Leading names from across the UK and Ireland confirmed, reinforcing the importance of expert judging at one of the country's premier autumn livestock events.

Harrison & Hetherington, organisers of Borderway Agri Expo, have today announced an exceptional line-up of highly respected judges from across England, Scotland, and Ireland for the 2026 event. This noted livestock show, trade exhibition and discussion platform will take place on Friday, 30^th October at Borderway Mart Carlisle

Pedigree cattle breeder Boomer Birch will judge the main commercial cattle classes, while Orkney's Balfour Baillie takes on the Baby Beef section. The sheep classes will be judged by Jack Smyth, travelling from County Tyrone.

Widely regarded as one of the UK's leading autumn livestock showcases, Borderway Agri Expo continues to attract the very best livestock from across the country. With that reputation comes the need for judges of the highest calibre, individuals with knowledge, experience and an understanding of modern livestock production.

Taking place at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, Agri Expo has become a key date in the UK livestock calendar which continues to go from strength to strength. Each year it attracts hundreds of entries of cattle and sheep across the commercial classes, alongside a wide range of breed society shows.

With such a high standard of entries, the role of the judge is crucial. Commenting on the 2026 judging panel, Laure Millar, Director at Harrison & Hetherington, said, "Borderway Agri Expo is renowned for the quality of livestock on display, and it is absolutely vital that we match that with judges of the highest calibre. This year's line-up brings together very highly respected stock people, all of whom are leaders in their field.

"Their experience, integrity, and depth of knowledge ensure that the animals placed at the top truly represent the very best of modern livestock production. Judging at this level is a highly skilled and challenging role and I would like to thank them all in advance for agreeing to judge here at Borderway in October."

From a farming background in Staffordshire, Boomer Birch, Beef Programme Manager at Cogent Breeding Ltd, plays a key role in genetic development across pedigree, suckler, and beef-on-dairy sectors. Alongside his wife Millie, he runs the Sky High Hereford and Boomer British Blue herds, with the family achieving multiple breed and interbreed championships across the UK. They also hold the record for the highest-priced Hereford female sold at public auction.

A familiar face at Agri Expo, Boomer has competed there for over a decade, securing several championships. He commented, "I'm very honoured and excited to be asked to judge at Agri Expo. It always brings out the best of the best from across the country. To judge at an event like this is every stockperson's dream, and I'll be looking for stylish, correct cattle with real commercial value."

Balfour Baillie, of Sebay View Farm, Tankerness, Orkney, is a familiar face on the Scottish show circuit. Farming alongside his family, he runs 80–90 Limousin and Belgian Blue cross suckler cows, selling progeny as spring stirks at 11–12 months of age. Having been involved with cattle all his life, Balfour has judged at numerous local and Aberdeenshire shows. A notable highlight came in 2023 when he bred a heifer that went on to win at the Welsh Winter Fair.

On his appointment, Balfour said, "I'm absolutely honoured to be asked to judge at Agri Expo. It's a big, big show that I've heard fantastic things about but never managed to attend due to calving, so this is a great opportunity. I'll be looking for correctness, a strong top, good legs, and something with a bit of flash that really stands out in the ring."

Jack Smyth, of S&J Smyth, Smyths Livestock, County Tyrone, runs a progressive beef and sheep enterprise including pedigree Charolais cattle and a flock of around 300 ewes. The family has built a strong reputation through both the show ring and the sales ring, including record-breaking achievements under the 'Suffolk Smashers' name, notably selling the highest priced commercial breeding sheep recorded in the UK in 2025.

Jack has also enjoyed major show success, including interbreed championships at Balmoral Show, and bred the Baby Beef champion at Agri Expo in 2019. He said: "I don't do a lot of judging, so to be asked to judge at Agri Expo is like being asked to judge a Royal Show. It is without a doubt the crème de la crème of shows, and I'll be looking for something well fleshed, balanced, and with real showring presence and style."

Borderway Agri Expo, organised by Harrison & Hetherington, takes place on Friday 30^th October 2026 at Borderway Mart, Carlisle and is one of the UK's leading livestock showcases, attracting exhibitors, breeders and farmers from across the country.