yard, stable & paddock


Shearing workshop


offers essential technique and equipment advice


Many horse owners also have a small flock of sheep and whilst most are competent and confident to clip their equines, not all are able – or willing – to tackle the annual sheep shearing, so this free-to-attend workshop, aimed at imparting practical shearing techniques, being held at Highway Shearing, Unthank Hall, Skelton, Penrith on Wednesday 10th May at 1:00 pm is likely to be of interest.


The workshop is being hosted by Allflex in conjunction with Highway Shearing and delivered by Selwyn Williams, R&D Manager for Heiniger in Australasia. It will focus on several key elements of shearing including: maintaining the correct posture; using the right equipment; correct equipment setup; clipper and blade maintenance; grinding and sharpening combs and cutters for optimum performance and lifespan. Attendees to the event will also be able to seek advice through a Q&A session with Selwyn at the end of the workshop.


“Maintaining correct posture, choosing the right equipment and ensuring it is properly serviced are all vital to safe and efficient shearing,” explains David Gillett of Highway Shearing. “We’ve therefore teamed up with Allflex and Heiniger to host this workshop which we hope will help new and experienced shearers to make the forthcoming shearing season more efficient, more productive and safer for both shearer and sheep. The event is free to attend and we look forward to welcoming as many shearers as possible to Highway Shearing at 1:00 pm on Wednesday 10th May.”


If you would like one of the limited places available, you’ll need to reserve it by contacting Highway Shearing on 01768 899659.


Alternatively, you can email confirmation of your attendance to Highway Shearing at dg@ highwayshearing.com or marketing@coxagri.com quoting ‘Shearing Workshop 2017’.


Equine Page 30


Plan a trip to the British Ploughing Championships


Champion ploughmen and women from all over Great Britain will be making their way to Somerset this autumn when the county will host this year’s British National Ploughing Championships & Country Festival. This unique two day event will take place on land at Bishops Lydeard, near Taunton on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October. The highlight of the country’s ploughing calendar, the event is one of the few agricultural shows which is held in a different part of Britain each year and the event is returning to Somerset courtesy of landowner Ken Coles and family who have provided over 200 acres of their prime arable farmland just north of the town of Taunton. Around 250 ploughmen and women will take part, including past World and European champions. At stake are the British National Ploughing Championship titles and the selection to represent England in World and European ploughing competitions next year, with one ultimate winner taking the title of Supreme Champion. It’s not just about ploughing, though over the two days visitors will see competitions for many different styles from the more modern reversible and conventional ploughing through to many types of vintage tractors and the graceful and magnificent horse ploughing of years gone by. Although entries haven’t yet closed, it is anticipated there will be upwards of 15 pairs of horses taking part, with many breeds being represented. Alongside the competitions there will be demonstrations of giant steam engines, vintage and rural craft exhibits with the provisional themes ‘Welcome to Somerset’


A pair of horses ready for work


One of the traction engines that will be on display for vintage machinery enthusiasts


and ‘Horse to Horse Power’, trade stands, shopping stalls and country crafts. The Society of Ploughmen, who are organising the event, are expecting an exceptional crowd over the two days as the Championships always attract a varied mix of spectators - from farmers with a love of the land and agricultural machinery, vintage tractor enthusiasts, people with a love of horses, steam enthusiasts and those with a general interest in the countryside. It also gives a unique opportunity for families to see how our farming heritage has changed over the past 300 years. Chief Executive of the Society of Ploughmen, Sue Frith, said “The interest and attention we have at the moment is fantastic after holding the World Ploughing Contest in England last year.


The support we have in the south-west of the


Jim Elliot ploughing with a high cut plough


country is especially good and clearly the decision to bring the Championships back to Somerset is a good one.”


She


added, “You don’t have to be interested in ploughing as there will be something for everyone at the event, but it is wonderful to see what these highly skilled competitors can do.


It’s


important we ensure these skills are kept alive as even with all the changes in agriculture, they still play an important part in the food chain as good ploughing will prepare the land well for better crops to be grown”. Trade stand space is selling fast and there will be a wide selection of stands – from agricultural trade stands ranging from tractors and machinery to insurance through to the smaller shopping stalls with anything from countrywear to confectionery. Sponsorship opportunities are available for both market leaders and small companies with main sponsors this year being Bridgestone/ Firestone and Bridgwater Agricultural Society. Further information can be found on www.ploughmen.co.uk or from the Society of Ploughmen on 01302 852469 and you can follow them on Facebook and Twitter.


www.theequinesite.co.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64