The report for Scottish Borders Council found that the towns had remained "relatively resilient" at the start of the global economic downturn but had suffered more rapid decline in recent years.
State Hospitals provided a nine page report on floor covering and how a national newspaper got its information, whereas NHS Borders produced a report into the death of a baby during childbirth that runs to less than a page.
Meanwhile, a report on strengthening biosecurity at UK borders was unveiled at the show by a task force convened by Environment Secretary Owen Patterson.