After seven hours of recycled air on a plane I was really looking forward to some fresh air when we landed. I was in for a rude awakening. As I stepped off the plane into 84 degrees, the humidity in Montreal hit me like a brick wall!

I met Jess Denning, last year’s YDP winner and we headed to Saint- Hyacinthe, Quebec the location of the Canadian Junior Associations “Showdown”. I had known that we were going to the French speaking part of Canada but I was a bit naive to the fact that they actually don’t speak much English. I started to wish my GCSE French hadn’t been quite so long ago as we went to a restaurant and it was all in French with no translation. By the end of the showdown we were saying ‘Bonjour’ to everyone.

Showdown was the main reason for my visit. Jess had been invited to compete after she picked Canada as the place for her prize, a study trip abroad and I took the opportunity of tagging along to take a look at what makes their programme so successful. I wanted to know how they get and keep 600 members.

The Canadians run a very different programme to ours and it’s much along the same lines as our Young Farmers Clubs. The juniors are under 21, need to own cattle and they pay to belong to the Junior Association. Just like our Young Farmers Club’s they run both provincially and nationally and both are run by the Juniors themselves, with an adult advisor like we have in the form of YFC club leaders.

Each province then votes for members to go forward to the National Board of Directors that run the national programme. The main event at both levels is the Showdowns, where junior members come together to compete at all manner of character building activities, as well as many cattle competitions. Building great agricultural leaders for the future is the other national initiative that takes the form of a conference style weekend usually held in February.

Showdown was everything I expected it to be, although no adult participation at any level left me somewhat frustrated as I would’ve loved to have got involved. There is no lower age limit so if the “pee wees” or juniors need help then they ask an older participant to help and that is great to watch. The Showdown programme was all about healthy competition and the activities are designed to create confident well rounded individuals.

Some competitions are completed before the Showdown, such as photography, art, literature (essays or poetry) scrap booking and graphic design. Activities that took place during the three days were: team grooming (two people with 10 mins to dress an animal); stockjudging (written reasons, with top from each age group being chosen for team judging); showmanship, public speaking, sales talk (bit like an interview); print marketing (cut and stick a poster) and a cook off (teams of six preparing two steaks, loads of effort with everyone dressing up in their chosen theme).

Then there are the confirmation classes for those who brought their cattle along. As the national Showdown moves location each year, junior members get the chance to bring their own cattle when it’s close to them. There are lots of prizes on offer but the main trophy for each age group is the aggregate award, a fantastic silver buckle. It’s all about buckles in Canada!

Canadian Junior Coordinator, Belinda Wagner and the Board of Directors were great at encouraging Jess to join in and she ended up entering 8 of the 11 competitions and doing pretty well at that! As we had only arrived in Canada the day before, the art was done in the hotel room, the literature was done in the bar and public speaking was done with me timing Jess in the restaurant to check she was within the time scale.

First competition was team grooming where Jess and the American Red Angus Ambassador, Montgomery Dempsey, made up an international team. Neither Canada nor America clip bellies as they want cattle with depth of body and I really wanted to see their faces if Jess did it, but whilst borrowing someone else’s animal it wouldn’t have been the right time to make a point! Jess came away from Showdown with Champion in Print Marketing and Literature and reserve champ in art and public speaking.

I think the biggest thing that struck me about the Junior Association was how well the Canadian Angus Breeders as a whole support this initiative. Each provincial association is responsible for their own fund raising, which usually involves heifer or embryo raffles and silent auctions. The national programme is funded by auctions and even things like golf tournaments. One of their biggest fundraising ideas is a calendar, at the presentation dinner after showdown, breeders paid between $1000 – $1600 to have a page in it! That truly is great support for the future of the breed.

The next part of Jess’ trip took her to Calgary and as the Stampede was on the temptation of Rodeo and cowboys it was more than I could bear so I went too! It also gave me a great opportunity to meet and chat with the Canadian Association employees and I got the chance to find out more about their Ambassador programme from Assistant Manager, Michael Latimar.

