Today I had Phil on the R2Kast ποΈ Phil is Chief Executive of the National Sheep Association and has spent a career across practical farming, organic agriculture, conservation and representing the UK sheep sector. πΎ
We spoke about growing up in Bristol with no direct farming background, leaving school at 16 for an agricultural apprenticeship and eventually managing farms and building his own sheep enterprise. Redundancy during the BSE period unexpectedly changed direction and led to 15 years with the Soil Association before taking over at the NSA in 2011. π
A big part of the conversation focused on sheep health and welfare, something Phil has championed throughout his time at the NSA and work that contributed to him receiving an MBE. We got into Bluetongue, parasites, changing weather patterns and why healthy sheep ultimately mean productive and profitable sheep. π
We also spoke about the future of sheep farming, opportunities for young people, the NSA lambing and grazing lists, the importance of sheep events and the growing global demand for sheep meat. With the UK one of the worldβs major sheep meat exporters, Phil sees plenty of reason to be optimistic about where the sector can go.
Enjoy! π
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