A workshop run by the National Sheep Association (NSA) on sustainable sheep farming will feature talks from industry experts from the Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock (CIEL) and Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales (HCC).

The next generation group of the trade association for UK sheep farmers will hold the workshop on November 16, 2023, from 10:00a.m until 4:00p.m in Rhug Estate, Corwen, Denbighshire.

The free-to-attend workshop will aim to highlight how Rhug is committed to sustainable livestock production during a farm tour.

The tour will be followed by talks from Rhug low carbon project officer, Mared Williams, as well as Mark Young from CIEL and Elizabeth Swancott from HCC.

NSA next generation ambassadors will also join the workshop to discuss how the next generation of sheep farmers can help promote the positive future for the sector to new entrants and consumers seeking a sustainably farmed product. 

Discussion topics

From 2:15p.m on the day of the workshop, Young from CIEL will discuss new ideas, new products and new services within the sheep sector,

He will discuss what will shape and support the sheep sector to farm in a sustainable manner while combatting parasites and producing lower amounts of methane.

Young will also talk about the role of nitrogen in livestock production and why he believes animal protein to be better than plant protein.

Afterwards, at 3:00p.m, Swancott of HCC will take over the NSA workshop and discuss how to understand changing consumer requirements. Her talk will focus on lamb.

She will also discuss consumer demographics, current trade industry trends and results from the recent Welsh Meat quality project.