Record 32 Sheep Breeds to be on display at NSA Scotsheep 2014

A record total of 32 sheep breeds will be on display at NSA Scotsheep 2014 to be held at Quixwood Farm, Grantshouse, Berwickshire, courtesy of host farmers, John and Iain Macfarlane, on Wednesday, June 4.

The sheep breeds’ area will be the largest ever at Scotland’s biennial national sheep event which is organised by the Scottish Region of the National Sheep Association with Bank of Scotland as major sponsor. 

“The interest from sheep breed societies has been tremendous,” said event organiser, Euan Emslie. “All the major sheep breeds will be represented which, along with a number of individual pedigree flocks, will make for a total of 39 exhibits.

“The sheep breeds’ area is always one of the busiest at the event and this will certainly be the case again this year. We are delighted that the Texel Sheep Society has become a mainline line sponsor of the event to coincide with their 40th anniversary year.”

Sponsorship and commercial trade stand bookings are also flowing in and Mr Emslie is confident that more than 150 companies will be attending to promote their products and services.

“All the latest developments in the industry will be on show at NSA Scotsheep,” said Mr Emslie.  “The event will give sheep farmers a unique opportunity to catch up with advances in genetics, technology, animal health, management and husbandry.”

Other features of NSA Scotsheep will include a farm tour, practical and technical demonstrations, advisory and educational exhibits, comprehensive seminar programme, sheepdog trail, stockjudging, ATV competition, sheep shearing and farmers’ market. The event will also host the Scottish finals of the Scottish Young Shepherd of the Year competition.

Quixwood is ideally situated just off the A1 at Grantshouse and the opportunity of viewing this 2500 acre farm and its flock of 1500 ewes, with all progeny finished on the farm, 700 suckler cows and 600 acres of arable crops, will be a major attraction.

The following sheep breed societies will be participating – Beltex, Berrichon Du Cher. Blackface, Bleu du Maine, Blue Texel, Bluefaced Leicester, Border Leicester, Charollais, Cheviot, Dalesbred, Dorset Horn & Poll Dorset, Easycare, Hampshire Down, Highland Mule, Jacob, Kerry Hill, Lleyn, Meatlinc, North Country Cheviot, North of England Mule, Oxford Down, Rough Fell, Roussin, Ryeland, Scotch Mule, Shetland, Suffolk, Swaledale, Texel, Vendeen, Wensleydale and Zwartbles.

Further information available from Euan Emslie, Organiser, NSA Scotsheep, Tel: 01430 441870/07718 908523, E-mail: [email protected]