YFC Young Farmers blog on FWiSpace

Pasquali tractors

2008-10-01T16:32:00Z

Does anyone know anything about Pasquali tractors. How they rate them, how versitile, how reliable, etc ?

Suffolk County YFC Ball pictures

2008-07-09T12:50:00Z

I must thank Mildred (he's a man by the way) for the pictures of Suffolk YFC that he has loaded into a gallery. You can flick through them all or here is a taster:

Top judges judged best

2008-06-17T10:42:00Z

Cumbria YFC writes:

More than 50 young farmers gathered in Penrith at the weekend to take part in the YFC Stockman and Young Stockjudge of the Year competition.

YFC members judged dairy cows, butchers cattle and butchers lambs, placing them and giving reasons to the master judges.

All of the 54 competitors completed an animal health questionnaire, while Cumbrian Young Farmers received a masterclass on what to look for in pork and bacon pigs.

Grayrigg Young Farmers Club member Michael Packham was awarded with the Cumbria YFC Stockman of the Year title.

Matthew Jenkinson of Pennine YFC won the Young Stockjudge of the year category.

The Northern Area round of this competition will be held at Low Foulshaw Farm, Levens on 13th July.

Full results:

Cumbria YFC Stockman of the Year:
1st Michael Packham, Grayrigg
2nd Neil Brough, Raughton head
3rd James Hayllar, Pennine.

Young Stockjudge of the Year:
1st Matthew Jenkinson, Pennine
2nd Lizzie Bland, Penrith
3rd Simon Graham, Skelton.

Highest scoring Club:
1st Pennine
2nd Kent Estuary
3rd Penrith

Young Farmers climb mountains for charity

2008-06-11T14:04:00Z

Young Farmers from Grayrigg, Kent Estuary, Sedbergh, Crook, Lowick and Broughton YFC Clubs cycled up Hardnott, the steepest road in England, followed by Wrynose, Honister and Whinlatter to raise money for Mountain Rescue.

District Chairman Stephen Knowles said: “YFC raises a huge amount for charity over the year.

"We knew that Mountain Rescue had had a busy year and wanted to help by raising funds.

"Cycling over the 4 mountain passes seemed appropriate. We climbed over 5,000 feet and covered 48 miles and raised over £2,000”

Tractor road run brings in charity cash

2008-06-04T16:28:00Z

East Riding YFC writes:

East Riding YFC has raised nearly £900 in it’s first ever charity tractor road run.

More than 30 tractors took to the roads on Sunday 1st June in an effort to raise funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Hull Royal Infirmary Neurology Department.

Tractor enthusiasts braved cloudy skies and heavy rain to take part in the event, even though many of them were driving vintage tractors with no protection from the elements.

Tractor drivers came from all parts of the East Riding including Huggate, Driffield, Grindale, Pocklington and Holme on Spalding Moor.

YFC members also joined the run from the Holderness area.

Liz Vickerton, East Riding YFC County Chairman said: “The event exceeded all our expectations – we never dreamt of raising in excess of £800.”

The run set off from Laburnum Farm, Etton and was led by John Sleight on his Nuffield 10/60.

“It was great to have such an age range of tractors, and drivers, on the run,” John said.

“The oldest tractor was from 1940 and we had an 08 plate too,” he added.

Jenny Sleight, who helped to organise the event, thanked everyone who had donated before, during and after the day.

“Money was received from all areas and is still rolling in now – people have been very generous."

For more pictures and to upload your own photos, visit the YFC photo gallery

Bananas Young Farmers turn out for field day

2008-06-03T13:16:00Z

More than 500 Young Farmers took part in the Northumberland Federation’s county rally last weekend.

Hosted by Stamfordham YFC, the event was the biggest day in the calendar for the region’s club members, who took part in more than 60 competitions, including tractor handling, flower arranging and, more unusually, banana eating.

The Rally Shield for the club with the least points was awarded jointly to Haltwhistle and Stamfordham YFC.   Runners-up were Whitley Chapel YFC.

