National Young Stars
Complete the entry form on this page to enter.
NSA is excited to announce the return of a popular young farming competition to its flagship event, NSA Sheep Event, this July.
The National Young Stars Competition is more than just a contest, it is a celebration of the next generation of agricultural talent. Bringing together passionate young stock enthusiasts from across the country, the competition is designed to challenge, inspire and develop the future leaders of the livestock industry.
Created for teams of two young people aged 11–18, the event provides a unique platform for competitors to showcase their abilities across a wide range of sheep keeping and presentation techniques.
Competition Organiser Fiona Parker says: “National Young Stars will once again encourage participants to step beyond the show ring and develop the practical, personal and professional skills that are essential within modern agriculture.
“Throughout the competition, teams will be assessed across six exciting and demanding elements, including stock assessment challenges, ringcraft, livestock preparation, promotional display creation, industry knowledge questionnaires and interviews focused on breed and industry understanding. Each stage is carefully designed to test not only technical expertise, but also to build confidence, creativity and communication.”
Teams will be required to provide their own sheep to be prepared and presented at the event. Entries for the contest are free but a deposit must be placed to secure one of the limited places.
Teams will compete for an array of amazing prizes kindly donated by industry supporters as well as their share of a generous cash prize pot.
The competition is generously supported by McCartneys Auctioneers and The Co-Op.
The competition will kindly be judged by:
- Kirree Kermode
- Adam Henson
- Will Price
The competition will be commentated thanks to Becky Hurd.
Kiree Kermode
Having been born and raised on a family farm, Kirree has loved working with sheep from an early age.
She says: "We keep both pedigree and commercial sheep and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed exhibiting at local shows on the Isle of Man, as well as at the Royal Highland, Royal Welsh and Great Yorkshire Shows with our pedigree Texel sheep. More recently, we’ve had success showing crossbred commercial females, culminating in winning the Overall Commercial Champion title at the Great Yorkshire Show last Year.
"I’ve also had the privilege of serving as one of the National Sheep Association Young Ambassadors, an experience I thoroughly enjoyed. The programme gave me the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the sheep industry’s most respected professionals, an opportunity I probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.
"I’m really looking forward to judging at this year’s event. I’ll be looking for a keen, sharp show person who demonstrates confidence, attention to detail and good stockmanship while presenting and moving their sheep around the show ring."
Becky Hurd
Becky farms alongside her father in Somerset.
She says: "I am fortunate to farm the Whitefield Herd of Devons, established in 1903 with my Father with a focus on breeding pedigree bulls. We run 220 ewes alongside, Zwartbles, Dorset Horn and crosses of this.
"Work-wise, I get to do what I love everyday; co-ordinating the five livestock sections of Devon County Show; Field Service Officer for the Jersey Cattle Society; Breed Secretary for the Exmoor Horn Sheep Society and also at Exmoor Farmers Livestock Auctions. This combines with serving on breed society councils and being past-President of the Devon Cattle Breeders Society.
"For longer than I care to admit I have been judging cattle and sheep at local and national level and proudly picking up commentary jobs also, all combining what I feel most passionately about: promoting the very best of British farming."
