Sheep farming’s next generation invited to NSA open event
23rd October 2017
Young people with an enthusiasm for the sheep sector are invited to join like-minded individuals and industry professionals at a free event next month, held as part of the National Sheep Association (NSA) Next Generation project.
The one-day event will be the fifth of its kind this year, to be held on Wednesday 15th November at Welshpool Livestock Market, Welshpool, SY21 8SR. The event is free to attend, to include a complimentary lunch. The event, running from 10am to 3.45pm, is free to attend but booking is essential at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk/event.
It will aim to cater for everyone with a passion for sheep farming, from new entrants to those looking at taking on more responsibility within a long-established business as well as anyone who is simply keen to learn more about sheep farming.
Hannah Park, NSA Communications Officer, says: “The day will provide a fantastic opportunity to learn more about the options out there for young people considering a career in sheep farming or looking to make their mark on an existing business.
“It’s not just about learning, but socialising too as meeting like-minded individuals to share experiences with will be a key part of the day. Applications will also open for the 2018 NSA Next Generation Ambassador group at the event, for one month only. The programme see’s up to 12 individuals receive sheep specific training and personal development sessions annually since it launched in 2014. Ambassadors from the previous years’ intakes will be on hand during the day to answer questions and share their experiences.”
Attendees are invited to arrive at 10am for a 10.30am start, when the event will kick off with a welcome from Powys sheep farmer Rhidian Glyn. Rhidian and his wife Elen have continued to build their sheep enterprise after starting with 15 ewes and seven acres. In 2014 the pair took on a ten-year Farm Business Tenancy on a 530-acre hill farm.
Four NSA Next Generation Ambassadors, each with a different entry route into the sheep sector, will then discuss how the event’s theme of ‘Future proofing your sheep enterprise’ is likely to affect their business going forward.
Informal and practical workshops will follow, each run by an industry professional. Attendees are invited to attend four of the seven stations coving the following topics: -
- Straightforward farm finance: Know your options
- Using genetics to get the most from your flock
- Get the land you want!
- Flock health: What to watch this season
- Meeting those all-important market specifications
- Getting the most from your working dogs
- What are the options when it comes to joint ventures?
The event, running from 10am to 3.45pm, is free to attend but booking is essential at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk/event .
The application window for the 2018 NSA Next Generation Ambassador Group will also open at the event, for one month only. Ambassadors from previous years’ groups will be on hand to share their experiences of being part of the group, which sees up to 12 individuals each year given technical training and personal development relevant to the running of their sheep businesses.
