The National Sheep Association (NSA) has announced Darren Bevan, from New Radnor, as the winner of this year’s data prize draw.

Darren keeps a range of sheep breeds on his family farm, near Presteigne, and is a familiar face to many on the showing circuit with his North Country Cheviot, Hill Radnor and Kerry Hill sheep.

He is the recipient of the prize of a state-of-the- art Shearwell stick reader and data recording equipment worth more than £1,000.

Entries for the competition were invited from visitors to the NSA stand at NSA and other agricultural events and meetings throughout 2019. Darren entered the competition at this year’s Royal Welsh Show, at Builth Wells as he was signing up to become an NSA member.

He said: “I joined NSA in July this year to keep up to date with the latest sheep industry news and also to enter my rams at the NSA ram sales.

“I was delighted when I received the phone call from NSA to say that I had won the Shearwell stick reader as it is something I have always wanted to get for the farm. It will make life so much easier and will mean I no longer keep losing my pen and paper in the sheep shed as I can use my stick reader instead!”

NSA activities and campaigns officer, Chris Adamson, who attended many of the agricultural shows where the prize draw was offered this year, said: “All at NSA are always pleased to hear of a deserving winner of one of our annual giveaways. We do hope Mr Bevan has many years of valuable use from his prize.”

NSA was able to offer this prize thanks to sponsorship from Shearwell Data.

Hilary O’Keife, from Shearwell, said:“Shearwell Data is always happy to support the NSA recognising the valuable work that the organisation does for the industry. Congratulations to Mr Bevan for winning the Shearwell Stick Reader, we hope you find it of great use with your sheep flock.”

All NSA prize draws for 2019 have now been won by sheep farmers from across the UK. Further new, exciting prize draws for 2020 will be announced early in the New Year.

Details of previous winners of data and membership recruitment prize draws are available along with full details on NSA membership at www.nationalsheep.org.uk/membership