A rosy picture of a national sheep farming industry on the rise has been painted by the organisers of Scotland’s biennial sheep event, NSA Scotsheep  which will take place on June 1.
As dairy, beef and cereals farmers grapple with poor returns for their produce, the National Sheep Association’s (NSA) Scottish secretary, George Milne described sheep farming fortunes as being “on the rise” and creating widespread optimism across the industry.
“We’re holding Scotsheep at an appropriate time,” he said at a preview of the flagship event on the lush grassland of Blyth Bank farm near Penicuik.
“We’ve seen a rally in trade and the product is required. A few farmers are thinking of putting on sheep after coming out of dairying or reducing their suckler herds and they need something to eat the grass. I’d encourage anyone with extra grass to come to Scotsheep and see the breeds available.”
Mr Milne insisted an influx of new sheep farmers would not damage the industry.
He said: “More people would require breeding stock, so ewe lambs and gimmers would be in demand, but we also need to work our new markets for Scotch lamb and to find ways of increasing consumption if numbers rise.”
The event is being sponsored by RBS, and the bank’s agriculture director, Roddy McLean agreed that the fortunes of Scottish sheep farmers were likely to improve.
“The lambing has been good, the way currency has moved in the last few months is helping, and New Zealand had its worst lambing in years,” he said. “Lamb consumption is declining so there could still be some pressure there. If there was promotion from retailers it would help.”
Mr McLean emphasised however that many producers could do more to improve their margins by paying attention to the specification of the product they were selling.
“Scotsheep is a good way to let producers see what great advances there are and take home ideas to improve their own businesses,” he said. “They need to focus in and concentrate on what they can control and influence.”
The sheep enterprise on the 1300 acre farm of Blyth Bank carries 2000 Scotch Mule ewes, 500 replacement Scotch Mule hoggs, 700 Blackface ewes and a 40-ewe pedigree Texel flock. It is part of the extensive farming operation of the Campbell family’s Glenrath Farms Ltd, the UK’s largest egg producer, with 320,000 free-range hens as well as 200 Limousin cross suckler cows and a 10-cow Charolais herd.
Scotsheep 2016 is set to attract thousands of sheep farmers and industry professionals from throughout Scotland, Ireland and England. Around 500 children have been invited from local primary schools and almost every breed of sheep will be on display at the event. More than 200 businesses will also be represented in the trade stand area.
Glenrath managing director and farmer, Ian Campbell said: “Bringing together all sectors of Scotland’s sheep industry on one day is an opportunity for sheep farmers to share ideas, gain perspective and catch up with old friends.”
The NSA confirmed that the whoever is appointed Scotland’s Rural Affairs secretary will be invited to attend the event which will be opened by RHS chief executive, Ross McEwan.
