CATTLE and sheep farmers have just three days to enter animals in the prestigious 2014 Borderway Agri-Expo livestock show.

The event, which attracts the best pedigree and commercial livestock from around the UK will take place at the Carlisle mart’s exhibition centre on October 31.

The deadline for the 26 cattle and 20 sheep classes – and the prospect of a share of £14,000 in prize money - is Monday (September 29).

Last year, there were more than 750 entries including many young generation farmers showing both cattle and sheep.

The owner of the Overall Champion animal will receive £500 and the Robert Scott Memorial Perpetual Challenge Trophy. There is also the special H&H Award for the champion exhibitor who purchased their winning animal through the sale ring at one of the H&H Auction Marts or if it was home-bred and subsequently sold through an H&H Centre.

The champion’s award will be presented to the best animal from the 26 cattle classes, which include baby beef, continental and native bred cattle. The Agri-Expo will also host:

• the Aberdeen Angus Winter National Show

• the Border British Blue Calf Show

• the Beef Shorthorn National Calf Show

• the Hereford National Calf Show

• the Simmental Regional Calf Show

The sheep section will include prizes from the Beltex Sheep Society, the British Texel Sheep Society and the Cheviot Hill Sheep Society.

Jim Mulholland, from Cumbria, will be judging the main sheep classes, and Colin Phillips from Herefordshire will appraise the commercial cattle, while Anita Padfield from Norfolk will officiate in the baby beef classes. Ken James also from Cumbria will be judging the mule ewe lamb class.

Event organiser David Pritchard said: “We are always very privileged to have such a fantastic showcase case of livestock at Borderway Agri-Expo. I would like to thank the farmers and breeders for their hard work and commitment in bringing their stock, because without them this event really would not be the phenomenal showcase it has become. This year we look forward to welcoming both our regular visitors, the young farmers and those who will be showing here for the first time.”

Livestock scheduled are available to download from http://www.harrisonandhetherington.co.uk or by telephoning 01228-406200.