Vital role of independent sheep consultants recognised in recipient of NSA award for outstanding contribution to the industry
22nd January 2019
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is delighted to announce the latest winner of the George Hedley Memorial Award as the highly regarded sheep consultant Lesley Stubbings.
For approaching 40 years, Lesley has been a leading figure in the UK sheep sector, gaining a UK-wide reputation for her outstanding knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the industry and particularly sheep nutrition and parasite control. On winning the award, she joins many reputable faces honoured for their contribution to the UK sheep industry by NSA.
Bryan Griffiths, NSA Chairman says: “I am thrilled Lesley Stubbings has been chosen as the recipient of the NSA George Hedley Memorial Award, in recognition of the dedication she has already given to the sheep industry and the role she will no doubt continue to play in the future. Anyone who has ever worked with Lesley cannot have failed to be impressed by her knowledge and enthusiasm for sheep farming, and we enjoy a particularly close working relationship with her at NSA. I believe this award to be very well deserved – congratulations to her.”
On graduating from Nottingham University with a degree in animal production in 1979, Lesley joined ADAS and quickly worked her up to become Principal Sheep Consultant. She became an independent sheep consultant in 1997, developing a wide client base within the industry, advising farmers, Defra, organisations such as NSA and many more. In addition, she is a life member of the Sheep Veterinary Society and the leading figure in the SCOPS industry group, which is a world leader in integrated parasite control in sheep.
On receiving the award Lesley says: “To be recognised by my peers in the sheep industry in this way is a great honour. I have been very fortunate to have worked in such a vibrant sector over my career. In accepting this award I want to acknowledge the efforts of many people who have supported and encouraged me over the years and I hope to be able to continue to support the next generation of sheep advisers as we move into an new phase for our industry”.
NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker add: “The value of the service Lesley has given to the UK sheep industry is really immeasurable, particularly when considering her role in the formation and development of the SCOPS group. Thanks to Lesley, I believe UK sheep farmers are currently far more aware of the challenges they face due to anthelmintic resistance and are taking steps to counteract this and improve the health and welfare status of their livestock. This alone is an achievement worth recognising, not to mention the vast amount of work throughout the sector that Lesley has been responsible for.”