The Canadian Association picks an Ambassador each year that represents the Association on a trip abroad. This is run as a separate programme to the Junior Association but the applicants need to be Junior Members. The applicants must send their CV, write an essay, go through an interview, give a speech to the Angus Association Presidents reception and take an agricultural knowledge quiz. All this is to make sure they select someone who will give the best possible impression at international level.

The first home stay for Jess was with the Hamilton family of Belvin Angus and they very kindly put up with me too. Gavin and Mabel Hamilton are driving forces in Canadian agriculture and have both sat on many of the important industry boards and committees. They have obviously passed their enthusiasm onto their children as both Colton and Quinn have already had leading roles in the Junior Associations.

Quinn has just finished as President of the National Junior Association and currently holds the same position in the Alberta Juniors too. I was able to attend the first part of the Alberta Showdown where Jess was again encouraged to take part and we also got to see the 4H show too. That was a real eye opener in terms of the cattle in Canada and how meat grading systems affect the kind of cattle we all keep. From an Angus breeders point of view you have to admire a country where every breed looks like an Angus. The black Simmentals were some of the best I’ve ever seen, especially with those lovely Angus heads and I was almost tempted to bring some home.

I left Jess in the capable hands of the Hamilton’s and I think she’s going to work there for the next few weeks. I was very grateful for the hospitality shown to me at Belvin and I thoroughly enjoyed talking about and looking at cattle for three days. A big thank you to Gavin, Mabel, Colt and Quinn and the Canadian Angus Association who all made my trip really enjoyable, everyone I met was really friendly and I have certainly come home with a few ideas that will move the YDP forward.

The Hawstead Lodge has been incredibly successful in the show ring over the last couple of years culminating in reserve female and reserve male championship wins at last year’s National Show in Newbury.

For more details on the workshop or other workshop dates please contact YDP co-ordinator Gayle Bersey on 07792 777889 or email on gayle@bersey.fslife.co.uk

Application forms can easily be downloaded from the website (top right of the YDP page) and must be sent back to the Society office by the 31^st March.

For more information on the workshop dates, venues or the programme itself, contact YDP co-ordinator Gayle Bersey on 07792 777889 or email gayle@bersey.fslife.co.uk.

17^th April – South East England workshop at Rosemead herd (Angus Stovold, Surrey).

15th May – North Scotland at Logie

23^rd May – Central England at Nightingale herd (Willie and Angela Robertson, Worcestershire).

3rd July – Southern Ireland at Luddenmore (Dr Michael and Martin Sheahan, Co Limerick) – trainer Leo McEnroe.

4^th July – South Scotland at Rawburn herd (John Elliot, Roxburgh Mains).

24th July – Central Ireland at Lawsonford, Cootehill (Michael Smith).

1^st August – Central Scotland at Netherton herd (Messrs W and D McLaren, Perthshire).

8^th August – North of England at Tree Bridge herd (David Evans, Cleveland).

14^th August – South West England at Rull herd (Ed and Clare Jones, Devon).

4th September – Northern Ireland at Richhill (Robin Lamb, Co Armagh) – trainer Gordon McWilliam.

Dates for Central Ireland, North Scotland and East Anglia will be announced shortly. Details of the trainers and times will also follow soon.

I’m pleased to report my last Youth Development Programme training workshop for this year was yet another great success. On my recent visit to Northern Ireland I was greeted by enthusiastic and helpful Aberdeen-Angus breeders and some extremely talented young people. At the beginning of the year I didn’t know anyone in Northern Ireland now, after 24 hours there I have a very useful list of helpful contacts!

Victor Wallace had been ‘press ganged’ into hosting the workshop by William McLaren Jnr while they were all out having a lovely time in Canada. Victor and I had agreed that if we held it on the same day as their Club stock judging event, it would benefit all.

Trainer for the day was Gordon McWilliam, yes I can hear you all asking: What? A Scotsman!! Gordon had been working with a mutual friend at the Royal Show when it dawned on me what an ideal man he would be for the job and he didn’t stand a chance of saying no! Gordon originally hails from the North of Scotland, but now farms in Northern Ireland with his wife, Libby Clarke and two daughters.

