YDP trainer feature: Johnny Elliot

In the first of our series on YDP workshop trainers, we speak to south Scotland/Borders host and trainer Johnny Elliot on what he hopes to teach the participants and his thoughts on the YDP programme itself

“It’s not just the show ring where championships can be won and lost….you have to put the time and effort in at home as well” – that’s what Johnny Elliot will be drilling in to participants attending this year’s YDP workshop in the Borders area.

Not only will Johnny be hosting the day along with his father John and mother Joan Elliot, but he will also be in charge of training the young members.

“My opening statement may sound harsh, but I learnt from a young age -15 years of age from Willie McLaren Snr in fact – that it’s not all about the show ring, there is plenty of work that needs to go in to breeding the right animal, feeding it correctly, training it and then of course the preparation and clipping ready for show or sale,” explains Johnny, who is a partner in the Rawburn herd of pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cattle at Roxburgh Mains in the Scottish Borders.

No doubt the participants will be learning far more than ring craft from Johnny. He and his father are responsible for breeding some true legends of the breed and have sold bulls and females that have gone on to reap huge awards for their purchasers.

The Rawburn herd currently consists of 150 pedigree Aberdeen-Angus cows and 30 Angus cross recipient females which are used in conjunction with an extensive embryo transfer programme. The 800-acre farm is also home to 150 pedigree Suffolk and Texel sheep as well as 400 commercial ewes.

Trainer Johnny Elliot with one of last year's Borders participants

Although showing doesn’t necessarily form a major part of the Rawburn success story, Johnny admits he and his father share immense pride in seeing Rawburn genetics go on and do well for other breeders. “It’s an even better achievement when you see the likes of the national show male and female champions which had Rawburn breeding in them, or when a breeder sells a string of bulls sired by one of our bulls in Stirling for fantastic prices,” he adds.

Looking towards the YDP workshop, which is due to take place at Rawburn on the 4^th July, Johnny says he is particularly looking forward to how last year’s intermediate candidates perform as seniors. “We’ve been successful in previous years with the YPD winner coming out of our area, so it will be great to see how they have come on.

“The enthusiasm of the participants and their parents never ceases to amaze me, the programme continues to grow each year and it’s a credit to all those involved.” Not only does Johnny get involved as a trainer at the workshops, he’s also been involved on Council level helping to drive the programme forward and increase the numbers of participants forward each year.

However, he does feel the programme has much more to offer and as it grows it will form a major part of the training schedule for the younger generation. “Having had experience of similar schemes in Canada, I’ve seen firsthand how important such training schemes are in protecting the quality young members we have coming through the society, after all, it’s the next generation that will continue to drive our Society forward.

“I’d love to see the programme be in a position to not only teach participants all the tricks of the trade when it comes to showing and selling stock, but take it back to grass roots and help educate them about marketing quality stock and ultimately British beef.”

Get to know Johnny in a minute……

Q What’s your favourite food and drink?

A I have a huge thing for chocolate cake….you can’t beat a good glass of red wine, ideally Pinotage

Q What is the one thing that should be in everybody’s show box?

A couple of cans of Sullivans Formula 1 Adhesive

Q How do you like your steak cooked?

A Medium rare

Q What do you do to relax?

A Spend time with close friends – usually over a couple of drinks!

Q What’s your biggest achievement?

A At just 25 years old I was the youngest person ever to have judged the Calgary Stampede interbreed championship – that was a real honour.

Q What’s your biggest ambition?

A To breed the next great Aberdeen-Angus herd sire in the UK!

For more information on attending this workshop or any others please contact Gayle Bersey on 07792 777889 or Email gayle@bersey.fslife.co.uk