One of the highlights of a Welsh sheep farmer’s calendar is fast approaching.
Visitors will flock to the NSA Welsh Sheep event held on 19 May at two holdings in Kerry, near Newtown, Powys.
The adjoining farms, Glanmiheli and Drefor, are run by two brothers, Geraint and Morton Powell and their families. They manage a flock of Beulah, Welsh Mountain and Welsh Mules on land rising from 600 to 1400 feet above sea level.
HCC will be exhibiting at the event with a range of publications, including the new 2015 Recommended Grass and Clover List, and a wealth of information on the main issues currently affecting the sheep industry in Wales.
These include anthelmintic resistance, which is high on the industry’s agenda as its extent has erupted in recent years.
Lynfa Davies, HCC’s Technical Development Executive said: “HCC has been overseeing a project to identify levels of wormer resistance across Wales and a series of meetings are being held to discuss the early findings.
“They have revealed that resistance is increasing, so it is imperative that farmers understand the effectiveness of worming treatments and drench their sheep according to their weight. This should help to decelerate the development of the problem in the future.”
Advice will be given on how to calibrate drench guns correctly, and free measuring cylinders will also be available on the stand. These can be used to ensure that drenching equipment is working effectively.
A series of seminars held throughout the day will open with a talk on ‘Anthelmintic resistance, what’s the latest?’ HCC will contribute to this discussion which will be held between 11:00-11:20am.
Cooking demonstrations will be conducted by Elwen Roberts in a Cookery Theatre sponsored by HCC. She will prepare a selection of Welsh Lamb dishes for visitors to sample and enjoy.
Furthermore, a £50 meat voucher will be up for grabs for the winner of a lamb carcase classification competition on the HCC stand.
Mrs Davies added: “NSA Welsh Sheep 2015 promises to be an excellent day-out for anyone with an interest in all aspects of the sheep industry.”
Other activities at the event will include a tour of the hosting farms, breed and trade stands, an ewe hogg show and sale, seminars, sheep dog trials and the regional heat of the Young Shepherd of the Year contest.