The only thing to disappoint me about Northern Ireland was the turnout of participants. On paper it looked fantastic with 20 or so entered for the day. Sadly only 9 actually attended and I hope it was because there were other events on that day or the fact that it was the only dry spell we’ve all had this summer! Victor and Stephen Wallace, along with Gordon had gone to a lot of effort to make this a successful event. The Baronagh cattle are not shown, so the heifers we had to work with were specifically halter broken for the workshop.

The day started with a very informative talk about EBV’s from Jim Dennison of AI Services. He used one of the heifers to do a scanning demonstration. Showing visuals on the screen helped everybody interpret the information on the EBV charts.

It was then Gordon’s turn to take centre stage, I had been winding him up all morning as he was a little nervous, and for the first 10 minutes he kept referring to the workshop plan I had sent him!

Gordon had been concerned that the Irish participants would not understand his Scottish phrases and told everyone to ask me if they didn’t understand anything. I thought this was a little like the blind leading the blind with a Cornish girl explaining Scottish phrases to Irish folk, luckily it wasn’t an issue!

Gordon began by explaining how to feed and halter break your cattle and how far in advance they needed to start this. He then explained how to tie cattle up, demonstrating neck ties and the correct quick release knots to use. Everyone then had a turn at tying the knot.

He then took the participants through the washing and grooming of the cattle. It was really great to hear the youngsters asking plenty of questions and lots of discussions took place along the way. Then came the clipping demonstration that everyone always enjoys and it was interesting to hear how a Charolais man clips!

Gordon then showed everyone how to dress the cattle. The heifers had very different coats so he was able to show how to put shine on a summer coat and then he soaped up a heifer with more hair. It was then the turn of the youngsters to have a go and all showed a good deal of skill. Then came the bit that is one of my favourite parts of the day, the ring craft workshop.

What I like is as soon as they take over the halter they become a little more confident and a little more competitive! After this it was time to break for lunch, The Wallace family had made hotdogs for everyone and we all sat in the sun and enjoyed the company. After lunch Gordon showed everyone how to make a halter and again there was not enough rope for me to show my skill, but someone did actually take my advice this time! Gordon also showed everyone how to make neck ropes too.

The afternoon saw the start of the Northern Ireland Club’s stockjudging event. This was run by club chairman Alan Morrison. Many club members joined the YDP participants for this event. Victor had picked out 6 groups of four animals- two year old heifers, senior and junior cows, bulls and yearling heifers. Michael Smith and Jim Jack acted as judges and everyone had a go at putting them in order.

I did incredibly badly and I tried put it down to jet lag! One young man 13 year old Jack Smyth did incredibly well and won the prize for the under 16’s. After the prize giving we were treated to a lovely afternoon tea provided yet again by the Wallace Family and then we were given the opportunity to view the Baronagh Herd which was very enjoyable. Not only were the cattle a fantastic sight to see but I had the opportunity to chat to lots of very friendly Angus breeders. And I do hope that Libby doesn’t have too many photos of me, I’m normally the one with the camera!

Yet again another successful workshop thanks to Victor Wallace and Family, Gordon McWilliam, Jim Dennison and Alan Morrison.

So that was the last workshop of 2009. I now have the job of totting up the scores and letting everyone know whether they are through to the final. I am very grateful that it was not my job to mark these enthusiastic young people, there is an awful lot of talent out there and it is great to think that these stockman skills are being nurtured by the Aberdeen Angus Society.

As it is my first year in the job and I haven’t been involved with the programme before, I have found it quite daunting working in parts of the country that I don’t know and with people that I don’t know all that well either.  I thought that the South of England workshop would be a breeze as I knew everyone involved.

As it was one of the last workshops, the participants had read all reports of previous workshops and all told me how much they were looking forward to it being their turn now. Oh the pressure!! But I need not have worried as everyone pulled it off magnificently.

The workshop was held at Lockerley Hall Farm, Southampton by kind permission of Mr L Van Geest and herd manager David Batch. Workshops have been held here before so they had had some practise, but David did tell me of a few sleepless nights about the whole job!

