New Sheep Discussion Group To Meet in Caithness

11th October 2006

TIME: 1.00pm on Wednesday 18 October 2006
VENUE: Stemster Farms, Georgemas Steading - opposite the Georgemas junction of
the A9.

The future for sheep farming in Scotland will be the main topic at the first meeting of the
North Sheep Discussion Group, a group set up by SAC's Thurso-based farm business
consultants to support local farmers. Speakers are Kev Bevan of SAC`s Rural Business
Unit and Rod McKenzie of Scottish Sheep Strategy.

The meeting, which will be held at the Georgemas Steading of Stemster Farm, Halkirk
(courtesy of Messrs. C and G Coghill) on 18 October, is the first in a series of meetings
of the group due to be held over the coming year.

Future topics planned include grassland management, ewe nutrition, selection and
marketing, the use of better genetics and flock health. There are also plans for the
group to visit sheep farms in Aberdeenshire and the Borders.

Ian Pritchard, SAC beef and sheep specialist for the North of Scotland, said "Discussion groups like these provide a great opportunity for farmers to put their heads together to discuss ideas and solve problems. The group approach has been successful in New Zealand, allowing members to increase technical efficiency and to compete in a global market. Groups are also becoming common in Scotland as a forum for the interchange of ideas. This group will help the sheep industry to prosper in the North so that a viable local economy can be sustained."

Anyone who would like to join the sheep group should contact:
David Brewster at SAC, Farm Business Services, Thurso. T: 01847 892719.

This first meeting is free and future meetings are free to SAC subscribers.

http://www.sac.ac.uk/news/currentnews/caithnesssheepgroup

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