WITH the month of May upon us, the biannual NSA Highland Sheep event is just around the corner and it's shaping up to be quite a big occasion.

Now established as a regular event in the NSA Scotland calendar, this year it will be hosted by mother and daughter team Dorothy Clark and Amy Grant at Kinnahaird, Contin, on Wednesday May 31.

Attendees will be given the chance to see a number of demonstrations and attend seminars based on nutrition, animal health and marketing. There is an increase in the number of trade stands compared to the last event, with more than 90 commercial and educational stands having booked a spot, including 19 different breed societies and five individual breeder groups.

Entries are still open for the NSA Next Generation Shepherd of the Year, where competitors aged 16 to 26 put their skills to the test in eight different sections. These will include ATV handling and shearing, both of which require a blue seal certificate, while the British Wool Marketing Board is offering courses that will meet the shearing criteria ahead of the competition. A discount for these courses is often available from SAYFC, and those interested are encouraged to apply for a training bursary from the Black Isle Farmers' Society.

As well as a substantial pot of prize money, the winner will go on to represent Scotland in a UK-wide final, and will have the opportunity to compete against the rest of Europe. Entries close on Monday, May 22, and application forms can be found on the website.

There is still time to enter ewe hogg pairs for sale at the event. There are nine sections and the deadline to enter is Friday, May 12.