Borderway Agri Expo will once again return to Carlisle for its eighth year with organisers branding it bigger and better.

Attracting commercial and pedigree livestock enthusiasts, the event boasts show classes and trade stands and promises to be a major showcase of British livestock farming.

The original Agri Expo featured just 200 livestock but the event has rapidly grown into a major show, attracting entries from all over the UK. The 2013 event had a total prize fund of £12,000 and more than 750 entries competed in 26 cattle classes and 19 sheep classes and organisers are aiming for another record-breaking year in 2014. Like 2013, when five breed societies chose Agri Expo as the venue for their winter shows, organisers are planning to feature a number of society competitions again.

Encouraging farming’s next generation, with a number of specialist classes for young and novice handlers, will also be an important part of the day again this year.

More than 12,500 visitors attended last year’s Agri Expo, where they had the opportunity to view some of the UK’s very best livestock, network with breeders and exhibitors, and take advantage of the knowledge-sharing available via more than 160 trade stands showcasing the latest industry developments. Demand is expected to be high for trade stand places and 2013 was fully booked by new and returning exhibitors including breed societies and business ranging from machinery and equipment suppliers to feed and supplement companies and livestock genetics specialists.

Sponsors including Cogent, Morrisons, Norbrook, Carrs Billington, Lloyds Bank and Farmers Guardian have already signed up to support Agri Expo 2014 as the show continues to grow.

Event organiser, Harrison & Hetherington operations director, David Pritchard, said: “It will take a lot of effort to top last year’s Borderway Agri Expo, both in terms of the quality of livestock that was exhibited and the sheer numbers of exhibitors and visitors who attended the show.

“But the event has grown bigger and bigger every year and we’re determined that 2014 will be another record breaking show.