The Texel Society welcomes producers and breeders alike to join them in their promotion and 40th Anniversary celebration of the breed at NSA Scotsheep.
A record total of 32 sheep breeds will be on display at NSA Scotsheep 2014 to be held at Quixwood Farm, Grantshouse, Berwickshire, courtesy of host farmers, John and Iain Macfarlane, on Wednesday, June 4.
The sheep breeds’ area will be the largest ever at Scotland’s biennial national sheep event which is organised by the Scottish Region of the National Sheep Association with Bank of Scotland as major sponsor.
“The interest from sheep breed societies has been tremendous,” said event organiser, Euan Emslie. “All the major sheep breeds will be represented which, along with a number of individual pedigree flocks, will make for a total of 39 exhibits.
“The sheep breeds’ area is always one of the busiest at the event and this will certainly be the case again this year.
We are delighted that the Texel Sheep Society has become a mainline line sponsor of the event to coincide with their 40th anniversary year.”
Chief Executive of Texel Society, John Yates praised the NSA Scotland organisation committee for the continued improvement and success of this flagship industry event.
“As a major pedigree sheep breed the Texel Society is rightly supporting and proud of the British sheep industry and in recognition of this has provided major sponsorship of the National Sheep Association events at Malvern and the Scottish Borders this year as part of its 40th Anniversary celebrations and looks forward to the event at Quixwood Farm”
“But while the 40th anniversary celebrations will rightly be a nod to the breed’s past, a renewed focus on the future will be central to the 40th anniversary celebrations. The younger generation in the sheep industry is fundamental to the future the Society’s Youth Development Programme will gather pace throughout the year and being at the centre of a number of events.
Sponsorship and commercial trade stand bookings are also flowing in and Mr Emslie is confident that more than 150 companies will be attending to promote their products and services.
“All the latest developments in the industry will be on show at NSA Scotsheep,” said Mr Emslie. “The event will give sheep farmers a unique opportunity to catch up with advances in genetics, technology, animal health, management and husbandry.”
Other features of NSA Scotsheep will include a farm tour, practical and technical demonstrations, advisory and educational exhibits, comprehensive seminar programme, sheepdog trail, stockjudging, ATV competition, sheep shearing and farmers’ market. The event will also host the Scottish finals of the Scottish Young Shepherd of the Year competition.
Quixwood is ideally situated just off the A1 at Grantshouse and the opportunity of viewing this 2500 acre farm and its flock of 1500 ewes, with the Texel breed used extensively, along with all progeny finished on the farm, 700 suckler cows and 600 acres of arable crops, will be a major attraction.