Top Borders Livestock Farm Venue for NSA Scotsheep

Scotland’s biennial national sheep event returns to the Borders this year and will be held on Wednesday, June 4 on the Berwickshire farm of Quixwood, Grantshouse, Berwickshire, courtesy of host farmer, John Macfarlane and his son, Iain.

NSA Scotsheep 2014, organised by the Scottish region of the National Sheep Association with Bank of Scotland as major sponsor, is set to attract thousands of sheep farmers from all over Scotland and the North of England for what is firmly established as the main event for the sheep industry in Scotland.

“Quixwood is ideally situated just off the A1 at Grantshouse and is widely recognised as a very well managed upland sheep and beef farm producing high quality stock,” said David Leggat, executive chairman of United Auctions, who chairs the local organising committee.

“We have an excellent committee of local farmers working with the office-bearers of the NSA in Scotland in planning this large-scale on-farm event and we can look forward to a first-class day of interest to sheep farmers and everyone in the supply chain. It is an event which no one with an interest in sheep farming can afford to miss.”

Sponsorship is running well ahead of expectations, thanks to the generosity of a large number of supporting companies, and the trade stand area is a sell-out with around 200 exhibitors demonstrating their products and services, along with more than 30 sheep breed societies.

“Reform of the CAP is causing considerable uncertainty in the industry and NSA Scotsheep will provide the ideal opportunity for sheep farmers to catch up with the latest developments and technology to help them plan ahead for a profitable future,” said Mr Leggat. 

“The opportunity to meet up with fellow sheep farmers to discuss everything that’s going on in the industry is also an important element of Scotsheep and the comprehensive seminar programme will offer advice and opinions on a range of topical issues from leading figures in the industry.”

The thousands of visitors expected to attend NSA Scotsheep can look forward to an action-packed event with a huge variety of activities to grab their attention throughout the day.

The farm tour is always a major attraction but with the large number of trade stands and breed society exhibits, and comprehensive programme of events going on throughout the day, there will be plenty to see and do from morning to night.

Arrangements are in hand for a sheep shearing competition between two top shearers from eight regions of Scotland and this is sure to attract a great deal of interest. It is also hoped to include a Scotland v England test.

The programme will include an invitation inter-region sheepdog trial and visitors will have the opportunity of taking part in a stockjudging competition, which will include a young farmers’ section as well as an open competition.

Grassland management and soil health will be a major feature of the educational display by SRUC and other demonstrations will include fencing, sheep dressing, wool spinning and crook making. 

There will be a farmers’ market with craft stalls and the Royal Highland Educational Trust is arranging for a number of school visits from local primary 4 and 6 pupils.

A new feature at the end of the day, which was such a success at NSA Highlandsheep at Dingwall last year, will be an multi-breed auction sale of pairs of breeding ewe hoggs.

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