LEADING butcher Tom Wood of Tom Wood Artisan Butcher, Blackburn, will demonstrate the value in a lamb carcase at the TXL Day Out youth event on Saturday 10 November at Borderway Mart, Carlisle.

Texel Sheep Society youth development programme coordinator, Ailish Ross, said that with shifting trends in red meat purchasing and consumption patterns both domestically and internationally, it is vital that the UK sheep sector continues to produce lambs which have value for all in the supply chain.

“Tom Wood is widely recognised as one the leading butchers of his generation and has a wealth of knowledge on how to maximise the value of every cut in the carcass to best effect," said Miss Ross.

"It is important that those involved in grass roots sheep production understand the needs of modern consumers and Tom’s insight will be invaluable in this regard."

A cook-off featuring members of the society's YDP committee will also take place, as well as a panel session featuring a trio of leading Texel breeders all of whom run diverse farming and wider business. Explaining their routes in to farming and the Texel breed will be current society chairman Steve Richardson, vice chairman Roy Campbell and immediate past chairman David McKerrow.

“All of these people have been involved in both the Texel breed and the farming industry for many years and have developed their flocks and businesses to be both profitable and sustainable with a vision for the future. I have no doubt anyone attending the TXL Day Out will learn a great deal from all three and have some significant take-home messages to help guide them as they develop their own flocks and businesses for the future,” said Miss Ross.

BLOB Attendance at the TXL Day Out is open to all those aged under 35 and with an interest in the Texel breed and progressing within the sheep industry. There is no requirement for attendees to have their own flock or even be from a farming background, and family members/ parents and guardians are also welcome to take part in the day.