Six reasons not to miss the Livestock Event
Show ring at the 2015 Livestock Event © Tim Scrivener This year’s Livestock Event at the NEC, Birmingham, on 6 and 7 July 2016 will be all about sharing information, ideas and no-nonsense practical advice to help farmers’ businesses to survive the next 18 months. Here’s our pick of the highlights.
1. Forage Field
The Forage Field is designed to help all livestock farmers learn more about how to exploit the massive potential of home-grown forage, in particular grass – the most cost-efficient feed.
It’s a hands-on practical area that will be split into two sections – making more from grass and forage options as well as making more from silage by reducing dry matter losses and improving clamp consolidation.
About the event
This year’s Livestock Event is taking place at the NEC, Birmingham on 6 and 7 July. Parking at the event is free and tickets can be obtained in advance. For more information see the Livestock Event website.
2. Calf-rearing demonstrations
A practical demonstration showcasing a variety of feeding and housing systems, including live calves in igloos, conventional and specialist buildings, all of which are designed to improve rearing efficiency of both dairy and beef calves.
The demonstration will be complemented by a series of knowledge-sharing seminars delivered by leading youngstock specialists discussing the latest in nutrition and management.
See also: Free entry for farmers to this year’s Livestock Event
3. Machinery demonstration arena
A working demonstration featuring mixer wagons, loaders, bedders and straw choppers. Visitors will be able to observe and compare models and weigh up the cost-saving opportunities as they are put through their paces in this practical outdoor demonstration throughout the two-day event.
4. Beef Arena
Another new feature that is focused on measuring and monitoring as a way for rearers and finishers to improve their management systems. The arena will feature live EID demonstrations offering a “Which? Guide” to leading equipment from livestock specialist Miriam Parker, who will talk through handling systems. Farmers will be able to compare handling systems, weigh crates, cells and accompanying software.
5. Livestock Learning
The event’s new conference theatre is designed to offer all dairy, beef and sheep farmers essential knowledge that can help them make more effective decisions for a sustainable business.
Practical advice covering a comprehensive range of topics – from health to grassland livestock systems – will be delivered by specialists. There will also be an opportunity to “ask the farmer”, with some of the UK’s award-winning farmers taking to the platform.
Visitors are invited to tweet specific topics for discussion @LivestockEvent and add #livestocklearning or email the event office at office@livestockevent.co.uk
6. Livestock showing
Finally, dairy, beef and sheep will all feature in the show ring at this year’s event.
Six different breeds will be featured within the National Dairy Show, including the Ayrshire, Brown Swiss and British Friesian cattle societies each staging their national shows.
The British Charolais Cattle Society has also confirmed it will be holding its national show, while the South Devon Herd Book Society will be staging its second performance championship.
Also competing is the Lleyn breed society, which will be highlighting what this commercial sheep breed has to offer.