The theme for the 2015 show was ‘Sharing knowledge for a profitable dairy industry’, and featured an innovative learning and development zone, with seminar sessions indoors and outdoors to engage, inspire and educate, as well as a milk cocktail bar, 180 cows on-site and a new Red Ribbon Sale.
Members of the NFU dairy board and specialist staff including NFU chief dairy adviser Sian Davies and dairy adviser Rosie Maltby spent the day talking to visitors about the current issues within the industry such as low prices, and what the NFU is doing for its dairy members.
Event highlights included:
• Seminars – 15 seminar presentations focussed on the cow, team and farm
• Foot trimming – External demonstrations by Tim Carter and David Rowe
• Beneath the cow – Understand the cow’s anatomy using paint in Hall 3
• New products – View the New Product Zone in the concourse area
• Cattle show – Supreme Holstein and coloured breeds judged in the Main Ring
• Red Ribbon Sale – The very best dairy cattle auctioned at 4.30pm
• Learning and Development Zone - In the first floor gallery area there will be dedicated table top displays for colleges, charities and local businesses, a careers board and CV clinic
• Milk Cocktail Bar - Having fun with milk rather than just in a cup of tea or on cereal! A special feature in the concourse area will be a Mixologist showcasing the amazing cocktails you can make from milk. Try Parlour Colada, Top Line Taster, Moohito or Cowsmopolitan!
Carl Smith, UK Dairy Day Show Director, said: “Following the success of last year’s event, we have worked hard to improve and enhance the running of the show to present a first class experience. The theme for 2015 is ‘sharing knowledge for a profitable dairy industry’ and aims to engage, inspire and educate.
"The Cattle Show is one of the focal points of the event and this year is enhanced by the new Red Ribbon Sale at the end of the day. The event will represent a fantastic array of cattle breeds – and of course some great competitive spirit among breeders!"