Beef and sheep farmers across the North East are being invited to take part in an exciting project to create the farm of the future.
Funding has been secured from the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE), under the LandSkills North East initiative, to establish two monitor farms in the North East, with the aim of exploring best farming practice and sharing this with other farms in the region over a three year period.
EBLEX, English Farming and Food Partnerships (EFFP), XL Vets, North Northumberland Agricultural Training Association (NNATA) and the Upper Teesdale Agricultural Support Society (UTASS) are working together to establish one farm in Northumberland and another in the Barnard Castle area.
EBLEX North East Regional Manager, Steve Powdrill, said: "Monitor farms have proven to be a very successful model in New Zealand, and we are hoping to replicate this success in the North East of England, with the ultimate aim of improving returns for livestock farmers in the region.
"We are keen to hear from livestock farmers in the region who would like to be considered as a monitor farm, or who are interested in joining one of the regional business groups which will benefit from studying these farms."
The project is being launched with a series of free events around the region, which will offer guidance to beef and sheep farmers on timely subjects, including winter silage and feeding livestock before turnout, as well as introducing them to the new initiative. Industry experts will be on hand to discuss these subjects and offer delegates practical tips.
