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!!
Comments
Kim Sales
01 Aug 2008, 17:30
If you want see more photographs of the training days please look on the
photo gallery.
See some of our FGB's at "work" at the South West all breeds calf show on
Wednesday August 20th at the Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge.
More details available from James Warren.
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Tel 44-1923-695-204 Fax 44-1923-695-215. Registered in England No. 225962
