Something for Everyone at NSA Scotsheep 2010
2010-04-20

A comprehensive programme of events and demonstrations will provide plenty of interest for visitors attending this year’s NSA Scotsheep at Mains of Burnbank, Blairdrummond, Stirling, on Wednesday, June 2.

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This year’s biennial national sheep event is being hosted by farmers, Douglas and Lynda Graham, and organised by NSA Scotland with Bank of Scotland as major sponsor.

In addition to viewing a top sheep farm and touring the displays of 35 different breeds of sheep and 130 trade stands, visitors will have the opportunity of taking part in stockjudging and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) driving competitions, admire the skills of shepherds and their dogs in the sheep dog trials, and reap the benefits of various practical demonstrations, including crook making, sheep dressing and spinning.

An area has also been set aside for a farmers’ market to allow local food producers and craft makers to display and sell their goods and the Royal Highland Educational Trust has arranged for 180 pupils from local schools to attend to learn about sheep production from “farm to fork”.

As previously announced, the event will include a series of seminars on sheep health, nutrition and renewable energy and will also host the competition to find the NSA Scotsheep 2010 Young Shepherd of the Year. The winner will go on to compete for the national award and a top prize of £1000 at NSA Sheep 2010 at Malvern on Tuesday, August 3.

“There will be something for everyone at NSA Scotsheep 2010 and we look forward to welcoming a large attendance of sheep farmers, industry professionals and the general public from throughout Scotland, and further afield, to Mains of Burnbank on June 2,” said Caledonian Marts’ auctioneer, Alistair Logan, who chairs the local organising committee.

“NSA Scotsheep 2010 is always a great event for the sheep industry in Scotland and this year’s event will be better than ever. It is an event that sheep farmers and all those with an interest in sheep will not want to miss.”

Entries for the sheepdog trials, sponsored by McCaskie Farm Supplies, Stirling, are already closed with a total field of 38 competing for the NSA Scotsheep Trophy. Leading Irish sheepdog handler, Alistair Lytle, has accepted the committee’s invitation to act as official judge.

All visitors to the event will have the opportunity of participating in the stockjudging competition with a total prize fund of £400, including a top prize of £100 for the overall winner. Three classes of sheep and three of cattle will be judged and cash prizes of £50, £30 and £20 will be awarded for the first three placings in each of the three categories – open, 26 years and under, and 19 years and under.

This competition is being sponsored by United Auctions, Stirling, and the official judges will be David Gray, Kilsyth (sheep) and Stuart Fotheringham, Dunkeld (cattle). An entry fee of £2 will be charged with all proceeds being donated to the Royal Highland Educational Trust.

Crook making will be demonstrated by John Black from Braco who will also have crooks available for sale.

Quad bikes for the ATV competition are being provided by Honda and competitors will be marked by staff from Oatridge College.

The demonstration in sheep dressing will be given by Robert Paterson, Sen, Dunblane, and his team, and spinning will be demonstrated by Fiona Stewart, Aberfoyle.

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