Twenty young leaders trained in animal grooming and presentation ahead of competitions at Saint-Flour's Louis-Mallet Agricultural High School.
Youth training for dairy competitions
Twenty young participants attended a leader training session at the Louis-Mallet Agricultural High School in Saint-Flour during the weekend of October 17 and 18, organized by the committee of the Cantal Dairy Days. The event aimed to prepare the young leaders for competitions involving dairy animals.Competition showcase on Sunday
On Sunday, October 18, the twenty young leaders presented their heifers to the public on a ring set up in the parking lot of the Louis-Mallet Agricultural High School. This marked the conclusion of two days of training focused on the preparation and handling of animals for competitions.Dairy breed committee and training history
The committee responsible for the event includes representatives of five dairy breeds: prim'holstein, montbéliarde, abondance, simmental, and brune des Alpes. The last similar training session was held in 2018 in Aurillac, but this time, the Louis-Mallet school’s facilities and its montbéliarde heifers, along with prim'holstein heifers from the Tropenat farm, were used.Participants and training details
Twenty young people, aged 13 to 18, including twelve girls, participated, coming from the entire Sanflorain dairy basin. The event had limited spots, though many more had applied. The training included workshops led by Thierry and Adrien Gauthier and Julien Toulze, focusing on animal preparation techniques.Evolution of competition practices
Over the past four to five years, the practice of preparing animals for competitions has become standard. Thierry Gauthier, a specialist in clipping, introduced this technique in Canada in 1993. Today, it is essential for competitions, as it improves the aesthetics of animals and increases their chances of winning.Youth engagement and educational programs
Young participants like Éloïse and her sister Anaelle aimed to improve their skills to better assist their parents at competitions and events like the Livestock Summit. The Louis-Mallet High School also incorporates this training into its curriculum, with students regularly participating in competitions using the school’s educational farm animals.Training techniques and preparation
On the first day, the focus was on washing animals, with attention to the quality of soap and rinsing. Clipping techniques, including the direction of the cut and the use of quality clippers, were discussed. The importance of proper bedding for the animal’s well-being during stressful moments was also highlighted.Presentation and leadership skills
The training emphasized the requirements for a leader’s positioning during the presentation, the bond with the judge, and the walking on the ring. Thierry Gauthier advised that the leader must always be attentive to the judge and follow their instructions carefully.Competition results and recognition
On Sunday, the young leaders were judged by their peers to prepare them for future competitions. The winners included Mathis Tropenat as the champion leader, Lilian Besson as the reserve champion, and Adam Albaret receiving an honorable mention.
