Variety of demonstrations to bring practical dimension to NSA Sheep 2022
29th June 2022
From giving a ram a ‘MOT’ ahead of the breeding season to top tips for applying fly control products to ewes and lambs, there will an appealing range of handling and husbandry demonstrations at this summer’s National Sheep Association’s (NSA) Sheep Event.
Running throughout the day, the demonstrations will bring a practical dimension to the flagship event of the NSA, taking place on Wednesday 27th July at the Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire.
Dan Phipps, NSA Chairman, says: “NSA is very fortunate to have a range of sponsors and partners providing some fantastic demonstrations at the event. Several of them will have sheep on their stands, so they can showcase real-life handling set-ups, for example. As a sheep farmer myself, I find this to be one of the best ways to pick up new information and understand how things are directly relatable to my flock.
“A new element for this year’s event is having a vet demonstrate how to carry out an effective ram MOT, checking his mouth, teeth, testicles and body condition to ensure he can serve the optimum amount of ewes come autumn. Whether you’ve done plenty of MOTs and need a refresher, or are new to the concept and want some advice on where to start, having a professional talk through the steps will be really useful.”
AHDB, an event Major Sponsor, is supporting the ram MOT demonstrations, while the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group will have a dedicated area within Avon Hall to showcase effective sheep gathering for parasite management. This will include the summer threats posed by roundworms and blowflies, but also look ahead to common autumnal and winter challenges.
Nearby will be the Moredun Foundation, with an interactive area that will complement the SCOPS offering, allowing visitors to get hands on with identifying parasites that impact sheep performance. With its custom-built bus parked up at the event and a team of scientists attending, Moredun will also put a spotlight on iceberg diseases and other health topics.
Meanwhile, in Wye Hall, Shearwell Data will have a large area demonstrating different ways to efficiently run sheep with EID tags through handing systems, collecting vital performance data in an quick and easy way.
Mr Phipps adds: “Because we have a number of active sheep farmers sitting on the NSA Sheep Event organising committee, we have worked hard to design the event to offer as much as possible to visitors like ourselves. The inclusion of these practical demonstrations will be a useful part of the day, ensuring no one goes home without seeing, learning and discussing something new.”
It is not too late to become an NSA member and access free entry to the event. Or to upgrade an existing subscription to joint membership in order to get free entry for two people living at the same address. Alternatively, non-members can gain 20% off the ticket price by buying an early-bird ticket online. Those paying on the gate can use cash or card but will have to pay the full price of £20.
More information and online tickets can be found on the NSA Sheep Event website www.sheepevent.org.uk. Membership information is at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/membership. NSA Sheep 2022 Major Sponsors are AHDB and Shearwell (running demonstrations on their stands), Agri-Lloyd, Elanco and MSD Animal Health (all staging interactive workshops) and and Barclays (offering financial advice from its stand).
