| 27/05/08
The cream of the sheep sector’s working dogs, shearers and professional fencing contractors will feature among the outdoor activities lined up at NSA Sheep 2008, the industry’s biennial event to be staged by the National Sheep Association at the Three Counties Show Ground, Malvern on Wednesday 30 July.
The event will host the 12th biennial sale of working sheep dogs with more than 50 Border Collie entries expected with a range of working abilities including those registered with the International Sheep Dog Society and bred by trial winners. Prior to coming under the hammer, each dog will be put through its working paces on the sale site.
“The event once again provides vendors with an opportunity to offer their dogs to a wide audience,” says Clee, Tompkinson and Francis auctioneer, Gareth Griffiths. “In the current farming climate where reliable, skilled labour is hard to find, the true value of a good working dog is unquantifiable.” He adds: “As far as prospective buyers are concerned, they will be able to observe each entry working in an away from the farm environment, and for visitors, it provides another genuine attraction.”
NSA Sheep 2008 will also feature an Open Sheep Shearing Competition which is expected to attract the UK’s top operators as well as shearers from overseas. The competition is run under British Isles Shearing Competition Association rules and leading BISCA judges have been invited. Apart from offering competitors the opportunity to promote their skills and sheep handling excellence, less experienced shearers will be able to learn from watching them and progress to higher levels. This fast and furious spectacle provides farmers with the chance to catch up on the BWMB’s requirements when it comes to fleece preparation, handling and wrapping.
Other outdoor activities will include professional fencing contractors participating in the Tornado Wire Fencer of the Year award. Once again, competitors are expected from throughout the UK to pit their skills for silverware and a £3,000 prize fund.
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