Beef Expo, the National Beef Association’s one-day beef festival event is heading to North West Auctions, J36, Rural Auction Centre, next year.

The event which will be staged at the Rural Auction Centre, Crooklands, near Kendal, will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, during British Beef Week.

Beef breeders, farmers, and businesses involved in the industry are expected to gather from all corners of the UK for this flagship event to celebrate the best of beef cattle breeding, and to share ideas and innovations that will help take the country's world class industry forward.

Beef Expo’s competitive show classes will again showcase some of the UK’s best bloodlines, and a panel of leading experts will address the most important issues facing the industry in an information-packed seminar programme.

In returning to Junction 36, Rural Auction Centre, Crooklands, NBA chief executive, Neil Shand, is aiming to build on the success of the last Beef Expo held on the other side of the country at Darlington Farmers’ Auction Mart in 2022.

“Last year’s NBA Beef Expo was the first major beef event since Covid and it demonstrated how popular and important this show and exhibition is to the industry. We attracted a record number of visitors from across the country to the North East, and we’re confident we have the right programme, venue and location to repeat this success in the North West.

"This is a highly productive part of the UK for suckler and beef cattle, and North West Auctions’ combination of experience, expertise, and exceptional facilities make this the ideal venue for an outstanding event.”

In contrast to previous Beef Expos, the 2024 event will differ in two ways which the NBA believe will help attract an even greater number of visitors, Mr Shand said.

“Next year we are streamlining Beef Expo from two days to Saturday only, and entry will be free to all visitors. We will be focusing on showcasing top quality cattle and on sharing critical information in seminars and discussions.

"Beef breeders and farmers are facing a very significant challenge in the transition of UK farming policy after Brexit and the aim is to create a perfect platform for everybody involved in the industry to network, find out how to make the best of the grants and subsidies available, and recharge their enthusiasm and commitment.”

NWA managing director, David Pritchard, is also looking forward to the NBA Beef Expo being back to Junction 36.

“NWA has been serving the farming community here as auctioneers for more than 200 years, and as auctioneers, land agents and farm business advisors we understand the wider agricultural implications of the changes that beef farmers are currently facing. It is a privilege to be chosen to host it again here at our J36, Rural Auction Centre in 2024 and we are very much looking forward to working with the NBA to make it an event to remember for those who are both exhibiting and attending.”

Further information about the event, along with details of sponsorship opportunities and stand and exhibition space can be found on the National Beef Association’s’ dedicated event web site –www.nationalbeefassociation.com