Around 50 young shepherds from across the Waikato recently came together at B+LNZ's Shepherds' Day workshop for a hands-on day of learning, focused on working dogs, nutrition and farm technology.
Hosted at Tiroa Te Hape Station, the workshop brought together experienced industry experts to share practical knowledge and skills with the next generation of shepherds.
The day featured working dog trainer Pete London of Serious Training, chef and cultural guide Tom Loughlin of Kai Waho, and Gallagher's Martin Weir who provided insights into the technology tools increasingly being used on New Zealand farms.
B+LNZ Matanga Whenua Māori (Māori agribusiness extension specialist) for Tūwharetoa and Whanganui, Lisa Chase, says the opportunity to learn directly from experts and connect with others in the industry made the workshop particularly valuable.
"Kai (food) and connection are really important for these young shepherds, many of whom are living away from whānau and friends. Some have moved to new regions for work, so having a chance to connect with other like-minded local young entrants to the primary sector is hugely valuable.
“Building confidence with their dogs was a standout. Farm owners and managers can play an important role by providing access to training mobs and giving young shepherds the time and support to develop their skills. Since the day, some participants have connected with local collie club members, while others have joined forces with neighbouring shepherds for dog training sessions.
“Those are exactly the sorts of positive outcomes we hope to see. Ultimately, we want to make sure docking doesn't turn into a 'Lamb Break' mini-series, and that young people leave with practical skills, confidence and support networks they can continue building on.”
Chase says participants were also keen to continue learning and connecting.
“The day was a huge success. We were oversubscribed, and we've already had interest from two neighbouring regions wanting to run a similar event. This was the third Shepherds Day I've helped organise and we're consistently seeing people travel more than two hours to attend. This year we even had attendees make the trip from Kawhia to Tiroa.
"The next step is bringing the group back together for a follow-up event in late November. The workshop was also an opportunity to listen to participants and understand what they would like to see from a second event."
Pete, who works with around 70 working dogs and their handlers each year, shared practical training techniques and advice for getting the best out of farm dogs. Through live demonstrations and discussion, young shepherds had the opportunity to ask questions and gain confidence in managing and training their dogs.
Pete's key message was that building confidence is just as important for shepherds as it is for their dogs. He encouraged participants to invest time in training and development, reminding them that good working dogs are made through consistent effort and practice, not by simply expecting them to perform straight out of the kennel.
Alongside dog training, participants learnt how simple, nutritious meals can support health, wellbeing and performance during the busy farming season. Tom demonstrated practical cooking tips and shared ideas for preparing quality meals that are both affordable and easy to make on farm.
Food hygiene was also a key focus, particularly for shepherds moving between working dogs and preparing food throughout the day. Participants got hands-on with meal preparation, making a beef stew and mussel chowder to share between dog-training sessions, with leftovers taken home afterwards.
Technology was also a key focus, with attendees gaining an overview of tools commonly used in farming businesses and learning how these systems can support better information flow and decision-making on farm.
Chase says the workshop was designed to provide skills participants could immediately apply back on farm. The technology session introduced attendees to some of the Gallagher tools commonly used on farm, helping build confidence in using the equipment and technology required for day-to-day farm tasks.
"This was about giving young people the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, ask questions and build confidence in areas that are important for their daily work," she said.
"Whether it was handling and training dogs, understanding technology or learning how to fuel themselves well, there were plenty of practical takeaways from the day."
The workshop also provided an opportunity for attendees to connect with other young people working in the industry and share experiences with peers facing similar opportunities and challenges.
B+LNZ extends its thanks to Tiroa Te Hape Station and the wider team for hosting the event, as well as the speakers who generously shared their knowledge throughout the day. Chase says the support behind initiatives like this is helping build confidence and capability within the next generation of the sheep and beef sector.
This workshop was part of B+LNZ's ongoing commitment to supporting the development of young people entering New Zealand's sheep and beef sector.
For more events like this near you, visit B+LNZ's Event Calendar.
