NSA Sheep 2016

Date: 27th July 2016

Location: Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire WR13 6NW

NSA Sheep 2016, the premier technical event for the sheep sector, saw a busy day of strong crowds and trade stands reporting a huge amount of business conducted. NSA says the positive atmosphere surrounding the event reflects ‘cautious optimism’ within the industry as a whole.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, reports: “It was a really fantastic day with a generally forward-thinking and positive mood among the thousands of people attending. Farmers weren’t just passing the time; they were really thinking about where they could make wise investments to ensure their businesses were more sustainable. It was also evident that that there is a huge amount of young energy coming into this industry. It stands us in good stead for the future that so many of the next generation were making the most of the day.

“There is a general air of cautious optimism in the sheep sector at the moment, which was clearly indicated by the positivity of the event. The Brexit decision means there are clear challenges ahead, but there are also some big opportunities that need to be taken advantage of. Visitors were sharing their different views for a positive future and so there is undoubtedly a need for a concentrated effort by farming bodies and the Government to work on priorities.”

Farming Minister George Eustice attended the event, welcoming visitors at the opening ceremony and joining a panel discussion about the future of direct payments for farmers. He spoke about trade negotiations and the increasing likelihood of getting market access for British lamb into the USA, as well as ways for the Government and agriculture to work towards common post-Brexit goals.

Mr Stocker continues: “Mr Eustice made it clear the Government is working to create trade deals across the globe, including positive steps towards market access for lambs in the USA. Much of this work started before the EU referendum, but NSA Sheep 2016 gave us the opportunity to really stress the importance of continued access to the EU common market and just how crucial negations in this area will be.

“The Minister’s comments on support payments to farmers were generally well received by visitors, with an air of excitement and interest from people about what he was saying. He made it clear he does not want to hear suggestions from the industry of remaining with the status quo and NSA accepts Mr Eustice’s invitation to pitch innovative approaches and options that will serve the industry well, push it forward and be justifiable to the public.

“The launch at the event of an NSA report into the complementary role of sheep in upland and hill areas proved very timely, as this outlines the public goods provided by farmers and what is needed to recognise and support the fine balance between production, environment and society. Another area that matches the minister’s desired approach is the existing NSA proposal for an animal health scheme to incentivise forward-looking approaches to exotic and endemic diseases.

“We are entering a new era for the sheep sector and NSA Sheep 2016 reflected that in the content of the day and conversations generated by the farmers attending. It will be very interesting to see what the sector looks like by the time of the next event in 2018.”

Other highlights of NSA Sheep 2016 included record attendance for the workshop programme, a newly created NSA Next Generation area, the four UK nations sweeping the board in the European Young Shepherd of the Year competition, and the announcement of NSA support for Love Lamb Week 2016. More online atwww.sheepevent.org.uk.

NSA Sheep 2018 will be held on Wednesday 18th July. Regional NSA sheep events will be held in 2017.

NSA Sheep 2016 Competition Results

  • Young Shepherd of the Year: 1, Richard Carter, NSA Marches Region; 2, William Hinton, NSA South East Region; 3, Matthew Emmott, NSA Northern Region. Highest placed under 21, Iain Wilson, NSA Northern Ireland Region.
  • European Young Shepherd of the Year:  1, England (Richard Carter and William Hinton); 2, Northern Ireland (Iain Wilson and Russell Smyth); 3, Wales (Bledwyn Pugh and Aaron Johnson).
  • Wire Fencing: 1, Mike Ford Fencing; 2, Tim Bennett Fencing; 3, Don Critchlow.
  • Four Nations Ready Steady Cook: 1, Michael Ritch, Scottish Association YFC; 2, Vicky
  • National carcase selection: Joint 1st, Joe Blandford, Eastnor, Herefordshire, Richard Carter, Cualey, Gloucestershire, and Philip Derryman, Yarcombe, Devon.
  • Best outdoor trade stand: 1, Bryce Suma Post Drivers; 2, Tornado Wire; 3, Cox Agri/Ritchey.
  • Best indoor trade stand: 1, AHDB Beef & Lamb; 2, Moredun Foundation; 3, Innovis.
  • Best breed society stand: 1, Blackface Sheep Breeders Association; 2, Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders Association; 3, Lleyn Sheep Society.
  • Best pen of sheep on a breed society stand: 1, Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders Association; 2, Blackface Sheep Breeders Association; 3, Nelson South Wales Mountain Sheep Society.
Farming minister George Eustice welcomed visitors to NSA Sheep 2016
Farming minister George Eustice being interviewed by NSA Next Generation Ambassador Ernie Richards
Farming minister George Eustice joined a panel discussion about the future of direct payments for farmers
Crowds gather for the official opening ceremony
a line-up of interesting speakers and relevant topics ensured the Seminar area was packed during the day
Kelpie demonstrations took place throughout the day
The sheepdog trials always prove a popular attraction at NSA Sheep Events
Competitors taking part in the stockjudging challenges
Judging underway for the sheepdog trials
The NSA Sheep Event is a great opportunity to do business
Good weather drew in the crowds
A busy indoor trade stand area at NSA Sheep 2016
A busy indoor trade stand area at NSA Sheep 2016
Young European Shepherd Winner Will Hinton (left) and Richard Carter
Young shepherd of the year competitors completing the drenching element of the competition
Condition scoring lambs in the young shepherd of the year competition
Young Shepherd of the Year - Higest Place Under 21 Iain Wilson
Young Shepherd of the Year winner - Richard Carter of NSA Marches Region
The NSA Next Generation Area was a new addition to NSA Sheep 2016
Best Breed Society Stand winners, Blackface Sheep Breeders Association
Best Indoor Trade Stand: AHDB Beef & Lamb
Best Outdoor Trade Stand winner, Bryce Suma Post Drivers
Best Sheep Pen, Welsh Mules
Competitors in the Tornado wire fencing competition
1st, 2nd and 3rd placed competitors in the Tornado wire fencing competition
Tornado wire fencing winner, Mike Ford Fencing
A relatively new addition to NSA Sheep Events, the workshop area was again a popular attraction
Sheepdog sale top price 2,750gns for Jane, a 22-month-old bitch from vendor Graham Powell of Gladestry, Kington, Powys, pictured with his children Rhys and Megan.
Top price sheepdog pictured with buyers
Sheepdog sale second top price pictured with vendor Trevor Morgans and buyer
Fleece competition winner,  E. Owen (right) with BWMB Chairman Ian Bucannan
AHDB Beef & Lamb stockjudging competition winners Richard Carter (centre) and Philip Derryman.
Winner of the Texel stockjudging challenge being drawn
Competitors in the Ready Steady Cook competition
Competitors in the Ready Steady Cook competition
Judging underway for the BWMB fleece competition
Condition scoring was the surprise element in the Young Shepherd of the Year competition in 2016
Competitors in the Young Shepherd of the Year competition being judged on their ATV handling skills
Lamb tastings were on offer throughout the day
Shearing element of the Young Shepherd competition taking place
Calculating and administering correct amounts of drench and vaccine in the Young Shepherds competition