A Fermanagh farmer was one of a number of hosts of the CAFRE ‘Profit from Pasture’ sustainability events held during the summer months.

William Egerton, from Rosslea, in addition to being a leading sheep farmer, is also one of 12 National Sheep Association New Generation Ambassadors in the United Kingdom.

In July, William hosted around 40 farmers to his farm to explain his flock and grass management as part of the Profit from Pasture events.

He works with a flock of 250 ewes, mostly New Zealand Suffolks and Lleyns, with high lambing percentages of around 200 per cent, with the focus of getting lambs finished off grass with minimal fertiliser use and by maximising clover in the swards.

Clover content can be increased by stitching in with a direct drill once the old swards are grazed down tight.

Faecal egg counts are taken to monitor the worm burden, and tracking the fields where worm burdens are higher so that he can delay wormer resistance.

The ewes are housed in early January, giving the grass swards time to recover and build up for the turn-out of ewes and lambs during the lambing period from late March to late April.

Lambing indoors gives William full control over the flock. The ewes and lambs are turned out after they are one or two days old.

William differs from many other sheep farmers, using a paddock grazing system. He grazes his 250 ewes on just 40 acres – a feat which amazes some of his fellow ambassadors when they meet to discuss their management systems.

The four strands of electric fencing are set up around paddocks of one and a half to two acres in size, with the flock divided into two grazing groups.

The NSA ambassadors spend 12 days together in England over a period of time, engaged in training as well as going on farm walks. It brings together some of the best sheep farmers from across the country.