Midfearn Farm has North Country Cheviot, Suffolk and Scottish Blackface sheep among its 650 breeding ewes.
Taking place on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, the event, organised by NSA Scotland, is designed to highlight the strength and innovation within the Scottish sheep industry, with visitors expected from across Scotland and the UK.
The day promises to be a key date in the calendar for anyone involved in sheep farming, with a strong focus on innovation, practical knowledge, and community.
A 5,463-hectare (13,500-acre) estate near Ardgay, Midfearn Farm sits above the Dornoch Firth and consists mainly of hill ground, with around 101 hectares (250 acres) of arable and improved pasture.
Sheep is the farm's main enterprise with around 650 breeding ewes, including North Country Cheviot, Suffolk and Scottish Blackface breeds.
The flock operates as a closed flock and breeds its own replacements, with only breeding rams bought in. Lambs are sold as stores through Dingwall & Highland Marts.
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Midfearn Farm has also embraced renewable energy and was one of the first farms in northern Scotland to establish a wind farm.
It is also home to two hydro power schemes, highlighting the farm's commitment to sustainability and diversification.
The Brooke family are the fourth generation of their family to farm the estate, alongside farm manager Neil Shaw.
Their experience and progressive outlook make them fitting hosts for an event focused on the future of sheep farming.
Mr Shaw says: "The Brooke family, and I are delighted to host NSA Highland Sheep 2025 and welcome you all to Midfearn Farm, Ardgay. Looking ahead and willing to take chances has really helped us put our stamp on Midfearn over the years.
"As fourth generation farmers we have seen the farming world change greatly in our lifetime, with diversification into renewables being at the forefront."
Farm tours will run from 9am to 3pm at Midfearn on the day, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience the quality livestock, breathtaking views of the Dornoch firth and the importance of grassland management on the farm, including Watson Seeds grassland plots.
Grassland and soil health have been at the forefront of driving livestock performance, profitability and efficiency at Midfearn.
The plots were chosen for the event due to the increased interest in multispecies swards and the Watsons team will be available to walk through the grass plots, explain each mixture, and answer questions.
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Event details
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When: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
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Where: Midfearn Farm, Ardgay, Ross-shire, IV24 3DL
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Time: 9am – 5pm
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Admission: Adults £20; NSA members £10; children 15 years of age and under free;
group bookings of more than 10 booked and paid for in advance with the organiser £15; international visitor tickets free - contact organiser in advance
Event Features
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Trade and breed society stands
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Educational talks and hands-on demos
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Competitions including speed shear
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Multi-breed ewe hogg show and sale
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Opportunities to network and learn from leading figures in the industry
Seminar programme
10.45am – 11.45am: Inspections and Policy
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Chair: Peter Delbridge, chairman, National Sheep Association
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Speakers: Representative from Scottish Government, rural payments and inspections division; Carol McLaren, chief executive RSABI; Charlotte Pumphrey, Whole Farm Plan.
12pm – 12.25pm: Address
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Chair: Peter Myles, chairman, NSA Scotland
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Speaker: Jim Fairlie MSP, Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Scottish Government.
12.50pm – 1.50pm: Social Media, Farm Promotion and Diversification
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Chair: Representative from SAC Consulting
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Speakers: Cammy Wilson, The Sheep Game; Janet McQuistin, Kitchen Coos and Ewes of Airyolland Farm; Tom Robertson, Embleton Mill.
2.00pm – 3.00pm: Lamb – What the Market Needs
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Chair: Alasdair Macnab, managing director, AJM Agri
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Speakers: Victoria Ballantyne, farmer and Nuffield scholar; Jock Gibson, Edinvale Farms and Macbeth's Butchers; Awal Fuseini, AHDB Halal sector senior manager.
Show and sale of ewe hoggs
Top-quality pairs of ewe hoggs from well-known breeders across the country will be forward for the multi-breed show at NSA Highland Sheep, judged by Ben Riach, Dingwall, at 9am with the sale starting at 4pm and conducted by Dingwall & Highland Marts.
Seven classes will be on offer for Mules, North Country Cheviot (Hill), North Country Cheviot (Park), Scottish Blackface, any other native breed, any other continental breed and any cross-bred.
Both MV accredited and non-accredited sheep are eligible for show and sale.
