UK Sheep Farmer of the Year to host NSA Highland Sheep 2015
26th January 2015
UK Sheep Farmer of the Year, John Scott, is hosting an open day on his farm in June to promote the sheep industry in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
NSA Highland Sheep 2015 is being organised by NSA Scottish Region and will be held at Fearn Farm, Tain, Ross-shire, on Tuesday 9th June.
NSA Highland Sheep was held for the first time two years ago at Dingwall Mart and attracted a large number of sheep farmers from all over Scotland.
“We are delighted that Mr Scott has kindly agreed to host this major event for the sheep industry in Scotland,” said NSA Scottish Region Chairman Mrs Sybil Macpherson. “Fearn Farm, with its flocks of 4,200 commercial and pedigree sheep, will be an ideal venue for this important event and Mr Scott’s success in winning the Farmers Weekly Sheep Farmer of the Year award is testimony to the quality of the sheep and the high standard of management on the farm.”
In addition to giving visitors the opportunity of a farm tour to view Mr Scott’s flock of commercial sheep, pedigree flocks of Texel, Beltex and New Zealand Suffolks and the recent addition of Aberfield hybrids, the one day event will include trade stands, educational exhibits, practical demonstrations, competitions, seminars and a focus on grassland management.
Mr Scott farms Fearn with his wife Fiona, and parents James and Janet, and also has extensive grazings in Sutherland. Mr Scott is a board member of Quality Meat Scotland and chairs the Scottish sheep industry group. He is also a former Vice Chairman of NFU Scotland’s livestock committee.
“I’m pleased to work with NSA Scotland in hosting this event which I hope will sharpen the focus of sheep farmers and help us all take advantage of the opportunities open to the sheep industry in Scotland,” said Mr Scott.
Fearn Farm also carries a herd of 110 suckler cows, including 60 pedigree Beef Shorthorns, and a small herd of Luing cattle is maintained on the Sutherland block. The arable enterprise includes 350 acres spring barley for malting, 80 acres winter barley for feeding and 80 acres let out for potatoes.
The Scott’s are one of five farming families in Scotland whose activities over the year are being followed by a BBC2 camera team for a 12-programme series of ‘On The Farm’ next year.
Sponsorship and trade enquiries will be welcomed by Event Organiser Euan Emslie on 01430 441870, 07718 908523 or euan@appliedremedies.co.uk
John Scott was names Sheep Farmer of the Year by Farmers Weekly in October 2014.
