As I write this, I’m about to swap my woolly jumper and autumn layers to attend – and present at – the International Sheep Veterinary Congress in Australia, writes Nerys Wright.
It’s a real honour to be part of such a global gathering of sheep minds, and I’m hugely grateful to the East of England Agricultural Society for supporting me on what promises to be the trip of a lifetime.
Body scoring
I’ll be presenting on my doctoral research, focusing on the importance and uptake of ewe body condition scoring – a topic I’m passionate about and one that’s gaining traction in improving flock health and productivity.
I’ll be sharing the stage with some well-known sheep researchers, which is both exciting and a little surreal. It’s a brilliant opportunity to showcase the work being done in the UK and to learn from others tackling similar challenges in very different environments.
We’re often compared to the Southern Hemisphere, but I’ll be flying the flag for the best of British sheep farming. Yes, we hear the usual critiques—subsidy reliance, sheep scab and footrot – but I’d argue we’ve got plenty to shout about.
Our parasite control is world-class, resistance is emerging slower than in some regions, and full EID in sheep gives us traceability many people envy. Plus, we’re actively working to reduce subsidy dependence and improve flock resilience.
I’m also keen to learn more about their wool industry—a sector we could do more with here in the UK. From breeding and shearing to marketing and innovation, there’s a lot we can learn and potentially apply back home.
So, here’s to sheep, science, and a bit of sunshine. I’ll be packing my notebook, my curiosity, and a healthy dose of pride in what we do well. Australia, I’m coming for you –with a suitcase full of questions and a head full of sheep.
The Sheep Geeks podcast is available on all major podcast platforms. Nerys Wright is an independent sheep consultant. For more details, call 07891 187643 or visit sheepconsultancy.co.uk.