Breeding solutions for a changing world - SBRT conference 2026

Tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Sheep Breeding Round Table (SBRT) conference which takes place this November at the central location of the Radisson Blu Hotel, East Midlands. 

The conference Breeding solutions for a changing world will cover sheep breeding topics within the wider role of genetics, the essential building blocks for the future of the UK sheep industry. Over the weekend attendees will gain insight to sustainable solutions, industry resilience, policy direction, profitability and breeding to meet market demands. 

• Where: Radisson Blu Hotel East Midlands, Derby, DE74 2TZ
• When: Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd November 2026
• The conference starts at 2pm on Friday and finishes after lunch on Sunday
• The full conference programme is now available here.
• Tickets are available here.
• Group bookings - please contact bridget@bridget-lloyd.comdirectly to request the online form
• We look forward to welcoming you there! 

We have an engaging programme spanning the weekend to discuss all aspects of our sheep breeding world with expert speakers lined up from our UK industry alongside commercial farmers and pedigree breeders – all who will share their experiences, having put science into practice. 

Our headline speaker is Mark Ferguson, CEO of neXtgen Agri, New Zealand and host of the well-known “Head Shepherd Podcast | neXtgen Agri”. Mark joins us for the weekend to give us his take on the sheep world we live in. There will be a competition to select up to three farms for one-to-one consultancy from him – more details soon!

This conference is the “Go to event” for all sheep enthusiasts! If you’ve never been before, make this one your first, we are certain you will enjoy it and come back again. It is one of a kind and should not be missed! 

A brief taste of the programme follows: 

• Friday afternoon – Sheep for the environment and using genomics in breeding decisions.
• Saturday morning – Breeding for a sustainable future using data to guide productive enterprises.
• Saturday afternoon – Genetics worth the investment and use of performance for economic progress.
• Sunday morning – Healthy genetics – sheep survive better with them!
• A short summary is shown below – the full programme lists all speakers and presentation titles.
• Reminder: This is a small conference with limited places – please book early to avoid disappointment.

About us: 

Sheep Breeders Round Table (SBRT) is run by a small volunteer committee to organise a biennial conference that provides a stage for the UK sheep industry to come together to discuss the value of genetics. It involves farmers, geneticists, researchers, breed societies, breeding companies, industry bodies and other interested parties. The conference provides an ideal platform where, together we can learn, expand and share knowledge to debate relevant topics around sheep genetic awareness and improvement. Together we strive to continue looking to the future to ensure our sheep industry keeps one step ahead of change, continuing to produce viable, affordable and efficient products while working in harmony with our natural environment.

Contact us: 

For more information: bridget@bridget-lloyd.com or Sheep Breeders Round Table (SBRT) 2026

Friday afternoon – Breeding sheep for the environment & genomics

• Nicola Lambe, Karolina Kaseja, Joana Lima, Emma Dods and Karl Behrendt, chaired by Janet Roden
• The genetic influence on flock carbon footprint and environmental breeding goals.
• Samuel Boon, Pourya Davoudi and Melissa Marr explain how genomics can help breed improvement, including a breeder view using DNA to aid objectives.
• Aisling O’Mahony closes our first afternoon with modern ram marketing advice.

Saturday morning – Breeding objectives for our environment and management choices  

• Kim Matthews (Chair), Harriet Bunning and Ann McLaren, will explain important UK research initiatives which use data to implement change within our sheep breeding decisions.
• Liz Genever leads a discussion on the place for “low-input sheep” in the UK.
• Simon Lillico will introduce how genes work in the ability to shed wool, followed by three breeders who explain their quest to be productive maternal enterprises and go head to head in a virtual ram sale.

Saturday afternoon – Genetics worth the investment and performance measures 

• Mark Ferguson from New Zealand explains how he uses genetics to future proof a business, using data to identify traits that make or save money and time, and keep customers happy – a competition allows three UK businesses to take part – more information about this opportunity coming soon.
• Laura Eyles, Sean Godfrey and duo, Amey Brassington and Zoe Lloyd, illustrate the benefits of commercial data for economic progress, using farm examples to put science into practice, for terminal sire genetics and ewe performance.

Sunday morning – Healthy genetics – sheep survive better with them! 

• Rachael Tarlington, Eric Morgan, Heather Stevenson and Dave Bartley explain current research in their quest to understand which parasites or pathogens are important and how genetics can break down barriers.
• David Coen, Eleri Thomas, Janet Roden and Samuel Boon, chaired by Mark Young, discuss the importance of maternal traits for improved lamb survival, using hill sheep examples from across the UK.