Hunt for the best shepherd
ORGANISERS of North Sheep 2011, the biennial northern counties show of the National Sheep Association, which will be at Hexham on June 11, are calling for entries for the Young Shepherd Award, which is open to youngsters aged 20-25.
The winner will go forward to represent England in New Zealand in November. Contact Julie Sedgewick on 07836 773888 or see www.northsheep.org.uk/
n Lameness should be affecting no more than five per cent of British sheep within five years and two per cent or less within 10 years, the Farm Animal Welfare Council has told Defra.
It said the two per cent target was already achievable with best practice.
The NFU said improvement would be best left to voluntary efforts rather than being enforced by more bureaucracy.