The National Sheep Association (NSA) will welcome UK breed societies and enthusiastic pedigree sheep breeders to  an insightful workshop this May as part of its refreshed NSA Breed Society Forum.

The event, 'Sheep breeding for the future: Honoring tradition and embracing innovation' will take place on Wednesday 7th May at the University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD. It will feature well known and respected names from the UK sheep breeding industry who will deliver timely, useful information to attendees, covering a range of topics from the potential impact of the bluetongue virus on pedigree shows and sales to new environmental breeding goals.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: "It is great to offer sheep breed societies the chance to come together face to face for the NSA Breed Society Forum again this year. This year's event will be a a fantastic opportunity to gather opinion from a range of sheep farmers, industry representatives and experts. Despite the many differences in sheep farming systems there are many shared goals and this will be the focus of the event. We do hope many sheep breeders will be able to join us."

The event will bring together those with a shared interest to hear from industry experts on a range of issues of particular relevance to the pedigree sheep breeding sector. A full timetable of the event is available on the NSA website.

Those attending will also be able to join a tour of the facilites at the Sutton Bonington campus that is home to key research into sheep diseases including Maedi Visna, schmallenberg and bluetongue.

Registrations for the day are now open at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/events.  The invitation to join NSA at this year’s event is extended to Breed Society Secretaries, Chairs, and a further representative. For additional places please contact enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk. The day includes lunch and is free for all NSA affiliated breed societies to attend.