The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2019 - Issue 63 | Page 30

30 NSA NORTH SHEEP
JUN/JUL 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk
NSA North Sheep 2019 Highlighted
Opportunities and Focused on
the Future of Sheep Farming
EARLIER in June, for the first time in six
years, the sheep industry descended on
Yorkshire for its bi-annual event – NSA
North Sheep.
In the region of over 5,000 people visited
New Hall Farm, near Rathmell, for NSA
North Sheep 2019, and in terms of number
of visitors and trades stand, it was de-
scribed my many as one of the best yet.
With a Young Chairman, a multi-genera-
tional family farm, the local Young Farmers
stock judging, local school children edu-
cated and many young people attending,
it was also an event which saw the next
generation of the sheep industry in the
North of England very much coming to the
fore.
The major sponsor was Agrilloyd, with
mainline sponsors; AHDB, British Wool,
I’Anson, Beltex, Booths, CCM Auctions,
MSD, Crystalyx, Roxan. The Farm Tour was
supported by Townson Tractors, Watson
Trailers and Countrystyle Meats. Plus, many
other section sponsors, a huge thank you
for all your support.
The Frankland family are admired for
their tremendous stockmanship and to-
gether, the family had worked tirelessly to
present what was a tremendous showcase
of sheep and an excellent example of a
commercial Yorkshire farming enterprise.
Speaking after the day, Richard
Frankland, said: “We have all really enjoyed
hosting this event and have been over-
whelmed with the response and feedback
from everyone. North Sheep would cer-
tainly not have been possible without the
support from local friends and neighbours,
Opening Ceremony with the Frankland Family
and on behalf of the entire family, I would
like to thank them all very much indeed.”
With the day focusing on key issues,
including sheep exports, share farming,
sheep health and welfare, and the future for
Environmental Land Management Schemes,
locals and farmers from across the region
and beyond experienced a day of knowl-
edge transfer, discussion and debate whilst
witnessing the latest industry trends and
equipment.
The seminars were packed and from the
discussion, it was apparent from the semi-
nar on ‘the Future for Environmental Land
Management Schemes’ that farmers are
looking for simpler national based schemes
with an outcome- based approached. The
speakers were all keen to highlight that
‘productivity and environment improve-
ments need to go hand in hand’ and that
there are opportunities there for farmers,
but they need to be grasped.
Shearing is a vital industry skill and, in a
competition, sponsored by British Wool,
there was a strongly fought battle of the
counties, which resulted in a first for Lan-
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place and Yorkshire YFC achieving third.
NSA North Sheep is organised by the
National Sheep Association (NSA) – a very
important industry body, the voice of the
sheep industry and one which deals with
policy and politics at the very highest of
levels. Giving feedback after the event,
Thomas Carrick, NSA North Sheep Chair-
man, said:
“I am over the moon. I would really like
to thank the Frankland family for their
hard work and commitment to this year’s
event, and the stock especially are a credit
to the hard work of the entire family. This
is a family farm, and family farms such as
this are very much at the core of the sheep
industry. This was a very good day out and
the highlight, for me, was the Farm Tour.
“There was a huge amount of social
support from local people in the area. The
seminars gave fantastic business advice and
as anticipated, people were really there to
look, listen and learn, and this has never
been so evident through the seminars.
Across the day, the sheep were consistent,
well looked after and of the very highest
quality – the cross-terminal sires, espe-
cially, produce really high-end butcher’s
lambs.
For many who attended they were there
to see a showcase farm, and over 3,000
people took part in the farm tours. This
gave them the opportunity to see first-hand
the results of tremendous stockmanship
– which can only be described as some of
the very highest calibre of sheep and cattle
in this part of Yorkshire – and to learn about
the practical aspects, such as breeding and
feeding regimes. All along with enjoying lo-
cally produced refreshments and food with
panoramic views of this very special part of
the country.
In his opening address, Bryan Griffiths,
NSA Chairman, said: “The Northern Region
is a special and important part of the coun-
try for the NSA. I am delighted to see that
all sectors of the industry were represent-
ed across the Breeds Societies and trade
stands, it was attended by Sheep Farmers
from all areas - not just the Northern Region
but the United Kingdom.”
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