THE final touches are being put to a major farming event which is expected to attract more than 10,000 farmers to a North Yorkshire farm.

North Sheep03 takes place at Walburn Hall Farm, on the A6108 between Leyburn and Richmond, on Wednesday, June 4.

Key industry speakers, more than 160 trade stands and 33 breed societies and associations will attend the one-day bi-ennial event, organised by the National Sheep Association's northern region.

John Reed, chairman, said he was delighted with the industry's support which went from strength to strength.

"North Sheep is a key social event on the region's calendar," he said. "However, it has also evolved into a major business, technical and educational event."

Mr Reed was looking forward to meeting importers, exporters and those involved with the home market.

"We will demonstrate our technical ability and superb quality lamb, produced to the highest standards in Europe," he said. "We will also exhibit the best of our breeding stock, which is noted for being among the finest in the world."

The Greenwood family, hosts for the event, will lead farm tours throughout the day, taking in the farm's 1,200 Swaledale ewes and 200 Limousin cows.

Attention to detail has been their philosophy for three generations and they have always been willing to change and adapt with market pressures.

David and Bruce Greenwood, with their wives Diana and Jayne, farm 1,800 acres of hill land. Livestock has always been a priority but, when beef prices crashed 25 years ago, the family started the now hugely successful contracting business.

Mrs Diana Greenwood also developed a bed and breakfast business in their fourteenth- century fortified farmhouse following the growth in tourism inspired by James Herriot and interest in the Yorkshire Dales.

The Swaledale flock provides the farm's bread and butter.

A closed flock is maintained, using only carefully-selected tups bought in the autumn and selected for type to complement the 900 pure-bred ewes. About 200 gimmer lambs are sold each year, and the remainder kept as flock replacements.

The policy of selling good quality draft ewes at only four-shear has proved successful and provided a good income year on year. The remaining ewes are crossed with the Blue-faced Leicester to produce North Country Mules, of which 300 are sold through the official NEMSA sales at Hawes and Leyburn.

North Sheep03 seminars include an 8.30 breakfast meeting where Henry Lewis, MLC export manager, and Hugh Crooks, Trade Partners UK agricultural export promoter, will discuss developing the export business for the sheep sector.

At noon, Making More from the Market Place involves Chris Blundell from Morrison's explaining how to match supermarket requirements to maximise returns, and Liz Hird of The Dales Quality Meat Company discussing that initiative and opportunities for branded lamb.

At 2pm the speakers will be David Croston, chief executive of Eblex, and Kevin Pearce, NFU senior policy adviser, who will discuss the impact of CAP reform on the sheep sector.

At 3pm Alison Nichol of Signet will discuss improving flock performance and profitability by joining the Northern Uplands Sheep Strategy. Northumberland sheep producer Hans Porken will explain the NSA northern region's campaign for a single lamb dressing specification.

As well as trade stands and exhibitions, there will also be a working demonstration area, ranging from electric fencing to practical shearing and cookery. Morrison's supermarkets will discuss carcase specifications and sheep dog handlers will compete for points to go forward to the English National.

The gates are open 10am- 5pm. Admission £8 (NSA members £4 with 2003 membership card), children and car parking are free.