A week after the closing of the Agricultural Show on March 3, 2024, Emmanuel and Nicolas Mary, sheep breeders from father to son, still have stars in their eyes.
It must be said that they did not leave empty-handed!
Based in Saint-Pierre-des-Ifs (Eure), the two men won a whopping 22 medals at the General Agricultural Competition, including 11 gold.
This is not their first attempt.
“The first year, in 2000, I received two second prizes.
And since then, I have participated every year,” smiles Emmanuel Mary, 61 years old, quite proud to have brought his son with him into the Hampshire adventure, the breed he chose to raise outdoors and as naturally as possible since 1997. Today, the two operators each have their own herd, 180 animals for the father and half for the son, but work hand in hand.
And the handover takes place little by little.
“Even my grandmother told me that it was the last profession”
“I am not the son of a farmer, but my grandparents were,” explains Emmanuel Mary.
“The time I spent with them was paradise for me.
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work on a farm.
And when, at 8 years old, they had to sell their farm, I experienced it as a tragedy, a heartbreak…”.
He then promises to make it his career, even if at school they tell him that he will become a jerk!
“Even my grandmother told me that it was the last job!
It's understandable.
She hadn't had an easy life.
But I had the passion…”
Once his agricultural studies were completed, he bought his first two sheep in the early 1980s. “My grandfather had kept a small plot of land of 3,000 m2 on which I was able to settle.
I didn’t really have any experience, but little by little I learned and developed.”
Until the decisive turning point of his encounter with the Hampshire breed which has around 6,000 specimens across France.
“They are beautiful animals.
Very rustic, the hardiest of the beef breeds, with very dense wool which allows them to live outside, in all weathers.
This allows it to be fed exclusively with natural, GMO-free fodder.
And with the added bonus of a teddy bear face which always has an effect.”
Since then, he has become a reference in the world of national breeding, selecting year after year the most beautiful specimens and selling his animals to build other herds throughout the country.
“I love a job well done.
And I think I managed to pass that on to my son.
Besides this year, he beat me in many categories!
With one of his rams, he even received a score of 19 out of 20.”
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He is particularly proud to have had one of his males win a second prize, all breeds combined, for the quality of his wool.
“These awards are obviously recognition that helps us in our activity.
But it is also proof that despite the difficulties of our profession, it is possible to get through it.
For me, this is always the message that I bring to young people who want to settle down.
And in particular sheep breeding which allows you to do it without having to invest too much,” assures the breeder who keeps the memory of his ancestors in the back of his mind.
“I still have an old vest from my grandfather.
There isn't a week that I don't wear it.
I am sure he would be happy to see us succeed as a family and share the values he instilled in me.”