News
Future Golden Breeders enjoy their Training Camp in Cornwall
By Kim Sales - FGB Co-ordinator
Aug 1, 2008 - 6:46:34 PM

Around 20 Future Golden Breeders gathered at Carne Farm, Morvah, near Penzance in Cornwall for the Annual Training Camp.  The Hichens Family kindly invited us to come and camp and enjoy two days of activities.

We gathered on Sunday afternoon/evening when we were provided with a BBQ.  This was a chance to meetup with old friends and for the new faces to get acquainted.

After an exciting night camping, Monday morning dawned and the threat of rain was forgotten.

First task of the day was to halter up the calves and get down to washing them. The FGB's got into groups of 3 or 4 and washed a calf between them. For some this was the first time washing an animal and the senior members were on hand to give them help and advice. They were then left out in the sun to dry.  (The calves and the FGB's!!!)

The Washing Begins

Second activity of the day was a clipping demonstration by David Christophers, an Ayrshire young breeder and friend of the FGB's.  Jeremy Hichens had selected an in-calf-heifer for David to clip and James Warren gave some instruction as David was clipping.

David Demonstrates Clipping

It was then time to get stuck in with the clipping of the washed calves.  Again, the youngsters got into small groups and took it in turns to have a go at clipping.  The senior members, Laura, Edd and Jeremy, were on hand once again to give pointers to the less experienced in the group. Some had never clipped before and really enjoyed doing this.

Chole Concentrates on Her Clipping

After the calves had been clipped, David returned to the in-calf-heifer and gave a demonstration on how to 'Top-line.'  James was on hand to talk through this task with David.

David Shows How To Topline

After lunch, we were lucky to have well known Cornish Holstein Breeder and Showman Philip Laity present to give us a demonstration on showmanship.  Aided by David, he gave some valuable instruction on the finer points of showing.

Philip and David Adjusting the Halter

The youngsters were then itching to give it a go, so they took turns taking part in a mock handling class.

FGB's Line Up In A Mock Class

Laura and Edd also had a go at judging a class each.

Laura Gives Her Reasons

The day was concluded by a visit from the local Vet, who gave a talk on calf health. This involved the members having a go at taking a calf's temperature and listening to the heart and lungs through a stethoscope.

Charlotte Has A Go At Taking A Calf's Temperature

Tuesday morning started by the senior members finishing the toplines on three calves which were then photographed with help from David, who showed us how the calf should be positioned.

David Positions the Feet

Carne Slide by Chiller

Carne Chain by June's Oak

Carne Socket by Royal Highness

The morning was then concluded by a chance to do some stock-judging.  I gave a short talk on what points to look for in a good Guernsey cow.  We were fortunate enough to have an excellent example to show th FGB's in 'Carne Taste' an Ex 90 daughter of Jensgolden P. Royal Oak.

Carne Taste

The FGB's then split into two groups and had a go at judging four cows.

Juniors Inspect the Cows

Lunch on the lawn of a traditional Cornish Pasty rounded off an excellent and informative few days of training.

James and I would like to thank all the Hichens family --- Andrew, Christine, David, Jeremy, Greg, Helen, Bridget and Tamsin --- for allowing us to run amok on their farm.  Also to David Christophers for his invaluable help, and Philip Laity for coming along to give advice on Showmanship.

Next years camp will be by kind invitation of Rosie and David Paull of Babcary in Somerset.  I hope all this years participants will be able to come and we can attract some new faces too!!





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