National Sheep Association (NSA) is the UKs leading membership organisation representing the views and interests of sheep farmers. 

NSA's vision is to support sheep farmers with increased learning opportunities, increased aspiration for good practice and maintained passion and enthusiasm within the sheep the sector. NSA also aims to ensure those not involved in the sheep sector have an awareness of the contribution sheep make to society. NSA is in a good position to work collaboratively with researchers, advisers and other industry partners on research projects to improve our sheep industry. 

NSA has a strong network, putting it in a great position to provide advice for research projects, as well as the ability to identify, organise and host farmer focus groups, distribute farmer surveys and provide a strong interaction with industry stakeholders.

NSA is also active in a huge range of policy areas affecting the sheep sector and will be able to both advise any research partner and feed information back to governments specifically from project outcomes.

NSA’s role in research
NSA understands the importance of research for innovation and sustainability. 

The dedicated NSA Project Manager position allows NSA to provide input on important industry research, guiding and advising from project inception, to processes and then sharing outcomes with members and the wider sheep sector.

Past Projects and Research Involvement

NSA has an extensive track record of supporting and contributing to research across the sheep sector. In addition to holding numerous expert advisory roles with organisations such as the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), NSA represents the industry within key groups including the Responsible Use of Medicines in Agriculture Alliance (RUMA), the Sheep Veterinary Society, and other sector bodies.

NSA has also played an active role in a range of UK and international research and innovation projects, working directly with project partners, researchers, and industry stakeholders. Notable projects include:

• iSAGE – Innovation for Sustainable Sheep and Goat Production in Europe (2016-2020) 
  Contributed to a major European initiative focused on improving the sustainability and competitiveness of sheep and goat production systems.
• Wellcome Trust FIELD Project (2018-2020) 
  Supported research investigating livestock management, disease control, and sustainable farming practices.
• Defra UK Sheep Genetic Identification Scoping Study 
  Contributed industry expertise to explore future opportunities for sheep genetic identification technologies.
• SEEGSLIP – Sustainable Economic and Environmental Grazing Systems: Learning from Innovative Practitioners (2020-2024) 
  Participated as a key stakeholder in a project examining practical approaches to environmentally and economically sustainable grazing systems.
• SheepNet / EuroSheep 
  Collaborated with European partners to improve flock performance through knowledge exchange and industry-led innovation.

More recent projects include:

• E-Organic Erasmus Project (2021-2022) 
  NSA acted as the sole UK partner in this EU-funded, Turkish-led research project focused on organic livestock production and knowledge transfer.
• MSD Vaccines Trial (2021-2023) 
  NSA worked with industry partners to support vaccine-related research and on-farm trials.
• RDPE Scab Project (2021-2023) 
  Coordinated the South West delivery of this Defra-funded initiative through its regional network, helping to improve awareness, prevention, and control of sheep scab.
• Zolvix Exchange Programme (2023) 
  Supported international knowledge exchange and best practice sharing around parasite management and anthelmintic resistance.
• Fabulous Fibre Project (2023-2024) 
  Promoted innovation and market opportunities within the British wool and natural fibre sector, highlighting the environmental and commercial benefits of sheep-derived fibres.
• Breeding Animals for Resilient Feet Project (2024-2025)
  Investigating breeding strategies and on-farm decision-making to improve sheep foot health and reduce the prevalence of lameness.
• Defra Sheep Efficiency Scoping Project (2024-2025) 
  Assessing opportunities to improve productivity, efficiency, and sustainability within UK sheep production systems.

Current Projects and Research Activity

NSA continues to play an active role in industry-leading research and innovation, working in partnership with universities, research organisations, government bodies, and industry stakeholders to address key challenges facing the sheep sector.

