Just how genetics, controlled feeding regimes and production cost analysis can help make beef and sheep more profitable will be the subject of a free talk in York next month.

Red meat producers will be able to hear from expert speakers at the gathering at Askham Bryan College on Thursday, March 3.

They include Duncan Pullar, of the Meat and Livestock Commission, Donald Brown, of Keenan, and John Vipond, sheep expert with the Scottish Agricultural College and president of the British Grassland Society.

All will focus on just some of the options that can help red meat producers prepare for market changes resulting from Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform.

National Farmers' Union (NFU) senior food and farming adviser James Ede said: "The region's Red Meat Conference, staged in Harrogate last October, identified a number of broad industry issues facing producers in the wake of CAP reform.

"The message was clear that the industry needs to change and become much more market focused.

"The aim of these events is to take a more detailed look at what this means in practice and how producers can achieve the reduced costs and increased sales values they will need."

Organised by the NFU and the English Beef and Lamb Executive (Eblex), the events are sponsored by Defra. Places will be limited. Anyone wanting to book should phone Eblex on 01423 560361.

Updated: 12:08 Wednesday, February 09, 2005