THE National Sheep Association has announced that one of the UK sheep industry’s main biennial events will be hosted in North Yorkshire next year.

NSA North Sheep will take place at Frankland Farms, at Rathmell, near Settle, on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

The thousands of people who are expected to attend will have the opportunity to see how one farming family operates a successful sheep farming enterprise in one of the wettest parts of the UK.

Frankland Farms is a family farming enterprise, with the partnership headed by brothers Richard and Chris Frankland. Farming 900 acres across three holdings, they have a flock of 1,200 sheep, 120 head of suckler cattle, plus 350 replacement and store cattle, and milk 220 head of dairy cattle.

Their sheep farming enterprise focuses on producing top-quality prime lambs, from Texel cross and Mule ewes put to Beltex rams, and their exceptional quality lambs regularly win the weekly prime stock shows and top their local markets in Skipton and Bentham.

NSA North Sheep, organised by the Northern Regional Committee of the NSA, is a showcase for all sectors of the sheep industry.

There will also be many display and exhibit stands that will highlight the latest industry trends, equipment and technology and seminars, which will provide a platform for knowledge transfer, open discussion and debate.

Frankland Farms is a family business and, since they arrived at New Hall in the late 1800s, this is the sixth generation of the family to have farmed here. Running up to 1,000 feet, New Hall is renowned for the calibre of its commercial sheep.

Richard and Chris have been attending NSA North Sheep events for as long as they can remember.

Richard said: “We are absolutely delighted and privileged to be asked to host this very important sheep industry event and we are looking forward to welcoming people to the farm next year.

“Our aim is to show people how a livestock farming enterprise is managed in one of the UK’s highest rainfall areas, the challenges that we face and how we overcome them.”

Situated on the Yorkshire/Lancashire border and on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, New Hall is a traditional grassland Dales farm.

Northern regional manager and events organiser, Heather Stoney-Grayshon, said: “I would like to thank the Frankland family for agreeing to host NSA North Sheep 2019.

“It is ten years since NSA North Sheep has been held in this part of the Northern region and we are delighted to be returning.

“This is a tremendous livestock farm with an exceptional commercial sheep flock so, for the thousands of people we expect to attend, we really do feel that New Hall offers something very special.

“The farm also has the most magnificent panoramic views, it is easily accessible and centrally located.”

The NSA represent the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK, and is funded by the memberships of its sheep farmers.

It aims to ensure that it plays a key part in every aspect of the sheep farming sector.