The business impact of flock health and welfare will be the focus of the third Sheep Health and Welfare Group (SHAWG) conference on Wednesday 16 November.
The biennial event, which will be held at Six Ways Stadium in Worcester, will attract delegates from across the industry to discuss a range of subjects which affect British sheep enterprises. Expert speakers will lead sessions focused on improving flock performance, improving health and welfare through monitoring and making the most of medicines on farm.
SHAWG is an independent body whose membership includes 19 organisations representing different aspects of the sheep industry from across Great Britain. The conference will mark the end of Peter Baber’s tenure as chairman of SHAWG and will see him pass the baton to incoming chairman Charles Sercombe.
The conference is being sponsored by Agrimin, Animax, Bimeda, Elanco, MSD Animal Health, Strathclyde Nutrition, Virbac, Zinpro and Zoetis.
Dr Liz Genever, Beef & Lamb senior scientist at AHDB, which provides the secretariat for SHAWG, said: “Every sheep producer needs to be considering the impact health and welfare factors have on their flock and, ultimately, their bottom line.
“This event is a great opportunity to receive an update on current work in this area and also to contribute to future activity which can benefit the whole industry. We are very grateful to the sponsors for their support, which enables us to ensure the conference is a success.”
In the run up-to the event, SHAWG has produced its first Sheep Health and Welfare Report for Great Britain, which underpins many of the messages which will be delivered at the conference.
Peter Baber said: “One of SHAWG’s key roles is to coordinate industry initiatives in sheep health and welfare related activity. We hope that the data and associated information contained in the report will encourage collaboration within the sector and help the industry develop some common health and welfare goals.”
For more information and to book a place at the conference visit shawg.org.uk. Alternatively, call 01768 877100 or email shawgconference@ebvc.eu. The conference cost is £25 +VAT and it has been awarded 26 CPD points from AMTRA.
Hard copies of the report will be available at the conference, alternatively it can be downloaded from shawg.org.uk.
