Sheep

The history of the humble sheep goes back a long way. A part of life in biblical times, they formed the basis of trade in Mediaeval Britain and today both wool and meat are significant established world trade commodities. About a century or more ago Britain developed breeds for specific purposes and these were given county or regional names, many of which continue to thrive and can be seen at Trawden Show.

The influence of British breeds on other countries has been enormous, there being very few countries of the World where sheep farming is practised which do not have either pure British breeds or else breeds which descended from British stock.

Traditionally sheep are an integral part of the rural scene providing employment in remote areas and food and clothing for the general population. The sheep is also an excellent means of improving soil fertility.

In hill and upland areas it is one of a small number of viable sources of revenue for farmers – sheep being able to live where other domestic livestock cannot. In the more fertile lowland areas, the sheep forms a part of traditional mixed farming systems designed to allow different commodities to live alongside each other to mutual benefit.

Finally, the sheep is a vitally important ingredient in conserving the countryside, enabling rural communities to continue much in the same way as they have for centuries. Equally, the traditional sensible use of sheep in these environs assists nature in regenerating plants and wildlife, continuing the process of natural evolution upon which our future depends.

http://www.nationalsheep.org.uk/

Sponsored by: 

For details on entry, please see our Schedules available here or contact our Sheep Secretary, Frank Heap on 01282 697465.

Results for previous years can be found on our results page here.

Sheep Judges 2022

Lonk Judge: Mr B Thorpe, Bacup
Derbyshire Gritstone Judge: Mr CR Mitchell, Holmfirth
Suffolk Judge: TBC
Swaledale Judge: Mr R Pedley, Carnforth
Blue Faced Leicester Judge: Mr R Pedley, Carnforth
Mule Judge: Mr R Pedley, Carnforth
Zwartble Judge: TBC
Beltex Judge: Mr N Noble, Cleveland
Texel Judge: Mr J Barton, Walmer Bridge
Blue Texel Judge: Mr R Garth, Bentham
Any Other Continental Judge: Mr E Tattersall, Higham
Any Other Continental Judge: Mr E Tattersall, Higham
Fat Lamb Judge: Mr N Noble, Cleveland
Pair of Breeding Ewe Lambs Judge: Mr A Caton, Skipton
Champion Group of Three Judge: Mr A Caton, Skipton
Champion Judge: Mr A Caton, Skipton
Junior Shepherd Judges: Ashley and Rachel Caton