NSA North Sheep guarantees a tremendous show of livestock and a platform to discuss and debate the future of a sustainable sheep industry

Hosted by J E Woodman & Son, at Bradford House Farm, in Northumberland. The 2023 NSA North Sheep is taking place on Wednesday, June 7, in one of the UK’s major sheep producing areas.

With support from across the industry including major sponsor, Hexham and Northern Marts, it will provide a showcase for networking and keeping up to date with the latest industry developments through demonstrations, seminars, hundreds of trade stands.

One of the highlights of the event will be a tour of the Woodman family farm.

Willie Woodman and his wife and son farm 2,130 acres across two holdings 30 miles apart: Great Chesters, a 1,200-acre hill farm in the shadow of Hadrian’s Wall, and the 930-acre Bradford House Farm a traditional Northumberland livestock and arable farm. Bradford House Farm homes a lowland flock of 250 Mule ewes and 200 Texel cross ewes, and they grow wheat, barley, oilseed rape and beans.

Showcasing their passionate support for every breed from commercial mainstream to exotic, rare, and endangered breeds, more than 30 associations and societies will be represented at North Sheep, including mainline sponsor, the Bluefaced Leicester Sheep Breeders Association.

Sponsored by Carbon Partners Virgin Money, the host farm has undertaken a Carbon Audit, in association with Carbon Metrics.

In addition a line-up of speakers has been confirmed for the event’s seminar programme, sponsored by Youngs RPS, who in their seminar Resilience to Change, will explain support schemes available under the UK Government’s post-Brexit policy, and how farmers can maximise funding to replace outgoing payment systems.

Viv Lewis, Chair of the NSA’s Northern Region and NSA North Sheep 2023 said: “There has never been a more crucial time for the sheep industry to find inspiration and encouragement, and our hosts and sponsors have enabled us to create a landmark event we’re confident will offer both.”

“The success of the industry is very much in the hands of the next generation of entrepreneurial farmers, so I hope the day will give aspiring sheep farmers every possible encouragement to make a life in this wonderful industry.”

Taking place during the day will be the ‘NSA Next Generation Young Shepherd Competition.’