NSA Central Region Farm Walk
Date: 6th June 2024
Time: 2pm
Location: The Grange, North Elkington, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 0SH.
NSA Central Region invite members and those with an interest in sheep, to a farm walk taking place on Thursday 6 June at 2pm.
Former NSA Central Region Next Generation Ambassador (2022), Ed Brant manages a sheep enterprise on a 600 hectare mixed family farm (arable, beef and sheep), in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Normanby Lodge Farm is home to two pedigree performance recorded flocks of Hampshire Down and Lleyn sheep, both MV accredited. Performance recording is used to identify the animals with the best genetics so they can best utilise the resources available, with a strong emphasis on ease of management, increased production and sustainability.
Ed has Hampshire Down rams entered into the RamCompare project. The breeding objectives for the Hampshire’s are to add value through improved carcase value improving conformation and carcase weight while reducing costs and freeing up forage by reducing the days to slaughter of the lambs. The Lleyns are the maternal line of sheep, with the aim of a moderate size of productive ewe that can efficiently utilize grazing. Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) are used to select the sheep with the best genetic for prolificacy, milking ability, mature size, fertility and growth.
The Family have farmed sheep for six generations and have developed a breeding system with a strong commercial focus, producing high performance sheep from minimal inputs. The flock is grass fed, most of the grazing is permanent pasture. All sheep are outwintered on grass, stubble turnips, arable cover crops and fodder beet. Lambing is outdoors at the end of April and beginning of May. When weaned, lambs are moved onto mixed species leys to finish over the summer.
Those interested in attending or if you would like further information, please contact NSA Central Region Manager, Lizzy Well, on central@nationalsheep.org.uk or WhatsApp 07895 111089.
