THEYRE OFF TO THE YOUNG SHEPHERDS PENTATHLON
THEYRE OFF TO THE YOUNG SHEPHERDS PENTATHLON
WITH fewer young people training in agriculture and pursuing careers in sheep production, the young shepherds pentathlon provides a showcase of young talent which should be nurtured to guarantee the future success of Britains sheep industry.
In the competition, held at Sheep 2002, entrants are required to complete a 10-minute questionnaire, drive an ATV bike, erect electrified sheep fencing and select finished lambs or ewe lambs/ shearlings for breeding. They must also demonstrate foot trimming, use a multi-dose worming gun and multi-injection equipment.
One hopeful, entering the competition for the second time, is 19-year-old Matthew Haydon, a student at Warwickshire College. He is in the third year of a day-release National Certificate in Agriculture course.
"I work on a sheep and arable unit in Warwickshire and hope to eventually become a full-time shepherd or sheep contractor. Fewer people are interested in sheep work, so there will be increasing demand for these skills. I hope to stay in the industry and believe it will improve."
Also entering the competition from Warwickshire College is 17-year-old Pete Middleton, in his first year of a National Diploma in Agriculture course. "Sheep are my main interest and I have a small flock of my own. I may travel to New Zealand to try farming on a larger scale, but hope my future will be in sheep production in the UK." *
The best of the countrys young shepherds will battle it out in the young shepherds pentathlon