Judging by the variety of trucks outside and the range of accents inside, Borderway Agri Expo 2025 can rightly claim to be the UK’s largest autumn livestock showcase.
As Business Crack arrived, Sara and Finn from Newton of Balquhain near Aberdeen were busy prepping cattle for the ring while Dougie Alderson from Northallerton was giving his Belgium Blue a last minuite blow dry. He was not alone. As the clock ticked around to show time many were busy clipping and grooming their animals to make sure they looked their best.
The event at Borderway Mart in Carlisle on Friday is not just where the farming community come to meet and compete to showcase the best quality beef cattle and sheep. The latest developments in farming practice, breeding, genetics, machinery, equipment, technology, environmental issues, livestock marketing and export opportunities are shown to a wide audience drawn from Cumbria and beyond.
“This is a big celebration of rural life and today is all about trying to capture that and showcase it,” Richard Rankin, the chief executive of H and H Group, the agricultural company based at Borderway.
“During the spring and summer shows next year you’ll see a lot of the livestock that passes through here today.”
Among those returning to the show was Lynfa Jones, breed secretary of the Welsh Black Cattle Society, who had travelled from Builth Wells in mid-Wales to attend.
The society aims to show off the breed and inspire more farmers to take on the cattle which are at home on upland areas and fells.
While profitability, productivity, and resilience across the sector was never far from discussion the value of events like this in drawing sometimes isolated communities together was also frequently highlighted.
“It’s a lonely job – there’s no doubt people are glad to meet up at events like this,” David Hall, the NFU’s regional director told Business Crack.
His views were echoed by Vicki Edgar, of Ayside Herdwicks of Brampton, whose Herdwick pair emerged winners in her first appearance at the Agri Expo.
“We’re always too busy to really talk – it’s mostly passing conversations – so to be able to spend a bit of time here is great,” she said.
“If we win it’s a bonus but have a good day anyway.”
Nearly 1,000 head of beef cattle and sheep were exhibited with 50 different classes being judged during a packed day.
The results were live streamed for those unable to make it.
Supported by Carrs Billington and Lloyds Bank, the expo has become a useful platform for sharing ideas, promoting best practice, and debating the key issues shaping the future of British farming.
The 2025 theme – Making Meat and Money – underscored the challenges facing UK producers: remaining profitable while meeting rising environmental standards and consumer expectations. The Westmorland and Lonsdale MP and DEFRA spokesman for the Liberal Democrats Tim Farron debated the future of farm subsidies.
But the celebration of success amongst those who often work alone was a highlight for many.
Ellen Ellis from Kendal was proud to witness son Adrian and grandson Matthew emerge as winners for their pair of Rough Fell lambs for the third year running.
For his outstanding contribution to the British livestock industry for more than six decades, Jim Goldie was recognised with the David Thomlinson Lifetime Achievement Award.
Farming at South Bowerhouses and Townfoot near Dumfries, Jim has dedicated his life to breeding and producing top-quality livestock and is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading authorities in pedigree cattle and sheep breeding.
In a fitting link to the award’s namesake, Jim launched his first Limousin production sale at Carlisle in 1979 and personally requested that a young David Thomlinson be given his first job as a pedigree auctioneer.
The sale was a resounding success and marked the beginning of David’s distinguished career in auctioneering.
Announcing this year’s recipient, Robin Anderson said: “Jim Goldie represents everything this award stands for passion, perseverance, and a lifelong commitment to breeding excellence.
“His contribution to the pedigree cattle and sheep world is immeasurable, and his influence will continue through the generations he has inspired.”
On receiving the award, Jim said, “this is a total surprise, but I’m absolutely delighted.”
The occasion was made even more special as Jim was also celebrating his 86th birthday, making it a double celebration for the much-respected breeder.
“This is rather special. David [Thomlinson] and I went back a long long way, we organised sales together, and I promoted him for his first auction sale. So, I’m absolutely delighted.”
Married to Kay, with five grandchildren, Jim now farms in partnership with his sons Hamish and Bruce.
As the event concluded, thoughts turn to next year and what more can be done to support Cumbria’s producers.
Nourish Cumbria, a consortium of business leaders from the agriculture, public health, and tourism sectors, aims to champion producers and farmers is gathering momentum and is something Richard from H&H hopes will make a real difference.
“We produce fantastic quality produce which we should be celebrating more – we should be the leader in the rural sector to try and effect change but continue what we’re already good at.”
