SAC Consulting will hold three Beef Health Seminars at the beginning of December.

Health and welfare can have a huge impact on production and profitability and he seminars will provide the latest industry information and advice.

Each seminar will hear from five key speakers who will discuss issues including health, handling and markets. The headline speaker is Robert Neill, Scottish Beef Farmer of the Year and 2013 Nuffield Scholar, who will discuss his use of electronic identification (EID) and weight monitoring to improve the profitability of his business.

He and his wife, Jacquie, have 300 Limousin cross suckler cows at Upper Nisbet Farm in the Scottish Borders. All progeny is finished on home grown forage and concentrates. They have won many awards and Mr Neill recently published a study looking at the use of EID in other countries.

Simon Turner, senior researcher, SRUC Animal and Veterinary Sciences, will discuss each stage of the handling system from collecting pen to the loading deck; Neil Carter, Agricultural Consultant, SAC Consulting, will discuss suckler herd production trends and work carried out in the North of England to improve herd health status; Chris Mallon, national director of the National Beef Association, will advise on Defra's health policies on BVD, bTB, risk based trading and their possible outcomes.

The seminars are at J36 Rural Auction Centre, Crooklands, Milnthorpe, on Wednesday, December 10; Hexham mart, Thursday, December 11; and Darlington mart, Friday, December 12.

Each runs from 11am to 3pm and costs £10 on the day which includes lunch. Booking is essential on 01668 283363 or email FBSWooler@sac.co.uk