NSA North Sheep is one of the UK sheep industry’s flagship one-day events, organised by the Northern Region of the National Sheep Association. Taking place on 2nd June 2027, the event brings together sheep farmers, industry professionals and rural businesses from across the country for a full day dedicated to practical knowledge, innovation and networking.
NSA North Sheep 2027 will take place at Marriforth Farm, Thornton Steward, Wensleydale, on Wednesday 2nd June 2027, kindly hosted by the Fairburn family.
Marriforth Farm is a progressive multi-generational farming business run by three generations of the Fairburn family — Granville and wife Liz, son Paul and wife Marion, and the next generation, Pippa and Henry. The family’s connection with the farm stretches back more than 70 years, with Granville moving there as a child before the family purchased the holding in the early 1960s.
The business includes 460 acres of owned land, 750 acres of rented ground and almost 3,000 acres of rough grazing, running around 3,500 breeding ewes across Swaledale, Mule and pedigree flocks. The family also grows 100 acres of winter and spring barley alongside the sheep farming operation.
The Fairburn family is widely respected for pedigree breeding, stockmanship and showing success. Granville and his late father Ernest introduced Bluefaced Leicesters to Marriforth in 1973, selling their first tup lamb at the inaugural Bluefaced Leicester Society sale at Hawes Auction Mart two years later for £12. Today the family breeds pedigree Bluefaced Leicester and Beltex sheep, selling around 30 Bluefaced Leicester rams annually through leading sales at Hawes and Harrison & Hetherington at Kirkby Stephen.
The next generation is already making its mark, with Henry establishing the farm’s Beltex flock and Pippa recently launching her own pedigree Suffolk flock. The family also enjoys success in the show ring, from local agricultural shows through to the Great Yorkshire Show, where a homebred Bluefaced Leicester ewe secured Reserve Interbreed Champion in 2023.
Alongside the sheep enterprise, Paul Fairburn has built a strong reputation in the shearing world. A shearing contractor since the age of 16, Paul developed a run peaking at 25,000 sheep shorn in a season, travelled to New Zealand to shear and represented England twice in international relay shearing competitions.
Visitors can expect hundreds of trade stands, breed societies and breeders alongside seminars, workshops and live demonstrations covering key topics affecting the sector. The event provides a valuable opportunity to share ideas, learn from experts and discover the latest developments in sheep farming.
Young farmers and school groups are also welcomed, helping inspire and educate the next generation entering the industry.
For details about sponsorship and trade stand space please contact Chris Adamson on email [email protected]
