The Society, through its Youth Development Programme, has recently supported another brace of NSA Next Generation Shepherd Events at regional NSA events alongside supporting regional Clubs in their promotion of the breed at these events as well as sponsoring the event guide at South West Sheep.
South West Sheep
At South West Sheep the Society was pleased to be able to support the South West Texel Breeders’ Club with its trade stand which featured sheep from the Quick family’s Loosebeare flock.
The event was a busy one for the Club with more than 200 entries in it’s guess the weight competition with the prize being a £200 voucher to be spent at the Club’s sale at Exeter next month.
In the events 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.
Northern Ireland Sheep
Meanwhile, across in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Texel Breeders Club had a stand at Northern Ireland Sheep and the Society once again 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.
Society Youth Development Programme coordinator Ailish Ross said both events had showcased the great range of talent that exists among the younger generation within the sheep industry. “These young people are the future of the sheep industry and the Society is pleased to be able to support their development through its sponsorship of these competitions.”