More than 6,000 dairy farmers, breeders, trade exhibitors and industry professionals from across the UK and overseas are expected to gather at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, for Harrison & Hetherington's Borderway UK Dairy Expo 2026 which will take place on Friday March 13 and Saturday March 1.
Dairy cattle from the Holstein, Brown Swiss, Dairy Shorthorn, Ayrshire, Jersey, Red and White and British Friesian breeds classes will be competing.
听The supreme championships will be split into supreme Holstein champion, and, new for 2026, the UK Dairy Expo coloured breeds supreme champion, a new title to be awarded for the first time
The Brown Swiss, Ayrshire, Jersey, Dairy Shorthorn and Red and White champions will compete for the Leanne Hedges Trophy, donated by her former colleagues and friends.
Trade exhibition
The dairy industry trade exhibition will showcase the latest developments in technology, research and on-farm efficiency, offering visitors a comprehensive view of innovation across breeding, feeding, housing, data, sustainability and farm business management.
Canadian judges Steve Fraser (Fraeland Farms) and Adam Hodgins (Hodglynn Holsteins) will officiate across the main breed championships. Sally Howarth, North Yorkshire, will judge the National Friesian Show, while Scotland's Jessica Miller will take charge of the showmanship classes.
Lifetime contribution to the industry will also be recognised with the presentation of the John Dennison Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Glyn Lucas, senior dairy auctioneer at Harrison and Hetherington and event organiser says: "For anyone involved in the dairy industry, this really is a key event. Every breeder who brings cattle, every exhibitor who supports the show, and every young person coming through the ranks plays a part in shaping the future of dairy. UK Dairy Expo brings all of that together under one roof, and 2026 promises to be one of our strongest shows yet."
Laura Millar, director of Harrison and Hetherington says: " UK Dairy Expo attracts the very best British dairy livestock. The cr猫me de la cr猫me from Devon to Aberdeen descend on Borderway to battle it out in the 鈥榬ing of dreams'."
The introduction of livestreaming has transformed its reach, attracting a truly international audience. "Our livestream has been a game changer," Laura says. "We can actively see a global audience tuning in from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Spain, and the Middle East." 听
While the dairy industry continues to face a range of economic and environmental challenges, Laura remains confident that the event's importance and popularity will endure.
She says: "The agri industry as a whole is very resilient. Coming together at shows such as this helps strengthen that resilience and allows people to share the ups and downs alike."
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