AN evening of illustrated talks on native breeds and conservation has been organised by the North Yorkshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group.

It will be held at 7pm on Tuesday at the Alice Hawthorn Inn, Nun Monkton, near York, to which all interested farmers, landowners and land managers are invited.

Speakers will include Phil Lyth, senior conservation adviser with FWAG; Paul Evans on native breeds and conservation and the Limestone Country Project; Richard Turner on Highland cattle and conservation; Ann Poulsen of the Yorkshire Exmoor Pony Trust on conservation grazing with Exmoor Ponies; Sue Bragg on conservation grazing schemes in the Howardian Hills and Sam Blacker of the Ainsty Farm Shop on the market opportunities for native breeds.

There is no charge but anyone wishing to attend is asked to contact FWAG on 01609 783632 as numbers are limited.

* North Yorkshire FWAGroup is holding two farm walks to show practical ways of complying with NVZ legislation and making best use of manures.

These are on Thursday, at B Cowling and Sons, Rudding House Farm, Pannal, Harrogate, and next Friday, January 23, at E Dennison and Sons, Crow Tree Farm, Thornton le Beans, Northallerton.

The walks include machinery demonstrations, nutrient management plans, and practical demonstrations of farm slurry and manure testing kits. Environmental Agency staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Further details and bookings are available from FWAG on 01609 783632.