NSA Grassland Trail set to deliver timely advice on making the most from grassland

From permanent pasture to herbal leys, the options now available for the country’s sheep farmers when it comes to managing their grassland are numerous and can be confusing. To support sheep farmers through these difficult decisions the National Sheep Association (NSA) is excited to launch its new Grassland Trail at this month’s NSA Sheep Event.

As input prices skyrocket, the new feature at the event, taking place on Wednesday 27^th July at the Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire, will provide plentiful advice so farmers are able to explore ways they can optimise their grasslands for efficient and profitable sheep production.

The trail will offer visitors chance to speak with grassland specialists, join practical workshops delivered by nutrition and grass seed companies or listen to leading industry experts debate the future role of grasslands in carbon sequestration. Topics covered will include soil health, multi-species swards, parasite control, water management and much more.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments: “All at NSA are very excited to be able to welcome visitors to this new feature at NSA Sheep Event. Its launch could not come at a more important time as farmers seek methods to make the most from their grasslands under current pressures from rising input costs but also at a time when the importance of grasslands in the climate change debate must be highlighted both to farmers and the wider public. NSA is confident the trail will offer interesting and valuable advice to farmers visiting NSA Sheep Event this summer.”

With future agricultural policy being steered towards more sustainable, environmental objectives, it is the ideal time for farmers to think about what changes they want to make on farm to optimise production while increasing sustainability across the board. The NSA Grassland Trail has been created as part of NSA’s involvement in the EU-funded E-Organic Erasmus project and aims to offer advice to farmers on how to integrate sustainable farming practices into their future management systems, taking proactive steps to tackle current and future challenges.

In addition to the new grassland trail visitors to NSA Sheep Event 2022 will have the opportunity to find out about the latest innovations and products available to them from more than 250 trade stands and to join some informative discussions in the seminar tent. An engaging timetable of workshops will also be on offer providing farmers with some hands on advice to take home. A series of competitions is run throughout the day, providing entertainment and encouraging the next generation of sheep farmers, while a sheepdog sale is always a big draw for visitors. A sheep industry dinner is held the evening before the event, which is a celebratory occasion open to everyone within the sector. 

All information for this year’s event can be found on the NSA Sheep Event website www.sheepevent.org.uk.

The website also details information on advanced tickets, that can now be purchased with a 20% online discount.

NSA members can enter the event free of charge. Individuals can find out more about NSA membership online with lots of time to sign up to claim their free entry before the event this year.

NSA Sheep 2022 is supported by Major sponsors Agri-Lloyd, AHDB Beef & Lamb, Barclays, Elanco, MSD Animal Health and Shearwell. Workshops are also sponsored by Bimeda, Innovis and Germinal. For more information on these and other event sponsors visit go.nationalsheep.org.uk/eventsponsors.