And in their final set of questions for 2018, our ambassadors said.....

Of the farms you’ve visited during your year as an Ambassador, which would you like to live and work on and why – or, which farmer you have met would you like to work with and why?

Joe Emmett

I'd like to work with Frank Lloyd, on his setup. I really liked his progressive attitude towards breeding the best sheep to suit his system, and at the same time adding value to stock for sale.

Joe Emmett
Norfolk

Lauren Bird

Martyn Fletcher, I found his commercial focus passion and innovative ideas very interesting and have often thought back to things we saw and discussed on that visit. That’s a tough question, as I have taken something from every farm visit. 

Lauren Bird
Oxfordshire

David McMullan

Frank Lloyd seemed to be running a good set up mostly subsidy free in a nice part of the world in Hereford. Also Kevin Harrison with the mules from the first session ran a similar set up to myself which was interesting to see as there was some acute differences.

David McMullan
County Antrim

Thomas Chapman

Over the past year we have visited and met so many great farms and farmers, I would have to say I'd most like to work with Frank Lloyd with his breeding of Aberfield rams. As the way he farmed was similar to what I aspire to do and also I was impressed with the quality of his stock. 

Thomas Chapman
Staffordshire

Kirree Kermode

I really liked Deer Park hall , with Mark Steele. There was so much variety within his enterprise, covering really good niche markets, adding value to each of his products & no two days would be the same either!! 

Kirree Kermode
Isle of Man

Oliver Brayne

Frank Lloyd because of a mixture between the type of land (not completely flat!), he was inspiring and ran an interesting system.

Oliver Brayne
Derbyshire

Rollo Deutsch

All the farmers were great to visit. The farmers I would like to work with would be Mark Jones and Mark Steel because I think they have great business minds and would keep you on track. The farm where I would like to work with them on would be the farm we visited in south Wiltshire/ Dorset on the downs where Martin Fletcher showed us round. This would be because the land owner would be willing to support you and it’s the farming style in which I think a sheep should be farmed, in the most natural way. 

Rollo Deutsch
Gloucestershire

Richard Rossiter

I would like to work with Frank Lloyd I feel that he had the same passion as me with breeding stock and also feel that he would give you responsibility within the work. 

Richard Rossiter
Devon

Bleddyn Davies

I wouldnt mind working for Frank Lloyd. His vision for the sheep industry, looking at simplifying his system with an emphasis on genetics and EBV's is the way i believe we need to be heading as an industry. 

Bleddyn Davies
Ceredigion

Sion Morgan

I would like to live and work on the farm that Martin Fletcher was working on. I liked his breed of sheep, his handling facilities and his approach to sheep production.

Sion Morgan
Scottish Borders

Catherine Sanderson

I liked Kevin Harrison’s farm the best. The attention to detail with nutrition and health was amazing and I think you would learn a lot working there.

Catherine Sanderson
North Yorkshire

Zoey Symington

I would like to work for Kevin Harrison. He had a very different system inside but it seemed interesting. He also had a great personality and was open telling you about his successful farm.

Zoey Symington
Shetland

What useful piece of advice have you taken away and implemented on your farm since becoming an NSA Next Generation Ambassador? Are you seeing any benefits from this already?

Joe Emmett

I have started using Wyn Owens techniques for time management, and business planning.

Joe Emmett
Norfolk

Lauren Bird

I’ve been more conscious of my use of antibiotics! 

Lauren Bird
Oxfordshire

David McMullan

The biggest thing I take away from this is knowledge of antibiotic use and resistance. I have cut this down on the home farm and also using genetics more to try and breed better traits into my home flock.

 

David McMullan
County Antrim

Thomas Chapman

From this programe I have taken home regular weighing of lambs and if I see a decrease in daily liveweight gains then it means I need to look into worming lambs. This tool has been helpful since implementing. 

Thomas Chapman
Staffordshire

Kirree Kermode

The use of antibiotics has been reduced when working with our stock especially after our 1st session it was still lambing time at home. I was able to use different methods advised by Phillipa Page that worked to prevent Joint Ill.

Kirree Kermode
Isle of Man

Oliver Brayne

I haven't technically changed anything but attention to detail and preventative treatments are to important messages I've taken away.

Oliver Brayne
Derbyshire

Rollo Deutsch

I have learnt to focus on my costs more and question what I’m doing. This is due to Mark Jones helping me look in more detail at my figures. Frank Lloyd showed that anything is possible if you are determined. Leslie stubbings helped outline sheep vaccines and wormers and has encouraged me to use my vet more. 

