CUMBRIAN farmer Viv Lewis will play a double leading role in the forthcoming NSA North Sheep event.

Now in her second year as Chair of the Northern Region of the National Sheep Association, Viv Lewis will also take on the challenge of Chair of the NSA’s flagship North Sheep event this year. taking place at Bradford Farm near Ponteland in Northumberland on Wednesday June 7.

“Everybody at the NSA and all the members we represent across the Northern Region are excited about this year’s North Sheep. The programme is looking fantastic, the venue couldn’t be more appropriate, and the interest from those taking part and those planning to attend couldn’t be higher.

“This is the first opportunity we’ve had to hold this event for four years, and so much has changed for the industry and the community since the last time we met like this. We’ve left the European market, we’ve endured a global pandemic and now we’re in the process of a major upheaval in the transition to a completely different UK faming policy.

“At a time of change and uncertainty, North Sheep is going to be a great showcase for the passion that has driven generations of sheep farmers to commit their lives to build a better and stronger industry for generations to come.

The schedule of seminars planned for the day is packed with important information, including advice from Youngs RPS on making the most of the new forms of Government support schemes, and how to take advantage of post-Brexit export opportunities including selling into the fast-growing global Halal market. The event is also offering a seminar explaining the many different ways the younger generation can take their first steps in the sheep farming industry.

Virgin Money along with Carbon Metrics will host a panel announcing the results of Bradford Farm’s Carbon Audit and explain the challenge for farmers of planning their own path to achieving Carbon Net Zero.

There will be demonstrations of expertise from traditional stick making to Ladies Shearing, the Next Generation Stock Judging will be a highlight of the day, and also being staged is a post-mortem demonstration by veterinary pathologist Ben Strugnell which highlights the common causes of the diseases and conditions that all sheep farmers dread, and the ways that we can prevent them.

“I owe a huge debt of thanks to the Woodman family and their team for inviting us to their farm,” said Viv.