Show and sale of ewe hoggs a major feature of NSA Highland Sheep
9th January 2017
Sheep breeders in the Highlands and Islands, and further afield, are being urged to start looking out suitable sheep now to enter for the multi-breed show and sale of ewe hoggs at NSA Highland Sheep 2017 on Wednesday 31st May
The biennial event, being held this year at Kinnahaird Farm, Contin, Strathpeffer, Ross-shire, courtesy of the Clark family, is expected to attract a large attendance of sheep farmers from all over Scotland.
The sale of pairs of ewe hoggs was introduced at the first NSA Highland Sheep at Dingwall Mart in 2013 and repeated at the 2015 event at Fearn Farm, Tain, Ross-shire, as well as at the NSA Scot Sheep events in 2014 and 2016.
“The show and sale provides an opportunity for breeders to show-case their top ewe hoggs,” said Sybil Macpherson, NSA Scottish Region Chairman and organisers of NSA Highland Sheep. “The sale has attracted strong buying interest at the two previous NSA Highland Sheep events and four-figure prices have been achieved.”
The sale is open to ewe hoggs born in 2016 with either MV or non-MV accreditation and will feature nine classifications - Mules, North Country Cheviot (Hill), North Country Cheviot (Park), Scottish Blackface, Suffolk, Texel, any other native breed, any other Continental breed and any cross-bred.
The entry fee is £25 per pair (plus VAT) and prize money of £50 for a first, £25 for second and £10 for third is on offer. This year for the first time there will be an overall championship attracting a cash prize of £100. Judge will be Robert Paterson, Jun, Upper Auchenlay, Dunblane. Closing date for entries is Friday 12th May.
All sheep entered for the show must be offered for the sale which will be conducted by Dingwall and Highland Marts Ltd.
“Entries for the show and sale may have to be limited and I would urge prospective exhibitors to start thinking about what they might want to enter and get their entries in early,” said Mrs Macpherson.
NSA Highland Sheep is being organised as a special event for sheep farmers in the Highlands and Islands and will feature trade and sheep breed society stands, a comprehensive seminar programme, practical demonstrations, educational exhibits, a sheep dog trial, various competitions, meat cutting/cookery demonstrations and other events of relevance to sheep farmers.
A major attraction will be the host farm of Kinnahaird which is the family farm of Mrs Dorothy Clark and her daughter Mrs Amy Grant. The farm extends to 900 acres and carries a flock of 400 North Country Cheviot x Mule and Texel cross ewes and a suckler herd of mostly Simmental cross cows.
Further information, entry forms, details of sponsorship opportunities and trade stands, available from the NSA Highland Sheep Organiser Euan Emslie:
Tel: 07718 908523
Email: euan@nsascotland.org
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Issued by Agricultural Communications Ltd. Tel: 01330 811616. Mob: 07772 329159
E-mail: eddie@farmnortheast.co.uk
January 9, 2017
