More than 80 farmers from across the country attended the NFU's first 'shed talk' event in Yorkshire to look at ways to maximise their business, share ideas and find out more about food production and the farmed environment.

The event was held at NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos' farm in the South Pennines where she runs a commercial beef and sheep business with her husband and two children.

Rachel was joined by a panel of other industry experts at the family business in Ripponden and they discussed food production, green finance, the environment and how farmers can make the most from their farm business now and for the future.

Guests visited Beeston Hall, which is a 2,000-acre Yorkshire Water tenanted farm, where the family specialises in pedigree Salers cattle. Rachel's farm is also rich in wildlife, being part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Salers are one of the oldest known cattle breeds, identified by their thick mahogany red coats and ability to thrive on some of the UK's more difficult terrain.

Upland farms like Rachel's are important not just in terms of the food they produce but also due to their unique countryside setting.

The family has special habitats on farm, blanket bog, heathland and acid grassland, which are all species rich and home to important upland birds such as golden plover, curlew, twite, dunlin and merlin, among others.

Mrs Hallos said: "I was delighted to have so many members and farmers from different parts of the country come along to have a day on our farm and listen to our farm experiences as upland and tenant farmers, and also hear from a panel of experts.

"With the changes to SFI and farm subsidies, ever changing weather conditions and running costs, a lot of farmers are really struggling to make a living. We want to host these events to share experiences and help each other make the most of our farm businesses."

Amelia Stratton, NFU head of member experience, added: "It's so important to host events like these to share experiences good and bad on how to make the most out of farm businesses and explore different opportunities. The event also gave people the chance to network with friends old and new."

The NFU is hosting a number of shed talk events across the country over the next few months to bring farmers together, look at different ways of working, share ideas and consider how to maximise funding grants that are available.