Training

Check day September 2006, Shropshire

To maintain their Category 1 status all trimmers are required to attend a "Check Day" every 2 years. It is also advisable for trimmers who have completed a training course to attend one or two check days before taking the Exam for the Dutch Diploma.

To save repeating myself more detail can be found at Checkday06

Harper Adams University College is the ideal venue for such an event, Charlie Harding was fortunate to be able to hire the facilities for the check day. In turn the college were very grateful to have 50 cows trimmed for free.

Pieter Kloosterman was again in attendance, his knowledge of cows feet is outstanding and he has a natural ability of knowing exactly how each foot should be trimmed, whatever their shape. Every foot trimmed was examined by Pieter, he looked keenly at the length and the levels and most were given a nod of approval but with some more difficult feet advice was given on how the trimming could be improved with a bit more knife work. Every trimmer who attended the day would have returned home having gained a little more knowledge.

Brent Stansfield was the only trimmer taking his Diploma Exam. Having passed he now moves to Cat 1. Congratulations Brent.

Most trimmers were Diploma holders but a couple were have a check day before taking their Exam at the Willows next year.

Owen Atkinson who is not only a very active member of the NACFT but also a practicing Veterinary Surgeon was also in attendance, which was fortunate as one cow had a protruding ulcer that required veterinary attention. Owen anesthetised the foot and painlessly removed the ulcer.

The weather started fine but soon deteriorated and I felt sorry for the trimmers with the turn-over crushes working in the rain. It also affected the light for the photos as I trying not to use the flash, which at times can be distracting. With the heavy overcast skies the flash was mistaken for lightning, some were waiting for the thunder. :-)

Owen Atkinson, Jeremy Payne, Dawi Roberts, Huw Williams, Pieter Kloosterman, Simon Davies, Charlie Davies, Ray Williamson, Guy Tuijn, Steven Jones, David Mathers,
Kneeling.......Charlie Harding, Tim Carter.

The shed is ideal, easy access for cows, plenty of room for the crushes.

The latest "Must have " gadget is a storage box with heating element and room for liquid, glue etc.

The next "Must have " gadget is a remote control like Steve Jones has for his crush. It is extremely useful and Steve is able to operate his crush from a distance. While walking towards his crush bringing a cow in, he can let one out, yoke the next, back bar down, belly band up, before he has even got to the crush.