Young farmers express concerns over the scarcity of new generations - Youth champion awarded in the agricultural competition - State champions discuss the "essential requirements" for children, according to shepherds
In the heart of Germany, the state of Thuringia is grappling with a declining sheep farming sector. This trend is evident as Mario Scheffel, the reigning state champion of shepherds, successfully defended his title at the Shepherd's Day in Hohenfelden.
Uwe Erl, the breeding manager in the Thuringian Sheep Breeders' Association, voiced concerns about the future of the industry, stating that there is a significant shortage of young people interested in the shepherd profession. This shortage is a common issue in many agricultural sectors, with young people often viewing farming, including sheep farming, as less profitable and physically demanding compared to other career options.
The declining sheep population in Thuringia, which has halved over the past three decades, could have a significant impact on nature conservation. Currently, there are approximately 100,300 sheep in the state. However, the lack of interest among young people means that only four apprentice shepherds are expected to start this year, which is far from the Thuringian Sheep Breeders' Association's requirement of 20 to 25 apprentices per year for a generational change.
Shepherds in Thuringia generate 60% of their income through landscape care with their animals. However, wool from Thuringian sheep is hardly sold, and new applications such as fertiliser or felt for plant or noise protection are still a niche. A similar niche exists for the mixture of wool and hemp fibres for sustainable sound insulation.
Uwe Erl also highlighted the need for improved river maintenance and simplified tendering procedures, citing long-term contracts with sheep farmers for river maintenance in other federal states like Brandenburg, where the payment is better. In Thuringia, the maintenance of dikes on rivers is often done mechanically instead of allowing sheep to graze.
Despite the challenges, the Shepherd's Day in Thuringia, with its 30-year tradition, continues to showcase shepherds and their herds in front of the open-air museum. This year, a total of five shepherds participated in the state championship. Mario Scheffel from Heygendorf in the Kyffhäuser district was crowned the state champion of shepherds.
As the industry faces continued challenges, the Thuringian Sheep Breeders' Association calls for proper payment for the service provided by shepherds, emphasising the importance of this traditional profession in maintaining the landscape and supporting rural economies.
The Thuringian Sheep Breeders' Association is advocating for a revised community policy to attract more young people to vocational training programs in shepherding, recognizing it as a crucial career choice for preserving the rural economy and balancing nature conservation efforts. To incentivize this, the association proposes financing structures that better reflect the vital business roles shepherds play, such as landscape management and river maintenance.
