The National Sheep Association (NSA) has announced the launch of a new biennial award for young sheep farmers.

The new NSA Samuel Wharry Memorial Award for the Next Generation offers a £1,000 travel bursary to support a person under 35 years old in a study trip to explore the application of science in sheep production.

Applications will be invited in autumn 2018 for the first time, in memory of Samuel Wharry of Carnlough, County Antrim, who was NSA Chairman when he died suddenly in May last year, aged just 56. Samuel was an advocate of science and technology, particularly relating to genetics, during his many years breeding Blackface sheep.

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive said: “NSA is delighted to announce this new award. We hope it will offer young sheep farmers support and inspiration to travel and discover the important roles that science and technology now play in the improvement of the worldwide sheep flock, something that our friend and colleague Sam worked hard to promote.”

Appreciation for Mr Wharry’s dedication to the NSA and the wider sheep sector continued at NSA Sheep 2018 as his sisters Mary and Nancy received the NSA George Hedley Memorial Award for Outstanding Contribution, presented posthumously to their brother in recognition of his involvement in and promotion of worthy sheep industry initiatives. Among these were the Blackface Performance Recorded Sire Reference Group, Agrisearch Sheep Advisory Board, several Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute breeding trials and, since its inception in 2012, the NSA Next Generation project.

Taking the form of a specially sculptured statuette of a South Country Cheviot sheep, the award was handed to Mr Wharry’s sisters by NSA Northern Ireland Regional Development Officer Edward Adamson. Edward said: “There really was no contest for the recipient of this prestigious award this year. Samuel was a highly regarded ambassador for the sheep sector in the UK and an exceptional NSA Chairman. His loss has been and continues to be felt greatly.”