Positivity at NSA Sheep Event despite uncertainties for the future
19th July 2018
Tremendous crowds leant a positive atmosphere to the flagship biennial event of the National Sheep Association (NSA), held yesterday (Wednesday 18th July) at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire.
NSA Sheep 2018 had few more answers about Brexit than the show held two years’ ago, just after the EU referendum was held. But with a theme of ‘Thriving in an uncertain future’, the one-day business-to-business event provided attendees with information, advice and ideas to safeguard themselves and their flocks whatever happens politically over the coming months and years.
Lord Inglewood, NSA President, referred to this uncertainty as he officially opened the event. He said: “It would have been much better to have known what the deal on Brexit was before we voted on it but that’s not the way it’s been. What is happening in the House of Lords, because we have the time and the rules to do so, is to look at everything over this legislation.”
Lord Inglewood vowed to continue this work as more detail emerges on the Agriculture Bill, saying he and his colleagues would give it ‘very considerable scrutiny’. However, he warned, while there was acceptance public money should be used to pay for public goods, there was not going to be an abundance of public money to do that going forward.
Maintaining the industry with that shrinking pot of money was a topic that flowed through the four seminars at the event led by NSA officeholders and featuring industry leaders and experts. Considering subjects such as stimulating demand for sheepmeat both domestically and internationally, public goods delivered by the sheep sector, and utilising technology within the sector to help businesses thrive, the seminars provided opportunity for all to contemplate a future positively
Commenting on the success of this year’s seminar programme, NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments: “It was pleasing to witness the seminar tent so full with attendees clearly interested and enthused. The discussion generated in each of the seminars I consider to be evidence of the desire of our sheep farmers to position themselves in the best possible way despite the uncertainties immediately ahead of us.”
In addition to the seminars, double the number of workshops were delivered at NSA Sheep 2018 compared to previous years allowing visitors to focus on specific topics in more detail, including foot health, nutrition, responsible antibiotic use and sustainable parasite control. The workshop area also saw NSA Next Generation lead two sessions on the future of employed shepherds in the UK, and NSA and Woodland Trust jointly launch a new booklet offering practical advice on integrating trees onto sheep farms.
A packed day also saw a record number of international visitors attend, a number of awards and prizes awarded, various demonstrations run, and a popular sheepdog sale take place. The top priced sheepdog was Don, a two-year-old dog offered for sale by Mr D.K. Evans of Penclyn Farm, Brecon, Powys, and sold for 3,400gns to Mr P. Langdown (pictured right).
Helen Davies, NSA Sheep Event Organiser concludes: “The work involved in holding an event such as this is considerable but completely worthwhile when we all can enjoy a busy, successful event such as that held yesterday. We thank all who sponsored, exhibited or visited the event and look forward to welcoming them to further NSA events in the future.”
