NSA Next Generation event inspires young sheep farmers
21st November 2016
This Friday (18th November) saw more than 80 young people with an interest in sheep and thirst for knowledge come together to enjoy the fourth annual NSA Next Generation event, held this year at Stratford-upon-Avon Livestock Market, Warwickshire, by kind permission of Bletsoes Auctioneers.
NSA Chairman Samuel Wharry opened the event by describing the share farming agreement he is involved in, and then four young shepherds spoke about their different paths into sheep farming, be it taking responsibility on the family farm, establishing a share farming agreement, starting out as a self-employed shepherd, or running a flock without any owned land.
The four speakers spoke with huge enthusiasm and passion for their chosen paths into sheep farming:-
Jacob Anthony (23) is the fifth generation on his family farm in Bridgend, South Wales. When taking on more responsibility, he urged people to have a frank conversation with family members. He said: "I know it can seem like I'm in an enviable situation, inheriting a family farm, but there is a white elephant in the room. Do I want to waste the best years of my life when I don't know what's going to happen in the future? You need to talk about the future and make a succession plan."
Hannah Jackson (24) is a new entrant based in Penrith, Cumbria. She runs sheep on a smallholding and works all year round as a contract shepherd. Positivity was key when trying to find work, she said: "Work didn’t come easy at first. I had a lot of trouble been taken seriously as a female from a non-agricultural background with bright red hair! But I stuck at it and threw myself into everything. Be positive, enthusiastic and smiley. When you've got that attitude on your shoulders, who can knock you?”
Ewan Cumming (23) is starting a brand new share farming agreement in Denton, Norfolk. He spoke about the need for flexibility when starting out on a venture. Ewan said: “The beauty of this type of agreement is that there is no set template. We were able to come to an agreement after three months and are currently working on a percentage owned basis, terms of which will be reviewed after a period of time. The key is getting along and playing to your strengths, which works brilliantly in my case, as I'm good at the sheep stuff and my partner is good at the business stuff."
Robert Spink (24) has a family farm at Hepworth on the Norfolk/Suffolk border, but can only run a commercially viable sheep enterprise by renting multiple blocks of land in the area. He said: “Farming small blocks here and there might not be what you want initially, but it often opens doors and provides a stepping stone to the end you want. It’s as much about keeping the land as it is finding it. Keep yourself tidy and react quickly. Turn up with a smile, crack a joke and make sure you're on form. That goes a long way with people."
A series of six informal and practical sessions followed the speakers, of which attendees were invited to attend four. NSA is indebted to the people who led and supported the workshops:-
- Making the most of performance recording with Steve West, Signet
- Practical sheep handling with Kevin Harrison, sheep farmer and NSA regional chairman
- Reporting and recording sheep movements with Ian Cairns, Farming Advice Service
- Getting your hands on land with Chris Templar, Bletsoes
- Keeping sheep healthy with Phillipa Page, vet - supported by MSD Animal Health
- What makes a successful livestock business? with Mark Topliff, AHDB Beef & Lamb
Held as part of the NSA Next Generation project, the one-day event also marked the opening of the application window for the 2017 NSA Next Generation Ambassador group – open now for one month only. Now in its fourth year, the group is made up of 12 individuals from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, selected to take part in a mixture of five technical and personal development sessions throughout the year. Find details of delivery sessions in previous years and an online application form at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk/applyonline.
Joanne Briggs, NSA Communications Manager, says: "It was fantastic to see so many keen and enthusiastic young people who were genuinely interested in the information on offer and how it could be used in their own farming systems and careers. We were able to keep the workshops groups small, giving individuals plenty of opportunity to ask questions specifically relating to them. With so many of the NSA Next Generation Ambassadors around, anyone thinking about applying for the 2017 intake was left in little doubt on the fantastic experiences those who’ve been through the programme have had already.”
