Monday June 28th.  Trip to Buckfast Woollen Mill and Devonia Products.  9.45am at Buckfast.  Numbers for this visit are limited so names please to

Sue Martyn – 01409 271385 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   – as soon as possible.

The location of our stand at the Royal Cornwall Show was excellent, it was clearly visible from the sheep judging lines and our Regional Chairman David Gregory was kept extremely busy with a steady flow of members and non members.  The number one topic of conversation was EID but many other subjects were discussed as well.  The region is indebted to David for his efforts over three days and thanks to others who helped him at various times.

On May 25th approximately 40 sheep farmers attended a Sheep EID workshop by kind permission of Peter and Louise Baber, Weir Park Farm, Christow.  David Gregory, regional chairman, introduced Peter Morris who gave a short presentation on the legal requirements and answered questions.  Peter Baber gave a presentation into how EID on his fully recorded flock has helped him to have a less labour intensive flock and improve his profit.  Following this was a chance to see the equipment in action.  We also had some manufacturers of tags and software present so producers were able find out what is available.  We hope that those attending went home better informed and more able to make the right decision for the type of tags and equipment (if any) for their flocks.  The evening finished with a barbeque when EID was still the main topic of conversation!  David thanked Peter and Louise, along with sons Chris, Tim and Nick, for hosting the event and all manufacturers for supporting it.

It was a time of change at our AGM in February.  Due to other commitments James Siggs felt he could no longer continue as chairman.  He was thanked by David Gregory for all the work he has done for the region over the last few years.  David was elected as Regional Chairman.  He is married to Sandra and they have a daughter, Melanie.  He farms 420 acres in partnership with his brothers, who also run a fencing contracting business.  Exmoor Mules make up the majority of their 650 ewe flock which is run alongside 60 South Devon suckler cows.  David has had a huge input into the NSA Sheep South West in recent years and has been a much valued and respected member of the regional committee for the last 12 years.  Our new Vice Chairman is well known Dartmoor farmer, Robert Jordan.  Robert is married to Rebecca and they have two children, Charlotte and Jack.  He farms in partnership with his parents and brother on the East side of Dartmoor.  It is a mixed hill farm, with 1,000 ewes and 200 suckler cows.  

Anthony Gibson gave us his views on the future of the South West Sheep Industry. Overall he seems to think we can be quietly confident!  Peter Morris also spoke on various issues.

Diary Date:  Tuesday May 25th  we are holding a meeting on EID by kind permission of Peter and Louise Baber at Christow.  There will be a chance to see practical demonstrations as well as having the chance to put questions on the legislation.  Numbers will be limited, to book a place please contact Sue.

Farming Futures is helping to run a free event for farmers and land managers in the South West.

South West Climate Change Fair - A sustainable future for your farm

10 February, 2010 - 9am - 5pm
Venue: Exeter Racecourse

This FREE event is aimed at farmers who are interested in exploring the opportunities climate change may pose to their businesses. 

NSA South West Regional ReportJan/Feb 2010 

James and Debbie Siggs hosted a farm visit in September when the speaker was Charlie Morgan from IBERS.  The evening followed on from the interesting presentation he gave at the AGM.  We spent the evening digging holes and discussing the soil.  James had also organized a demonstration of a soil aerator courtesy of Opico.  Everyone went home with swards sticks, but probably they have only been useful for measuring water recently!  A splendid barbeque brought the evening to a close, along with a wonderful selection of sponge cakes that must have taken James hours to prepare!  Thanks were expressed to James, Debbie and Matt for their hospitality.  Numbers attending were affected by the fact that it was held on a welcome dry day.

In October four successful meetings were held on EID.  These were ably handled by Peter and Louise.  The attendance was good at all the meetings and farmers were glad of the opportunity to learn exactly what they will have to do from January.

November saw the social evening held at the Waie Inn, Zeal Monachorum.  This year 7 teams entered the quiz.  The questions covered a wide range of topics and the eventual winners were Devon and Cornwall Rangers, (age range 6 – 70, so all bases covered!) captained by Peter Delbridge.   Second were South Molton Sheep Group A team and third the Mary Tavy Miners.  A lot of fun was had by everyone and the evening finished with an excellent buffet and a raffle which raised £203 for Cornwall Air Ambulance.  

At the AGM in February James Siggs was re-elected as Chairman for the next year with David Gregory as Vice-Chairman.  They were both thanked for the many hours of work they put into the NSA, representing the region at meetings throughout the country.

Peter Morris explained where the industry is in relation to EID and that the NSA will continue to fight against its compulsory introduction.

NSA Sheep South West 2009 Press Release

Organisers of NSA Sheep South West 2009 are extremely pleased to announce that this year's event at the Luxton family's North Alfordon Farm, Okehampton was complete and resounding success.

A small group of SW farmers took the plunge to cross the border into Wales on a lovely October morning, what we lacked in numbers we made up for in enthusiasm.