NSA Ram Longevity Focus Group

1st December 2016

NSA is currently facilitating a group of experts to investigate the flock life of breeding males and the reasons for deaths and culling in the UK. With the help of funding from the Animal Welfare Foundation, and after concerns from NSA members about the short life of commercial rams, NSA is urging as many farmers as possible to participate in a new study to find out what is going on.

The project will also involve ten focus groups around the country, to gather more detailed data and encourage discussion amongst farmers. These are free to attend but booking is essential as places are limited, and participants must have 200+ breeding ewes and four years of ram purchase information. There will be a focus group taking place at Brecon Castle Hotel, LD3 9DB on the evening of Monday 9th January 2017. Volunteers can contact enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk to secure their place. If you or any one you know would be interested in participating, please let us know.

The survey is available online, at www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ramlongevity and hard copies can be requested from NSA Head Office by contacting laura@nationalsheep.org.uk or 01684 892661. If you are planning on attending a focus group, you will be asked to fill in a survey by the facilitator, so avoid filling one in beforehand from the link above.