Rollo Deutsch
Gloucestershire

Richard Rossiter

I have taken away the use of drenching and doing more fetal egg count reducing drenching. Yes seeing benefits on saving. 

Richard Rossiter
Devon

Bleddyn Davies

I'm already looking at costs within the business to improve margins after our benchmarking exercise. Looking at increasing forage use and lowering dependence on concentrates and also reducing antibiotic use for practical and financial benefit. 

Bleddyn Davies
Ceredigion

Sion Morgan

I found the farm advice from Mark Jones a big help to fine tune your farming system. Feed budgeting is crucial to knowing your supply and demand.

Sion Morgan
Scottish Borders

Catherine Sanderson

We have started doing our own FEC’ s. Although I haven’t done any worming differently yet I feel more in control of the worm burden and more confident in my worming strategies.

Catherine Sanderson
North Yorkshire

Zoey Symington

I’ve taken away a lot of different benefits from the programme. The piece of advice that springs to mind would be the control of worms in our flock. Also I have reduced medicine use and therefore cost. This is definitely a benefit as we are not routinely drenching like we used to.

Zoey Symington
Shetland

What useful piece of advice have you taken away and plan to implement in the next year or two.

Joe Emmett

I hope to implement some more focus on adding value to my breeding females buying in more improved genetics.

Joe Emmett
Norfolk

Lauren Bird

I always knew the importance of colostrum but Philippa Page's talk in the first session really highlighted some key facts, and this lambing I intend to make a greater effort to ensure every lamb gets its quota and hopefully reduce joint ill. 

Lauren Bird
Oxfordshire

David McMullan

I am going to implement stricter culling policy’s and better biosecurity. Also more strict feacal egg counts routinely.

David McMullan
County Antrim

Thomas Chapman

I'm looking to sell lambs from farm and by using social media and a branding to help promote it. 

Thomas Chapman
Staffordshire

Kirree Kermode

To be pay more attention to cost of production and get more benefits from grass crops. 


 

Kirree Kermode
Isle of Man

Oliver Brayne

No one system is better than another, it's how you implement and carry it out that makes the difference.

Oliver Brayne
Derbyshire

Rollo Deutsch

To make a 5 year plan and to work with my vet more to keep my sheep as healthy as possible mainly managing worm burdens. 

Rollo Deutsch
Gloucestershire

Bleddyn Davies

In the next year or two i am looking to implement rotational grazing into the sheep system. Increasing forage utilisation and increasing production with higher stocking rates. 

Bleddyn Davies
Ceredigion

Sion Morgan

I haven’t yet implemented this advice but hopefully will be successfully in running my own operation when I definitely do this.

Sion Morgan
Scottish Borders

Catherine Sanderson

I am hoping to make better use of EID and record sheep better.

Catherine Sanderson
North Yorkshire

Zoey Symington

I would like to do more stock recording. We have all the devices but don’t use them to its full potential. 

Zoey Symington
Shetland

Select an ambassador from team 2018! Where do you see them in 10 years’ time?

Joe Emmett

David Mcmullen, will be the dairy king of Northern Ireland

Joe Emmett
Norfolk

Lauren Bird

I think the whole team have been awesome! Catherine I am sure will end up as a minister for agriculture or environment or the like. 

Lauren Bird
Oxfordshire

David McMullan

Catherine. If in ten years time this girl is not either the prime minister or at the very least in a very high ranking farm committee job i will be very surprised. The girl is just so articulate and knowledgeable on every topic and puts her point across in a calm and collected manner.

 

David McMullan
County Antrim

Thomas Chapman

From this year ambassadors I would pick Sion Morgan. I can see him in 10 years running his own small hill farm and producing top quality working dogs and a successful trailing career. 

Thomas Chapman
Staffordshire

Kirree Kermode

I see Zoey relocate to mainland being main co ordinator and lamb buyer for stock from Shetland exporting to mainland on to a holding she has where she can grow them on , rather than selling them as light lambs on to a declining market !! 

Kirree Kermode
Isle of Man

Oliver Brayne

Sion...back in NZ!

Oliver Brayne
Derbyshire

Sion Morgan

I think Sion will be farming in his own right and will have a lot to do within the sheep industry trying to help increase consumption of lamb. 

Sion Morgan
Scottish Borders

Richard Rossiter

Sion be back home on his farm training and breeding dogs also being trialling world champion. 

Richard Rossiter
Devon

Sion Morgan

Rollo will be driving around his estate in a Range Rover sport with the back cut off replaced with an Ifor Williams canopy.

Sion Morgan
Scottish Borders

Catherine Sanderson

In 10 years time I can see Olly running an extremely successful time because he has a great passion and drive to succeed.

