What to See and Do
Crook Making Demonstration
TBC
Farm Tour
A forty five minute farm tour of Aikengall on tractors and trailers will be a highlight of the event to see the sheep and cattle on this Lammermuirs hills farm The farm tour runs from 9am to 3pm and a farm tour guide will be available for all visitors.
Fencing Competition
Fencing contractors will put their skills to the test, when they compete in a competition sponsored by Bryce Suma Post Drivers, Robertson Timber and Tornado Wire.
Eight two-man teams from the UK as far as Perthshire in the North, East Sussex in the South and Gwynedd in in the west of Wales will be tasked with erecting a section of high tensile stock netting (60-70 metres in length), with two end straining posts and a slight turn towards one end within the three and a half hours allocated.
The competition begins at 10.30am and finishes at 2.00pm, with the prize giving and award ceremony taking place at 3.30pm on the main stage in the seminar building.
More Information is available by clicking Here
Lamb Butchery Demonstration
“Value added carcase- Shows the versatility of the lamb and what can be produced from its carcase” – This butchery demonstration/workshop presented by Gordon Newlands, Brands Development Manager at QMS along with a young butcher (name TBC) will take place in Building 2 at 11.35am and 2.55pm.
NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year Competition
The competition is designed to test Sheperd competitors practical skills and practical knowledge used in their every-day work with sheep, as well as their broader knowledge of the sheep industry throughout the UK and Europe, including the various sheep breeds. (The competition is being held on Tuesday 4th June 2024 and is not open to visitors).
The presentation of prizes will take place a 3.30pm on Wednesday 5th June in the seminar building. The winner and runner up will have the honour of representing Scotland in the national finals at the NSA National Sheep event at Malvern on 30th July 2024.
More Information and entry forms are available by clicking Here Entries close on Friday 3rd May.
Opening Ceremony
The event will be officially opened at 10am in the seminar building - Introduction by Colin MacPhail, NSA Scotsheep 2024 Organising Committee Chairman, Address by Peter Myles, NSA Scotland Chairman, Official Opening by Ken Fletcher & Presentation of NSA Scotland Silver Salver followed by presentation of best trade stand competition awards.
Seminars
The NSA Scotsheep seminar programme always provides a line-up of interesting speakers and relevant topics. Seminars will see farmers and industry spokesmen put forward their opinions and experiences, with plenty of time in each session for the audience to engage in discussion and debate.
In addition to the seminars there will be a workshop programme running through the day.
See seminar topics, speakers and timetable by clicking Here
Sheep Dog Trial Invitational Competition & SAYFC National Sheepdog Final
Twenty-Four top handlers will be competing in an invitation sheepdog trial which will be one of the highlights of the event. Most of the competitors from the Lothians and Borders will compete individually for the NSA Scotland Shield. The trial will be judged by Stuart McCrindle from Kilmarnock.
The Finalists have been confirmed for the Inaugural SAYFC National Sheepdog Competition, generously supported by ISDS, NSA Scotland, Logan Whistles and Gilbertson & Page. The competitors were kindly permitted to run their dogs at the Scottish Inter District nursery Association Trials and those shortlisted will now compete at the National final at NSA Scotsheep 2024.
The competition was divided into three sections according to the handler’s experience, from beginners, to handlers who had previously won ISDS points. The following Handlers were selected to run in the final having gained the highest aggregate scores - Lynn Ronaldson and Bob (Bower), Daniel Worthington and Bob (Halkirk), Donald MacDairmid and Rab (InverRoss), Ben McSporran and Cass (Peeblesshire), Harry Cooper and Roy (New Deer) & Laura Moore and Finn (Brechin). The judge for the final is Jimmy Ogston, Crianlarich.
Viewing of the sheep dog trials can be done from a dedicated viewing area in the visitor car park.
Sheep Dressing Demonstration
John "Beachy" Barclay with his sons Archie and Cameron from Maybole in Ayrshire will demonstrate how to prepare sheep for a show or sale, The demonstrations will take place at 11am and 2pm.
Sheep Shearing & Wool Rolling Demonstrations
Supported by British Wool these sheep shearing and wool rolling demonstrations will run for 10 minutes each at 10.00am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.30pm & 1.30pm in building 2.
Speed Shear Competition
Details to be confirmed.
More Information is available by clicking Here
Show & Sale Pair of Ewe Hoggs
Top-quality pairs of ewe hoggs from well-known breeders across the country will be forward for the multi-breed show judged by Robert & Hazel McNee from Tealing at 9am with the sale starting at 4pm in the Seminar Building and conducted by United Auctions.
Nine classes will be on offer for Bluefaced Leicester, Mules, North Country Cheviot, Blackface, Suffolk, Texel, any other native breed, any other continental breed and any other cross breed, with both MV accredited and non-accredited sheep eligible for sale.
If sheep cannot be uplifted by purchasers on the day, it is hoped that arrangements can be made for buyers to collect their purchases from the premises of the vendor within 14 days.
More Information is available by clicking Here
Stockjudging
Lothian & Peeblesshire District YFC will be running an open and YFC stockjudging competition at the event, with visitors having to judge (?) classes of sheep and two classes of cattle from Aikengall Farm. £500 of prize money is on offer and is kindly sponsored by Galloway & Macleod. The competition takes place in building 5 and entry on the day is £5.
Trade Stands - Comercial & Educational
Over 160 commercial companies and educational organisations will be promoting their products and services at the event, showcasing all the latest developments in technology, husbandry, and marketing to help farmers maximise the potential of their sheep enterprises.
See who is exhibiting by clicking Here
Trade Stands - Individual Sheep Breeders
11 Individual sheep breeders and companies will be promoting their sheep and genetics at the event.
See who is exhibiting by clicking Here
Trade Stands - Sheep Breed Societies
32 Sheep breed societies will be promoting their breed of sheep and genetics at the event.
See who is exhibiting by clicking Here
Workshops
There are two dedicated workshop areas at the event with a range of topics and speakers providing an even better opportunity to gain practical, hands-on advice and tips.
Workshops are slightly smaller and more informal than the seminars, with the intention of people getting involved, asking questions, and making the most of the experts on hand.
See workshop topics, speakers and timetable by clicking Here
Wool – All Things Woolie
A dedicated area where the sheep shearing is taking place will feature wool demonstrations, including excellent fleece presentation and how to maximise the value of your wool by British Wool as well as wool spinning, weaving and felt making demonstration periodically throughout the day.
