The National Sheep Association (NSA) and the Harper Adams Sustainable School of Food and Farming are excited to invite farmers, students and other interested parties to an insightful morning of discussion on a sustainable farming future next month.

Taking place at Harper Adams University, Newport, Shropshire on Thursday 7th November the morning event is the first in a series of interactive sessions giving attendees an insight to the key points from the recently launched NSA sustainability report: Sheep and the sustainability agenda, as well as providing practical advice on how to improve on farm sustainability for the future.

Those joining the event will have the opportunity to hear from leading industry experts including NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker, Professor Michael Lee and Professor Jude Capper from Harper Adams University and case study farmers Ernie Richards, Herefordshire and John Yeomans, Powys.

NSA Project Manager Nicola Noble will be in attendance and says: “Since its launch at this summer’s NSA Sheep Event, the NSA sustainability report has received much praise from industry for its recognition of the many elements of sustainability that the UK sheep sector can and already does deliver on. This event will be the ideal opportunity to share this information with farmers and the wider allied industry and will arm those attending with further advice on how to improve the sustainable credentials of their farming enterprises. It’s going to be a really interesting event of discussion, learning and networking – we hope to see you there!”

Following a welcome from NSA, speakers will take part in a panel discussion before the audience get involved in an active advice session on the positive attributes of the sheep sector including topics such as flock health, grassland management, sustainability metrics and the role of trees and hedgerows.

An optional farm tour will be available following the morning discussion sessions giving attendees the chance to enjoy a visit to the Harper Adams farm including its sheep, beef, dairy and pig enterprises. The tour will include information on how each of the livestock enterprises is taking steps to a sustainable future. 

This interesting event is free to attend but pre-event registration is required via the NSA website www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events before Sunday 3rd November 2024.

A copy of the NSA sustainability report: Sheep farming and the sustainability agenda is also available to download from the NSA website at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/our-work/policy/uk-sheep-farming-and-the-sustainability-agenda, alternatively a printed copy can be requested from the NSA Head Office by calling 01684 892661.