Catherine Sanderson
North Yorkshire

Zoey Symington

I see Kirree taking over the family farm and continuing her passion for breeding Texels.I think she will grow and take the opportunity in her stride!

Zoey Symington
Shetland

2019 is just around the corner. Will you be making any new year’s resolutions for yourself personally or for your farm / place of work in 2019?

Joe Emmett

To be on the NSA Eastern Region committee

Joe Emmett
Norfolk

Lauren Bird

New Years Resolutions aren’t really my thing, but being part of the NSA has given me more motivation to get involved within the sheep industry to have an impact on the future. 

Lauren Bird
Oxfordshire

David McMullan

I have already given up smoking so I can’t use that. Is make more money in 2019 one?!

David McMullan
County Antrim

Thomas Chapman

I dont really do news years resolutions but if I had to pick one which would apply to myself and my farm it would be to be better and not bitter in my approach to life. 

Thomas Chapman
Staffordshire

Kirree Kermode

To embrace more EID technology to make life easier than using soggy bits of paper!

Kirree Kermode
Isle of Man

Oliver Brayne

Do more faecal egg counting.

Oliver Brayne
Derbyshire

Rollo Deutsch

Yes I will be speaking with my vet to see if they will offer a service to monitor my worm burden in the spring while I’m away shearing . 

Rollo Deutsch
Gloucestershire

Richard Rossiter

To make better use of my time not be away so much. 

Richard Rossiter
Devon

Bleddyn Davies

Take every opportunity available and build a sustainable business in preparation for a post Brexit uknown! 

Bleddyn Davies
Ceredigion

Sion Morgan

I will try and build more equity to try and get a step closer to getting on the farming ladder.

Sion Morgan
Scottish Borders

Catherine Sanderson

Eat more lamb

Catherine Sanderson
North Yorkshire

Zoey Symington

To make the most of my new job on the mainland. I will be working on a large farm in Aberdeen shire and am looking forward to getting stuck into it.

Zoey Symington
Shetland

Brexit has been the top topic during your first year as an Ambassador. Where do you think the final negotiations will end up and will it be good for UK sheep farmers?

Joe Emmett

I've no idea where we will end up, hopefully  our government isn’t going to send us into a muddle! 

Joe Emmett
Norfolk

Lauren Bird

What will be wil be. I think long term it will all work out, short term will be tricky, change is always hard. 

Lauren Bird
Oxfordshire

David McMullan

I think brexit will ultimately be a good thing for the sheep farmer but there may be tough times to get through first. What this will entail or how bad it will be i dont think anyone knows

David McMullan
County Antrim

Thomas Chapman

Brexit is such a diverse topic at the minute and I wish I could know where the negotiations will end up. I would like to think the sheep industry should be ok as a nation our lamb is quite sought after at home and abroad and of top quality. We might have to ride a wave or two but however it ends up I have faith we still have a bright future. 

Thomas Chapman
Staffordshire

Kirree Kermode

I really don’t know ...I remain positive whatever the outcome , we always need food and if we focus on producing the best quality stock we can I think it will always be wanted!! 

Kirree Kermode
Isle of Man

Oliver Brayne

I think we'll get a deal but struggle to see sheep farmers coming out of Brexit well, at least for the first few years.

Oliver Brayne
Derbyshire

Rollo Deutsch

In the long run I think leaving will be a very good thing and will allow us as a country to put our own uneak brand on our product. However short term the market could go one way or the other in the spring when we hit March/ April. 

Rollo Deutsch
Gloucestershire

Richard Rossiter

I don’t know how it will end up and I don’t think the government do either as they cannot seem to agree and come up with final decisions.  It will come down to the final hours weather deal will be done or not. 

Richard Rossiter
Devon

Bleddyn Davies

It simply has to be for the good of the sheep industry or it wont be just farmers suffering but the whole country as the environment wont be as well looked after and the scenery we've become used to will deteriorate.         

Bleddyn Davies
Ceredigion

Sion Morgan

I am concerned where the final negotiations will end up but see this as an opportunity for young entrants with the knowledge, time, energy and passion to access land.

Sion Morgan
Scottish Borders

Catherine Sanderson

Like the rest of the UK, I have no idea if Brexit will even happen or if it will be good or bad. I think Brexit gives us a good opportunity to develop a new stewardship scheme but hopefully we will still be able to trade with the EU.

Catherine Sanderson
North Yorkshire

Zoey Symington

Brexit could be very difficult for Shetland, farming could easily become a non-profitable enterprise. Shetland farmers would like to see more of a focus on the regulations for Scotland to include the highlands and islands.

Zoey Symington
Shetland