Thousands of farmers, industry leaders, enthusiasts and school children are expected to gather tomorrow, Wednesday 4th June, for one of the UK’s most anticipated farming events—NSA North Sheep 2025—hosted just outside Penrith at Greystoke Castle Farm.
Organised by the Northern Region of the National Sheep Association (NSA), the biennial event makes its return to Cumbria, promising a full day of insight, networking and hands-on experiences. This year’s hosts, John and Liz Peile along with their children Jack, Tom and Lucy, will open the gates of their 2,300-acre mixed farm to showcase the best of the British sheep industry.
The Peile family’s farm on the Greystoke Caste Estate features dairy cows, beef cattle and a self-replenishing flock of Swaledale, Mule and Texel sheep.
The Peile Family took on farming Greystoke Castle Farm as contractors in 2013. For eight years they farmed successfully alongside the Howard family. In 2022 the opportunity arose for the Peiles to take on the full tenancy for 20 years. Since then, as part of their business, they have installed a new milking unit, milking 150 dairy cows. The milk is sold to First Milk and dairy young stock is sold at 20 months as big stores.
Speaking on behalf of the family, John said “We are delighted to be hosting NSA North Sheep and welcoming people from all areas of the sheep industry. We are looking forward to having the opportunity to share our passion for the environment and producing food sustainably”.
Farm tours will be running throughout the day, offering a unique opportunity to see how the Peile family manage their quality livestock and extensive, diverse grazing land at their family run farm, with the added bonus of the stunning views stretching out over the Eden Valley.
NSA North Sheep 2025 boasts a packed programme. Seminars begin at 8:45am with a “Breakfast Club Live” session on resilience post-BPS, followed by talks on hefting, carbon impact and next-generation marketing. Contributors include representatives from Defra, GSC Grays, Virgin Money, and Trinity AgTech.
A new highlight for 2025 is the Animal Health Area, featuring expert-led workshops and live post-mortem demonstrations focused on flock health, disease control and breeding strategies. Notable sessions include workshops on liver fluke, roundworms and breeding for welfare and sustainability.
Food lovers can head to the Cookery and Butchery Theatre, where chefs and butchers—supported by AHDB and Dunbia—will offer demonstrations ranging from slow-cooked lamb curry to butchery of shoulder and leg cuts. These sessions aim to celebrate British lamb and provide farmers with fresh ideas for adding value to their produce.
Sheep shearing takes centre stage in the afternoon with the return of the Speed Shear Competition. Up to 50 shearers across all experience levels will race the clock, combining speed, precision and welfare in a crowd-pleasing contest.
Educational outreach is also a key part of the day. Over 250 local schoolchildren will participate in tailored learning activities, including a shearing demo, cookery sessions and tractor tours, delivered in partnership with the Land and Nature Skills Service and Cumbria Young Farmers Club.
For early risers, the Sheep Dog Trials kick off at 9:00am, showcasing the skill and trust between local handlers and their working dogs. Meanwhile, farm tours will run from 9:30am until 4:30pm, providing a rare chance to explore the daily life and stewardship behind this thriving hill farm.
NSA members enjoy free entry, with tickets also available for purchase at the gate. With an extensive lineup of trade stands, breed societies, demonstrations and food experiences, NSA North Sheep 2025 promises to be a celebration of tradition, innovation, and the future of British sheep farming.
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