I’Anson Bros and Metcalfe Farms announced as Major Sponsors of NSA North Sheep 2027

We are delighted to announce I’Anson Bros Ltd and Metcalfe Farms as Major Sponsors of NSA North Sheep 2027, bringing together two leading Yorkshire family businesses in support of one of the UK sheep industry’s major events.

NSA North Sheep 2027 will take place at Marriforth Farm, Thornton Steward, Wensleydale, on Wednesday 2nd June 2027, kindly hosted by the Fairburn family. The event will welcome farmers and industry professionals from across the UK for a showcase of sheep farming, livestock, innovation, technical knowledge and rural businesses.

Based in Masham, I’Anson Bros Ltd has been serving farmers since 1900 and is one of the UK’s leading independent manufacturers of animal feedstuffs. Now in its fourth and fifth generations of family ownership and management, the business supplies livestock farmers across the UK and exports products to more than 40 countries worldwide.

Alongside its long-established Masham operation, I’Anson has made a major investment in the future of British agriculture with its state-of-the-art feed mill at Dalton, near Thirsk. The company produces an extensive range of feeds for the livestock sector, including specialist sheep and lamb feeds, while retaining strong links with the farming communities it has served for more than 125 years.

Chris I’Anson, said:
“NSA North Sheep is a fantastic platform for bringing the sheep industry together and creating valuable conversations around the future of farming. We have supported the region’s sheep and livestock farmers throughout our 126-year history and, with the event taking place so close to our Masham headquarters, sponsoring NSA North Sheep 2027 feels like a natural fit. We are incredibly proud to continue our long-standing support for this event and are looking forward to working with the team in the build-up to 2027.”

Joining I’Anson Bros as Major Sponsor is Metcalfe Farms, a fourth-generation family farming business based at Washfold Farm, near Leyburn.

Established in 1940 by Frank Metcalfe with 120 acres and just 18 cows, the business has grown and diversified considerably. Today, Metcalfe Farms farm around 5,000 acres in the Yorkshire Dales and manages a 1,300-strong dairy herd with 800 followers, alongside an extensive agricultural contracting operation, heavy and basic haulage, HGV & car repair centre and operates a limestone quarry supplying aggregates across the North East.

The business has continued to invest in modern farming technology and machinery, including robotics and an AD plant which converts slurry into electricity to power the Washfold Farm site, with surplus energy supplied to the National Grid. Its agricultural contracting division has also been serving farmers for more than 35 years, providing services ranging from forage harvesting and baling to arable work and slurry and digestate management.

Richard Metcalfe, said: “We are very proud to support NSA North Sheep 2027 as a Major Sponsor, particularly with such an important agricultural event taking place here in Wensleydale. As a family farming business, agriculture has been at the heart of what we do for generations. Events like North Sheep are a great opportunity to bring the farming community together, share knowledge and showcase the innovation and hard work that goes into our industry.

We are looking forward to welcoming farmers and visitors from across the country to Wensleydale and being part of what promises to be a fantastic event.”

NSA North Sheep 2027 will feature trade stands, breed societies, seminars, competitions and live demonstrations, bringing together the very best of the sheep sector and northern farming.

Further details will be announced over the coming months.