Lindsay Carr, Northumberland YFC county chairman, said: “Today’s rally is all about our members taking part and pulling together as a team.

“By doing this they gain experience and it is amazing how you see members grow in confidence every time they take part in the rally.”

Winners of many of the events will now represent their club and county at the Northern Area Field Day on June 14 at East Riding, which members from all of the North of England will attend.

Full rally results are listed below. For more pictures from the day, visit the YFC gallery

1)       Lister Trophy - Awarded to the best competitor in the Sheep Shearing
Awarded to: Edward Foley – Cambo YFC

2)       The Journal Trophy – Awarded to the best competitor in the Mens ATV Handling
Awarded to: David Coulson – Bellingham YFC

3)     The Journal Trophy – Awarded to the best competitor in the Womens ATV Handling
Awarded to: Lindsay Carr – Stamfordham YFC

4)       Motag Cup– Awarded to the best competitor in the Mens Tractor Handling
Awarded to: John Dunne – Coquetdale YFC

5)       ATB Cup– Awarded to the best competitor in the Womens Tractor Handling
Awarded to: Sarah Birkinshaw – Tritlington YFC

6)       Hyslop Trophy for Agriculture -– Awarded to the best competitor in the Vintage Tractor Handling
Awarded to: Daniel Nixon – Whitley Chapel YFC

7)       Cambo Cup– Awarded to the best club in the Stockjudging competition
Awarded to: Whitley Chapel YFC

8)       Motag Rose Bowl– Awarded to the best competitor in the Flower Arranging Competition
Awarded to: Jenny Cowan – Cambo YFC

9)       Steven Wake Trophy– Awarded to the best male competitor in the Flower Arranging
Awarded to: Cameron Shell – Alnwick YFC YFC

10)   Dennis Common Cup– Awarded to the best club in the Mens Tug of War
Awarded to: Haltwhistle YFC

11) Hexham Courant Trophy - – Awarded to the best club in the Womens Tug of War
Awarded to: Bellingham YFC

12)   Ponteland Cup– Awarded to the best competitor in the Fashion competition
Awarded to: Amy Scott - Whitley Chapel YFC

13)   Hollie Brown Memorial Cup– Awarded to the best club in the boat race
Awarded to: Bellingham YFC

14)   Northumberland National Park Trophy– Awarded for a traditional skill
Awarded to: Stamfordham & Whitley Chapel YFC

15)   Junior Achievement Rose Bowl – Awarded to recognise the achievement of a junior member
Awarded to: Mary Kennedy – Haltwhistle YFC

16)   R.D.P Cup – Awarded to the best club in the Sports section
Awarded to: Haltwhistle YFC

17)   Industrial Cup – Awarded to the club gaining the lowest number of points
Awarded to: Whitley Chapel YFC

18)   Whitley Chapel Cup – Awarded to the club which improves by moving up the most places on previous yearsAwarded to: Stamfordham YFC

19)   Wooler Trophy – Awarded to the best of the smallest 50% of competing clubs
Awarded to: Coquetdale YFC

20)   Stamfordham Cup – Awarded to the runner up club
Awarded to: Whitley Chapel YFC with 254 points

21)   Rally Shield – Awarded to the club gaining the lowest total of points
Awarded to: Haltwhistle & Stamfordham YFC with 252 points

Blue Tongue Vaccine

2008-06-01T18:26:00Z

Just wondered how many people in Cumbria are putting in their orders for the vaccine for when it becomes available in our area.

Winner of Farmers Weekly's YFC photos comp

2008-05-28T15:25:00Z

We gave Young Farmers the chance to win the opportunity to have a Farmers Weekly photographer attend one of their events and feature it in the magazine by uploading their picture from the recent Blackpool get-together onto our website. Here are the winner and the two runners-up (the runners-up just get the glory!).

Winner: Ceredigion YFC - featuring Buddug Lloyd, Sara Downes, Anwen Evans and Enfys Evans.

