Taking place in York for the first time ever, NBA Beef Expo 2015 will focus on the future of the industry, advances in technology and the rapidly changing demands of today’s consumers.

Bringing together the very best in British commercial and pedigree cattle, equipment, knowledge-sharing, and show classes, this is the British Beef Industry’s annual showcase. The event is being hosted at York Auction Centre, on Thursday 21 May, and will be attended by one of Britain’s most famous farmers, BBC Countryfile’s Adam Henson. In addition to the farm tours, the National Spring Spectacular Show, and seminars, this year sees the launch of The Future Beef Farmer Challenge.

With farm tours laid on the day before, the event itself offers something for everyone involved in the beef sector, whether their interest is in pedigree, breeding and showing, or making the most from a commercial herd.

The focus this year may be on the future, however the traditional elements make it a showcase annual event, including the £5,000 prize-funded National Spring Spectacular Show (NSSS), where farmers and breeders will present the very best in pedigree and commercial cattle. The NSSS continues to grow from strength to strength with entry numbers in the 15 classes, amongst the highest ever seen.

Two leading Scottish Beef Breeders have been invited to judge The NSSS. Both Perthshire-based, Wilson Peters will judge the Native, Continental Classes and Supreme Championship, and Craig Robertson will judge the Baby Beef Champions and Young Handlers classes.

Highlighting the key features of NBA Beef Expo, Chairman Richard Tasker and Director of York Auction Centre says: “Coming to York for the first time will enable those attending the tours to see some of the most tremendous breeding cattle in the country. Through demonstrations, presentations and practical activities we have specifically designed the day to give beef farmers the opportunity to future-proof their businesses. NBA Beef Expo is without a doubt the best opportunity of the year for people in the industry at all levels to network, meet potential new customers and take home new ideas that can help to add to the bottom line.”

Technology is much more useable and affordable now than it has been in the past, but still many farmers are not aware of what it can do for them. Three seminars will demonstrate how technology can be integrated, and how it can save time and money, and ultimately resolve problems. Being presented by experts in their field, they are: EID benefits to the Beef Industry, VIA [Video Imaging Analysis] the Future of Grading, and Remote Cattle Management.

“These seminars have been specifically tailored to show everyone the wide spectrum of new technology within the industry which will be securing a sustainable enterprise for the future,” says Richard.

This year’s event also sees the launch of The Future Beef Farmer Challenge. Initiated by the NBA, this is a team and individual contest to test the skills, knowledge and abilities of young beef farmers. It is run in association with EBLEX, the Charolais Cattle Society, XL Vets and Thompsons of York. Entrants in the competitions will face four challenges where they will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge of breeding and genetics, cattle health, nutrition and cattle selection for slaughter.

Also featuring for the first time is the focus on understanding what people want when they go to their local butcher or supermarket. “Meeting the Changing Lifestyle of Today’s Consumer” will be a special showcase ASDA presentation designed to get beef farmers in touch with end users expectations so that they can help better meet customer demands. This interactive presentation will also include a butchery competition and demonstration involving top students from Leeds City College; a cookery expo from Steph Moon, a celebrity Yorkshire chef and consultant for all things food.

In the region of 20 Breed Societies will be displaying the very best in pedigree and commercial beef breeding and over 150 trade stands will be providing the latest information on genetics, breeding, nutrition and the industry’s latest technical developments. The presentations scheduled include Foot Trimming and Pneumonia prevention workshops which will be held by Phil Alcock of Bishopton Veterinary Group. Demonstrations of grassland management machinery and cattle feeding systems will be held by Ripon Farm Services throughout the day. One of the more light-hearted aspects of the NSSS will be The Auctioneers’ Handler Challenge – the competition is designed to see if Britain’s top Auctioneers can walk as well as talk, and show as well as sell! The contest will give them the chance to excel at handling the animals they would normally sell under the hammer.

NBA Beef Expo’s farm tours take place the day before, on Wednesday 20th May. The three farms being visited have been specifically chosen to highlight the diversity of the beef industry in Yorkshire. These include: the Millington Grange Estate, home of the famous Millington Limousin Herd; JSR Farm’s Givendale Herd and home to the Beef Improvement Group’s Net Efficiency Unit; and GD Stephenson & Sons Ltd near Market Weighton, a 200 commercial Suckler herd of Limousin Cross, Salers Cross and South Devon Cross cows. Visitors are invited to book a place on the farm tours. Tickets for the tours are strictly limited to 300, with tickets priced at £25.00. There is also the opportunity to buy the tickets in conjunction with the tickets for Beef Expo 2015 and these are priced at £30.00 for NBA members or £35.00 for non-members. To conclude, Richard said: “NBA Beef Expo 2015 is shaping up to be a tremendous beef showcase event, and we are looking forward to welcoming what we hope is a huge crowd to both Yorkshire and the York Auction Centre.”

He adds, “This event would not be possible without the support of the many volunteers, and event and competition sponsors. This year’s mainline sponsors include York Auction Centre, Caltech-Crystalyx, Dunbia, Eblex, Lloyds Bank and Farmers Guardian as our media partner.”