Strength of the sheep sector is its people

The event, which focused on the future of the sheep farming industry, attracted farmers, academics, industry experts, exhibitors, associated businesses and breed societies from throughout the UK.

Across the day, whether in opening speeches or seminars, speaker after speaker emphasised the role farmers in general and sheep farmers in particular, played in British food and the protection of rural life and landscape and how vital these roles were in the protection of everybody’s future.

Chairman Adam Watson referred to the many challenges faced on farms in the last 18 months during his opening address before the head of agriculture for Barclays Bank, Martin Redfearn, spoke.

Mr Redfearn said: “Sheep farming is vital to all parts of the agriculture industry and the strength of that industry is its people.”

He added: “The role of the stockman is almost indescribable – what he or she can see in the pen, shed or field of livestock today, maybe is what any blind fool can see tomorrow.

“You can improve it from what it is but it has to be there to start with – he or she has to have instinct for livestock.”

Chief executive of the NSA Phil Stoker added his belief that farmers “are the foundation of all land management in the country, and that family farming units are the backbone of agriculture”.

That tone of support and optimism for the future was nowhere better made than by Liz Philip, principal, Askham Bryan College, who presented a seminar for young entrants,

Entitled Opportunities for the Future, to her “the farming family was the bedrock of British food production. Young people can invent the future of farming”.

“New entrants are business people who want to farm.”

One of the highlights of the competitive spirit of North Sheep was the shearing competition.

Thought to be rare these days, the crowds flocked to see some of the North of England’s best shearers, with 30-year-old Adam Berry of Kendal clipping his way to the trophy.

Winners of the stockjudging competitions, sponsored by Carrs Billington Agriculture, were, in the Gents, Cecil Hutchinson, of East Harle; the Ladies, Margaret Iveson of High Force Farm, Bainbridge; 25 years and under, Eddie Heard; and 18 years and under, Henry Forsett.

Entrants were required to show their keen eye for champion stock by judging four pens with Dalesbred, Teeswater, Mashams and Mules.

The third NSA North Sheep Young Shepherd of the Year Award was made to a neighbour of the Wilson’s at Crimple Head – Josh Ryder of Central House Farm, Haverah Park near Harrogate.

Receiving trophy his emphasised that North Sheep is a flagship in farming.

“This couldn’t be a better event to win it at,” he added.

Organisers said they were delighted with the turnout.