THE Masham and District Agricultural Group held its first meeting the winter programme when chairman Mark Marley welcomed over 60 members and guests.

Before the meeting commenced a tribute was given to Mike Keeble who recently passed away and who contributed immensely to the UK farming industry. He will be missed not only for his great knowledge of agriculture as a writer, correspondent and speaker but as a friend to all of the farming community in Yorkshire.

The speaker was Mr Richard Pennock, assistant farm manager for Sir Ken Morrison at Myton on Swale, who explained his role as a Nuffield Scholar studying improving efficiency in the UK beef industry.

He explained his visits to beef farmers around the world examining the feedlots and breeding programmes in America and large scale cattle ranches in Australia, Argentina and Brazil.

This was a fascinating topic for members and Richard explained cattle are a major part of the UK farming industry but many units are operating at a loss. It is clear that efficiency is the key to profitability and the study showed how these systems could be adapted to provide a real future for UK farmers.

The next meeting will is on Thursday, November 12, at 7.45pm in Masham Sports Association. The speaker is an auctioneer from Harrison Hetherington, Carlisle. All are welcome.