NSA Next Generation Young Shepherds
The Texel Sheep Society often sponsors the Young Shepherds Competition at the Regional NSA Events along with the final at the NSA Sheep Event, Malvern.
These competitions are a fantastic opportunity for young shepherds to showcase their skills and earn recognition from their peers. NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year competitions are hands-on and practical. Contestants are required to demonstrate lamb classification, handling, vaccination and dosing techniques, shearing/clipping and to put an ATV through its paces. There is also a written or verbal test on flock management and health issues. The NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year Competition is a chance for anyone aged 26 and under to show off their sheep farming skills. The top two contestants from each regional round qualify for the national final at NSA Sheep Event at Three Counties Showground, biennially in July.
For more information on these competitions, please visit the NSA Next Generation website
NSA Northern Ireland Sheep 2025
Society sponsored the Next Generation Young Shepherds Competition.
Coming out on top in this competition was 17 year-old Jack Maxwell from Maghera, Co Londonderry, with 20 year-old Jessica Wilson, Co Donegal, in second and third spot was taken by Liam Doyle, 21 from Ballward, Co Down.
NSA South West Sheep 2025
Next Generation Student Young Shepherds Competition there were 13 entrants for the open competition and two entrants within the Student section of the competition. Winning the Student section and adding to a successful day for the breed was Jack Jordan of the Moortown flock with Oliver Slade coming second.
NSA Highland Sheep 2025
The Society sponsored the Scottish Regional round of the NSA Next Generation Shepherd Competition. The winner will represent NSA Scotland at the UK finals to be held at NSA Sheep Event 2026 at Malvern on 28th July 2026, along with the winner of the competition at NSA Scotsheep 2026.
1st Keira Smith, Aberdeenshire.
2nd Niamh Milton, Aberdeenshire.
3rd Anna McTaggert, Sutherland.
4th Lynn Ronaldson, Inverness-shire.
5th Rory Scott, Sutherland.
6th Ruth Hinsley, Sutherland.
Highest placed under 21
Kiera Smith
NSA Welsh Sheep 2025
The Society sponsored the Welsh Regional round of the NSA Next Generation Shepherd Competition
1st Evan Turner
2nd Mared Edwards.
3rd Elin Kitty Hughes
4th Charlotte Griffiths
5th Morgan Edwards Jones
6th Rhys Pinder
Highest Placed 21 year old Evan Turner
NSA Sheep Event 2024
The Society sponsored the final of the NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year
1st Tom Garlick, Herefordshire (NSA Marches Region).
2nd Michael Hogg, Tyne & Wear (NSA Northern Region).
3rd James White, Derbyshire (NSA Central Region).
Highest Placed 21 year old – Ben Edwards, Herefordshire (NSA Marches Region).
NSA Scotsheep 2024
The Society’s Youth Development Programme supported the event’s NSA Next Generation Shepherd’s competition with this won by Ian Armstrong. Joint second spot went to Tyler McKinlay, who was also the highest placed under 21 competitor, and Harry Gemmill.
NSA Welsh Sheep 2023
23 eager and highly skilled competitors tackled a range of tasks with 17 year old, Mena Protheroe named as the winner.
In a rare feat Miss Protheroe won not only the overall title, but also that for the best under 21 competitor. Currently studying Agriculture at Llysfasai College, Miss Protheroe, who’s family run a beef and sheep farm at Beulah, said she was over the moon to have won. Claiming second spot was, Gethin Rhys Roberts, with Jamie Farmer picking up third prize.
2022
Scotsheep: Taking the top spot was Ewan Runciman from Lauder who received his prize from Society YDP coordinator Ailish Ross, with second place going to Freddy Fulford, Banavie and third taken by Billy Gray, Galston. Freddy Fulford was also the highest placed competitor under the age of 21.
Sheep Event: First place went to Cameron Farnan, followed by Clover Crosse in second and Thomas Watson in third.
