Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. This was the first member survey for over ten years and the first one that had been mainly conducted online, via Survey Monkey.

It is important to remember that the survey only represents the views of respondents who would - through their participation - be a self-selecting sample. Nevertheless it was felt the views expressed could be regarded as reasonably representative of the Society as a whole.

Here’s a summary of the key points from the survey, and a more detailed report of the survey’s findings is available here.

The membership is ‘diverse’ (although not in societal terms)
70% of flocks have one person in charge
64% of members are aged over 45 years
71% members have smaller flocks ˂20 breeding ewes
72% of members do not regard farming as their primary activity
62% of members do not receive the Single Farm Payment
Most members keep sheep because they enjoy sheep keeping and like the breed
40-50% of members highlighted showing as an activity they have participated in
47% of members keep other breeds, especially rare breeds
After the Flock Book (paper and online), the newsletter is the most valued publication
Least important were the eNewsletters
91% of respondents considered the balance of publications was about right
25% have opinions as to how to do things differently.
Approximately 10% members are not connected to the web