Members of Silsden with Skipton

Members of Westbury on Severn Club

Cream crackers and yards of ale - it must be the East Riding county rally

2008-05-27T08:59:00Z

Jenny Sleight of East Riding YFC writes...

More than 500 Young Farmers from the East Riding of Yorkshire Federation of YFC took part in 75 competitions this weekend as part of their annual county rally.

Classes ran throughout the day and saw members take part in flower arranging, fish filleting and live craft demonstrations.

There were also some more unusual competitions, including the yard of ale challenge, cream cracker eating and gift wrapping.

Brandesburton and District YFC took home the trophy for the most points on the day, while Thorngumbald YFC came a close second.

A further eight trophies went to Brandesburton and their members for individual and team achievements.

Bridlington & District YFC won the trophy for clubs with under 23 members and Bainton & Distirct YFC took the cup for clubs with under 28 members.

Winners of many of the events will now represetnt their club and county at the Northern Aread Field Day on 14 June at Brandesburton near Driffield, when East Riding YFC will welcome members from all of the North of England to the finals.

Rally committee chairman Sam Benson, from Howden YFC, praised the efforts of the teams taking part.

“The statics shed was buzzing from 8am with members displaying their hard work showing skills in cookery, crafts and other creations,” he said.

East Riding YFC County Chairman, Liz Vickerton said: “Maybe not everyone goes home with a certificate or trophy, but by taking part they gain experience and it is amazing how you see members grow in confidence every time they take part in the rally.”

You know you go to an agricultural college when...

2008-05-21T10:42:00Z

It’s been a few years since I was a student, but with talk of final exams and dissertations on the Fwispace blogs, I got a bit reminiscent about my college days.

It seemed fairly normal when I was there, but looking back, I realise how bizarre my university could be at times (its annual attempt to give us a ‘taste of Yorkshire’ by making as many staff as possible wear flat caps seems particularly odd now I’ve left).

And it appears that agricultural students are also recognising the quirks of their educational establishments.

In a Facebook group of the same name, members are completing the sentence: ‘You know when you go to an agricultural college when…’

I particularly liked Harper Adams student Hayley Wright’s suggestion (“when friends having guns isn't concerning”) and Michelle Orton's picture of bank vole capturing (apparently a 'proper subject', pictured below)...

....but here’s the top ten of the other suggestions:

You know you go to an Agricultural college when…

1) you live in halls in the middle of nowhere

2) when trips to Sainsburys/Tescos/ASDA are something to look forward to

3) the most requested song at parties is the Combine Harvester song by the Wurzels

4) you can tell what course someone is on by what they wear

5) when Animal Care students are called something like 'bunny huggers' and every course has it's own nickname

6) you know that each separate course attracts a certain type of person...

7) when the grounds and main building of the college is used for weddings

8) when you have courses such as Agriculture, Fisheries, Animal Care and Management, Outdoor Ed/Sport, Horticulture, Arboriculture, Equine, as well as lots of short courses

9) you have to hike for what feels like miles just to get to your next lecture/session/practical

10) everyone knows each other

If you've got any more to add to the list, post them below!

Southern District Young Farmers go for glory at annual field day

2008-05-20T11:19:00Z

Southern District Young Farmers took part in more than 100 competitions last weekend at their Annual Field Day at Gutterby Farm, Whitbeck.

Around 400 Young Farmers took part in the competitions, which included a talent show, won by Crook YFC, and a fish filleting competition, won by Tom Hudson of Grayrigg YFC.

Other highlights included the arm wrestling competition, where Lowick YFC’s Peter Watson, Kate Edmondson and Claire Thexton won three of the classes and Anna Crow from Kent Estuary won the ladies under-21.

Sedbergh’s Rachel Bainbridge and Emma Rowlinson won the Junior and Intermediate Floral Art on the theme of the “The Year of Food & Farming”, with Sarah Long from Furness winning the Senior Floral Art.

