The National Sheep Association (NSA) is delighted to announce the latest winners of its ongoing prize draw, held throughout 2025, in partnership with Rurtec Ltd. The monthly giveaway offers sheep farmers the chance to win a Lanati Astron cordless handpiece kit, a practical tool designed to make some shepherding tasks easier.

August’s winner, Ryan Came Johnson, farms in Devon and was thrilled to hear the news that he had been selected. “I was chuffed to bits,” he said. “I never win anything and, strangely, I was actually considering buying a set of these, so the timing was perfect.”

Although not from a traditional farming background, Ryan’s passion for sheep began at an early age. “I started rearing pet lambs at about the age of 12. At 23 I took on a small tenancy in Cornwall and now keep around 200 commercial breeding ewes on rented land in Devon with my partner. I also have a flock of pedigree Blue Texels, which I enjoy showing.”

Ryan farms approximately 80 acres (32ha) of rented ground, running 200 commercial breeding ewes alongside 25 pedigree Blue Texels, 15 pedigree Bluefaced Leicesters. Farming part-time, he also works as Area Manager for South West England at Corteva Agriscience, a well-known crop protection manufacturer and long-standing NSA supporter.

As a member of NSA, Ryan says he particularly values the opportunities and insights that come through involvement in the organisation, including the NSA South West Ram Sale. “Access to the NSA sales is great – we sell rams at our local NSA sale in Exeter. We also enjoy visiting the NSA events, which are brilliant and the newsletter always makes for good reading.” He first heard about the prize draw through NSA communications and added that the new cordless handpiece will be invaluable during lambing time. “We dag ewes as soon as they’ve lambed, before they head out to the field with their lambs at 24 hours old. This bit of kit will be so handy to get the job done quickly and easily while they’re in the lambing pen.”

September’s winner, Jane Chapman from Derbyshire, was equally surprised to hear she had been selected. “I don’t usually enter competitions and haven’t won anything before,” she says. Jane farms on a small upland holding in Derbyshire, breeding pedigree Beef Shorthorn cattle and Derbyshire Gritstone sheep, the county’s native breed. “I’m passionate about the Gritstone and its qualities. I keep some of the wool for spinning and sell some to spinners, but send the rest to British Wool.”

Jane is an active NSA member and says she appreciates the association’s work both nationally and locally. “I value the work the NSA does for sheep farmers in policy decisions and at a local level in bringing us together.” She heard about the prize draw through NSA Sheep Farmer magazine and is looking forward to putting her new Lanati handpiece to use. “I’m looking forward to honing my skills with the Lanati cord-free handpiece, firstly as we get our ewes ready for tupping.”

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker is delighted to see farmers like Ryan and Jane benefit from the ongoing partnership with Rurtec. He says: “We’re really pleased to continue this collaboration, offering sheep farmers the chance to win quality, practical equipment. It’s great to see enthusiastic winners who will put their prizes to good use on farm.”

The NSA / Rurtec prize draw is open to all UK sheep farmers aged 16 and over, with one winner drawn each month throughout 2025. There are now just three more chances to win. Visit NSA and Rurtec Ltd | National Sheep Association to find out more.