Four Lotois in the final at the Agricultural Show to become the best young shepherd in France

Despite the negative temperatures and persistent fog, they are certainly cold but motivated. This Thursday morning, in the buildings of the La Vinadie agricultural high school in Figeac, 75 young people aged 16 to 24 are taking part in the events of the 20th edition of the Ovinpiades for young shepherds. At 20 years old, Antonin, Amma, Amandine and Anthony are apprentices at the CFPPA du Lot and are among the finalists. Selected after departmental tests, these four apprentices defended the Lot colors in this regional final. To decide between them, 25 professionals from the sheep industry come together to observe and rate the candidates. Among the tests, the young shepherds will have to sort sheep using an electronic reader, assess the health of a ewe, assess its body condition, trim its hooves and choose a ram. “These are practical tests which are part of the daily life of the breeder's profession” explains Guillaume Godrie, technical trainer and referent of the Ovine Specialization Certificate (CS) at the Lycée agricole de La Vinadie, in Figeac. “It’s an opportunity for our apprentices to assess their abilities and take on a challenge. All the professionals in the sheep industry are present, so this allows young people to build their network.” The objective of this operation is also to encourage vocations and make a new generation want to settle down in sheep farming. “This allows us to show that the profession of sheep breeder has evolved and that it has been modernized” continues Guillaume Godrie. “In my training, all the candidates already have an installation project. In the Lot, this ensures a fair balance with retirement for an installation. But, this remains quite fragile. In the next five years, there will have many more retirements. Our training contributes to the challenge of renewing generations.

“It’s a job that we do with passion and desire”

“This competition allows us to show that we know how to work and that we do it with passion and desire” summarizes Clément, 21, finalist in the competition last year. “I think it's one of the most beautiful jobs. When you get up in the morning, you don't know what you're going to do but you're in nature with the animals. We must not forget that some people pay for vacations to be in nature among animals, we are there all year round! It's in this way of life that I'm happiest.”

The profession is also one of the most feminized in the agricultural sector. One in three sheep farms is run by a woman. “My long-term project is to create an educational farm” explains Amandine, 20 years in apprenticeship at the CFPPA du Lot. “But without additional activities, it doesn’t work. So I chose breeding.” The sector also attracts new profiles seeking professional retraining. “I had candidates who were close to fifty” explains Guillaume Godrie. “This year, I have a candidate who is 35 years old. She worked in another field and her dream is to take over a sheep farm.”

4 candidates will represent the Lot for the final at the agricultural show

At the end of these regional tests, of the six candidates qualified for the final of the best young shepherd, four come from the CFPPA du Lot and the Lycée Agricole de Figeac. Anthony Rispal, Thibaut Rames, Ludovic Bergougnoux and Antoine Roussies will try to win the title of Best Young Person
Berger de France 2025, during the national final, Saturday February 22, 2025, at the Salon
International of Agriculture in Paris. They will proudly represent the Occitanie region against 34 other candidates.