Institut Agro Montpellier: training the shepherds of tomorrow

The Institut Agro Montpellier is a leading training centre in France, dedicated to sustainable agriculture and traditional know-how. Among its offerings, the Brevet Professionnel Agricole (BPA) Berger Transhumant stands out for its specificity and comprehensive approach to training qualified professionals in sheep and goat farming. This diploma is designed to prepare students to manage flocks while practising transhumance, a traditional method involving the seasonal movement of animals between high altitude pastures and the plains.

Comprehensive training: courses and field activities

The Institut Agro Montpellier’s BPA Berger Transhumant offers a rich and varied training programme, focusing on practice and theory. Courses include :

• Herd Management: Students acquire skills in day-to-day herd management, including nutrition, reproduction and veterinary care. Courses cover animal health monitoring and work organisation to maintain a healthy herd.
• Transhumance Techniques: The course covers the logistical and practical aspects of transhumance, such as planning journeys, managing pastures and ensuring the safety of animals during the journey.
• Territorial knowledge: The courses include an in-depth understanding of the different types of pasture and techniques for managing a variety of environments. This includes soil analysis, natural resource management and practices adapted to different types of terrain.
• Regulatory and Administrative Management: Students are trained in the legal and administrative aspects of the profession, including animal welfare standards, livestock records management and compliance with environmental regulations.

In addition to these theoretical courses, the training includes significant field activities:

• Teaching Farm: A model farm allows students to apply the techniques learned in class in a real environment. Practical activities are carried out there, ranging from animal care to pasture management.
• Field Visits: Students visit various types of pasture to observe different management techniques and understand the challenges specific to each type of land.
• Transhumance Simulations: Realistic transhumance simulations provide hands-on experience in planning and managing herd movements, while addressing logistical challenges and caring for animals in transit.
• Practical Workshops: Workshops enable students to familiarise themselves with specific techniques such as emergency veterinary care and the management of shepherd’s equipment.

Specialised Courses: Predator Management and Herd Safety

One of the key aspects of the course is predator management, with a particular focus on wolves and bears:

• Predator Management: Students learn methods to protect herds from predator attack, including the use of guard dogs, appropriate fencing techniques, and managing grazing space to minimise risk.
• Prevention and Response: Courses include strategies for preventing wolf and bear attacks, as well as procedures to follow in the event of incidents. Students are trained to recognise the signs of attack, implement safety measures and manage emergency situations.
• Bear protection: In addition to wolves, bear management is also covered. The courses cover specific techniques for protecting herds from bears, such as the installation of reinforced fencing and the use of deterrent devices. Students also learn how to work with local authorities and wildlife management organisations to manage the risks associated with the presence of bears.
• Working with Authorities: Students are trained to work with local authorities and wildlife organisations to manage conflicts between livestock and predators. They learn to participate in compensation programmes for damage caused by predators.

Length of training and access routes

The BPA Berger Transhumant takes place over two years, combining periods of theory and practical training in the field. Students benefit from a balance between classroom learning and immersion in real-life situations to gain hands-on experience.

Admission requirements:

The course is open to candidates with a secondary school diploma or equivalent. Applicants generally have to pass a selection interview to assess their motivation and suitability for the programme. For more information on admission requirements and enrolment procedures, please consult the Institut Agro Montpellier website.

Conclusion

The Institut Agro Montpellier offers comprehensive training to become a transhumant shepherd, with an emphasis on the acquisition of essential practical and theoretical skills. Modern facilities, immersive field activities and specialised courses, including those on the management of predators such as wolves and bears, enable future shepherds to prepare effectively for the challenges of the profession and to contribute to the preservation of pastoral traditions.