The National Sheep Association (NSA) will be backing Kent shepherdess Marie Prebble as she attempts to set a world record shearing attempt in a few weeks’ time.
Prebble, an NSA Next Generation ambassador and member of the NSA South East Region committee, will be attempting to set the first women’s eight-hour, strongwool ewe shearing world record on Thursday, August 25 at Trefranck Farm, Cornwall.
As well as being a fantastic fundraising opportunity, the record attempt is also a continuation of Marie’s work to highlight the importance of shearing and good shearing welfare.
This was a topic she explored as part of the NSA Samuel Wharry Award for the Next Generation, that she was a first recipient of back in 2018.
The award gave Marie, and fellow bursary recipient, Charlie Beaty, from Warwickshire, the opportunity to complete a study trip to explore the application of science in sheep production.
Coming in the form of a £2,750 travel bursary, Marie used her award to travel to Iceland, Norway and France where she investigated best practice at shearing time, both improving animal welfare and wool presentation.
The shepherdess said: “I am grateful to the NSA for its support for this event and for my involvement with the NSA Next Generation Ambassador programme and travel bursary.
“It is now an honour to be attempting to set the first women’s shearing record in the UK with such a huge amount of help from a very dedicated team.
“Particular thanks go to Stuart and Kira Connor for organizing the event and Matt and Pip Smith of Trefranck Farm for hosting, and to all the companies who have sponsored the event.”