Head trainer for the day was Colin Hutchings. I’m not sure he needs any introduction as he has won most showing accolades over the years and is a prominent figure on the west country show seen. Colin has not been involved with the YDP before but has been a driving force in many breeds and for all ages, as well as experience of an education programme in the South.

He also taught my Dad quite a few things, especially on a trip to Perth when Dad was in his teens!! Also helping with the training was Rob Bishop, who mght not have been around for as long as Colin but has certainly been very successful in Angus, and of course with Colin comes Jack Ellicott!

10 participants turned up for the day’s training and also a few ‘not quite so young’ turned up with a hope that Colin would let one of the secrets of his success slip for all to use in future!

The day started with a talk on halter breaking and feeding cattle, a very useful and informative part of the day where attendees asked lots of questions. This was followed by the ‘Clipping Clinic’. Colin demonstrated how best to accentuate the good points of an animal and hide the not quite so good points!

All participants were able to have a go including the not so confident ones that ended up doing an excellent job. The clipping is always of interest to the youngsters and it is great when the experts pass on useful tips, and I’m nearly in danger of using my favourite phrase of ‘hands on experience’!!! Jack found his usual usefulness and brought round tea and biscuits mid morning and certainly used his initiative with the tray!

The morning sessions ended with the washing of the cattle. I am always really impressed by the cattle that seem to take no notice of 3 or 4 people scrubbing and hosing them all at once. It is something you can’t prepare them for, as even if they have been to a show I have never found 3 or 4 people to help me wash mine!!

After lunch while the cattle were drying, Colin gave a run through of what you should be looking for in a beef animal, pointing out the cuts of meat, breed characteristics and qualities that are needed for today’s market. This was followed by Rob Bishop talking about EBV’s and using the actual figures for the Lockerley animals that were there. This was a brilliant way of explaining breeding and figures as it was all there in front of you and Rob’s figures backed Colin’s physical analysis.

Colin then showed the attendees how to dress an animal using soap and everyone had the chance to have a go at turning the animals out. I must apologise to any parents that had black hand prints on everything when they came home! Two of the animals had been clipped and one hadn’t, when compared against each other this then reinforced the need for clipping.

After another cup of tea brought to us this time by Tom Beadle of Rosemead Herd, using the same ‘tray’ as before, the youngsters were able to show off their showing skills in a mock show! It is great to see even the quiet ones come into their own when on the end of a halter and all showed with great skill. It did cause great amusement with Jack pushing everything on and Colin telling him to slow up, it reminded me of every show that we go too!

Halter making - note the ages of the fellas please!

The afternoon ended with the bit that most of the older participants had turned up for, halter making! Tom Beadle had put his holiday to Devon on hold to learn this skill. Mrs Batch and I did decide that it probably would be easier to buy one from Mole Valley!! Sadly there was not enough rope for me to make one as I am positive that I can now do it!!!!

Again another really friendly and informative workshop thanks to Lockerley Farms, David Batch, Colin Hutchings, Rob & Rachel Bishop and Jack Ellicott.

Smile please!

We were very pleased to welcome the YDP Committee Chairman, Mark Pilcher to this workshop, although it was his regional one it did take him 4 ½ hours to get there! He emailed me the next day to say he had thoroughly enjoyed the day and said that it had reinforced for him what made the YDP such a success. He pretty much summed it up when he said how great it was for the ‘kids’ to learn from a stockman par excellence in Colin, wise words from Rob who’s just won the Royal and a bit of humour from Jack thrown in for good measure!

Taking the reserve championship was the junior interbreed champion from Devon County Show, Muirhall Last Deal from Paul Frain and Lisa Davey. This one was bred by Bill and Sarah Reid and is by Muirhall Top deal out of Muirhall Ladybird D001.

Enthusiasm definitely wasn’t lacking and the atmosphere was great, as most of the youngsters show against each other throughout the year, and a little friendly competition never goes a miss. The workshop was held at Tree Bridge Farm, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough by kind permission of David and Penny Evans. This was the first time they had hosted a workshop themselves, although David had been involved last year, and they did an excellent job! David had secured the services of well known Northern Prime Stock shower, Eileen Wilson and Duncan McLaren, whose name speaks volumes in the world of Angus and now Duncan is making his mark with Charolais.

