THE key speakers have been confirmed for this autumn’s iTexel conference which takes place at Penrith in November.

Organised by the Texel Sheep Society, the event will be opened with an address by Scottish Rural College's senior agricultural economist Steven Thomson, who will outline the potential post-Brexit scenarios for sheep producers across the UK.

Other speakers will address a range of issues, including changing consumer trends; the breeding goals required to profit from sheep production in future; and the challenge of managing large scale breeding programmes in beef and sheep systems across the world.

The event takes place at the North Lakes Hotel, Penrith, on Saturday, November 17.

Places for the conference cost £20, including refreshments and lunch, and are available on a strictly first come, first served basis. They can be reserved by completing the booking form on the society’s website, www.texel.co.uk l Texel Sheep Society members are eligible for one free ticket per membership and those attending will receive a full refund of the ticket price after the conference.