Young UK sheep farmers have the opportunity to demonstrate their ideas and knowledge for a sustainable sheep farming future in an exciting new competition launched to coincide with the National Sheep Association (NSA) Sheep Event taking place this summer.

The NSA Next Generation Future Farming competition, run in conjunction with leading meat processor Kepak, challenges anyone aged 18 to 35 to submit a plan for the management of a farm in need of improvement, hypothetically belonging to 'Tom Farmer of Fake Farm'.

Those able to demonstrate an understanding of the NSA pillars of sustainability – economics, environment, health and society, in workable plans for the farm's development are in with a chance of winning a piece of the generous £700 prize pot as well as an invitation to join NSA and Kepak at the NSA event and celebratory industry dinner the evening before NSA Sheep 2024 that takes place on Tuesday 30th July at the Three Counties Showground, Worcestershire.

The new competition will compliment a highlight of the event, the launch of the new NSA Sustainability report.

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker comments: "NSA is excited to offer this competition to the next generation of sheep farmers. Through our work with younger sheep farmers we know there is much skill, knowledge and enthusiasm for a sustainable sheep farming future and this provides the perfect opportunity for this to be demonstrated. NSA thanks Kepak for its support with this new competition, helping to offer a generous prize package."

Kepak Agriculture Governance & Compliance Manager Dr Julie Finch says: "Kepak's core values embrace ambition and responsibility together with a passion for food and teamworking. We invest heavily in our early careers development and are delighted to be able to extend these values to this new competition for young sheep farmers. The next generation are vital to secure the future of our sustainable lamb supply chains".

Applications are now open for the contest at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/next-generation-future-farming-competition until Tuesday 18th June 2024. To apply, young farmers simply need to consider the given scenario, explaining Tom Farmer's traditional sheep farm, and then answer the five questions found on the NSA website. Applications will then be shortlisted with the top three shortlisted candidates invited as a guest of Kepak to the NSA Sheep Industry Event dinner on Monday 29th July followed by the interview and final selection day at the NSA event on Tuesday 30th July.

The winner, decided on the day, will be awarded a trophy and £400 prize money. Two runner up prizes will be presented with prize certificates and £150 each.

NSA Sheep Event is the flagship event of the NSA. As well as finding out about the latest innovations and products available to them, visiting sheep farmers can strengthen their technical knowledge by attending seminars and workshops. In addition to the Future Farming Competition a further series of the competitions is run throughout the day. More information can be found at www.sheepevent.org.uk