A warm welcome started the day off nicely with coffee and homemade  brownies and  cookies made by Tor and Hen Evans.  People keep laughing as I always seem to mention food in the workshop reports but it is working a treat as there always seems to be some new goodies waiting for me at the next one! It didn’t go unnoticed by Penny Evans that whenever she saw me I was eating something! I would just like to point out that food is not compulsory for the hosts to provide, the participants are suppose to bring their own lunch.

Halter making with Duncan McLaren

The participants were split into groups on age and the first group made halters with Duncan. He had two wonderful bits of equipment that I hadn’t seen at any of the other demonstrations, a piece of wood and a glove!! These were so that the ends of the halter could be melted and rolled to make the joins very neat. Duncan did say he had found the wood worked better than what his father used to use which was the top of the Rayburn!! Juliet Swires and I watched intently to see if we could pick up the skill, and I’ve nearly got it, yes I know we hear that after every workshop!

The older group were taken by David and Eileen where they were shown how to wash and blow the cattle. The groups swapped around and more cattle were washed and halters made. All stopped for lunch where David and Penny had fired up the BBQ and we were all treated to some wonderful Angus Burgers and Sausages (yeap food again!) We all sat on the lawn in the pleasant sunshine and all matter of things were discussed, those of you that were there will know the hilarity of some of the subjects!!

It's all in the feed........

After lunch, David had obtained some feed samples from Farmway, we were all given a piece of paper to guess what each one was. Big discussions ensued and it turned out to be a really informative exercise in more ways than one.

Keeping an eye on the lines.......

The afternoon practical sessions started with clipping. As some had clipped before, they were given a beast to clip by themselves with Duncan giving some useful advice. Eileen did a demonstration for those that hadn’t any previous clipping experience. With Eileen coming from a commercial background it was really good to see how she clips and I picked up a few tips. She ran through which points of the animal to emphasise and which to hide and then all had a go with heads, tops and tails. David then demonstrated how to prepare an animal for the ring and the participants were able to prepare their own beast.

For the Explaining EBV’s talk, David had printed off the figures for the three show bulls that we had used for the practical sessions. This again sparked a great discussion which everyone took part in and put forward some interesting points.  Being able to see the bulls in the flesh alongside their figures was a great way to explain them.

Let the competition begin!

The afternoon ended with the ring craft session, this was where the friendly rivalry came into play! Three of the four animals used for this had been washed, clipped and ‘turned out’ during the day and the young lady with the fourth, rather dirty looking bull was very worried at how this would look in the pictures! Although I don’t think she needs to worry about the dirty back end as I have a lovely picture of her moving his feet with the end of a golf club!

Yet again another fabulous workshop, thanks to David and Penny Evans and family, Eileen Wilson, Duncan McLaren and Juliet Swires for the entertaining conversations.

It has occurred to me while writing these reports that I always say I’ve learnt a few things and I definitely have.  Over the last few months I have been lucky enough to see the tricks of the trade from some of the country’s top stockmen and women, but I would just like to say that like the halters, it’s all going to take a bit of time to put theory into practise so don’t be expecting too much from me just yet!!

On winning form this time was his two year old bull Hallington Lancer, bred by Alan Lawson and Son. This April 2007 born bull is by Blelack Prince Consort A286 out of Blelack Lady C754. Colin also took the reserve ticket, this time with the reserve interbreed champion from New Forest show, the two year old heifer Kingsbrompton Evitress G572. Evitress has picked up a handful of red rosettes this year and is by Curzon Endeavour.

Winning the cow class was the YDP co-ordinator Gayle Bersey with her April 2003 daughter of Black Banner X1 of Idvies, Lynher Valley Proud Upalongdownalong C020 (yes this is her name!).

I managed to high jack Chrissie Lawrence’s trip to Ireland as I had heard tell that she had sat nav! I’d flown into Cork so we had stayed there overnight and got up very early the next morning to make our way to the workshop. Sat nav was great (Tom Tom is my new best friend!) and we found Fedamore with ease. At the junction in the village was as promised a sign, so we followed the arrow and travelled along this road until we met another junction, no sign! We travelled around in various directions and then decided to go back to the original sign in Fedamore. Just as we got there, Eustace Burke Jnr was putting up a sign to say the farm/workshop was right on that junction! Moral of the story – it never pays to be too early!!

