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DUMFRIES HOUSE TO HOST NSA SCOTSHEEP 2012
The Morrisons Farm at Dumfries House, Cumnock in Ayrshire has been confirmed as the venue for Scotland’s national sheep event, NSA Scotsheep 2012, on Wednesday, June 6, 2012.
NSA Scotsheep is held every two years and is the National Sheep Association Scottish Region’s flagship event, attracting a large attendance of sheep farmers from all over the country.
A local committee, under the chairmanship of NSA Scotland executive committee member, Neale McQuistin, Airyolland, New Luce, Newton Stewart, has been appointed to arrange next year’s event.
Historic Dumfries House was saved for the nation by Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, in 2007 and the adjoining 960-acre home farm is run as a joint venture by The Prince’s Charities and the UK’s fourth largest supermarket group, Morrisons.
The sum of £2 million has been committed to developing the farming enterprise which includes 750 Scotch Mule ewes, a small flock of pedigree Suffolk sheep and 210 suckler cows, including pedigree Beef Shorthorn cattle and a commercial Aberdeen-Angus herd. Cropping comprises 40 acres of cereals.
The farm is run on strictly commercial lines but is also used as a demonstration farm and test bed for new ideas. It is currently one of three farms in Scotland carrying out trials on behalf of Quality Meat Scotland comparing the progeny of high performance rams and rams selected solely on visual appraisal.
“We are delighted to have such a prestigious venue for Scotland’s national sheep event and grateful to The Prince’s Charities and Morrisons for giving us the opportunity of staging the event at Dumfries House,” said Mr McQuistin. “The venue has all the ingredients to provide an outstanding showcase for the Scottish sheep industry.”
Morrisons Group corporate services director, Martyn Jones, said: “NSA Scotsheep is a major event in the British agricultural calendar attracting sheep farmers the length and breadth of the country. It is an honour for the Morrisons Farm at Dumfries House to be selected as a venue for 2012. We are looking forward to opening the farm to the British sheep industry for what is an excellent opportunity to share knowledge and develop best practice.”
Co-organisers of NSA Scotsheep 2012 will again be Yorkshire-based, Euan Emslie, and Julie Sedgewick, who helps run the family farm in Durham and is also secretary of the NSA’s northern region.
NSA Scotsheep is held in different parts of Scotland every two years and regularly attracts more than 5000 sheep farmers and industry professionals from throughout the UK and Ireland. Last year’s event was held on the farm of Douglas and Lynda Graham, Burnbank, Blairdrummond, Stirling, and the extensive trade stand area included 140 trade stands and 35 sheep breed society exhibits.
Details of sponsorship opportunities and trade stand information available from the co-organisers, Euan Emslie Tel: 01430 441870, Fax: 01430 448432, Mob: 07718 908523, e-mail:
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or Julie Sedgewick Tel: 01325 314650, Mob: 07836 773888, e-mail:
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