Sheep and Beef Event moves to Hereford

The only dedicated event for sheep and beef farmers, this year’s focus is on profitable production in the face of industry challenges.

“At a time of uncertainty for UK producers, the event provides farmers the perfect opportunity to view the services and technical information available to help them grow and develop their business, with seminars debating the industry’s hot topics,” says Gareth Davies, Wynnstay Head of Agriculture

Throughout the day, visitors will have the opportunity to listen to three key industry speakers, who will be covering a selection of topics that are affecting producers.

“We’re delighted to have NFU Deputy President, Minette Batters, who has a wealth of experience in the beef and sheep sector, and during her time at the NFU has worked to ensure that British farmers receive fair returns from transparent supply chains,” says Gareth.

“We’re also joined by two former livestock award winners, who are able to share how they’re growing their business and producing livestock with profitable margins,” he adds.

“Richard Roderick farms a mixed sheep, beef and arable farm in the Usk valley. He won the sheep farmer of the year in 2015, and will be discussing how he focusses on sheep genetic improvements and reducing costs through maximising the use of high quality forage.

“Our final speaker is 2016 beef farmer of the year, Richard Tudor. Currently undertaking a Nuffield Scholarship on the subject of Soil Health and Fertility in Grasslands: an essential component in improving upland beef and sheep productivity and sustainability, Richard will discuss how he aims to maximise herd fertility through excellent forage management.”

Visitors to the event will also be able to speak to a variety of suppliers and manufacturers, including MSD Animal Health, Bateman, Elanco, JFC, Nettex, Nufarm UK, Betafence, Rumenco and Zoetis.

“Demonstrations will be run throughout the day, such as a bolusing live demo with Animax, and visitors will also have the opportunity to book a time slot in our FECPAK Assessment Clinic for a parasite assessment,” adds Gareth.

The event is free to attend and lunch is provided, with early ‘Fast Trak’ registration allowing farmers the opportunity to pick up a Wynnstay bodywarmer on arrival.

To sign up and keep up-to-date with the latest news on the event, visit: http://sheepandbeef.co.uk/

The speakers:

Minette Batters, NFU Deputy President grew up living and working on-farm, with no succession tenancy available.

In 1998 she secured a long-term Farm Business Tenancy and built the business from nothing to over 300 head of stock; with a herd of pedigree Hereford cattle running alongside a herd of 100 Simmental cross suckler cows, she specialises in selling premium store cattle.

As well as running a diversified mixed farming business Minette co-founded the campaigning initiatives ‘Ladies in Beef’ and the ‘Great British Beef Week’.

Minette was voted NFU Deputy President in 2014 and during her time has worked to ensure that British farmers receive fair returns from transparent supply chains. She is also passionate about ensuing British farmers are the supplier of choice for retailers and food services.

Richard Roderick, Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year 2015, farms a mixed sheep, beef and arable farm in the Usk valley at Newton Farm, Brecon, Powys with his wife Helen. He has grown the farm from 220 acres in 1985 to 650 acres by developing a complementary mix of enterprises. He has 1,000 Suffolk and Texel cross mule ewes and 70 suckler cows.

Richard’s focus with sheep is on genetic improvements and reducing costs through maximising the use of high quality forage. The cattle business is focusing on stabiliser cows to improve maternal performance and to finish beef from forage.

Richard has spent time working in New Zealand and Australia and has implemented a number of trails on his own farm based on what he saw overseas. He has won a number of awards and gained various achievements including the Farming Innovation Funs and Waitrose Farming Partnership Awards Innovation Prize in 2015.

Richard Tudor, Farmers Weekly Beef Farmer of the Year 2016, farms a 290ha upland farm with a herd of suckler cows and 1,200 breeding ewes.

Richard is an example of how an upland beef enterprise can thrive by maximising on every area of land on the farm and achieving significantly higher than average returns per cow.

Richard’s focus is on how to perfect his breeding programme to develop a medium-sized cow that will thrive in upland conditions. Maximising herd fertility and excellent forage management are also top of the agenda for Richard,

A strong believer in knowledge transfer and trailing new concepts, Richard is currently undertaking a Nuffield Scholarship on the subject of ‘Soil Health and Fertility in Grasslands: an essential component in improving upland beef and sheep productivity and sustainability’