Young sheep farmers to be given genetic boost with new NSA giveaway
16th May 2023
Following a successful first running of its Next GENE-eration giveaway in 2021, the National Sheep Association (NSA) is excited to once again be offering the UK’s young sheep farmers chance to progress their flocks with its competition to win top class genetics.
As with its previous giveaway, NSA Next GENE-eration will offer young sheep enthusiasts aged 18 to 35 the opportunity to win one of five MV accredited, performance recorded Romney rams, kindly provided by Rob and Jo Hodgkins of Kaiapoi Romneys through the Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust. But new for 2023, the NSA initiative is pleased to also be teaming up with the Dutch Spotted Sheep Society to giveaway five ram vouchers, each to the value of £750, to be redeemed at an official Dutch Spotted Sheep Society sale in 2023.
NSA Communications Manager Katie James, who is coordinating the giveaway, says: “The NSA Next GENE-eration giveaway was a very welcome new addition to the Next Generation programme when introduced in 2021 so we are really pleased to be offering young sheep farmers such a great opportunity again this year.
“The addition of the Dutch Spotted ram vouchers to the giveaway will mean even more young shepherds will be able to benefit from this initiative. The two breeds will offer sheep farmers from contrasting systems the opportunity to benefit from top class genetics that will help them progress their systems.”
Edward Adamson of the Dutch Spotted Sheep Society says: “As a relatively new breed in the UK the Dutch Spotted Sheep Society understands the difficulties of getting started and is pleased to take this opportunity to help some enthusiastic young sheep farmers establish their businesses and realise the qualities of the Dutch Spotted breed.”
Rob Hodgkins of Kaiapoi Romneys adds: “As a farm we have had the benefit of a lot of people's and business's goodwill over the years. It's important to Jo and myself that we are now in a position to give back to the industry that has given so much to us. We hope this giveaway can make some meaningful change to some deserving young farmers.”
The giveaway is just one element of the NSA Next Generation programme that encourages and supports the sheep farmers and service providers of the future. The programme is now inviting applications from enthusiastic young sheep farmers in the UK who would like to be considered as a recipient of a Kaiapoi Romney ram or a Dutch Spotted ram voucher.
To apply and be considered as a recipient of the giveaway applicants are required to submit a short video clip (No more than three minutes) explaining the reasons for their application and an overview of why they believe they should be considered as a chosen recipient.
Mrs James continues: “This year we are encouraging applicants to simply take their phone from their pocket and send us a short video of themselves explaining why either a Romney or a Dutch Spotted ram will make a difference to their enterprise. This easy method of application we hope will make the competition accessible to more young sheep farmers with an interest in these breeds.”
The video clip should be emailed to enquiries@nationalsheep.org.uk by 5pm on Monday 19th June 2023. Applicants are recommended to use a file transfer service such as WeTransfer or Dropbox if large file size prevents emails sending.
No monetary alternative is offered, and the successful recipients will be expected to feedback to NSA, Kaiapoi Romneys and the Dutch Spotted Sheep Society on the performance of the rams and their subsequent offspring. Recipients will also be asked to partake in associated press and publicity relating to the programme.
For full entry guidance and terms and conditions of the giveaway visit https://go.nationalsheep.org.uk/GENE-eration.
Applications opened on Monday 15th May and will remain open until Monday 19th June. All applicants will be notified of whether they have made it to the next stage of the application process. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an online selection interview during the week beginning Monday 17th July 2023 via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, and the successful applicants informed within 48 hours. The selected recipients will be expected to collect the ram(s) safely and legally at their own expense either from Kaiapoi Romneys in Cambridgeshire or from the chosen livestock market where a Dutch Spotted Society sale has taken place.
