The National Sheep Association has today announced North Sheep will be hosted by W.H & J Smith & Sons at West Shields Farm, near Tow Law, in County Durham.  Attracting in the region of 8,000 visitors, this is a key biennial event for the UK sheep industry.  Not only will it provide a platform for people to hear from industry experts and to visit hundreds of exhibition stands it will also highlight how one progressive County Durham Farm operates their commercial sheep enterprise.  The 2017 NSA North Sheep Event will be held on Wednesday 7th June.

West Shields Farm is a family run partnership, managed by John Smith alongside his two sons, David and Alan.  Also involved are John’s nephew and his son.  This 900 acre traditional mixed farm, sitting at 270 metres above sea level, is home to a commercial sheep flock of 1,350 Mules and some Texels.  The family use Texel rams purchased locally where possible.

In addition, the farm is home to 300 suckler cows and the family has a local contracting business.  “This is a team effort!  It is a family farm with everyone involved working together,” says David Smith.

“We have been members of the National Sheep Association for considerable time and regularly attend North Sheep so as a family we are are delighted to be hosting the 2017 North Sheep event.”

This is the first time that newly appointed Northern Regional Manager and Events Organiser Heather Stoney-Grayson has headed up the event. However, Heather is no stranger to sheep farming or event organising, having grown up on a farm in Yorkshire, breeding sheep and cattle, as well as showing commercial beef cattle.

Heather, who has assisted in the organisation of the previous two North Sheep events, commented:  “I am delighted to be organising the 2017 North Sheep event at West Shields Farm.  Having helped Julie run the last two events, I am looking forward to the hard work in front of me.

“Thanks must go to the Smith family who have agreed to host North Sheep next year, we are extremely grateful, as without the support of farmers events like this would not be possible.”

As an organisation the National Sheep Association (NSA) represent the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK, receiving tremendous support from everyone connected with the industry.  The NSA is funded by the memberships of its sheep farmers. Together with the many industry related activities it is involved with, it aims to ensure that it plays a key part in every aspect of the sheep farming sector.