NSA Welsh Sheep 2025 is the essential technical event for sheep farmers across Wales and beyond combining a great day out with the opportunity to learn and engage. It will be staged at Tregoyd near Hay on Wye in the Welsh Borders next Wednesday 21st May.

The theme is sustainability, with the emphasis on improving profitability and rewards for environmental gains. The topics will be key themes at the event seminars, a highlight of the event. Event demonstrations will include the launch of a new product from Mayo Animal Health, equipment demonstrations, and much more.

Helen Roberts, NSA Welsh Sheep Event Organiser says: “This event will help demonstrate how the industry can adapt to new ideas and integrate sustainability into farming systems whilst still producing a quality product.

“I am grateful for all the support from sponsors, exhibitors and local people and to the hosts. It will be a day to remember.”

Entertainment will be provided for all visitors, including competitions, sheep dog trials and a demonstration of Welsh sheepdogs. Farm tours to the higher ground, rising to 1200 feet, will be a big draw offering compelling views of the Black Mountains and beyond.

The host family will showcase their High Country flock of Romneys. It is a forage only system and the family business is run in partnership by Penny Chantler and sons Sam and Will Sawday. The farm is split into several blocks of land of a mix of rented and owned. Forage crops are grown for winter feed for the ewes and then grass reseeded.

More herbal and mixed species swards have been used lately, with a very minimal input grazing system. A recent innovation is a calf rearing unit with Blade Farming. The family will also want to flag up Farming Connect’s Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme. This funds the collection of additional data such as back fat scanning, faecal egg counts and IgA blood samples.

There will be many other breeds on display at the various sheep breed society stands. Technical and policy information will be available and the opportunity to address the latest trends and politics at seminars, marketing sessions and trade stands. A Wool Hub will reflect host Penny’s passion for wool and her role with the British Wool, showcasing innovative products and the sustainability of wool.

The major sponsors are Mayo Healthcare and McCartneys. Mayo Healthcare products are an integral part of the management strategy at High Country Romneys.

McCartneys are a longstanding feature of the rural economy, offering comprehensive support to farmers and rural busineses, with specialised advice and services including farm business consultancy, valuations, tenancy agreements and subsidy applications.

The use of genetics and nutrition to improve sheep farming profitability and sustainability will form the basis of the seminars, with regenerative farming also a topic. The question will also be posed as to whether the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) will help improve whole farm profitability and sustainability.

Education will be an important aspect of the event and processor Castell Howell will be working with Powys County council serve lamb for local children in the week before the event. The British Army will also have a stand and will be talking to secondary school pupils.

Local business will be involved, with one butcher demonstrating how to cut up a lamb carcase. The NSA Next Generation Shepherd competition, shearing, stock judging and photography competitions are already attracting attention.

Well known social media star Cammy Wilson from The Sheep Game will be doing some pre event interviews with the hosts.

NSA Welsh Sheep will provide visitors with the perfect day for topping up technical knowledge and skills and to update on the political landscape, also simply to enjoy sheep.