William Hopper with Phil Stocker NSA chief executive
Hosted by the Stanbury Family at Weston Farm, East Knowstone, Devon, the return of the biennial event to the west country was welcomed with record crowds.
The event began with a packed seminar tent keen to participate in the breakfast session where Baroness Minette Batters led discussions on the current government review into farm profitability.
The previous NFU President, explained her role leading the review and how it relates to other high level policy themes such as the Land Use Framework and the Farming Roadmap. With an aim of identifying blockages to farm profitability Baroness Batters invited thoughts from the audience with concerns raised regarding destocking of upland environments and issues with a problematic fragmented approach to many elements influencing profitability from farm support and incentive schemes to farm assurance.
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Those in attendance were pleased to hear her intention to make British food a priority within the UK, whether that be in retail, in out of home eating experiences or in our public services. She also highlighted farmer's critical role in environmental protection emphasising how farmer's work in this area must still be profitable as a whole farm business.
The seminar tent remained busy throughout the day with sessions generating discussion on issues such as the future of wool production in the UK to the importance of soil health for climate, biodiversity and farm businesses.
Many visitors joined the farm tour which gave an insight into the progressive enterprise manged by Rich Stanbury and his family which covers 202ha (500 acres) plus additional rented and common grazing.
The enterprise is home to more than 1000 ewes plus ewe lambs with breeds including Romney and North Country and Suffolk Mules and an ever increasing number of wool shedding ewes including EasyCares. All sheep are finished on grass and herbal leys with the majority of sheep and cattle overwintered outside with rotational grazing a key strategy to their success.
Mr Stanbury said: "We feel honoured to have hosted the event and have really enjoyed welcoming so many local farmers as well as many from much further afield to our farm. As we all know, faming can be an isolating industry and so it is so important to have events such as NSA Sheep South West for farmers to attend to meet up with each other whilst having a chance to look around and see the latest innovations available."
Elsewhere on the farm the future of sheep farming was being showcased as young and enthusiastic shepherds competed in the NSA Next Generation Shepherd's competition.
Taking the top prize and qualifying for the national final of the competition in 2026 was William Hopper, Tiverton, Devon. A student competition was also run at the event which was won by Jack Jordan, Chagford, Devon.
NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker said: "Credit must go to the Stanbury Family and the event organising committee in bringing together a fantastic event. Thank you and congratulations on holding a positive and enjoyable event. Everyone here has had a smile on their face whether that is the visitors or the many and varied trade stand holders."
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Competition results
NSA Next Generation Shepherd competition – Open
1st William Hopper
2nd (Joint) Mary Lucas Ridge, Henry Rich and Luke Parkhouse
NSA Next Generation Shepherd competition – Students
1st Jack Jordan
2nd Oliver Slade
NSA Next Generation Shepherd competition – Best shearer
1st Mary Lucas Ridge
NSA Next Generation Shepherd competition – Best fencer
1st Will Vining
Breed Society stand competition
1st Exlana
2nd Suffolk
3rd Hampshire Down
Individual Sheep Breeders stand competition
1st Locks Romneys
2nd Resilient Romneys
Outdoor Trade stand competition
1st McVeigh Parker
2nd Progressive Farming
3rd Andrew Symons
Indoor Trade stand competition
1st Shearwell Data
2nd British Wool
3rd Torch Farm Vets
Most points in the Fleece Competition
David Bawden, Somerset
