03/03/08 
            'The pursuit of profitability' is the theme for the second annual
            EBLEX National Producer Conference for levy payers. 
            
            
            
             
            Organised by the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX), the
              conference is being held at the Marriott Royal Hotel, Bristol,
            on Monday, May 19. 
            Speakers include Professor Temple Grandin, the renowned international
              expert on animal handling systems. Prof Grandin will look at how
              producers can exploit natural behaviour to make things quicker,
              easier and safer on farm. Prof Neville Gregory from the Royal Veterinary
              College will be discussing the impact of animal stress and other
              welfare issues at slaughter and how they can have a detrimental
              impact on meat quality. 
            Joining them is beef consultant David Evans, who will be looking
              at how events on the global stage will impact on producers in this
              country, while Dr Anne Mottet, who is working on the forthcoming
              Future of the Sheep Sector in Europe Report, will be giving an
              update on the vision for sheep meat production in the EU. 
            The event will finish with Mike Rowe, agricultural manager at
              Clydesdale Bank Plc giving a financial perspective on the beef
              and sheep sectors and talking about the factors his team considers
              when farmers come looking for a new business loan. 
            EBLEX Chairman John Cross said: "We want to encourage farmers
              to take a closer look at a range of practical and pragmatic on-farm
              issues where relatively simple adjustments could make a difference
              to overall farm profitability. 
             "We would expect every farmer to leave enthused with at
              least one idea they want to implement on their own farm." 
            The day starts at 10am and will finish at about 3.30pm. Attendance
              is free to all English beef and sheep levy-payers but a £25
              refundable deposit will be required to secure a place. Places will
              be taken on a "first come, first served" basis. Further
              details and registration forms are available from Selma Todd on
              0870 608 6610 or by logging on to www.eblex.org.uk 
            
			
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