HAILED as one of the most important sheep industry events of 2023 , NSA North Sheep held at Bradford House Farm , Belsay , did not disappoint . With over 8,000 visitors , this was not only a showcase for the sheep industry , it was also a platform for much discussion and debate .

The event was opened by Phil Stocker , CEO of the National Sheep Association , in his opening ceremony speech Phil acknowledged how much pressure the industry has been under : “ The recent unprecedented change has for so many been difficult to adapt to , but with that now behind us , we now need to look to the future and address how we are all going to progress with the new Government schemes on the table .”

For many of course , one of the highlights of the day was the farm tour . This presented a tremendous opportunity to view the Woodman ’ s 930-acre Bradford House Farm , a traditional Northumberland arable and livestock , including fields with Mule Ewes with Texel lambs , texel ewes with texel lambs , blackface ewes with mule lambs , blackface ewes with blackface lambs and blackie hoggs . Those on the tour we also given the opportunity to see some of the Woodman ’ s cattle which included Suckler cows and calves , 22 month old bullocks and heifers ready for market and fields of bull and heifer calves .

In attendance for the day was Janet Hughes Defra ’ s Programme Director for the Future Farming and Countryside Programme . During her visit she had audiences with farmers throughout the day as Viv Lewis Chair of the NSA Northern Region & NSA North Sheep explains :

“ We took this opportunity to make sure that Janet spoke to as many different sheep farmers as possible , young and old , lowland and upland , commercial and specialist . This enabled her to hear from the horses ’ mouth the concerns and worries for the future and suggestions as to how Defra can make their schemes more appropriate and fit for purpose , for sheep farms of all types .

“ Janet met with several next generation upland farmers , and she listened carefully and took their concerns and issues on board , and we hope that these comments will be considered , and translate into changes in policies going forward .”

The well attended seminar programme throughout the day included a YoungsRPS hosted seminar on Resilience to Change , explaining and discussing support schemes available under the UK Government ’ s post-Brexit policy . A seminar on Looking Beyond Our Shores which debated opportunities for exports and the pros and cons of working collaboratively with global sheep farming counterparts . Getting a foothold on The

Brian Richardson Virgin Money Head of Agriculture

Sheep Farming Ladder , highlighted the urgent needs for additional support for those who want to commence a career in farming , post further education or their first careers and who are not necessarily from a farming background .

The results of Bradford House Farm ’ s carbon audit were presented in a dedicated presentation “ Carbon - Understanding the Journey to Net Zero - The journey for farmers to a Net Zero future and turning the challenge to opportunity ” Hosted by Brian Richardson , UK Head of Agriculture for Virgin Money and Simon Hayley , Director of Carbon Metrics . Concluding the carbon audit Willie Woodman reiterated that