When we arrived at Castlequarter Farm the whole place was a hive of activity with people brushing and washing and cooking and even gardening! Tim and Doreen Corridan had kindly agreed to let us use their facilities for the Youth Development Programme but they were also having a Munster Club Open Day, so people of all ages could come and view the cattle and learn a few tricks of the trade. Eight participants had entered for the YDP, but numbers varied throughout the day with at least 12 being there for the whole time. Eustace Burke junior and senior helped me organise the day and had secured the services of Leo McEnroe as trainer. Leo, like most of our trainers comes from a good line of pedigree breeding and I understand many Irish success stories have some form of McEnroe involvement.

The Corridan Family had prepared six calves that were still on the cows which meant that they were of an appropriate size for the participants to handle, although they did seem to have minds of their own!

Leo started the day with a talk on feeding show cattle, which is one of the most important parts of showing cattle. He then went on to bedding up animals and tying them up securely and safely, everyone then had the chance to practice the quick release knot that Leo had shown them.

Then it was onto the bit that all the participants love, hands on experience! After a brief health and safety chat and a demonstration on getting to know your animal and the correct handling procedures, all attendees were let loose on washing the 6 calves. There were buckets and combs and soap and water everywhere. Luckily it was a really warm and sunny morning and the participants and calves didn’t seem to notice getting saturated.

Every bit of the animals was scrubbed and it was great to see the young people helping each other out too. There wasn’t anyone stood looking on, they all had something to do.

It was then time to stop for lunch, the Corridan’s had prepared a wonderful picnic for everyone and as usual at these events, just as we sat down to eat a little black cloud came over and left the weather a little cooler than the morning. It didn’t deter the enthusiastic crowd though and there were many more onlookers when Leo had a heifer out to point out the cuts of meat, all the youngsters prodded and poked the heifer to get an idea of where things were and what they should be looking for in a beef animal.

We were then treated to a talk explaining the 5* system of performance figures, given to us by Doreen Corridan and the older generation took the chance to ask some questions. We then went onto the clipping clinic. Leo took a heifer calf and showed everyone just why he is so successful, the heifer was covered in hair and when he had finished she looked like an All Ireland Show Champ.

When I showed my Dad the pictures of the workshop, it was the first thing he commented on was this lovely heifer and how well she was presented. So anyone going to the Corridan’s dispersal sale should definitely have a look at Lot 23a!

Once calves had been buffed and fluffed it was time for some ring craft. While 6 members paraded the calves the others helped with pushing the calves on or in some cases retrieving them after they’d made a break for the cow! They all stood them up squarely using a stick. They then swapped over and the others got the chance to show.

The day finished with the halter making display which is great when the participants can take something they have made home. I must be learning a little as I tried to issue some advice to one young person making a halter, she’d obviously read my reports where I said I didn’t know how to do it yet as she asked Neil McEnroe who’s 12 how to help her instead!!

I was glad that Chrissie could come along to see what the YDP training workshops are all about, I’m always bending her ear about the enthusiasm and skill that is already evident in the youngsters. Whilst watching the ring craft we both thought that they were all capable of being top class stock persons, and a lot of them have pretty good showing careers already!

Yet another fantastic workshop thanks to Leo McEnroe, Tim, Doreen and Katie Corridan and staff, Matthew Goulding and Eustace Burke Jnr & Senior.

I know that some people have been disappointed not to have more workshops in the Republic of Ireland, with an entry of only 13 across the whole of the Republic, it didn’t seem prudent to have too many. There are two points to the YDP, learning new skills and meeting people. It was felt that from the social side of things, workshops with 3 or 4 defeated the object. I hope that the Republic of Ireland will see how fantastic the workshop was in Limerick so they will enter the YDP next year and we can hopefully have a workshop in all areas. I also hope that we can secure Leo for another year as he really was good.