Current project involvement includes:

• Breed for CH4nge (2023-2026) 
  An Innovate UK and Defra-funded project focused on identifying and breeding sheep with lower methane emissions, supporting the livestock sector's contribution to net zero targets.
• Lamb Monitor Project (2023-2026) 
  Developing innovative monitoring technology to improve lamb management, reduce handling requirements, minimise stress, and enhance flock productivity.
• Canine DNA Recovery Project (2024-2026) 
  Led by Liverpool John Moores University, this project explores the use of forensic DNA techniques to help identify dogs involved in livestock attacks and support farmers affected by sheep worrying incidents.
• Grazing for Good (2026) 
  Exploring and promoting the environmental, biodiversity, and sustainability benefits of sheep grazing systems.
• Land Use for Net Zero Hub 
  Contributing to research and knowledge exchange activities focused on land use, climate resilience, and pathways to achieving net zero across the agricultural sector.
• British Heritage Sheep Project 
  NSA is a leading partner in this initiative, which is investigating sheep meat traceability while supporting the preservation and promotion of Britain's heritage sheep breeds.

Academic Research and PhD Collaboration

Alongside its direct project involvement, NSA works closely with universities and researchers to support a range of academic studies. Current and recent collaborations include:

• Lameness in Sheep – Newcastle University
• Hydata Project: Farm Dogs and Parasites in Livestock
• Joint-ill and Other Sheep Health-Related Riseases – University of Liverpool
• Investigating Lameness in Sheep – University of Warwick

Industry Leadership and Advisory Support

NSA is regularly invited to participate in research steering groups, advisory boards, and project stakeholder panels across both UK and international initiatives. NSA's expertise and industry connections ensure that sheep farmers' perspectives are represented throughout the research and innovation process.

Through these partnerships, NSA continues to help shape research priorities, facilitate knowledge exchange, and support the development of practical, farm-focused solutions that improve productivity, animal health, environmental sustainability, and industry resilience.

NSA research services:
NSA is striving towards a leadership role identifying sources of funding, locating partners and ensuring research deliverables are met. In addition, NSA has very strong relationships with levy bodies, policy makers, NGO’s and is in regular contact with them on a two-way advisory level, so projects working at a policy level are also of great interest. 

Farmer engagement is vital to ensure any project results lead to changes in current practise to improve sustainability, health, welfare and economics. NSA will seek to put any project teams in touch with farmer participants if necessary, through its membership database of UK sheep farmers and strong relationships with other organisations within the industry. 

NSA also has the capacity to work closely within research groups to ensure events and farmer/industry interaction ensures quantifiable routes to impact. NSA can promote knowledge exchange through use of NSA’s own communication channels such as NSA’s Sheep Farmer magazine, Weekly Email Update to all members, social media and through seminar programmes at key NSA events. NSA can also share details of projects during webinars and engagement through NSA regional activity.

It is of considerable interest for NSA to be proactive in research projects targeting the sheep sector. NSA is able to act as an industry expert, providing key advice within the consortium and attending project meetings. NSA is also keen to discuss other related research where projects may have a common goal and aid the sheep sector.

Summary of what NSA can provide:

• Ability to use diverse membership database to invite sheep farmers to take part in research related activities – e.g. farmer focus groups, invitation for practical on farm research, invitation to take part in specific data collection.
• Practical staff labour for on-farm (sheep) data collection – practical sampling at farm level (e.g. liveweights, faecal egg sampling, sward sampling) and farmer interviews.
• Staff time for research related activities – collation of data, analysis, reporting etc.
• Staff time for sheep expertise – participating on research advisory board, assess project ideas, advise on potential impact of research.
• Staff time and consumables for identifying farmers for farmer focus groups, feedback sessions, direct farmer contact – email, letter, telephone, social media.
• Knowledge exchange through well-established NSA communication channels.
• Production of articles in NSA’s Sheep Farmer magazine relating to project activities.
• Access to NSA events, webinars, regional activity, workshops and seminars for project promotion and to increase project impact.
• Distribution of surveys and questionnaires to farmers.

Who to contact:
For anyone interested in discussing research collaborations contact NSA Project Manager Abby Cook 
Email: abby@nationalsheep.org.uk                              
Mobile: 07765 916188