NSA Marches Region Young Shepherd of the Year Competition and Open Day
Date: 7th June 2014
The NSA Marches Region Young Shepherd of the Year Competition and Open Day was held at Upleadon Court, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1EG, by kind invitation of Henry and Carol Dunn and family. As well as the Young Shepherd Competition, visitors enjoyed demonstrations and trade stands.
Scroll down to view a gallery of photos of the event.
NSA Young Shepherd of the Year Competition
The competition was open to entries from young shepherds aged 26 years and under on 30th July 2014. There was also a prize for the highest placed 21 years and under on 7th June 2014.
There was a prize fund of £600 plus trophy. The highest placed Marches region member will represent NSA Marches Region in the final of the National Young Shepherd of the Year at NSA Sheep Event 2014 at Malvern, on 30th July.
The competition involved*:
- Lamb selection;
- Shearing two/three sheep. Competitiors must have a BWMB Blue Seal Certificate or be able to demonstrate suitable experience, (the certificate to be produced on the day);
- Demonstrating ATV handling skills;
- Practical Health & Husbandry – including give examples of appropriate foot care, handling, vaccinating & dosing (e.g. work out correct weight of ewes for dosage of wormer and correct examples of injection sites);
- Questionnaire;
- Use of mobile handling system.
Open Day
Upleadon Court is a family run mixed farm. Henry and Carol run 600 ewes, plus a beef unit and some arable. Daughters Rachel (currently at University in Bristol) and Sarah (currently studying at Hartpury Agricultural College) both play an integral and very hands-on role on the farm alongside their parents.
Upleadon Court is also the home of the Mayhill Lamb Producer Group, and is the collection centre for its members. Henry Dunn and Mike Credland (current NSA English Committee Chairman) are the founder members of the Mayhill Group, having felt that post 2001 there was a need for a co-operative approach to marketing lamb for producers in the region. Members of the group not only benefit from the collaborative approach to marketing, but also have been able as a group to access many resources and initiatives that have been of benefit to their individual businesses and flock management.
Henry and Carol say they were “delighted to host this event for the young shepherds in the region. It’s so important to support the future generation of sheep producers”.
For further details please contact:
Region Secretary, Angela Weston
Tel: 01454 260 220, mobile: 077082 44151, email: angelaweston1@02.co.uk
or Event Organiser, Dyana Webb
Mobile: 07971 409 259, email: dyjwebb@gmail.com