The Central England workshop on Saturday reminded me of what is so great about the Aberdeen Angus Youth Development Programme. It’s the way that stock men and women that have had such an influence on the breed give up their time to pass on their knowledge and skills to hopefully shape the breeders and stockmen of the future. The workshop was held at Nightingale Farm by kind permission of the Robertson family, in the lovely flat area of Pershore, Worcestershire, with the Malvern Hills just in view.

Growing up I had heard many stories of the Nightingale herd, my Dad had visited in the early 80’s and had been impressed with the cows. He quite often tells the story of when Willie Robertson brought some of the first Canadian bred bulls to Devon County in the early 70’s. I’m sure it stirred up quite a storm to see two yearling bulls that were so vastly different from anything anyone had seen in the Angus cattle from the 1960’s.  

There are now three generations working on the farm and all were on hand for the workshop. The Nightingale team were joined by Andrew Robinson of Glympton who headed up the training sessions. We are very grateful to Andrew as he stepped into the job at a days notice due to unforeseen circumstances. Andrew took to his roll like a duck to water and I think he must have been practising in front of the mirror all night!

Andrew Robinson passing on his stockmanship skills

The morning started with the 9 participants being shown how to halter and tie cattle up, we were lucky enough to have 8 halter broken heifers which meant that everyone had the chance of putting the halter on and walking the cattle to tie them up as you would at a show. Andrew then covered what you would do at a show, such as bedding them up safely, neck ties and feeding etc. The youngsters were then split into two groups, juniors and seniors. While the juniors made halters with Mr Robertson, the seniors were shown how to wash an animal for a show using the pressure washer and every conceivable comb/brush/scraper you can think of and Andrew showed them which one was best used for what task.

I have since come home and looked in my show box to see a Cornwall farmer’s own brush and comb and think I might have to go a little more up market now! The groups then swopped around and I had a heart attack to see the little nine year olds washing feet and getting really stuck in! Sadly, I still haven’t got to grips with making a halter, it would’ve been an ideal time as I wouldn’t have had to take it home on a plane! The morning sessions ended with Rob Bishop giving the explaining EBV’s presentation, a job that he did extremely well and now he has the same task for the Southern Workshop.

Rob Bishop and his EBV talk

For the first workshop this year, I was actually able to sit outside for lunch! Angela had made sandwiches to feed the hungry hoards and a pleasant lunchtime chat was had by all. The afternoon sessions were again conducted in two groups. The seniors were treated to a clipping demonstration conducted by Piers Morris. Although not particularly old, (a lot younger than me shall we say!) Piers has lots of experience, working at Perth with the likes of Blelack and he definitely has his mothers eye when it comes to cattle.

The older participants were then able to have a go at clipping themselves, a part of the programme that everyone seems to enjoy and perhaps needs more time put to it in future. Andrew was joined by Rachel Bishop for the animal presentation seminar. Rachel and her husband Rob are having a very successful year showing, winning many championships so far and it was great to see them passing their winning knowledge on. Andrew and Rachel ran through all the different coat dressings and how they were used and then all the youngsters had a go at turning out an animal using the various products. I think Piers may be washing those poor heifers for weeks after a few eight year olds and a spray can were used!

Andrew Robinson teaching cattle presentation skills

Andrew then explained what they would have to do before they went in the ring, changing halters and putting numbers on, painting feet, he then gave a demonstration of what was expected in the ring, placing feet and the information that the judge might ask. Andrew asked the juniors what they should do when you have your animal lined up and behaving nicely at a show and one little lad said ‘take it in quickly before it changes its mind!’ The seniors were able to take the heifers out to practice their ring craft and all did extremely well.

The last item on the agenda was a bit of stock judging, Angela had picked out four of the heifers for judging. Andrew Robinson placed them as he thought and then everyone discussed their ideas. The day ended with Angela bringing out the most perfect Victoria Sponge you have ever seen and scones and jam and it seemed a great way to end a great day, sadly I didn’t get a photo of the said sponge!

The YDP are very grateful to The Robertson Family, Piers Morris, Andrew Robinson and Rob and Rachel Bishop for giving up their time for the programme.