A line up of seminar topics designed to inform, impact and inspire farmers visiting North Sheep have been announced by the NSA Northern region at its biennial event to be staged at Whinfell Park, Penrith, on Wednesday, 1 June.

Getting to grips with cross compliance, the new requirement affecting all farmers claiming SFP will be discussed by LEAF's chief executive, Caroline Drummond. Caroline, together with sheep producer, Robert Helliwell will offer some real practical solutions to the common emerging issues.

Red Meat Industry Forum on-farm benchmarking project manager, Clare Wise will challenge farmers to know their costs of production. She will argue why joining the RMIF's bench marking initiative will offer real focus and drive and help farmers achieve better returns.

Both seminars will be chairman by Cumbria farmer, John Geldard and there will be ample opportunities for questions.

The day will be rounded off by seminars chaired by Northumbria producer, Hans Pörksen. The Moredun Research Institute's Dr Michael Fontaine will explain how sheep producers can clamp down on CLA - the industry's fastest growing health issue, and he will outline the latest practical developments. In addition, farmers will have an opportunity to find out more about real export opportunities for genetics, equipment, knowledge and skills by North Yorkshire County Council's export development project manager, Len Chamberlain who will be leading an inward mission of Romanian sheep producers at the event.

“North Sheep seminars will once again be central to the event,” says North Sheep chairman, Carl Stephenson. “The range of topics has been carefully drawn up to provide visitors with take home messages which will ultimately benefit their farm businesses.” He adds: “North Sheep will deliver a massive range of technical information not only at the seminars but also via representatives of more than 180 exhibits and trade stands which will go along way towards achieving one of our key objectives for the event: to help focus the way ahead for producers and help them to maintain an efficient and sustainable sheep enterprise.”