Charlie was surprised to hear the news that he had been selected at random from the many thousands of entries NSA received to win the prize worth more than £20,000, “I thought it was a hoax, you never expect to win something like this” he commented.

In teaming up with Te Pari, NSA gave the UK’s sheep farmers the opportunity to win the fantastic prize of a Racewell HD3 mobile sheep handling system including EID and scale system. The quality product will now give Charlie ultimate access for handling when working with his flock of North Country Mule breeding ewes meaning varied husbandry tasks can be completed with the stress-free, adjustable system.

Charlie was given a full run through of the system during a delivery demonstration by a team from Te Pari held recently near Charlie’s farm near Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. He says: “It is a serious piece of kit, I feel like I’ve only seen and learned a small fraction of what can be achieved with the system but I’m looking forward to learning more as I use it. The first thing I’m going to do though is insure it!”

The competition was open to both NSA members and non members but was won by Charlie, a third generation farmer, who has been an NSA member for more than 30 years. “I have always valued my NSA membership,” he says, “NSA does a lot for our industry and I really enjoy the Sheep Farmer magazine.”

Nicola Noble, NSA Project Manager joined the Te Pari team and Charlie at the demonstration and comments: “It was great to deliver the prize giveaway to Charlie, an NSA member for so many years and it’s lovely to be able to give him something back for his continued support. I’m not sure it’s fully sunk in yet, just what Charlie now owns, but he was truly grateful and keen to understand just what his new handling system can do to help him manage his flock.”

Giles Devenish, UK Sales Manager for Te Pari adds: “We were delighted to present our Racewell HD3 to Charlie and are looking forward to seeing it make his sheep work easier and a lot better fun”

The opportunity to win prizes such as the Te Pari handling system is given to UK sheep farmers each year through NSA and its work with industry supporters. The work of NSA is funded by its membership of sheep farmers and its activities involve it in every aspect of the sheep industry. To learn more about supporting NSA’s work by becoming a member please visit the NSA website at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/membership.