VITAL factors affecting the competitiveness and profitability of sheep farmers will be highlighted at a demonstration day at Hawes mart on Tuesday.

Run by the Meat and Livestock Commission in conjunction with the Northern Dales Meat Initiative, the event is open between 10.30 and 3.30.

Demonstrations will cover breed improvement, selection for slaughter, carcass classification, meat quality, export markets for British lamb, and a demonstration by Mr Norman Kyle, a Cumbrian butcher.

Lantra, the national training organisation, will also show farmers how to gain access to £1m of new government funding for diversification and development. The training covers information and communication technology; business development; marketing and environmental conservation.

To receive funding, farmers and growers need to complete an action plan for farming skillcheck, a simple assessment which identifies what training is needed to help improve business performance.

Farmers can register their interest with Lantra consultant Jacquie Bruce on Tuesday or call freephone 0800 1699794 with their holding number