The National Sheep Association (NSA) was delighted to bring its 2016 NSA Next Generation Ambassadors together taking the first step in arming these 12 individuals with the skills to drive forward their own businesses and the wider sheep sector.

This is the third year that an Ambassador group has been selected, as part of the NSA Next Generation project to support the future of the sheep industry through young people. Having been through a rigorous selection process, the 12 high calibre individuals will now attend five delivery sessions through the year, arming them with business knowledge, personal development and sheep farming skills.

Joanne Briggs, who coordinates the project for NSA, says: “We had a really great first session with this year’s Ambassadors and it was fantastic to see the 12 getting to know each other and discovering similarities and differences in their sheep flocks and routes into the sector. It is clear they share a similar ambition to be the best they can and the focus of discussions was immediately on production efficiency and business profitability.

“It is very positive that the sheep sector has attracted so many keen, young people, each with a desire to drive themselves forward, shout about the role of sheep and British lamb production, and encourage others to follow them into the sector as a fulfilling career. Our thanks go to AHDB Beef & Lamb for their support of this first session and we look forward to the next one in May.”

The first session, held on Monday and Tuesday this week, focused on the current situation within the UK sheep sector, the world stage for sheep meat and factors that influence supply and demand. There were also workshops on sheep genetics, body condition scoring and flock health planning.

Mrs Briggs continues: “We finished this first session with a farm visit led by Kate Robinson, who is an NSA Next Generation Ambassador from the first intake in 2014. It was a sign of the success of this programme that she was able to lead the group around the farm where she is employed as a shepherd and point out the areas she has developed in recent years and what she plans to do next. Her employers, Philip and Charlie Whitehouse, were very generous with their time as well, allowing the Ambassadors to see other aspects of the business at Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire, including a very impressive goat milking operation.”

The NSA Next Generation programme is funded by the NSA regions and delivered by NSA in conjunction with a number of partners and supporters. The 12 Ambassadors this year are Jacob Antony (Glamorgan), Ellen Helliwell (Gloucestershire), Hannah Jackson (Cumbria), Jamie Laurie (Dumfries and Galloway), Fred Love (Nottinghamshire), Oliver Matthews (Somerset), Alex Olphert (Hampshire), Dan Pritchard (Swansea), Tom Richards (Shropshire), Michael Ritch (Aberdeenshire), Robert Spink (Norfolk/Suffolk border) and James Wright (Sussex). Profiles of each can be found in the “Ambassador Group” area at www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk.