The National Young Shepherd Competition 2014 will be take place at the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Wool Handling Championships 2014 next Saturday in Gorey.
Competitors will be judged on four disciplines
- Use of a quad bike and trailer;
- Husbandry skills: such as drafting sheep, dosing, age identification, controlling & handling & body condition scoring;
- Technical knowledge & breed identification; and,
- Selection of lambs pre slaughter (weight, confirmation and fat score).
Candidates will be judged on their skills in completing these tasks and on their knowledge of sheep related issues and identification of breeds. The tasks provide a great opportunity for young enthusiastic shepherds to display their skills and knowledge of shepherding.
The top three competitors will share a prize fund sponsored by Irish Country Meats and FBD. The top two finalists will also be awarded the honour of representing Ireland in the World Young Shepherds Challenge 2014 which will take place in France at the end of September.