The National Sheep Association’s (NSA) Lambing List provides farmers with a place to advertise for much-needed lambing assistance from students and others seeking work experience each year.
The list provides an annual matchmaking service for around 400 farmers, veterinary and agriculture students.
Despite a second lambing season under the constraints of Covid-19 restrictions, the list has once again helped farmers across the UK at this busy time of year.
The list has now closed, and will reopen for advertisements for the 2021/2022 lambing season in the autumn.
NSA communications officer Katie James said: “The popularity of the NSA Lambing List grows each year.
“The guidance it provides to farmers using it, and the links it offers students, means it is incredibly valued by all parties involved.
For most, the past two lambing seasons have taken place during Covid-19 restrictions. Meaning potential shortages of staff due to travel constraints, or illness from the virus itself, and additional measures to consider, such as separate accommodation for temporary staff and social distancing.
“All at the NSA are therefore pleased that the list has been able to help remove some of these concerns, and provide a trusted method of securing extra help for its sheep farming members,” she said.
In a previous survey of NSA members using the list, more than 90% of respondents said they valued the list and would use it again to try and source additional lambing help from veterinary and agriculture students.
Students who will be looking for work experience to assist their application to university, or as part of ongoing veterinary studies, are encouraged to consult the list from November 2021, when it becomes available once again to aid the student/farmer matchmaking.
NSA members will be able to add details of their available placements for their next lambing season from October.