The Tug-of-War was fiercely fought, with the Lowick boys finally pulling the Sedbergh boys over the line to win the competition.

The Sedbergh women restored their honour by beating the local club Broughton in the final.

The 21 Pre-Field Day craft classes were won overall by Pennine YFC Junior Nature Challenge was won by Mark Hetherington and Tim Wignall of Lyvennet YFC.

Andrew Long, Field Day Chairman, thanked the hundreds of judges and stewards who had helped make the day such a great success and announced the final results.

Grayrigg won the Cock of the North Trophy with 9063 points, Kent Estuary 2^nd on 9024, Pennine 3^rd on 8698 and Lowick 4^th on 8481.

Trophies won were:
John Taylor Cup (Stock and Carcase Judging) Grayrigg;
Stockjudging Shield, Grayrigg;
Pauls Challenge Trophy (Dairy), Pennine;
N.F.U Cup (Industrial) Grayrigg; Haesler Trophy (Co-operatives) Kent Estuary;
Lakes Rally Trophy (Junior Competitions) Grayrigg;
Marsden Building Society Trophy (Fun Competitions) Kent Estuary;
Barclays Bank Shield (Skill & Craft Competitions) Grayrigg;
W. Proctor Shield (Pre-Field Day) Pennine;
Cheese Company Trophy (Club showing the greatest improvement) Furness;
Mrs Galbraith Trophy (County Display) Kent Estuary;
Eden Farm Supplies Trophy (Machinery Handling) Lowick;
Mr & Mrs Armitage Trophy (Sheep Shearing) Pennine;
Nat West Treasurers Competition, Grayrigg;
John Dickinson Trophy (Small Club) Crook;
Flower Arranging Trophy, Sedbergh;
Farming in the North Trophy (Girl’s Stockjudging) Kent Estuary;
Westmorland Agricultural Society Trophy (National Cookery) Grayrigg,
Lakeland Dialect Society Trophy, John Capstick of Pennine;
Danielle Dixon Memorial Trophy (Best Overall Flower Arrangement) Rachel Bainbridge of Sedbergh,
William Dargue Rosebowl (Best Overall Cookery) Kent Estuary;
Junior Craft, Kent Estuary;
George Whitfield Trophy (Under 16 Stockjudging) Pennine YFC

Yes, I'm pretty sure we're real

2008-05-20T10:10:00Z

A few of you might have seen the Farmers Weekly team walking around Blackpool during the YFC Young Farmers agm a few weeks ago.

We were fairly easy to spot, seeing as we were dressed in resplendent bright yellow t-shirts, plastered with the Farmers Weekly logo.

Making us even more eye-catching, the t-shirts were all extra large – fine for the tall blokes in the team, but not so great for me, Isabel and Faisal, who all ended up looking like munchkins wearing yellow dresses.

As you may gather from this description, I think it’s fair to say we weren’t looking at our best, and I doubt any of us would have really chosen to wear those t-shirts under normal circumstances.

Which is why I found a Facebook message I received from one Young Farmer from Cheshire last night so funny.

“I didn’t realise that you lot actually worked for Farmers Weekly,” he wrote.

“I thought you were just having a laugh! Then I saw your photo at the top of the page looking all swish. And thought oh my god she’s real!”

We may not be all there, but yes, I’m pretty sure we’re real.

Farmers Weekly Facebook group

I want one of the Farmers Weekly agm t-shirts Facebook group

Hereford YFC celebrate their victory

2008-05-20T08:39:00Z

For the first time this century Hereford YFC has won the Herefordshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs County Rally. After a hard fought few months of competitions, ranging from Stock Judging to Cookery and Cake Decorating to Auctioneering, Hereford YFC narrowly beat second placed Kington and third placed Welsh Newton on Saturday at the main competitions day, this year held at Hall Farm, Leinthall Earls, by kind permission of Sir Thomas & Lady Dunne and Mr & Mrs Stuart Hutchings & Family.

