Campbell family to host NSA ScotSheep Event, 2016
13th August 2015
Blythbank, the farm on which Dolly, the world’s first cloned sheep was born in 2003, will be the venue for NSA ScotSheep on Wednesday 1st June 2016.
Through their farm partnership with J P Campbell and Sons, the Campbell family, of Glenrath Farms Ltd, will host the event on behalf of NSA Scottish Region at Blythbank Farm, Penicuik, near Edinburgh, The family acquired the farm from the Roslin Institute in 2004. The farm is also famous as home to the first imported Texel sheep, brought into the UK from Ireland in 1970, by Dr John King, of the Animal Breeding Research Organisation. Blythbank is one of several farms owned by Glenrath Farms Ltd whose farming operation extends to 15,000 acres and is recognised as one of the most successful farming companies in the UK.
NSA Scottish Region Chairman, Sybil MacPherson said: “We are greatly indebted to the Campbell family for their willingness to host the NSA ScotSheep event, which is held every two years. With its historic links to the sheep industry, and the first class flocks of both pedigree and commercial sheep on the farm today, Blythbank will be an excellent venue for NSA ScotSheep.”
Blythbank spans over 1,300 acres, including 100 acres of trees and is part of the extensive farming operations the Campbell family are involved in. The farm is home to a flock of 2,000 Scotch Mule ewes, 500 replacement Scotch Mule hoggs and 700 Blackface ewes, along with 200 Limousin cross Friesian and three quarter Limousin suckler cows. A small, ten cow herd of pure bred Charolais, to breed replacement bulls and a flock of 40 Texel ewes to breed tups also reside on the farm, as well as 320,000 free range laying hens, with all eggs going to major retailers.
Managing director, Ian Campbell, said the family was delighted to have been invited to host such an important event for the sheep industry in Scotland and looked forward to welcoming sheep farmers from all over Scotland and beyond to view Blythbank Farm and its flocks of sheep.
Event chairman, Scott Somerville, of feed merchants, Galloway and Macleod Ltd and a former chairman of the rural affairs committee within the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, said: “Blythbank Farm provides the perfect venue for NSA ScotSheep. We are hugely grateful to the Campbell family for kindly agreeing to host what is Scotland’s premier sheep event. The venue will provide a superb backdrop to a flagship event showcasing everything good about Scottish sheep farming.”
For details of trade stands and sponsorship opportunities contact Event Organiser, Euan Emslie, on 01430 441870 or 07718 908523 or euan@appliedremedies.co.uk.