South Scotland YDP workshop learns from a real team of pro’s

The second YDP workshop has just happened in the Borders by kind permission of the Elliot family, Rawburn. Read what Gayle Bersey thought to the day… 

I have to admit I was really excited at the prospect of the workshop in the Borders. You only have to look at the Border Club’s list of members to see that it’s like a who’s who of long established Aberdeen Angus Herds. Set at the very picturesque Roxburgh Mains, by kind permission of the Elliot family, the workshop lived up to my expectations, although a little difficult to find – I think I might have to put sat-nav on my Christmas list!

John Elliott Jnr had gathered together an exceptional team, a blend of youthful enthusiasm and legendary experience, with several major show and sale achievements between them and a Youth Development success story thrown in for good measure!

In all 15 young people attended this workshop and the enthusiasm of the participants never ceased to amaze me. The day started in warm sunshine and the group were treated to a talk from Barbara Webster who explained how EBV’s work.

The participants were then split into the three age groups, the smaller groups meant that each person had a chance for some hands on experience, such as halter making, clipping and animal presentation/show craft. The halter making is always popular, with everyone making one to take home. George and Natalie Cormack conducted this demonstration and I am really hoping that by the end of the year I might have learnt how to make my own one!

Happy halter making!

George also showed the group how to tie up an animal properly, both participants and parents listened intently to the story that the veteran stockman had to tell and we all definitely learnt something from it. The ‘clipping clinic’ was in the capable hands of Jim Logan and David Gray. David won last year’s Youth Development Programme and is getting ready for the trip to Canada for the World Forum which he won as his prize.

Fortunately, the Rawburn heifers still had some coat, so Jim was able to demonstrate how to clip an Angus all over, which bits to leave hair on and which bits to clip tighter to give an overall better appearance. David looked after the other end and took care of the head clipping. It was great to see all participants so keen to have a go and Mr Elliot now has a lovely bunch of clipped heifers if only on one side!

Jim Logan teaching the tricks of the trade

The third seminar on animal presentation/show craft was lead by Sian Sharp, the driving force behind the initial success of the YDP. She was ably assisted by Gordon Fettes. They showed the participants how to wash and dress cattle, pointing out the different ways to improve weaker points and accentuate the best points of an animal. The youngsters were then able to take the cattle out and walk them round, with even the not so confident ones having a go and doing really well.

Sian Sharp talking through dressing techniques

Unfortunately, just as we sat on the lawn for lunch, the showers started, so we all crammed into Mrs Elliot’s kitchen where she had obviously worked hard in preparing some sumptuous food to supplement everyone’s packed lunch – the meringues were to die for! After lunch the groups gathered together for some judging practise, as John Jnr had picked out 4 heifers and 4 bulls. Jim Logan acted as judge and all attendees including myself and the trainers had to write their placings on a card, they were then collected in and Jim told us his order and reasons. Most of us agreed on the bulls but there were varied opinions on the heifers.

John Elliot jnr talking through showing techniques

Yet again, the YDP team is pleased to announce another successful workshop and this is due to the effort put in by the trainers, who give up their free time to pass their knowledge on and hopefully create the stockmen of the future. A big thank you to The Elliot Family, Jim Logan, Sian Sharp, Gordon Fettes, George and Natalie Cormack and David Gray.

While gathered around chatting at the end, Rainy Brown asked how I was getting on in my new job, I told him I was very much enjoying it but geographically knowing all the places etc was difficult. He said, “as long as you’re not like someone I know who tried to organise a meeting on Stornaway to find that instead of a hall he’d booked the gents toilets!” So now I am very much hoping that the next workshop will not be in the public toilets in Pershore!