Sheep Breeders’ Round Table hailed a success

The biennial conference, which took place in Nottingham at the weekend, was a huge success, attracting speakers and delegates from as far afield as Norway and America. Highlights of the event included a thorough discussion on the use of genomics in the sheep industry. Presentations with practical, take-home messages, looking at issues such as contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) and testing for parasite resilience, also proved popular with delegates.

The event, which is organised by AHDB Beef Lamb, Signet Breeding Services, the National Sheep Association (NSA), Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), included a scientific poster competition, which attracted 35 entries. The competition was won by Ann McLaren of Scotland’s Rural College for her poster, using genomic technology to reduce mastitis in meat sheep.

AHDB Beef Lamb Livestock Scientist and Sheep Breeders’ Round Table Secretary Liz Genever said: “It was good to see that after a challenging year for the sheep industry, people were keen to look to the future and keep challenging themselves and their businesses. 

“In the words of delegate and after-dinner speaker John Scott, it’s important to surround yourself with radiators rather than drains. This sums up the conference well.”

All the presentations and posters from the three-day event are now available at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/sbrt. Tweets from the event can be viewed by searching for #sbrt.