IN DUSTR Y EX PE RT S SHO W

Experience & Advice at Leading Sheep Showcase, NSA North Sheep

An outstanding line-up of speakers has been confirmed for this year ’ s NSA North Sheep seminar programme Taking place at Bradford House Farm, Northumberland on Wednesday 7th June, NSA North Sheep is one of the most important sheep industry events in the UK.

The seminar subjects will range from the grants and subsidies now available in the UK to the future of exporting and include advice on the many ways to get a foothold in the industry and how to use a Carbon Audit as a starting point for a lower carbon, higher value sustainable future

The seminar programme is sponsored this year by Youngs RPS, whose own experience providing farm and estate management advice in the post-Brexit farming landscape has shaped the choice of subjects Managing Director Graeme Bunce hopes the seminars will address the key issues that sheep farmers need to understand in order to move forward effectively

“We have tried to cover the issues that are raised most often with us when we ’ re helping farmers and landowners to plan for the future Clearly the most immediate concern is how to continue farming under the very different, environment-focussed UK Government policy on support. We’re delighted to have Virgin Money’s expert advice on how farmers can use Carbon Audits to benchmark and manage their journey to greater carbon and business efficiency. We have a seminar on the future of exports for the sheep industry and the programme concludes with an overview of opportunities for the next generation to get into sheep farming ”

In the opening seminar, Resilience to Change, rural experts from Youngs RPS farm and land management will discuss how they are supporting farmers in navigating the changes arising from the transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme. Taking the stress out of funding, they will look at strategies for dealing with grants and proactive cashflow management, as well as maximising today's opportunities.

The Looking Beyond Our Shores, session will debate opportunities for exports and the pros and cons of working collaboratively with sheep farming counterparts from around the world. The UK’s departure from the EU is already gradually changing our meat export focus and we are seeing real interest in British sheep genetics for a wide range of breeds from around the world. The domestic market is important, but exports opportunities exist to be grasped. To what extent is reputation important? Is our traceability clear enough? Are the industry’s environmental and welfare standards adequate? Experts will give an in-depth overview of how they see the future for those reliant on these markets

Medium to longer term, farmers need to adapt the way they farm to comply with the Government’s environmental focus and to meet the 2040 Carbon Net Zero target In the Carbon Auditing seminar, Virgin Money and Carbon Metrics, will announce details of the results of the host farm, Bradford House Farm’s carbon audit and how improvements can be made to reduce both their carbon footprint and their costs Virgin Money and its expert partners will discuss solutions that can turn what looks like another onerous, regulatory burden, into a life-changing business opportunity

Getting a foothold on The Sheep Farming Ladder is notoriously difficult, whether you ’ re a young farmer wanting access to land, or have no farming roots and want to get into the industry Land values are such that buying or renting is beyond reach for most new entrants, but in this seminar the panel of experts and leading sheep farmers will outline the many opportunities for young people to get a foothold – whether it’s via partnerships or share farming, or establishing flying flocks with little permanent land security For those entering farming as an early career option there are various ways of gaining both experience and education

Viv Lewis, the Chair of the Northern Region of the NSA, will facilitate the opening seminar. “We are very grateful to Youngs RPS and Virgin Money for their support at what is such a challenging time for so many sheep farmers The opening seminar sets the theme of the whole programme, which is aimed squarely at providing farmers with as much help as we can to grasp every opportunity to secure a sustainable future Farmers are being challenged to change in line with the Government’s new direction, and these seminars will offer a huge amount of positive, practical advice on how our sheep farmers can achieve that change.

“We also have a wonderful panel of speakers who will share their own experience and advice on the opportunities for exporting our world class produce, breeding stock and genetics And the success of the industry is very much in the hands of the next generation of entrepreneurial farmers, so I hope our final seminar will give aspiring sheep farmers every possible encouragement to make a life in this industry ”

NSA North Sheep will bring many thousands of sheep farmers, breeders, and related businesses from all over the UK to Bradford House Farm, Northumberland on Wednesday 7th June The event includes seminars, discussions, demonstrations and

North Sheep Seminar Programme

10am - 10 45 Seminar 1

Youngs RPS: Resilience to Change

Harry Morshead

Katie Proctor

Chair: Viv Lewis, NSA Northern Region Chair

11-12 noon Seminar 2

Looking Beyond Our Shores

Phil Hadley, AHDB

Rob Grinnall from UKTAG and UKECP

Chair: Edward Eastham, Cumbrian sheep farmer and NSA Policy & Technical committee Chair

12 45-1 45 Seminar 3

Carbon Audits – Carbon Metrics & Virgin Money

Brian Richardson- UK Head of Agriculture Virgin Money

Simon Haley – Founder & Director Carbon Metrics

Phil Stocker, NSA CEO

Chair: Thomas Carrick, Cumbrian farmer and NSA English Committee representative

2.30-3.30 Seminar 4

Getting on the Ladder into the Sheep Industry

Emma Bradbury, NSA Policy Manager

Frankie Walton, Northumbrian Farmer and Landowner

Jim Breary, S Yorkshire & Cumbria Farmer and Landowner

Chair: Tom Vickers, Northumbrian farmer and NSA Next Generation Ambassador national level competitions for Young Shepherds, Stock Judging and Shearing in association with British Wool

North Sheep 2023 is made possible by the kindness of the hosts, the Woodman family, and the generous Main Sponsorship of Hexham and Northern Marts

For more information on NSA North Sheep, visit https://bit ly/NSANorthSheep, and for regular updates follow us: Facebook: @nsanorthsheep & Instagram: @nsa northsheep