WEST Devon will host a high-profile farming event this autumn, designed to attract industry producers and buyers from throughout the region.
Beef and Growing Cattle South West is being organised by the National Beef Association and will take place at Hatherleigh Livestock Centre at the end of September.
The event will showcase the very best in beef and cattle production in the South West and around 2,000 visitors are expected to attend, including farmers, butchers, caterers, chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, innkeepers, supermarkets and public procurement representatives from the NHS, schools and the defence industry.
Bill Harper, chairman of the National Beef Association South West, said: ?In 2001, Devon was at the epicentre of the terrible foot and mouth outbreak. But now, three years on, we are seeing a renaissance in quality beef production in the region and the industry working together to create a world beating product.?
Mr Harper said the event was a ?wonderful opportunity? to learn more about the region?s beef industry ? and buy and try quality produce from the area.
High profile speakers have been booked to attend, including Lord Haskins, of Northern Foods, and Robert Forster of the National Beef Association.
More than 250 beef cattle will be on display, there will be a Moorland Challenge Competition for suckled calves, young farmers? club stock judging and a hoof and hook carcass competition.
Beef and Growing Cattle South West will also provide a learning opportunity for amateur and professional cooks through a variety of cookery and butchery demonstrations from top chefs and master butchers.
A qualifying round for the Smithfield Rib of Beef competition will take place at the show and there will be a farmers? market, enabling visitors to go home with some of the finest products in the area.
In addition, around 100 companies and organisations have booked to exhibit at the show.
For visitors staying in the area, there will be a chance to take part in two farm walks on the day before the show. One is at Lord Clinton?s estate at Stockleigh Barton, near Merton, where his pedigree Ruby Red cattle can be viewed, the other at a commercial dairy farm at Meeth.
Beef and Growing Cattle South West takes place on Wednesday September 29, between 9am and 5pm.