The National Sheep Association (NSA) is inviting enthusiastic young sheep farmers from across the UK to join them at this year’s one-day Next Generation winter conferences.

The winter conference offers younger shepherds the chance to hear from NSA representatives as well as from some leading names in sheep research, health and nutrition.

The event also a series of informal, interactive workshops allowing attendees to gain a useful variation of information that can help them back on their own family farms or in their current or future careers.

In response to the increasing interest for more similar events, the NSA will this year hold two winter conferences for the first time.

The first conference will take place on Tuesday, November 5 at J24 Sedgemoor Auction Centre near Bridgwater, Somerset and the second on Thursday, November 7 at J36 Rural Auction centre, near Kendal, Cumbria. Both events aimed at those aged 16 to 35 are free to attend and will include a free lunch.

Helping to bring the conferences together, NSA communications officer Katie James said: “Through all NSA activity, one of the key things that emerges time and time again is the benefit of meeting like-minded people and sharing experiences, so we are pleased to be able to offer this to a larger audience this year at our two winter events.

“Each year, the Next Generation events grow in popularity so we would encourage any young person with an interest in sheep farming to avoid missing out and book today to join us.

Attendees will find out more about NSA, hear from inspirational NSA Next Generation Ambassadors about how they are succeeding in their careers and take home a whole range of useful information.

British Wool, Moredun and regional veterinary and rural business experts are among those lined up to lead the interactive workshops.

Attendees are invited to attend four of six informal and practical stations covering the following topics:

  • Profitable sheep farming – How do you know if you are making money?
  • How to access the land you want;
  • Optimising production through sheep nutrition;
  • Combatting Liver fluke;
  • Setting the sheep farming record straight ;
  • Look after yourself – not just your sheep.

Booking can now be made on the NSA website, where a full timetable of the day is also available to download.