WITH the countdown to Christmas underway, turkey producers across Worcestershire are being invited to flock to a major trade event next month.

Industry specialists will be attending the NFU meeting, which will focus on marketing ahead of the festive season as well as hear the latest sector news.

Farmers will also have the chance to discuss a variety of issues, including feed markets, bird quality and the impact the difficult weather conditions of the past few months have had on the sector.

NFU West Midlands will host its autumn turkey marketing meeting at The Old Court Hotel, Symonds Yat West, on Thursday, October 4.

George Bostock, NFU regional poultry lead, said: "This is a great opportunity for seasonal poultry producers to get together, assess the market and hear from a range of speakers about recent developments in the turkey sector.

"This is a really good forum for them to go over the issues that are important to their businesses and hopefully it will give them an advantage going into the festive period.

“Topics such as feed markets, poultry quality, turkey marketing and the average cost of production for a bird will be discussed. The event also gives local producers a chance to network and discuss poultry innovations and other news.”

Speakers will include NFU poultry adviser Aimee Mahony and Stuart Hinchly, of sponsors ForFarmers, as well as East Midlands’ poultry producer Edward Calcott, who will discuss his own business and give interesting industry insight.

NFU members will hear about his time working at Faccenda Foods and the work he is undertaking on the union’s poultry industry programme.

To book a place at the event call the NFU regional office on 01952 400500. A buffet dinner will also be served and producers are asked to register. The event is free and starts at 7.30pm.