Take a virtual seat at this year’s Sheep Breeders Round Table

The Sheep Breeders Round Table (SBRT) is confirmed to take place between Monday 15 and Friday 19 November 2021.

SBRT is an industry initiative, with collaboration from AHDB Beef & Lamb, AgriSearch, the National Sheep Association (NSA), Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). It is open to anyone with an interest in sheep production and always attracts a varied audience of farmers, breeders, researchers and vets.

Whilst the country finds its way out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the SBRT committee has taken the decision to host the event as an online conference this year so as not to restrict attendee numbers. This provides an exciting opportunity to invite a wide and global audience to join in with the programme of activities organised.

Bruce McConachie, QMS Head of Industry Development, said:

“The SBRT is a fantastic opportunity to participate in valuable knowledge exchange, with an impressive line-up of domestic and international speakers, all from the comfort of your farm.

We’re pleased to collaborate again with AHDB, HCC and NSA to deliver what we know will be truly worthwhile discussions, providing the industry with the tools and information to improve productivity and profitability.”

The event is free of charge and links for registration can be found on the AHDB website  https://ahdb.org.uk//sheep-breeders-round-table-online-conference

The move from a face-to-face event to its virtual sphere this year, means that the programme will run over a week, opening with a lunchtime session on Monday 15 November followed by four evening sessions, each hosted by different levy board. The NSA will conclude the event programme with a Friday lunchtime session.

The programme starts with a practical guide for all to explain how and why estimated breeding values (EBVs) can be used effectively within a commercial flock. Each evening from 7pm, levy boards will provide an update on major projects they are involved with. Topics include breeding for maternal performance, the hill ram scheme, terminal sire breeding, and future proofing your sheep business. The NSA conclude the week discussing the future of sheep breeding, using genetics to meet the requirements of farmers, society and policymakers.

A range of international speakers, breeders and commercial farmers will join each session to provide a view from overseas and an open and honest first-hand experience from pedigree breeders and commercial farmers involved in the various projects.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Sharon McIntyre, Genetic Evaluation Manager for Beef and Lamb New Zealand working closely with SIL
• Dr John McEwan, a principal scientist at AgResearch in New Zealand specialising in sheep genomics.
• Professor Eric Morgan from Queen’s University summarising the first year of a European Innovation project looking at implementing TST (targeted selective treatments) of Anthelmintics on farms
• Dr John Gilliland OBE, Devenish, discussing a European Innovation project to accelerate livestock’s pathway to net carbon zero
• Denis Gautier, Institut de l'Élevage, explaining how ‘The Digital Farm’ in France evaluates innovative technology for breeders and commercial sheep farmers.

Head online to view the full programme and register for the online event https://ahdb.org.uk//sheep-breeders-round-table-online-conference

Looking ahead, it’s intended that the traditional face-to-face SBRT three-day conference will return next year between Friday 18 and Sunday 20 November 2022. Please save the date in advance to avoid disappointment.