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By Gayle Bersey
I’m pleased to report my last Youth Development Programme training workshop for this year was yet another great success. On my recent visit to Northern Ireland I was greeted by enthusiastic and helpful Aberdeen-Angus breeders and some extremely talented young people. At the beginning of the year I didn’t know anyone in Northern Ireland now, after 24 hours there I have a very useful list of helpful contacts!
Victor Wallace had been ‘press ganged’ into hosting the workshop by William McLaren Jnr while they were all out having a lovely time in Canada. Victor and I had agreed that if we held it on the same day as their Club stock judging event, it would benefit all.
Trainer for the day was Gordon McWilliam, yes I can hear you all asking: What? A Scotsman!! Gordon had been working with a mutual friend at the Royal Show when it dawned on me what an ideal man he would be for the job and he didn’t stand a chance of saying no! Gordon originally hails from the North of Scotland, but now farms in Northern Ireland with his wife, Libby Clarke and two daughters.
The only thing to disappoint me about Northern Ireland was the turnout of participants. On paper it looked fantastic with 20 or so entered for the day. Sadly only 9 actually attended and I hope it was because there were other events on that day or the fact that it was the only dry spell we’ve all had this summer! Victor and Stephen Wallace, along with Gordon had gone to a lot of effort to make this a successful event. The Baronagh cattle are not shown, so the heifers we had to work with were specifically halter broken for the workshop.
The day started with a very informative talk about EBV’s from Jim Dennison of AI Services. He used one of the heifers to do a scanning demonstration. Showing visuals on the screen helped everybody interpret the information on the EBV charts.
It was then Gordon’s turn to take centre stage, I had been winding him up all morning as he was a little nervous, and for the first 10 minutes he kept referring to the workshop plan I had sent him!
Gordon had been concerned that the Irish participants would not understand his Scottish phrases and told everyone to ask me if they didn’t understand anything. I thought this was a little like the blind leading the blind with a Cornish girl explaining Scottish phrases to Irish folk, luckily it wasn’t an issue!
Gordon began by explaining how to feed and halter break your cattle and how far in advance they needed to start this. He then explained how to tie cattle up, demonstrating neck ties and the correct quick release knots to use. Everyone then had a turn at tying the knot.
He then took the participants through the washing and grooming of the cattle. It was really great to hear the youngsters asking plenty of questions and lots of discussions took place along the way. Then came the clipping demonstration that everyone always enjoys and it was interesting to hear how a Charolais man clips!
Gordon then showed everyone how to dress the cattle. The heifers had very different coats so he was able to show how to put shine on a summer coat and then he soaped up a heifer with more hair. It was then the turn of the youngsters to have a go and all showed a good deal of skill. Then came the bit that is one of my favourite parts of the day, the ring craft workshop.
What I like is as soon as they take over the halter they become a little more confident and a little more competitive! After this it was time to break for lunch, The Wallace family had made hotdogs for everyone and we all sat in the sun and enjoyed the company. After lunch Gordon showed everyone how to make a halter and again there was not enough rope for me to show my skill, but someone did actually take my advice this time! Gordon also showed everyone how to make neck ropes too.
The afternoon saw the start of the Northern Ireland Club’s stockjudging event. This was run by club chairman Alan Morrison. Many club members joined the YDP participants for this event. Victor had picked out 6 groups of four animals- two year old heifers, senior and junior cows, bulls and yearling heifers. Michael Smith and Jim Jack acted as judges and everyone had a go at putting them in order.
I did incredibly badly and I tried put it down to jet lag! One young man 13 year old Jack Smyth did incredibly well and won the prize for the under 16’s. After the prize giving we were treated to a lovely afternoon tea provided yet again by the Wallace Family and then we were given the opportunity to view the Baronagh Herd which was very enjoyable. Not only were the cattle a fantastic sight to see but I had the opportunity to chat to lots of very friendly Angus breeders. And I do hope that Libby doesn’t have too many photos of me, I’m normally the one with the camera!
Yet again another successful workshop thanks to Victor Wallace and Family, Gordon McWilliam, Jim Dennison and Alan Morrison.
So that was the last workshop of 2009. I now have the job of totting up the scores and letting everyone know whether they are through to the final. I am very grateful that it was not my job to mark these enthusiastic young people, there is an awful lot of talent out there and it is great to think that these stockman skills are being nurtured by the Aberdeen Angus Society.
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