16. Sheep herding
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| Intro | Sheep grazing has had a great influence on the landscape in the province of Drenthe. Traditionally sheep were herded in the fields and locked up in the villages at night. Every spring the manure was taken from the stable to the fields around the village, to fertilise the poor sandy soils. In the grazing fields , trees and shrubs gradually diappeared. Only very hardy plant species, like heather would remain. Heatherfields are nowadays considerd as areas of outstanding natural beauty. Nowadays, sheep are still kept for meat, wool and for grazing in nature areas and even city parks, to maintain natural flora and biodiversity. For this purpose, the sheep sometimes have to me moved from one place to another. It is important that this is done in an efficient and animal friendly manner. |
The Course and Judging:
Competitors will have 10 minutes to complete the course. When herding the sheep, teams must take into account the unpredictable behavior of the animals, even if they are used to people and dogs.
The most important thing is to approach the sheep with respect and calm, as the welfare of the animals always comes first.
A total of 100 points can be earned, divided over the following components:
1. Start and Finish – Opening and Closing the Pen (15 points): The competition begins with the sheep being calmly taken out of the pen and ends with a controlled return to the pen. Attention is paid to the calmness of both the team and the sheep and a smooth execution without any agitation or pushing.
2. Gates – Red, Blue and Green Gates (15 points): The sheep must be guided through the gates in the correct manner, without splitting or confusion. Each gate is worth 5 points, depending on how precisely and smoothly the team manoeuvres the sheep through the gates.
3. Slalom (10 points): At least three turns must be taken smoothly and controlled. It tests the speed and control of the sheep, without the animals becoming restless.
4. Maltese Cross (15 points): The team must make clever use of the cross shape and guide the sheep in the correct manner. Attention is paid to the use of lines and the ability to adapt quickly.
5. Beautiful lines (10 points): The sheep must be led in a calm and clear line through the course. The gradualness of the movements is taken into account, without zigzags or confusion.
6. Cooperation (10 points): Success depends on the cooperation within the team. Good communication and a clear division of roles are essential for successfully completing the course.
7. Respect for the sheep (10 points): The welfare of the sheep is of the utmost importance. The team must approach the animals with respect, without causing stress or unrest.
8. Dealing with stress and unexpected situations (5 points): The team must remain calm and quickly find solutions when unexpected obstacles or problems arise.
The winnersof this challenge 2025 may call themselves The Best Sheepherders of AgroChallenge 2025. This title is awarded to the team that not only achieves the highest score, but also distinguishes itself through careful and respectful handling of the sheep, and through their ability to cooperate, communicate and perform under pressure.
The Agro Challenge 2025 offers a unique opportunity to put teamwork, strategic thinking and respect for animals into practice. It is not just about speed, but above all about the ability to successfully complete the course with respect, calmness and precision.