Elessia Andrews, 9, from Ohau School, with Almond at the Horowhenua Agricultural Club finals.
Elessia Andrews, 9, from Ohau School, with Almond at the Horowhenua Agricultural Club finals.
Not even a worldwide pandemic or biosecurity scare could hold down a time-honoured agricultural event in Levin for long.
The Horowhenua Agricultural Cup was back last week, having weathered a tough couple of years due to mycoplasma bovis initially, and then challenges brought about by Covid-19 restrictions.
It had been three years since full crowds could attend the finals, ensuring a throng of supporters this time around and good sized fields of calves, lambs and goats.
There were nine rural schools from Te Horo to Opiki and Tokomaru entered, each holding its own preliminary competitions before the finals.
Grayson Parlato, 9, from Opiki Primary School, with his entry Jaffa. They received a Very Highly Commended ribbon.
Club committee member Carol Christensen said it was great to see the animals and crowds return, over and above the one-parent-per-child rule, as was the case last year, while there were no calves the year before.
“It was nice to have it back to normal, to be able to watch without restricted numbers and to have the calves and lambs together. It’s been a tough couple of years,” she said.
“We were a bit worried that the calves might not come back, and it’s great to see kids still dedicated and passionate.”
Christensen said the awards had been running at the Levin Showgrounds since 1930. Some of the entrants could see the names of their great-grandparents etched on some of the cups.
Alexis McLeod, 7, from Koputaroa School, with her lamb Bella.
She said raising an animal and entering a competition taught young children valuable lessons in animal husbandry, and with some calves or lambs born as early as June, they were kept well and manicured for many months.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s raining or what, you still have to go out and feed your calf or your lamb. It’s that care and rearing of an animal where they learn so much – you have to look after them,” she said.
Meanwhile, the schools were competing in agriculture too, with garden judging underway, and results to hand next week.
The quinella in the senior calf dairy section - Fletcher Ryder, 12, with Milly, and Matilda Easton, 10, with Daisy.
Results of Horowhenua Boys and Girls Agriculture Club
Champion Ringcraft - David Aitchison Memorial Cup and Ribbons: Cohen Parlato (Opiki). Rider Cup (Reserve Champion): Jackson Legg (Opiki).
Judge Diana Timms inspects Evie, who belongs to Poroutawhao School student Tahlia Parata, 12.
Champion Calf – Mr and Mrs K Shaw Memorial Cup/ Kevin Morgan Memorial Ribbon: Blake Unsworth (Opiki). Tui Trading Cup – reserve champion: Ava Hapeta-Colling (Ōhau). Champion Dairy Type – Gordon Hill Trophy: Jackson Legg (Ōpiki). Reserve: Ava Hapeta-Colling (Ōhau).
Yearling – Care and Rearing and Dairy Type – Ivan Holder Memorial Cup and Horowhenua Boys and Girls AG Club Trophy: Alphie Candy-Mason (Tokomaru). Reserve: Georgia Adlam (Opiki).
Judge: Diana Timms. Steward: Tim Mansell, Hannah Bradbury, Anita Lancaster. Announcer: Heather Haines. Hon Vet: Levin and Horowhenua Veterinary Centre.
Senior Lamb – Best Pet Lamb: 1 Flynn Treleavan (Opiki). 2 Monique Herbert (Koputaroa). 3 Steph Watson (Waitohu). VHC: Tahlia Parata (Poroutawhao). HC: Kyra Walsh (Ōhau).
Care and Rearing - Ringawhati Cup: 1 Angus Easton (Poroutawhao). 2 Emily Bradbury ((Koputaroa). 3 Lucy Knight (Koputaroa). VHC: Conrad Williams (Ōhau). HC: Millar Adlam (Ōpiki).
Champion Lamb and Reserve Champion - Levin Sheep Farmers Cups (selected from first place in senior and junior): Champion: Emily Bradbury (Koputaroa). Reserve: Flynn Treleaven (Opiki).
KID SECTION
Judge: Carol Christensen. Announcer: Heather Haines. Vet: Levin and Horowhenua Vet Centre.
