ORGANISERS of next month's Beef Expo 2019 report huge support for its two main competitions.

The National Beef Association (NBA) event is at North West Auction's J36 Rural Auction Centre in Crooklands, Cumbria, on Thursday, May 23.

The NBA Commercial Cattle Show, which has more than £6,000 prize money, and the South Devon Herd Book Society Performance Championships have both attracted good entries

Julie Sedgewick, organiser of the Cattle Show competition which is sponsored by Caltech Crystalyx, said: "We are currently up to 115 entries, with only five spaces free as we draw to the entry deadline.

"It has been really encouraging, we are really happy with the excellent level of support. It is particularly pleasing to see new entrants coming in, and the central location and being in a low-risk TB area certainly helps."

Entries are from across the UK, with many from Scotland, others from as far afield as Somerset and Lincolnshire, and a good number from Wales.

"We will have four classes of Limousin heifers, split into weights, with 35 entries anticipated," said Mrs Sedgewick. There are no more than 10 animals in any class.

Experienced national judge and award-winner, Gavin Scott of Linlithgow, will judge the Native and Continental classes, and supreme championships. Tudur Edwards, of Corwen, will judge the Baby Beef classes and championship, and the Young Handlers competition.

The South Devon Herd Society aims to attract up to 25 entries for its Performance Championships, Caroline Poultbey, breed secretary, said entries are still being taken.

"We are excited to be bringing this event to a different part of the country, and look forward to showing off the breed here and its fabulous attributes," she said. "Exhibitors will be coming from north, east, south and west!

The competition aims to push the use of genetic and performance information as a breeding tool. The Society offers £500 prize money, plus money back on animals forward. Entries are open until May 7.

NBA Beef Expo entry forms, schedules and visitor tickets are available at www.nationalbeefassociation.com/beef-expo.