Sunshine and strawberries for the Central England workshop

I am sincerely hoping that brilliant sunshine will continue to play a part in all my workshop reports. The workshop at Nightingale Farm, Pershore, was a fabulously sunny day, although at the risk of sounding British it was almost too hot and great care was taken that participants and cattle didn’t get over heated.

The Central England workshop has been at Nightingale Farm now for several years now and a huge thank you must go to the Robertson Family for getting a number of cattle haltered and quiet for us to use. Angela is also very good at persuading participants to come along as many of those present had been told about the YDP when looking at Nightingale cattle.

Chief trainer for the day was Andrew Robinson, stockman at Glympton. Last year he stepped into the breach at a moment’s notice but this time he had more warning and plenty of time to plan which showed as the workshop was great. Piers Robertson Morris was on hand again this year and Andrew’s wife Claire had been cajoled into helping out this time too. New to the team for 2010 was Callum Hillhouse. Callum originates from Scotland and has served his apprenticeship with some big name herds, he now has his own herd of Angus with his wife Emma and family in Worcestershire.

Selecting the right tools for the job

Some 16 participants joined us for the workshop. The day started with the 10 juniors practising the quick release knot with Andrew and Claire and they got to know the cattle before washing and blowing them. I have to say this was the best place to be on such a warm day as the mist from the pressure washer was heaven! Seniors and intermediates had the chance for an in-depth clipping session. Having two clipping crates was fantastic, Piers and Callum took three participants each and all of them had some of my favourite ‘hands on experience.’ The morning ended with a talk from the Robertson’s vet on the BVD, Johnes, IBR and Lepto.

Learning from a master

After we had all consumed our lunch and Angela had brought us out ice creams we started on the afternoon sessions. The juniors again split into two groups and while one had a clipping lesson the others made halters with Willie Robertson and then swapped over. I have to say how greatly I admired Mr Robertson, the youngsters are so enthusiastic about everything and he was by far the calmest person at the workshop!

Getting to know you.......

The seniors washed cattle and were shown how to dress them for the show ring and then made halters while the youngsters covered themselves and the cattle in black soap, baby oil and shaving foam. Andrew showed them the benefits of different products on different coats and luckily no one managed to stick themselves to a heifer with the glue.

Soaping up for a show

The seniors had the chance to take the heifers out for ‘show’. Only two of them had shown before but the others did a great job too, taking on board all the help that Andrew and Callum gave.  Having been brought up with showing it comes as second nature, but if you have never shown before it all must seem quite odd – face up hill, look at the judge but also make sure the feet are correct, hold the halter longer but not too long….

Look at the judge.....place the feet......heads up.....

As the heifers were reasonably big the juniors did some stockjudging, placing the heifers for breeding. Last year’s YDP senior winner, Jess Denning was on hand to act as master judge and did a grand job, explaining her reasons well. The day ended with a lovely bowl of strawberries supplied by the West Mercia Chairman Jeremy Price. While everyone was eating Andrew and Claire went through the knowledge questions at the back of the NVQ folder, they are aimed at the seniors and intermediates but even the younger members were proving how much they had learnt by answering a few too.

The stars of the show

A big thank you must go to the Robertson Family for their continued support and hospitality, as well as Andrew and Claire Robinson and Callum Hillhouse.

Time is flying past and I can’t believe that three workshops have been completed already. Off to Suffolk for the next one which is a new location for 2010 but I’m sure it will be great. I hope I won’t be starting the next report with ‘the fine weather didn’t last!’