NSA Highland Sheep 2013

Date: 30^th May 2013

New event for the Highlands and Islands

A new event organised by NSA Scotland for sheep farmers in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland was a great  success, attracting more than 100 trade stands, 20 breed society exhibits and an attendance of 2,000 sheep farmers from throughout the northern half of Scotland to Dingwall Mart, Ross-shire.

Reflecting on the inaugural NSA Highland Sheep, which had animal feed company Harbro Ltd as its main sponsor, Organising Committee Chairman Rod McKenzie says: “This is the first time the NSA has brought such an event to the Highlands and Islands and it was an unqualified success. The aim was to give sheep farmers the opportunity of accessing all the latest developments, both political and practical, in the sheep industry without having to travel south to an event in central Scotland.”

Visitors enjoyed a packed programme of practical demonstrations, sheepdog trials and seminars throughout the day. Performing the official opening ceremony, well-known cookery writer and Scottish food ambassador, Lady Claire Macdonald of the Kinloch Lodge Hotel, Isle of Skye, made an impassioned plea to the Scottish Government for more support to encourage young farmers into sheep breeding and reverse the decline in the Scottish sheep flock. “There are too few young farmers taking up sheep breeding,” she said. “Lamb is the most versatile of all red meats and is a culinary delight for visitors to Scotland. Lamb makes an ideal meal in both summer and winter, but we are not producing enough to meet demand both at home and abroad. It is also important for the environment, as when the sheep go the bracken moves in. Sheep farming is an essential part of life and culture in the Highlands and Islands.”

Richard Lochhead, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, also called for sheep farmers to step up production to meet an increasing demand in emerging markets in Russia, USA and China. He said: “Processors have to plan ahead to make sure they have enough product to supply the market, but you have to play your part too by making sure you increase production. You have to embrace modern technology for the 21st century and take advantage of every tool available to increase margins and production.”

The need for producers to finish lambs better to meet carcase specification was emphasised by Kathy Peebles, Livestock Development Manager with Quality Meat Scotland, who said many lambs were too lean when marketed. Only 70% of hoggets slaughtered from mid-March to the end of May this year had met specification, and would have benefitted from feeding to achieve the right degree of finish. “There is a need for reasonable fat cover on carcases, as it prevents the meat from drying out and adds flavour,” she said.

Willie Thomson, Harbro Technical Director, said lambs were ‘incredibly efficient’ at converting feed and conversion rates of 4:1 could be achieved, provided lambs were in good health. Even with feed at £300/tonne, the cost of feed worked out at only £1.20/kg of weight gain if a high conversion rate was achieved. But he also gave a warning and said: “If your lambs are having problems with fluke or worms, the best feed in the world can see conversion rates drop to nearer 20:1.”

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Director of the Moredun Research Institute, said the Mordeun had developed a diagnostic test for sheep scab which picked up infection before clinical signs appear. “We are now exploring how we will use this test in eradication and control strategies,” she said. A ‘pen-side’ test was also being developed, which would work like a human pregnancy test and help producers confirm suspected cases of scab in their sheep. However, a vaccine for sheep scab was much further away.

The winner of the Young Shepherd of the Year competition was David Colthart, Pitlochry, with Ian Christie, Ballater, in reserve. And a huge audience attended a special sale of pairs of ewe hoggs conducted by Dingwall and Highland Marts, which saw a top price of £550 each for a pair of Suffolk from Mrs Irene Fowlie, Adziel, Strichen, Aberdeenshire.

Highland Sheep 2013 Fact File

• Venue: Dingwall Mart, Ross-shire, by kind permission of Dingwall and Highland Marts.
• Date: Thursday 30th May.
• Attendance: in the region of 2,000 people.
• Young Shepherd of the Year: David Colthart, Pitlochry.
• Sheepdog trial: Individual: 1, Hamish McLean; 2, Jock Sutherland; 3, John McKillop. Team: Lochaber, captained by John McKillop.
• Young handlers: 1, Joe MacKenzie; 2, Rachael Urquhart; 3, Greg Meikle and Farquhar Renwick.
• Best indoor trade stand: Allflex.
• Best outdoor trade stand: Allans of Gillock.
• Best breed society stand: Blackface Sheep Breeders Association.

NSA Scottish Region plans to hold NSA Highland Sheep again in 2015. For more information go to www.nationalsheep.org.uk/highlandsheep or contact Event Organiser Euan Emslie on euan@appliedremedies.co.uk, 01430 441870 or 07718 908523.