A top line-up of livestock judges has been announce for this year's Borderway Agri Expo, to be staged on Saturday, October, 29.

Harrison and Hetherington's one-day livestock show at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, will see the main cattle classes judged by James Crichton, Cumbria, while Argyllshire farmer, Duncan Semple, will be selecting the baby beef and cattle young handlers.

Aberdeenshire sheep breeder, Stuart Wood, will be in the centre of the ring to place the top winning sheep entries.

The event which boasts a prize fund of £15,000, will be the first Agri Expo since the pandemic and is expected to attract in the region of 800 head of top quality cattle to include sections for pedigree breed society calf shows, and sheep.

On announcing details of the judges, Scott Donaldson, managing director of Harrison and Hetherington, said: “It is a huge privilege for us to host such an important winter livestock event here in Carlisle, however it would absolutely not be possible without the support of our judges.

"The geographical spread of the livestock exhibitors and standard of sheep and cattle to be showcased will be outstanding and as such, Borderway Agri Expo really does demand the highest calibre of judges.

“These three judges are experts in their fields, and we are very fortunate that they have agreed to judge this year. I know all of them will take their positions incredibly seriously and I would like to thank them personally for giving up their time.”

Main cattle judge, James Crichton runs the 130-acre Loughrigg Farm at Egremont and focusses primarily on buying cattle to fatten for local butchers. Each year, he finishes roughly 500 Limousin and Charolais cross cattle, as well as lambing 180 ewes from his closed flock of Beltex crosses. Over the decades, he has accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge in the market which he is looking forward to putting to use at the event.

“Being asked to judge at the Borderway Agri Expo is a great honour," said James. "I’ve been involved with livestock and agriculture all my life and have been fattening cattle since I was 15 so I’m excited to bring the knowledge and experience I’ve gained to the event. As always, I’m expecting to see some of the best cattle in the country. In terms of winners, I will be looking for a beast with a good top line and good cover, style, presence and something that is eye catching.”

Baby beef and young handler judge, Duncan Semple, of Dippen Farm near Carradale in Argyll, farms some 1200 mixed acres which is home to 80 suckler cows and 350 ewes.

His cattle are primarily bought from Stirling or are otherwise home-bred. At present he has 15 pure Charolais with the remainder being black Limousin cross cows. Despite not having attended Borderway Agri Expo in person, Duncan has bred numerous calves shown at previous events, some of which have achieved success in the ring. Duncan has considerable judging experience and is looking forward to seeing what he knows will be a tremendous line up of young cattle.

“I’m extremely honoured to have been invited to judge. It will be my first time in Carlisle – I’m probably one of the very few in the industry who has never attended Agri Expo – and so I’m very excited to be taking part," said Duncan.

"I’ll be looking for an animal which is presented correctly, walks correctly, and has a showy head. I am not looking for extremities: it is correctness that matters to me. I want to see a proper loin, and well fleshed calves that walk correctly.”

Commercial sheep judge is full-time fireman Stuart Wood, a renowned sheep breeder and former auctioneer from Aberdeenshire. Farming in the region of 350 acres, Stuart along with his partner Stasa and children Chloe and Murray have a flock of approximately 1200 sheep consisting of pedigree flocks of Beltex, Blue Texels, Badgerfaced Texels, Dutch Texels and Dutch Spotted, alongside a commercial MV flock of Mules and Suffolk cross ewes. As a noted breeder and exhibitor, Stuart is also a highly experienced judge having selected the top winners at The Great Yorkshire Show and the Irish National.

Stuart said: “It’s a great honour to be asked to judge this year and it’s an event I have never been to before so I am delighted and really looking forward to it.

“Borderway Agri Expo is such a substantial event in the agricultural calendar and in judging the pairs of lambs I will be looking for a perfect mating pair, with great tops and loins and with attributes relevant to their class, sector and breed.”