The NSA has organised a comprehensive array of awards, competitions and events for Sheep 2008...

NSA Young Shepherd of the Year Award

The NSA is reflecting its firm commitment towards encouraging all students and youngsters involved in practical sheep management activities by staging the NSA Young Shepherd of the Year Award.

Open to college students, YFC members and young people up to 26 years old, this initiative is designed to test their shepherding skills in a pentathlon of activities. Each entrant will be required to sort finished lambs for slaughter, demonstrate handling, vaccinating and dosing techniques, shear sheep and put an ATV through its paces. They will also be questioned on flock management and health issues.

Sponsor: Intervet/Schering Plough
Total prize money: £2,000 prize fund + trophy
Entry forms available from Helen Davies - tel: 01938 590 535, mobile 07976 803 066, e-mail helen@nationalsheep.org.uk

The Tornado Wire Fencer of the Year Award

This competition is designed for professional fencing contractors pitting their skills against their fellow competitors and demonstrating the advantages of good quality fence erection. The two-man teams will have three hours to erect 70 linear metres of Tornado High Tensile stock fence.

Sponsor: Tornado Wire
Total prize money: £1,500 prize fund + trophy
Entry forms available from Helen Davies.

National Lamb Selection Competition

A competition to test all visitors' stock-judging skills, with four lambs up for judging. Entry is free (enter on the day at the EBLEX stand)

Sponsor: EBLEX
Total prize money: £200 + trophy, £100 prize for highest placed under 21 yrs

BWMB Fleece Competition

Another popular initiative, with sections for fine, medium, cross, lustre, hill, mountain and natural coloured fleeces.

Sponsor: BWMB
Total prize money: £300 + trophy
Entry forms available from Helen Davies.

Ready Steady Cook

A new competition styled on the popular TV series and featuring four renowned sheep farmers.

Sponsor: ASDA

For further information, please contact Helen Davies.

Open Sheep Shearing Competition

The Open Sheep Shearing Competition 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 its judges have been invited to do the honours.

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.

Total prize money: £700 + trophy

English Shearer of the Year Awards 2008

The English Shearer of the Year Awards will feature junior, intermediate, senior and open classes. Hand blade shearing

Sponsor: Brintons
Total prize money: £100

Wool Handling Competition

The wool handling competition will be held to choose a team to represent England in Norway.

Sponsor: Brintons
Total prize money: £100

For Further information on the shearing competitions, please contact Doreen Smillie at Three Counties Agricultural Society, tel: 01684 584 915, e-mail doreen@threecounties.co.uk

Sale of Sheep Dogs

A sale of working sheep dogs will once again take place at NSA Sheep 2008.

The sale will be conducted within the main ring on the Showground offering the dogs and their handlers a great opportunity to show off their range of working abilities.

The sale will be conducted by Gareth Griffiths from Clee, Tompkinson and Francis.

Contact Gareth for entry forms and further details, tel: 01874 622488, mobile: 07971 111094.