Harrison & Hetherington Supports Glendale Herd Competition for 2026

After a highly successful inaugural year, the Glendale Agricultural Society (GAS) is delighted to announce the return of its Herd Competition for 2026. It is open to all cattle herds located north of the River Aln and south of the Scottish Border with competitors invited to present a single field containing at least 15 cows with calves at foot.

Sponsored by Harrison & Hetherington, the UK's largest livestock auction company, the Glendale Herd Competition celebrates the outstanding quality of beef cattle and the high standards of stockmanship found across Glendale and the surrounding area. Alongside the competition prize fund, the overall winner will also receive £500 worth of free commission to use at Wooler Mart.

Judging will take place during the week commencing 17 August and will be carried out by James Playfair-Hannay of Morebattle Tofts, Kelso. Herds will be assessed on the quality, consistency and presentation of cows and calves, together with overall stockmanship and herd management. Winners will be announced at the Glendale Show on Saturday, 29 August 2026. The overall winner will receive the Ted Fox Trophy and £250, while £150 will be awarded to the runner-up and £100 to the best animal seen during the judging process.

Last year's competition was won by Meghan Harvey of Shotton, who claimed the prestigious Ted Fox Trophy and £250. Speaking after her victory, Meghan said: "It's an honour to have won this knowing how competitive the competition was and the high standard of herds the judge had seen."

This year's competition is kindly sponsored by Harrison & Hetherington, which operates seven livestock markets across the North of England and Scotland, including Wooler and Newtown St Boswells Livestock Centres.

Robin Anderson, H&H Chief Commercial Officer, said: "For more than 150 years, Harrison & Hetherington has been at the heart of the livestock industry, working closely with farming families across the North of England and Scotland. We are delighted to support the Glendale Agricultural Society Herd Competition, which celebrates the quality of cattle, breeding and stockmanship for which this area is renowned. With Wooler Livestock Centre serving many local producers, it is particularly pleasing to be involved in recognising the people and livestock that continue to drive the sector forward."

This herd competition forms part of the lead-up to the Glendale Show, one of the North East's largest agricultural events. Now approaching its 130th anniversary, the show attracts thousands of visitors to Wooler each year and showcases the very best of livestock, farming, food and rural life. In 2026, the show will take place on the Saturday of the Bank Holiday weekend – Saturday 29 August.

Bill Elliot, Competition Organiser and Head Livestock Steward at the Glendale Show, said: "Last year’s contest exceeded all expectations, attracting entries from right across the region and generating a great deal of interest among local farmers. The competition gives producers the opportunity to showcase the work that goes into building successful beef herds and highlights the strength of cattle breeding in this area. We are grateful to Harrison & Hetherington for their support and look forward to welcoming another strong entry this year."

Entry Criteria

• Open to all cattle herds located north of the River Aln and south of the Scottish Border
• One field of at least 15 cows with calves at foot must be presented
• One entry per farm business

Prizes

• Overall Winner – Ted Fox Trophy and £250
• Runner-up – £150
• Best Animal – £100

To enter, please email your farm business name, field location and contact details to [email protected], or contact Competition Organiser Bill Elliot on 07974 499490.

Entries close on Monday, 10 August 2026.

Now celebrating almost 130 years, the Glendale Agricultural Society continues to showcase the very best of British agriculture through flagship events such as the Glendale Show and Children's Countryside Day, which brings farming to life for more than 1,500 schoolchildren each year.

For more information, visit www.glendaleshow.com.