The first YDP workshop is a resounding success

When John Lohoar told me it was always cold at Logie I thought to myself “how cold can it be?” Coming from the warm climate of sunny Cornwall, it was a rude awakening when I got out of the truck at Logie to feel the wind blowing off the North Sea!

Fortunately, a very warm welcome was extended by the trainers and the ladies that kept us going all day with cups of tea and cake. I knew that the North East Club worked hard for the Youth Development Programme and their secretary Eddie Gillanders said he felt it was one of the most important things the Club does.

Getting 29 workshop attendees was a testament to their hard work – even the local agricultural college had been contacted to gain more participants. The morning started with an interesting talk by Barbara Webster, explaining how to read EBV’s, this was followed by a very amusing example of a power point presentation put together by John. This was to give the seniors an idea of what they could do for their project, a power point presentation to promote the Angus breed. I’m sure sales of Tonley Dash-hound will go through the roof!! 

The morning ended with an entertaining talk on cuts of meats using ‘Angus’ the cardboard bull. John had printed labels with names of parts of the animal on and participants had to stick them on the bull where the thought it was. Charlie McCombie was given the label with ‘boss’ on, a part of the animal I had never heard of before, I think he got it right when he stuck the label to John Lohoar’s jumper! (For those of you like me that don’t know where it is, it’s the triangle indent below the loin). 

After lunch the practical sessions began, starting with weighing and recording information. While cattle were in the crush everyone had a go at putting halters on. Some of the older ones lead the cattle from the crush to be tied up and one young lady showed the boys exactly how it was done. This was followed by some stock judging, where participants had to judge 4 heifers and then 4 bulls. I think everyone picked the same heifer but there was lots of discussion on the bulls. The seniors and intermediates were given a demonstration on how to safely pick out cattle and all had the opportunity to try what they had learnt.

YDP training at Logie

Halter making at Logie

The day ended with us all in the Bothy where they participants were shown how to make halters and all went home with one they had made. All participants left saying what a lovely day they had had. The quote of the day has to go to a very lovely young lady I met who is 9 years old, she told us on the way home that “I’ve really enjoyed today but the only thing was that the icing in the biscuits was a little watery!” I figured if that was the only complaint of the day that couldn’t be bad!

I was very impressed with the first workshop that I have attended. The participants all got on well and very interested in what was shown to them. I hope that any of you who attended can pass on any ideas you might have had for further workshops.

The Youth Development Programme is very grateful to those that make the workshops happen, Messrs M Bruce and Partners, Jim Borland, John Lohoar, Wendy Willox, Steve Wright and Ian Matthews.

The first YDP workshop team and "Angus" at Logie

Sat on the plane on the way home, I really wished I was young enough to participate in this project, then I realised I have the best job in the world and I am lucky enough to be able to attend all the workshop and now I can’t wait until the next one.