The National Sheep Association (NSA) has confidently announced that ScotSheep, which was postponed this summer, will go ahead at Over Finlarg Farm on the outskirts of Dundee on May 27 2021.
The NSA’s chief executive Phil Stocker said that despite the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic, the association was proceeding with a full line-up of events next summer as the sheep sector was likely to be “considerably affected” in 2021 by the UK’s departure from Europe.
“There will never be a more important time for us to be able to meet with members and colleagues face to face to discuss the changes upon us and the steps needed for our industry to move forward into a new era for the country’s farmers,” he said.
“We sincerely hope that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will have subsided sufficiently to allow this to happen.”
Robert and Hazel McNee will host the event at Tealing, where they lamb 1,100 sheep every year, including a flock of 600 hill-type North Country Cheviot ewes, of which 200 are bred pure and the remainder crossed with Bluefaced Leicesters to produce Cheviot Mules.
Around 200 Blackface ewes are crossed with home-bred crossing-type Bluefaced Leicesters to produce Scotch Mules, which are then tupped to the Texel and sold as hoggs with lambs at foot.
Cheviot Mules are also sold through the sale ring as gimmers the following year and the McNees also run 100 pure Texels and pedigree Bluefaced Leicesters to produce breeding tups.
ScotSheep organiser Euan Emslie said the plans were well advanced prior to postponement and all the attractions – including 166 commercial, educational and breed society exhibitors – will feature at next year’s event.
Mr Emslie added: “Those exhibitors and sponsors that had not booked prior to the closing date this year will still have the opportunity to do so.”
Other events planned by the NSA between May and July next year include Welsh Sheep, North Sheep, Sheep South West and Sheep Northern.
Trade and breed society bookings will open from Monday November 2 for exhibitors to secure their place at the 2021 events, and the latest information can be found on the NSA website.
