Thousands of visitors, outstanding livestock and a busy trade exhibition made H+H Livestock's flagship autumn event a celebration of British farming.

Borderway Mart was packed on Friday 30 October as exhibitors and visitors from across the UK gathered for Borderway Agri Expo 2026.

 Hundreds of cattle and sheep provided a fantastic showcase of British breeding, alongside a programme of seminars, industry awards, tradestands and a fiercely contested new Auctioneering Competition.

 Laura Millar, Agri Expo Event Organiser, said, "What stood out was the enthusiasm of everyone involved. Exhibitors had travelled from across the country, the ringsides were packed and there was business being done throughout the day. It was a tremendous show of confidence in British agriculture."

 The livestock competitions were at the heart of the event, with exceptional quality across the cattle and sheep classes. Securing the Overall Supreme Cattle Championship was Hotstepper, a homebred Limousin-cross heifer from A & E Vance, Bridge House Farm, Whithorn, Newton Stewart. Reserve honours went to Fizz, another Limousin-cross heifer, exhibited by Hannah Donaldson of Oak Grange Farm, Alne, near York.

 Speaking after judging the commercial cattle classes, Boomer Birch described the event as spectacular.

 "The standard of commercial cattle entries was unbelievable, and this was undoubtedly one of the best shows I have ever seen," he said. "The heifer classes were outstanding throughout the whole day. Before judging, I said I wanted to find an animal you could paint a picture of, and the champion was as close to that as I could possibly get. She was full of style and presence and really shone on the day as a champion.

 "The reserve champion was very similar, with tremendous presence, style and class, and she was as long as a train. Two exceptional heifers that I would give my right arm to have on my own farm."

 Almost 350 pedigree calves competed across the seven National Calf Shows, which this year welcomed the British Limousin and British Charolais championships for the first time. The champions from all seven breeds then contested the prestigious Borderway Agri Expo Pedigree Calf Interbreed Championship. Taking the overall title was Aberdeen-Angus heifer Foxhill Princess Carina C204, exhibited by Mr & Mrs M Alford, who had travelled from Devon; "It's been a perfect day, and it feels amazing to win," said the Alfords.

 In the sheep ring, R Hall & Son, Inglewood Edge, Dalston, Carlisle, secured the Overall Championship with a pair of Beltex lambs. Reserve honours went to Harry Askwith with a pair of Cheviot ewe lambs from the hill section. Carnforth exhibitors M Richardson and James Robinson took the single and pairs titles in the Mule gimmer lamb classes.

 Sheep judge Jack Smyth, from County Tyrone, said, "It was a very good show overall and a real credit to the exhibitors. The pairs of lambs were fantastic, with the champion pair particularly impressive for their balance and evenness."

 The new Auctioneering Competition, held in association with the Livestock Auctioneers Association, drew an enthusiastic crowd and an electric atmosphere as competitors tested their skills selling livestock and machinery.

 Isaac Jenkins from Wales won the Under-16 competition, ahead of Talia Owen and Fred Williamson. Tom Gregory from Yorkshire took the Open title, with Scott Watson second and Steven Graham third.

 Away from the judging rings, the seminar programme explored the future of British farming. A debate on the pressures facing beef and sheep production brought together Phil Stocker, Chief Executive of the National Sheep Association; Robert Martin, National Chair of the Tenant Farmers Association; and Scottish Borders livestock farmer James Playfair-Hannay.

 Chair Scott Donaldson said, "The general feeling was that imports themselves are not the biggest threat. What is more important is finding ways to encourage greater domestic production. Whether that's through improving efficiency or changes in government policy, we need to create the right conditions for British farmers to produce more."

 Cumbria's Mayoral Hustings saw Libby Bateman, Mike Starkie and David Allen discuss rural crime, farm profitability, succession, housing and opportunities for young people. All three pledged their support for the rural economy and agreed on the importance of securing a strong voice for Cumbria at Westminster.

 The David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award recognised former H&H Group Chairman and lifelong farmer Michael Scott. Unable to attend Agri Expo, he received the award at his home the previous day.

 "I have never been so overwhelmed in my life," he said. "For me, this is one of the greatest accolades in livestock farming. David was a huge part of my life, and I feel incredibly privileged to have my name associated with an award that celebrates his legacy."

 Agri Expo also provided an important platform for the wider industry, with more than 100 trade stands representing machinery, genetics, feed, nutrition, education and professional services. Alongside opportunities to explore the latest products and hear from specialists, the exhibition offered a valuable chance to catch up with friends, colleagues and suppliers, strengthen relationships and do business.

 Aspatria Farmers won Best Indoor Stand, Te Pari Products UK Ltd took Best Outdoor Stand, while the British Limousin Cattle Society won the breed society stand award.

 Laura added, "Agri Expo brings together so much of what is good about British agriculture: outstanding stock, skilled and dedicated people, and businesses looking to the future.

 "Our thanks go to all our sponsors, particularly our mainline sponsors Cogent Breeding, Carrs Billington and Lloyds Bank, whose support is so important to Agri Expo. We are also hugely grateful to our exhibitors, competitors, judges, trade stand holders and visitors, and to everyone behind the scenes who helped make the day such a success."

 H+H Livestock is already looking forward to celebrating the 20^th Borderway Agri Expo in 2027, marking two decades of showcasing British livestock and bringing the farming industry together.

National Calf Show Results

Aberdeen-Angus
Champion: Heifer calf Foxhill Princess Carina C204, exhibited by Mr & Mrs M Alford.
Reserve Champion: Bull calf Carruthers El Chapo, exhibited by D & K Graham.

Beef Shorthorn
Champion: Heifer calf Blackbrook Phantasy Yasmin, exhibited by Andrew Thornber.
Reserve Champion: Bull calf Llwynhywel Yabadabadu, exhibited by Evans & Price.

British Blue
Champion: Bull calf Solway View Valerie, exhibited by Kevin Watret.
Reserve Champion: Heifer calf Teesview Woo Woo, exhibited by Emma Carvey.

Hereford
Champion: Bull calf Normanton 1 Dumbledore, exhibited by T D & W T Livesey.
Reserve Champion: Heifer calf Moralee 1 Sparkles RK419, exhibited by T & D Harrison.

Simmental
Champion: Bull calf Popes Trademark, exhibited by J H & V G Wood.
Reserve Champion: Bull calf Popes Spartan, exhibited by J H & V G Wood.

British Charolais
Champion: Heifer calf Grinshill Aurora, exhibited by the Coppinger & Wyllie Partnership.
Reserve Champion: Heifer calf Foxhillfarm Bella, exhibited by Mr & Mrs M Alford.

Limousin
Champion: Bull calf Goldies Adonis, exhibited by Bruce T Goldie.
Reserve Champion: Bull calf Grahams Anders, exhibited by R & J Graham.