THE National Sheep Association (NSA) are holding four events in the coming weeks and months, providing a great opportunity for sheep farmers to attend an interesting day out.

Taking place on farms with some of the finest commercial and pedigree stock in their areas the events give farmers a chance to view progressive enterprises providing ideas and inspiration for implementation on their own systems.

Kicking off the busy period of NSA activity this spring will be NSA Sheep South West taking place on Wednesday, May 10, near Honiton, Devon, kindly hosted by the Derryman family. With the Derryman family well known in the South West of England for their stockmanship and success in the show ring, visitors will be able to look forward to viewing the varied pedigree sheep enterprises.

Following shortly after will be NSA Welsh Sheep, this year taking place at Red House Farm, Aberhafesp, near Newtown, Powys, courtesy of hosts Huw and Sioned Owen, with their son, Dafydd. The event on Tuesday, May 16, will be a festival of sheep farming where all the latest industry information, in the form of 170 trade stands and a range of seminars and exhibitions will await visitors.

Later on, into June and then July will be NSA North Sheep and NSA Sheep Northern Ireland.

NSA North Sheep, on Wednesday, June, 7, will appeal to those farming in both the North of England as well as the borders of Scotland at its convenient location of Bradford House Farm, Ponteland, Northumberland. The spotlight will be on the top quality commercial livestock of hosts JE Woodman and Son at NSA North Sheep, providing a platform to discuss and debate the future of a sustainable sheep industry.

And completing the programme of main events this summer will be NSA Sheep Northern Ireland on Tuesday, July 4, at the Tynan Estate, County Armagh by kind permission of host Kate Kingan and owner James Kingan. For the first time in this event’s history, NSA Sheep Northern Ireland will be taking place on farm rather than in a livestock market, meaning visitors will be able to enjoy even more to see and do.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “All at NSA are looking forward to a busy but hugely enjoyable few months of events. We would encourage anyone with an interest in sheep farming, from the experienced shepherds to those considering entering the sheep sector for the first time to visit. There really are no better events to learn from and network with others from the industry.”

The events also offer chance to get involved with competitions open ahead of and during the events ranging from livestock photography to the popular NSA Next Generation Shepherd’s contests.

All NSA events this year are free to enter for NSA members, with ticket prices ranging from £10 to £15 for non-members. Details on NSA membership including the full range of benefits in addition to free event entry can be found at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/membership.