Held every two years, the most recent Beef Expo event, organized by the National Beef Association, saw a joint British Wagyu and Warrendale presence at Melton Mowbray Livestock Market on Saturday 30th May 2026. With two display pens and two pens of cattle, the Wagyu stand was busy throughout.

There were a lot of admirers of the stock on show kindly loaned by Warrendale Wagyu partner farmers, Anthony & Charlotte Holmes of TR Holmes Farms Ltd, Manor Farm, Skellingthorpe, Lincs which included 3 F1 (Wagyu x Holstein) yearlings and 3 finishing cattle comprising two steers and a heifer weighing 700-720kgs.

A similar batch of 16 head of 22-month-old finishers were consigned earlier in the week to Dovecote Park averaging 391dwkg with a killing-out percentage of 52-52.5% and with a marble score of MS6-7. A typical finishing ration comprises silage, maize, barley, bread plus additional product from KW Feeds with the youngstock ration generally having a higher grass but lower barley content.

L-R Anthony & Charlotte Holmes (TR Holmes) with Melissa Donaldson & Clare Price (Warrendale Wagyu)

A thought-provoking seminar programme at NBA’s flagship event provided insight into subjects including Food Security, Government Ag Policy, Beefing up the UK Diet as well as debating the Value of Domestic Beef Production with panellists drawn from politics, industry and education.

Seminar ‘Beefing Up The UK Diet’ L-R Ben Harman (NBA Chair), Kate Arthur (Lead Nutritionist, AHDB), Kate Hilton (Dietician), Roz Reynolds (Head of Education & Nutrition, AHDB) and Elaine Smith (Dairy Farmer)

Overall, the UK beef industry is in a good position to not only grow more grass and produce more quality beef but also well-placed to optimise carcase return and farmer revenue whilst also being part of the solution to carbon sequestration.

Grateful thanks are extended to Anthony & Charlotte Holmes and the British Wagyu and Warrendale Wagyu staff present on the day for their warm hospitality!