Hawstead Lodge herd host new YDP workshop for East Anglia region

When I left home at 7pm on Friday night I hadn’t really comprehended how far Suffolk was from Cornwall. I thought travelling in the evening would mean less traffic but I have little experience of the M25, it actually took less time to travel to Aberdeen.

I had not been to Suffolk before as we did not have a workshop in this region last year but 2010 has thrown forward some very enthusiastic participants.

The workshop was held at Bury St Edmunds, home of the Hawstead Lodge Aberdeen Angus herd, by kind permission of Andrew Brown and family and trainer for the day was Kevin Byford both fresh from their success at Suffolk County Show. Kevin had told me on my arrival that he was no teacher but I would strongly disagree as we had a great day and everyone went home having learnt lots including myself.

The day started with a look at the Hawstead Lodge herd show team. Kevin and Andrew ran through their feeding regime and explained how they halter break their cattle. They have a very interesting contraption that fits behind the Merlo that they take several cattle out on when first starting their training.

Kevin ran through some products that would be used to dress the cattle later in the day and everyone had a go at tying the quick release knot. He then demonstrated how to clip an animal, most of the attending participants had shown cattle but not clipped anything before, so Kevin explained where to clip and why we do it.

I only hope when I go to the East of England Show that I am not lynched by the Red Poll Cattle Society if their young Members get carried away and clip the Red Poll heads out. The morning sessions finished with half the attendees having some famous ‘hands on experience’ with clipping and Andrew took the other half to wash some animals. This was the most glorious job in the extreme heat.

Lunch was eaten in the fantastic and most importantly cool, Hawstead Lodge garden. It was great to get out of the sun and Mrs Brown looked after us all fantastically. While sat in the shade it seemed the ideal opportunity to have the talk on Health Schemes. Duncan Hole from Swayne and Partners came to talk to the group. Kevin had been told that Mr Hole was very nervous and when he was a little late we were worried he had done a runner, but all went well.

The afternoon sessions continued with the groups swopping around and more washing and clipping took place and even I got to give a hand with some clipping, it was great in the heat to be covered in little black hairs! Having washed and clipped some animals it was time for the dressing and ring craft session.

The youngsters were let loose with shaving foam, black soap and special ‘shine stuff’! Tails were fluffed and the cattle were tremendously quiet with all the fuss that was being made over them! Each participant had the chance to take a heifer out and show what they could do in the show ring, all of them showed with confidence and Kevin gave them some pointers to help in the future.

Another fantastic and friendly workshop with thanks to Andrew Brown and family and Kevin Byford.

A month now before the next workshops and then it will be the Republic of Ireland and South of Scotland in one weekend. I hope the good weather continues and thankfully I won’t have to go on the M25 to get to them!