Visitors will flock to major sheep gathering

THOUSANDS of visitors are expected to one of the biggest gatherings of the UK sheep industry.
The biennial Sheep North event will take place at West Shields Farm, Tow Law, on Wednesday, June 7.

Organised by the National Sheep Association (NSA), the event features a packed programme of seminars, demonstrations and workshops.
Seminars include What happens when the schemes end? which will examine some “what if” scenarios, as well as advising what sheep farmers can do when the environmental schemes end.
Balancing upland farming and the environment and sheep meat exports post Brexit are other topics to be covered.
Workshops will cover wool grading, foot rot vaccinations, sheep scab biosecurity and the genetic change in New Zealand sheep.
A major highlight of this year’s event is the first ever Lamb Festival, which celebrates the high quality and diversity of British lamb.
The aim is to highlight what today’s consumers are looking for when they are buying lamb, and the types of dishes they are choosing to cook.
Alongside this will be a range of demonstrations including lamb dressing, butchery, barbecuing, soil fertility and sheep dog handling.
Northumberland farmer Jimmy Bell, who sells direct to the public, will be demonstrating the different cuts of lamb and sizes of joints.
Australian-born chef Simon Hicks, head chef at the nearby multi award winning Lord Crewe Arms Hotel, will demonstrate the alfresco lamb on the BBQ, while celebrity chef and Yorkshire farmer’s daughter Steph Moon will present a series of quick and easy dishes using mince and diced lamb which the whole family can enjoy.
The Next Generation Shepherd competition offers young people the chance to demonstrate their shepherding skills in five areas.
Entrants will be required to carry out five tasks on the day, two of which are compulsory and the remaining three selected by the competitor from a list of optional tasks.
The competition is sponsored by Rumenco and Nettex, and all entrants will be hoping to take home a share of the £740 prize pot.
For those looking to start a career in sheep farming, some of the UK’s most proactive young ambassadors will demonstrate how they began their own careers in the industry.
This offers people, whether they are from a farming background or not, the chance to chat with similar minded individuals, make connections within the industry and gather advice on how to make their ambitions become reality.
There will also be an open stockjudging competition run by Butsfield Young Farmers Club.
This is open to the general public and gives everyone the opportunity to test their skills by placing the different classes of sheep. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to watch shearers in action during the sheep shearing team challenge
In addition, there will be more than 180 trade stands from all sectors of the industry.
A family run partnership, West Shields Farm is managed by John Smith, alongside his two sons, David and Alan and visitors will have the opportunity to see for themselves how they operate during farm tours which will run from 9.30am to 4pm.
Northern regional manager and events organiser Heather Stoney-Grayshon said: “Plans are well underway for this year’s North Sheep event.
“We have a fantastic schedule of events and competitions taking place on the day. There really is something for everyone within the sheep industry.”
As an organisation the NSA represent the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK.
The NSA is funded by the memberships of its sheep farmers.
Together with the many industry related activities it is involved with, it aims to ensure that it plays a key part in every aspect of the sheep farming sector.