The National Sheep Association (NSA) promotes opportunities for the next generation of farmers by appointing a group of up to 12 people to take part in technical and personal development.

Successful applicants are invited to partake in five delivery sessions spread through the year, and subsequently develop a longstanding relationship with NSA that sees them become active members in their region.

The 2018 Next Generation Ambassadors have been chosen and Richard Rossiter from Galmpton near Kingsbridge in Devon is one of them.

Mr Rossiter is 26 years old and works on a mixed farm. It is mainly sheep, with 600 Poll Dorsets, 200 Suffolk/Aber Blacks and 400 Exlanas and has 250 acres of arable. The majority of land is coastal land and under different stewardship agreements.

Mr Rossiter’s involvement in the Poll Dorset Centurion Group, promoting high performance sheep to pedigree and commercial customers, has led to an interest in prolifically, carcase quality and lambing ease. With the Exlanas, he is likewise involved in the SIG group and uses the low-input ewes in his own business to utilise coastal and stewardship land that’s not wanted by local arable and dairy farmers. Innovis’ Aber Blacks, marketed as a finer-boned easier-lambing derivative of the Suffolk breed, is the newest addition to the farm at Kingsbridge.

Mr Rossiter feels that the confidence he hopes to gain as an NSA Ambassador will encourage him to exploit his location in a popular holiday area to engage with the public and integrate him into the NSA network of communicating farmer priorities to those in power.

When asked about opportunities for young people interested in agricultural careers Mr Rossiter said: "I was lucky enough to get involved and join the family farm and become a partner in the business giving me the opportunity to help expand the business that we have today.

"There is plenty of opportunity for people to get involved in the industry as the capital requirements are less for establishing a business in this sector rather than others. The main ingredient is to be positive in what you want to achieve. Also there is opportunity in the big arable areas of using sheep as a way of controlling the black grass issues they are tackling today and farming areas that can’t be cultivated.

Considering the pros and cons of his chosen profession he said: "The most difficult thing is balancing the farming calendar with the weather. You can plan as much as you like but if the weather isn’t right then you won’t be able to achieve your goals.

"The best thing is working outside and producing a product you are proud of. Also the challenge of continually trying to improve your business by producing a product that helps other businesses to be profitable.

"Be passionate about what you are doing. It is hard work but there are plenty of rewards too."