NSA Sheep Event 2022 attracts crowds looking towards a positive future
28th July 2022
Opening its gates for the first time in four years, the National Sheep Association (NSA) Sheep Event 2022 drew crowds from across the UK to enjoy a fantastic day out at the Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire yesterday (Wednesday 27th July).
Focussing on a positive future for the sector, the Associations flagship event attracted prominent names from industry to lead seminar discussions and pass on valuable experience in practical workshops. The event also welcomed Defra Minister Victoria Prentis who spoke at the event about the future of sheep farming in the UK, as well as her Defra team who shared useful information on future farming schemes.
There was standing room only in the seminar tent where visitors were able to join discussion on current topics including the social importance of sheep farmers and the role of grasslands in carbon capture and nature recovery.
As crowds enjoyed the opportunity to speak with more than 250 agricultural trade stands to learn about the latest products and innovations to benefit their sheep farming businesses, a popular feature was once again the many competitions taking place around the showground, the centrepiece of this being the finals of the NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the year competition.
Having qualified at NSA regional heats, 18 competitors were put through their paces in six shepherding challenges in the contest that is sponsored by the Texel Sheep Society. Scoring the most points across the board and taking the prestigious title plus £1,000 prize money was 26-year-old Cameron Farnan from Stowmarket, Suffolk (pictured right). Cameron is a self-employed shepherd and also an NSA Next Generation Ambassador. Cameron says: “It was a surprise to win the competition! I thoroughly enjoyed the day, it was a great learning opportunity as well as a chance to compete and the atmosphere was so positive and friendly amongst the other very skilled young shepherds.”
Close behind on the scoresheet was 25-year-old Clover Crosse from Wiltshire in second place and 26-year-old Thomas Watson from County Durham in third place. Taking first prize for the highest placed under 21 competitor was 20-year-old Thomas Garlick from Herefordshire.
Another hard-fought contest took place at yesterday’s event as teams of fencing specialists competed in the popular Tornado Wire fencing competition requiring a section of stock fencing to be erected to a professional standard in just three hours. The winner this year was M.J. Fencing of Leominster, Herefordshire, previous winner of the title at the past two NSA Sheep Events also.
Away from the busy activity in the shepherding and fencing areas, competitions were also held to identify the finest fleece, the best carcase, and new event elements for 2022, the best on farm invention and young farmers team shearing competition. The popular sheepdog demonstration and sale also took place led by auctioneers Clee, Tompkinson, Francis. A sale report will be available from them soon.
NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “What a fantastic day we all had at NSA Sheep Event! It was so good to welcome back visitors who created a real buzz all around the showground. Thanks go to all involved in the organisation of such a valued industry event and to the event sponsors and exhibitors who of course help to make the event an essential date in the diary of the nation’s sheep farmers.”
NSA Sheep 2022 was supported by Major sponsors Agri-Lloyd, AHDB Beef & Lamb, Barclays, Elanco, MSD Animal Health and Shearwell. Workshops were also sponsored by Bimeda, Innovis and Germinal. For more information on these and other event sponsors visit go.nationalsheep.org.uk/eventsponsors.
With the event’s future firmly set, NSA looks forward to welcoming visitors to the 2024 event, to be held once again at the Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire on Tuesday 30th July 2024.
NSA Sheep Event 2022 Competition Results
Stand Competitions
Best Outdoor Stand - 1. McVeigh Parker & Co Ltd, 2. StowAg, 3. McCartneys LLP
Best Indoor Stand – 1. AHDB Beef & Lamb, 2. Oliver Seeds, 3. Paul G Slater
Best Breed Society Stand – 1. Texel Sheep Society, 2. Blackface Sheep Breeders’ Association, 3. North Country Cheviot Sheep Society
Best Pen of Sheep – 1. Texel Sheep Society, 2. Logie Durno Sheep, 3. Charollais Sheep Society
National Carcase Selection
1. Tomos Glyn Davies, Len Pryon, Denbigh,
2. Cherry Robinson, Sneachill Farm Worcester
NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year
1. Cameron Farnan, NSA Region,
2. Clover Crosse,
NSA South East Region,
3. Thomas Watson, NSA Northern Region,
4. Matthew Fearon, Northern Region
5. Thomas Garlick, Marches Region,
6. Harry Maiden, Central Region. Highest Placed 21 year old – Thomas Garlick, Marches Region
Tornado Wire Fencing
1st MJ Evans Fencing and NS Quan Fencing
2nd HVB Fencing and John Morgan Fencing
3rd SRM Fencing and PDR Contracting
Inventions
Trade Class
1st Eadie Bros, Selkirk – “ Lamb Castration Clip with ClipFitter”
2nd Cotter Agritech, Ireland – “SmartWorm TST App”
3rd Rurtec, New Zealand - “Lanati Astron”
Farmer Class
1st Robert Laird, Biggar, Lanarkshire – “Rollover Crate”
2nd David Sullivan, Ibthorpe, Andover – “Belt worn rubbering dispenser”
NFYFC Team Shearing
Junior – 1. Luke & Ross Parkhouse, South-West Region, 2. Cameron Farman & Tilly Abbott, Eastern Region, 3. Thomas Garlick & Ben Edwards, Marches Region
Senior – 1. Tom Hadley & Joe Pritchard, Marches Region, 2. David Watkins & Jamie Bevan, Marches Region, 3. Robyn Hardman & Chris Potter, Marches Region
Overall Team winners - Tom Hadley & Joe Pritchard, Marches Region.
Fleece
Class 1 – Fine (Including Down, Down Cross & Portland), 1. Miss Y Hoskins, Woolaston, Gloucestershire, 2. D Wilkins, Hooke, Dorset.
Class 2 – Medium (Including Halfbred, Kent, Texel & Lleyn), 1. Horne & Son, Westwell, Kent, 2. Horne & Son.
Class 3 – Cross (Including Masham, Mule & Greyface), 2. KA Liddle & Partners, Home Farm, Stainburn, N Yorkshire, 3. KA Liddle & Partners.
Class 4 – Lustre (Including Wensleydale, Lincoln, Devon, Cotswold & Bluefaced Leicester), 1. Mr E Owen, Llanddoged, Denbighshire, 2. Ms D Stanhope, Hanwood, Shrewsbury.
Class 5 – Hill (Including Radnor, Improved Welsh, Cheviot, Exmoor, Gritstone & Lonk), 1. Mr R Harding, Wheddon Cross, Somerset, 3. Mr R Harding.
Class 6 – Mountain (including Swaledale, Dalesbred, Blackface, Rough Fell & Welsh), 1. KA Liddle & Partners, 2. Mr E Owen.
Class 7 – Natural Coloured (Including Jacob, Herdwick, & Black Welsh Mountain or any other natural coloured pure bred or cross bred fleece), Miss Y Hoskins, 2. Mr E Owen.
Champion Fleece – Miss Y Hoskins, Gloucestershire - Class 7
Reserve Champion Fleece – Mr E Owen, Denbighshire – Class 7
