The Farmers Mart Jun-Jul 2019 - Issue 63 | Page 31

NSA NORTH SHEEP 31
• JUN/JUL 2019
Next Generation Shepherd Competition Winners
Winners of the Best
Breeder Stand:
1st – Wannops Farm Limited
2nd – Thornburrow and Sons
3rd – NC Marston
Winners of the Best Breed
Society Stand:
1st – Blackface Sheep Breeders Association
2nd – Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association
3rd – Swaledale Sheep Breeders Association
Best Indoor Stand:
1st – Gisburn Auction Mart
2nd – l’Anson Bros
3rd – Hawes Auction Mart
Best Outdoor Stand:
1st – Townson Tractors Ltd
2nd – Taylor ATV
3rd – Ellipse Fabrications
Organised on behalf of the NSA Northern
Region Committee, the ‘Next Generation
Shepherd’ competition provided young
shepherds and shepherdesses with the
chance to portray their shepherding skills
across five different areas and was kindly
sponsored by Carrs Billington.
Representing all counties within the
Northern region, 15 entrants took part. This
is a challenging competition and the feed-
back from the judges was that “the calibre of
entrants was exceptional and demonstrated
that the industry has some very capable
young shepherds”. This is, of course, some-
thing which is obviously key to the long-term
sustainability of the future of the industry.
Winning the Ali Johnson Perpetual Tro-
phy and achieving first place was Matthew
Fearon from Keswick, second place went
to Michael Hogg from Washington Tyne and
Wear and third to Thomas Watson from
County Durham.
So, to conclude, Thomas, who encour-
aged people to come to NSA North Sheep to
look, listen and learn, this showcase sheep
farming event demonstrated the strength of
the industry:
“When I first met the Frankland family,
their aim was to make this the best North
Sheep ever seen and seeing today the true
size of this event and the number of people
that attended is very much statement of the
importance of this event to the industry. It
was great to see so many farmers getting
off their own farms to enjoy a day out,
listen to the “crack” and see this fantastic
farm. NSA North Sheep is a feel-good event
and a happy, social occasion for the farm-
ing industry.
“I would like to reiterate a big thank you
to those who made the day possible; the
sponsors, committee and the volunteers.”
Dalehead Veterinary Group | 01729 823538
Dugdale Nutrition Ltd | 01200 420200
Gisburn Auction Marts Ltd | 01200 445376