A SERIES of free half-day workshops is being planned to highlight the "significant opportunities" open to Yorkshire farmers in the wake of CAP reform.

They are being run by NFU regional staff and farm business consulting firm Andersons. Specific sessions are being offered for the arable, dairy and livestock sectors, with a total of 16 workshops planned throughout Yorkshire.

NFU senior food and farming advisor James Ede said: "Certainly, some aspects of the reform have given farmers cause for concern, but there's no doubt that the new regime will also present Yorkshire farmers with a real opportunity to build better, stronger and more profitable businesses. Adapting to change is always difficult, so these workshops are designed to explore a range of business opportunities in a positive and practical way."

The workshops are being limited to 25 per event, with places are being offered on a first come, first served basis. Anyone interested in signing up should contact Angela Leatherbarrow at Andersons on (01845) 524455. The venues are as follows:

Arable - June 14 and 15, Bell Hotel, Driffield; June 18 and 28, Golden Fleece, Thirsk; June 22 and 24, Green Tree, Hatfield Woodhouse; June 23 and 30, Barnhill Farm, Howden.

Beef & Sheep - August 17, Golden Fleece, Thirsk; August 18, Kings Head, Kirbymoorside; August 19, Palmer Flatts, Aysgarth; August 24, Millstones, Harrogate; August 25, Cubley Hall, Penistone.

Dairy - September 14, Golden Lion, Northallerton; September 15, Cubley Hall, Penistone; September 16, Millstones, Harrogate.

Updated: 14:51 Wednesday, June 09, 2004