NSA Sheep South West 2015
Date: 16th June 2015
NSA Sheep South West 2015 proved to be a resounding success. To go with the record number of trade and breed society exhibitors, a record crowd flocked through the gate at Higher Nichols Nymet, Nichols Nymet, North Tawton, Devon, for the event hosted by E.W. Quick and Sons.
NSA Chairman Samuel Wharry opened the event, when he spoke on the poor lamb price and the temptation to keep lambs for longer in the hope of an improved price. He went on to say that farmers need to focus on costs of production, with the key areas being grassland management and genetics. While he did not like the idea of electronic identification being forced on farmers, it could be a useful tool if abattoirs gave producers more feedback on weights and grades.
Following on from the opening was the first heat of the Gift of the Gavel competition, the brainchild of Russell Steer of Kivells Auctioneers and sponsored by them. This fun auctioneering competition proved a hit with visitors with a large crowd watching, particularly for Joe Emmett (aged 13) and William Hopper (aged 9). These two tied for the under 26-year-old age group and won a cash prize and an engraved gavel and block. Philip Derryman, who four years ago won the Shepherd of the Future competition, showed yet another talent and won the over 26 group.
The winner of this year’s Shepherd of the Future was Winston Perry, who will now go on to represent NSA South West Region at the national final at Malvern in 2016. The judges in all sections of the competition were impressed by the standard and confidence shown by the competitors.
The farm tours proved extremely popular with the trailers kept busy all day and Bill and Paul Quick sharing the commentary. The day finished with an extra tour after the close of the event so that no one was left disappointed.
A party of school children from Bow Primary school were given a tour of the event by NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker and NSA South West Regional Chairman Bryan Griffiths. The children were so thrilled with all they saw that they extended their visit, which was sponsored by Mole Avon Town and Country Stores.
The sheepdog auction saw 26 lots go under the hammer with a top price of £2,500 for Jill, a one-year-old from County Fermanagh. In the untrained and young dog section, Tracey Peat from Swimbridge, Devon, made £700 for a seven-month-old bitch.
The carcase competition with Dalehead Foods saw M. Perryman win the native-sired section, following by G. Hutchings, who was also a competitor in the Shepherd of the Future and won the lamb selection part of that competition. Overall champion and continental-sired winner was S. Davey and Sons. In the section for NSA members, Tracey Cobbledick was first and third in the class sired by a continental ram, with NSA South West Regional Chairman Bryan Griffiths second. For lambs sired by a native ram, H.C. Derryman and Sons won first and second.
David Gregory, NSA Sheep South West Event Chairman, reports: “This was our most successful event to date, owed in no small part to the hard work of Paul Quick. I would like to thank him, the event organising committee, the regional committee, and the sponsors for their continued support, exhibitors, advertisers in the event guide and anyone else who has contributed in any way. This is going to be a difficult act to follow, but we relish a challenge and look forward to seeing everyone again in 2017.”
Results:-
- Open Shepherd of the Future (sponsored by Mole Valley Farmers): 1, Winston Perry; 2=, Matthew Crooke and James Westcott; 4, Jack Frankum.
- Student Section of the Future (sponsored by AHDB Beef and Lamb): 1, Jack Day; 2, Matt Baker; 3, Ben Roberts.
- Lamb selection (run by Eblex and sponsored by South West Sheep Breeding Services): Stuart Rogers.
- Gift of the Gavel: Over 26-year-olds: 1, Philip Derryman; 2, Melvyn Britton.
- Gift of the Gavel: Under 26-year-olds: 1= Joe Emmett and Matthew Crooke.
- Carcases(sponsored by Dalehead Foods): Champion S. Davey and Sons.
- Sired by a native breed: 1, M. Perryman, 2, G. Hutchings; 3, G.N. and C.P. Harding.
- Sired by a continental breed: 1, S. Davey and Sons; 2, F. and L. Vosper; 3, G.N. and C.P. Harding.
- Sired by a native breed – NSA member: 1, H.C. Derryman and Sons.
- Sired by a continental breed – NSA member: 1, Tracey Cobbledick; 2, Bryan Griffiths; 3, Tracey Cobbledick.
- Fleeces(sponsors by BWMB and judged by Mike Berry): Champion, Lesley Perrett; reserve, Tessa Franklin; most point in all classes (a new trophy), R. and D. Huxter.
- Fine: 1, R. and D. Huxter, 2, R.D. Molyneux; 3, R.J. Harding.
- Medium: 1, R.J. Harding; 2, D. Prouse; 3, D.P. Cox.
- Cross: 1, D. Bawden; 2, R. and D. Huxter; 3, R. and D. Huxter.
- Lustre: 1, Lesley Perrett; 2, Tessa Franklin; 3, Jenny Richardson.
- Hill: 1, D. Bawden; 2, R.J. Harding; 3, M. and M. Brain.
- Mountain: 1, R. Jordan.
- Natural Colour: 1, Tessa Franklin; 2, R. and D. Huxter; 3, Tessa Franklin.
- Trade stands: Outside (judged by Henry and Hilary Derryman): 1, Harpers Feeds; 2, Rappa Fencing; 3, John Bright Fencing.
- Trade stands: Indoor (judged by Pat Martin and Louise Carpenter): 1, Skipton Auctions; 2, Norbrook Laboratories; 3, Agrihealth.
- Trade stands: Breed societies (judged by Ollie Allen and Trevor Larcombe): 1, South West Mule Group; 2, Devon and Cornwall Longwool Association; 3, British Charollais Society.
