Their host for the evening is the 2008 UK Sheep Farmer of the Year, Crosby Cleland.
Crosby runs a commercial flock of 700 ewes, plus 300 followers, on 180 acres near Saintfield, Co.Down.
Crosby's system is based on outdoor lambing, focused on profitability from maternal traits, with an emphasis on selling breeding stock sold 'out of the yard' based on their performance. A recent addition to the farm is a nucleus flock from Rissington Breedline NZ, which is part of a major UK retailing venture with Marks and Spencer to supply quality, consistent lamb all year round.
Crosby also established a fencing business in 1976 and he has been a training instructor for Lantra Awards for over 15 years.
He is also the Business Executive and a founder member of the Strangford Down Lamb Group.
Earlier this year, Crosby was part of the Northern Ireland Red Meat Taskforce, Best Practice Mission to New Zealand.
With Crosby having such a diverse range of farm enterprises and so many interests in the wider agricultural industry, the evening promises to be very informative and is open to all members of the YFCU including associate members. Please contact YFCU HQ to reserve your place on 028 9037 0713.