The rain held off for much of the day which saw a good turn out of visitors. The HFYFC Promotions Committee Chairman Charlie Ward said "It's good to see the support that the YFC movement has, we are very grateful to all of our loyal helpers, to Brightwells our Rally day sponsors and of course to the members who make the event possible".

The evening Rally Dance this year was postponed to a later date due to a problem with the entertainments license, the federation are hoping to have a new date shortly.

Some of the competitions held at the Rally now go forward to the Three Counties Show on Friday 13 to Sunday 15 June where Herefordshire will be vying to retain the coveted Lord Lieutenants Trophy for the winning county.

East Riding members prepare for County Rally

2008-05-19T09:32:00Z

Members from all of East Riding of Yorkshire Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs will gather on Saturday (24^th May) at Manor Farm, Laxton, near Howden for their Annual County Rally.

The County Rally is the biggest day in the YFC calendar where members will take part in over 75 different of competitions. The schedule includes a wide range of events from the serious to the skillful, educational to the euphoric and fun to the frivolous!

The Rally Committee, chaired by Sam Benson from Howden YFC is made up of YFC members from Goole YFC, Newport YFC, Howden YFC and South Axholme YFC. They have been working hard since October to prepare for the event which will be enjoyed by members aged 10 to 26 from all 15 East Riding YFC clubs. Sam said "It has been hard work but we have enjoyed putting together the schedule and preparing for the day".

The County Rally is a great day out for all the family and many of the classes on show will be promoting The Year of Food and Farming. Visitors will be able to see the members static exhibits including crafts, photography, cookery, art and even bale farm animals!

Alongside the static events, active classes run from 9am until approximately 4pm. Members can be seen stockjudging, modelling outfits they have made, tractor handling, flower arranging, cooking and cream cracker eating! Also new for 2008 is the Northern Area's Got Talent Competition so expect to see a range of talents on display as well as some budding Simon Cowell's and would be Amanda Holden's!!

Winners of many of the events will have the honour of representing their club and county at the Northern Area Field Day on 14th June at Brandesburton near Driffield when East Riding YFC will welcome members from all of the North of England to the finals.

Last years overall runaway winners were Brandesburton YFC and they will be aiming to defend their title again this year and lift the much sought after Lady Katherine Phillips Trophy.

Sam Benson is just hoping for good weather, a fun day and to see all the hard work of his committee pay off. "It doesn't matter who wins as long as everyone has a great time!" he added.

Cash rolls in following the YFC Young Farmers agm in Blackpool

2008-05-15T15:43:00Z

Money for good causes has continued to roll in from Young Farmers following the agm in Blackpool.

Members of Shropshire Federation of Young Farmers Clubs (pictured below) raised more than £10,000 for Breakthrough *** Cancer, the Motor Neurone Disease Trust and the Severn Hospice by cycling to Blackpool from Shrewsbury.

The 28 riders pedalled 120 miles in two days, raising more than three times their original estimates.

“It has been a tremendous achievement for everyone who took part,” county chairman Gaz Davies said. “Our total sponsorship amount keeps rising.”

More than 60 members from Cornwall YFC also took to their pedals by cycling to Lancashire, via Northern Ireland.

The cyclists stayed in a mixture of church halls, rugby clubs and community centres, meeting other Young Farmers along the way.

Their aching legs were worthwhile though – they raised more than £10,000 for Arthritis Research.

Meanwhile five female members of Honiton YFC made their way to the agm on a brand new Claas Ares.

Jenna Rosewell, Rachael Snell, Sarah Bright, Louise Crabb and Lucy Reed had intensive training in the weeks leading up to the two-day 290-mile to make sure they were prepared for the roads. They have already raised about £3000, with more cash coming in.

The proceeds will be split between Cancer Research and the Laura Persey Trust Fund, which funds courses in rural skills and agriculture for young people.

Has your club raised any money or held a charity event recently? Let us know by either writing a post on this blog (just click the 'write a blog post' on the right) or email caroline.stocks@rbi.co.uk