The Livestock Event, the UK’s leading livestock trade show is launching new features and in response to visitor demand is increasing the livestock presence at the 2014 event.

The National Dairy Show is expanding by 25% to 300 stall places following very positive feedback from dairy cattle exhibitors across all breeds. Two new national beef shows are being introduced with a total of 100 stall places for the Aberdeen Angus and British Blue Societies, whilst the British Charolais Cattle Society is increasing its number of stalls by 25% to 100 places. The event will also host its first competitive sheep feature with the Lleyn Sheep Society’s classes for best of regional exhibits.

The Livestock Event organiser, RABDF Events Ltd will also be staging a new dedicated feature for pig and poultry farmers.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to test drive some of the latest UTVs and 4 x 4 pick-ups around a specially configured off-road course adjacent to the exhibition halls at The NEC. In addition, the Livestock Event will see the return of the popular foot trimming demonstrations, business and technical debates and careers forum, together with more than 500 trade stand exhibitors.

“RABDF Events is continuing to build the Livestock Event that we successfully rescheduled to July and to which a record number of visitors attended on the first of the two day event,” explains RABDF Events’ chief executive, Nick Everington. “Of the 565 visitors responding to our survey, almost one third indicated they would like to see more dairy and beef as well as sheep, consequently we are responding by introducing considerably more stalling to the Livestock Hall for dairy and beef cattle, and for the first time sheep classes. In turn, keen interest has already been expressed by livestock exhibitors who enjoyed the hall’s very modern temperature controlled facilities.

“Whilst we are continuing to develop the event as a one-stop shop for all livestock farmers, the focus on dairy persists, particularly at a time of heightened milk prices. In fact, the event has enhanced its dairy offering in the last three years with the number of exhibitors with products for dairy farmers increasing from 95% to 98%.” The milking zone next year will also include two additional milking machine manufacturers to the 35 companies that exhibited in 2013.   

He adds: “Apart from providing visitors with the first time chance to test drive some of the latest popular farm vehicles, we are looking forward to creating the opportunity for them to gain more knowledge and do business which will help them to progress their livestock enterprises.”