GARRIGILL farmer Thomas Carrick is busy promoting the many good reasons to attend next month’s North Sheep 2019.

Currently chairman of the National Sheep Association’s northern region, he said: “NSA North Sheep is a showcase for some of the foremost genetics and some of the finest sheep in the country.

“It is also a showcase for dozens of sheep breed societies and individual breeders, and I strongly believe that it delivers on a number of platforms and on a number of aspects: business, social and educational.”

More than 6,000 visitors are expected at the biennial event, which takes place this year on June 5 at New Hall Farm, near Settle in West Yorkshire.

A record number of trade stands will be fielding services designed to help farmers streamline and future-proof their businesses, while updating their knowledge on the latest approaches and technology.

There will also be talks by industry experts, including buyers from Booths supermarket, demonstrations in key skills, such as sheep dog handling, dry stone walling and carcase cutting, and the Next Generation Shepherd Competition.

The seminar topics had been chosen to address current issues, such as the imminent Environment and Land Management Schemes, share farming, sheep health and welfare, and – of particular interest to many – sheep exports.

Thomas said: “From breed selection to wool production and meat marketing, this is without a doubt an event which covers the entire sheep farming industry.”