Record total of sheep breed exhibits at NSA Scotsheep 2016

A record total of 43 sheep breed exhibits – 30 breed societies and 13 individual breeders/companies - will be on display at NSA Scotsheep 2016 to be held at Blythbank Estate, West Linton, Peeblesshire, courtesy of host farmers, Glenrath Farms Ltd, on Wednesday, June 1.

The sheep breeds’ area will be the largest ever at Scotland’s biennial national sheep event which is organised by National Sheep Association Scotland with Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) 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 40 exhibits.

“The sheep breeds’ area is always one of the busiest at the event and this will certainly be the case again this 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.  “As in previous years, 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 trial, stockjudging, sheep shearing competitions, farmers’ market and show and sale of ewe hoggs from leading flocks. The event will also host the Scottish Young Shepherd of the Year competition.

The 1300 acre farm of Blythbank is part of the Campbell family’s extensive farming operation which includes 2000 Scotch Mule ewes, 500 replacement hoggs, 700 Blackface ewes and a 40-ewe pedigree Texel flock as well as a suckler herd of 200 Limousin cows, a 10-cow pedigree Charolais herd and 320,000 free-range hens producing eggs for the family’s egg business which is the largest in the country and a supplier to leading supermarkets.

The following breed societies are participating - Beltex, Berrichon Du Cher, Blackface, Bleu du Maine, Blue Texel, Bluefaced Leicester, Border Leicester, British Rouge, Charmoise, Charollais, Cheviot, Dalesbred, Dorset Horn and Poll Dorset, Easycare, Hampshire Down, Jacob, Kerry, Lleyn Sheep, Meatlinc , North Country Cheviot, North of England Mule, Oxford Down, Rough Fell, Scotch Mule, Shetland, Suffolk, Swaledale, Texel, Valais Blacknose and Zwartbles.

Individual breeders/companies who have reserved space include Easy Rams, Essie Suffolks, Headlind Beltex, Innovis,  Logie Durno Sheep, Messrs Finlay McGowan, N and J McQuistin, Progressive Breeders, Sheep Improved Genetics, Paul G Slater,  MR Thornborrow and Sons, TC Whiteford and John Wight & Sons,

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Further information available from Euan Emslie, Organiser, NSA Scotsheep 2016. Tel: 01430 441870/07718 908523. E-mail: [email protected]

Issued by Agricultural Communications Ltd. Tel/Fax: 01330 811616. Mob: 07772 329159. E-mail: [email protected]