Show Training - for cattle (sheep and pig) handlers
The Summer Show Initiative
In the rare breed group we like to attend many county and local shows to get the general public interested, and show off our animals. I entered 9 rare breed sheep last year and learnt the hard way, with a small amount of assistance from a show-man of many years experience, lots of help from friends and family and on the day from other people presenting their animals. After the first three days training with some vertical takeoff rams with large horns, it was great fun. However it is a skill. I have lots to learn. And even if you have only a few animals it is worth doing - but only if done properly from a public health and safety perspective, and with a chance of winning the odd rosette. The Devon support group was approached to see if we would be interested in being properly trained. The committee thought we would - hence the details below from Barry Butler
Richard Barker 01548 821000
The Summer Show Initiative
The SSI is a project that aims to offer those people, young and old alike, who are involved in the agricultural industry a chance to learn the skills needed to enable them to support and take an active role in exhibiting cattle (and later sheep and pigs) at Agricultural Shows in their locality.
For some time now, summer shows have found that the numbers of cattle entries have dropped, a situation which is causing concern to show organisers and members of the rural community who are determined to safeguard traditional skills and events so important to the fabric of the Countryside.
Workshops are arranged at a farm belonging to one of the trainees. The duration of each workshop is about three to four hours and can be accommodated on a Sunday if that is easier for the participants; the cost is £10 per person and this covers refreshments and rope for cattle halter making. Full insurance cover is included.
Funding has been achieved under the VTS scheme run by South West Colleges, allowing the participants to attend at little cost to themselves.
Leading the training for the cattle side of things is Colin Hutchings from Brompton Regis, Somerset, a senior cattle judge who has been involved with all types of showing for in excess of 50 years!
The training covers:
- Selection of Stock.
- Grading. Good and bad points of fatstock production.
- Nutrition and Feeding for showing.
- Halter training and making.
- Transport.
- Grooming and clipping.
- Breed Standards.
- Ring Craft.
- Health and Safety.
The training scheme was started in 2004 and to date, over 200 trainees have received their certificates. We are supported by various shows and a number have special classes for those participants who wish to take the plunge! Devon County , in particular have been very helpful and are sponsoring prizes in these classes at the 2006 show.
Barry Butler is the instigator and organizer behind the initiative and he is presenting each participant with a certificate of achievement. As Health and Safety rules are becoming much tighter at shows, it is likely that proof of competence will be required by some shows to confirm to the organizers that the exhibitor, who may not have shown before, has some formal training behind them. The HSE has given its backing to the scheme and has validated the certification.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the Initiative, please contact Barry Butler
at barryr.butler@virgin.net or telephone 01288 321315.