The Livestock Event, the UK’s leading livestock trade show held at The NEC, Birmingham on 8 and 9 July and organised by RABDF, will be welcoming over 400 trade exhibitors, providing the most comprehensive offering of any UK event, all under one roof in the most easily accessed location.
 
All dairy, beef and sheep farmers will be able to take up the pre-event complimentary ticket offer, get away for the day and seek some fresh thinking that will keep their businesses on track and remaining competitive.
 
The Event which will be officially opened on the first morning by farm minister, George Eustice MP, will be show casing the latest equipment including over 100 new products. Cutting edge technology will be complemented with timely financial and business advice to help all livestock farmers stay a head of the game.
 
Visitors will be able to watch the cream of the dairy cattle entered in the National Dairy Show featuring six different breeds along with some of the UK’s highest performance recorded beef cattle in the National Charolais Show, the Aberdeen Angus National Junior Championship and the inaugural South Devon Performance Championship. Added to that is the National Lleyn Sheep Competition.
 
Away from the ringside, farmers will have the opportunity to evaluate automated systems - the award winning live robotic milking and feeding demonstration is returning with 40 commercial cows and the UK’s first live robotic feeding demonstration of beef finishing cattle. New for this year is the live calf rearing demonstration, show casing feeding and housing systems including the Roundhouse.
 
Farmers will also have the opportunity to have their say in two new industry forums – for dairy and for beef and sheep, whilst useful tips, that can be put in to practice next day on farm, can be picked up from The Healthy Feet Workshop, Forage Field Exhibition and 70 short seminar sessions focused on animal health, nutrition, youngstock and practical farming issues.
 
Livestock Event director, Matt Knight commented: “We’re fully aware that times are tough for livestock farmers. That’s why we’re upping the event’s offer to more than previously, providing the opportunity to share information, ideas and practical advice, and show casing relevant products and concepts that will save money. Attending Livestock Event is free of charge for a dairy, beef or sheep farmer who pre-books and it’s a day we can guarantee they will enjoy away from the farm with their partner, herdsman, nutritionist and vet.”
 
Barclays national agriculture specialist, Oliver McEntyre commented: "We are proud to be principal sponsor at this year's Livestock Event; it grows in stature every year and is firmly established as one of the premier agricultural business events across Europe. The buzz of excitement around The NEC last year was palpable, and we are expecting to entertain and engage with thousands of customers on the Barclays stand over the two days, showcasing our commitment and understanding of UK agriculture."
 
How to get for your Free Ticket

Dairy farmers should look out for their INVITATION in this month’s All Things Dairy issued by DairyCo. Northern Ireland producers will receive one from their milk buyer.
 
The NFU has also sent a free ticket INVITATION to all its beef and sheep farmer members, as has LMC in Northern Ireland.
 
To obtain the free ticket, farmers simply go to www.livestockevent.co.uk/offer , before midnight on 7 July, enter the unique six digit code on the invitation card, print off the E-TICKET and bring to the event. Whilst on line, they can also purchase an additional ticket for their partner or stockman at a 25% discount.       
 
See www.livestockevent.co.uk