BMcC/GK)