NSA Welsh Sheep 23 is celebrating a sell-out success.

Thousands made their way from across Wales and all corners of the UK to Newtown to see the latest innovations, to learn a little, to do business and simply to get together in the early summer sunshine.

The opening ceremony was distinguished by a rendition from Glandon Lewis, who opened the ceremony. He sang in Welsh in honour of the late Dai Jones Llanilar.

NSA Cymru Wales Chair Kate Hovers said: “It’s been a perfect day. The event has been full of exhibitors and sponsors. The farm is fantastic, the grazing and stock are exceptional. The weather has been kind to us and Glandon’s singing at the opening ceremony was something to remember.

“There was something for everyone and the visitors were coming in all day. We had a large number of school parties and it was such a good opportunity to get the positive farming message across.”

Kate paid tribute to the hosts, Hugh and Sioned Owen with their son Dafydd, for the work they had put in to all the preparation, ‘with always a smile on their faces’.

She said Red House Farm, Aberhafesp, near Newtown, had been a perfect venue. Her thanks also went to all the sponsors, exhibitors and everyone who had made the event possible.

Sioned Owen said it had been ‘a fabulous day, everything had gone to plan and the weather had been a huge help’. They were overwhelmed by the turnout and even a cow unexpectedly calving in the field alongside the event had gone well, producing a fine Belgian Blue x Limousin heifer calf.

Organiser Helen Roberts agreed: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic day, with the crowd and the weather. Everyone has enjoyed meeting and greeting after the long hard winter.”

NSA national Chairman Dan Phipps praised the ‘tremendous amount of work that goes into setting up the spectacular event’.

Opening NSA Welsh Sheep, Glandon Lewis, a partner in Welsh Livestock Sales, said he was proud to represent the Livestock Auctioneers Association, as well as his fellow partners at Morris Marshall &Poole with Norman Lloyd.

Referring to the beauty of our creation, he said: “If we want to keep this beauty, will the politicians in the Senedd in Cardiff and in Westminster please respect and protect our farming industry and support with encouragement our younger generation who are entering the industry.

“We do not want this beauty to be turned into a wildlife park. The NSA has also got 250 school pupils here today and it’s fantastic they can see the importance and the reality of what farming is all about.

“We are the guardians of the land, but we are also the gardeners of the land producing food of the highest quality with passion to feed our nation.”

Mr Lewis stressed that the livestock market has a very important place to claim in rural life. It is a social hub as well as a trading place, similar to a public house, rugby club, chapel or church where people can gather, talk and discuss life in general.

It also generated competition for stock and would protect the younger generation going forward.

The seminars attracted packed audiences. Food for Thought examined the role of lamb and mutton in a balanced diet. It explored the facts that can dispel the myths around eating meat and how predominantly grass fed lamb and mutton can fit the healthy eating message.

The session on the sustainability of sheep farming discussed how Welsh farming had the chance to influence the future by evidencing and communicating the position.

Sheep farming not only produces high quality food, but fits with other interests around land management such as carbon sequestration, the need to reduce emissions, nature recovery and providing access and well being.

The Looking after the Next Generation seminar stressed that enthusiastic and bright young farmers need security and support as well as the potential for viable and rewarding businesses and careers.

It considered the further steps needed to further grow a positive recognition of sheep farmers.

COMPETITION RESULTS

Best Trade Stand Competition Sheep Breed Society: 1st British Texel Sheep Society; 2nd North Country Cheviot Sheep Society; 3rd Welsh Hill Speckled Face Sheep Society.

Indoor Trade Stands: 1st Logie Durno Sheep, Inverurie; 2nd Innovis; 3rd Shearwell Data Ltd.

Outdoor Trade Stands: 1st Newtown College; 2nd Charlies Stores/Charlies AG & Turf; 3rd Ryan Martin Ltd.

Wool On The Hoof: 1st Welsh Mule Sheep Breeders’ Association; 2nd` Cheviot Sheep Society; 3rd Valais Blacknose Society.

Welsh NSA Next Generation Young Shepherd of the Year Competition sponsored by the British Texel Sheep Society: 1st Mena Protheroe, Llysfasai College, North Wales; 2nd Gethin Rhys Roberts, Tan-Yr-Allt Farm, Llanfachraeth, Holyhead; 3rd Jamie Farmer, Groesvaen, Painscastle, Builth Wells, Powys; 4th Caryl Davies; 5th Ynyr Siencyn, Tanrallt, Talybont; 6th Euan Edmunds, The Beeches, Smithfield Terrace, Llanidloes, Powys.

Highest placed under 21 - Mena Protheroe, Llysfasai College, North Wales.