Breeders challenged to take best bull by the horns

STOCK judging competitions have been the staple of farm shows for the past 70 years, but the organisers of Beef Expo 2010 at Hexham Auction Mart on 27 May have come up with a unique variation which will see the best judge come away with a bull worth £10,000.

Pedigree breeders from all the main beef breeds are being invited to enter bulls for judging in the bull survival competition. They will pay an entry fee of 500 each. The carrot for the breeders is the possibility of a five-figure sum if they win. They will also be able to promote their cattle to the visitors expected at the event.

"This novel judging competition will give pedigree breeders a huge opportunity to promote their herds and bulls to an audience of more than 5,000 beef producers as well as the chance of receiving 10,000 for their bull," said Sheila Eggleston of Hexham-based Eggs-Port, who helped devised the competition

Participants in the judging competition will pay 25 to enter and tickets will be available to purchase in advance on the internet or from the event organiser, as well as on the day at the event. All those buying tickets will have to attend Beef Expo to participate in the judging.

Bulls will be paraded and those who have purchased a ticket will vote for the bull they consider to be the best.

The eight bulls attracting the most votes will go forward to a second round of judging. Only those who voted for one of the eight bulls will be eligible to participate in the second round but will not be told the order of placings in the first round.

The same procedure will be followed to reduce the number of bulls to four for the third and final round. The winner will be chosen in a prize draw for which only those who chose the bull gaining the most votes will be eligible.

"The competition is bound to create a great deal of excitement and the winner will finish up with a bull worth 10,000 for an investment of only 25," said Eggleston.