Limelight for heroic cow's calf

By JAMES GARDINER

The calf of the dairy cow that became a hero of February's lower North Island floods is to be sold in a charity auction next month.

And the children's book by Woodville dairy farmer Kim Riley that tells of her extraordinary rescue by cow 569 after she and the herd were swept away in the swollen Manawatu River, will be published this week by Random House.

Cow Power is illustrated by Deb Hinde, but also features Herald photographer Mark Mitchell's picture of Mrs Riley and the nine-year-old friesian she clung to as it swam to safety. About 15 of the 350 cows in the herd drowned.

The story so captured the public's imagination that Mrs Riley was interviewed by news organisations throughout the world.

"I'm really excited about the book," she said.

"I guess I'm a little nervous about what other people will think, first time author and all, but I'm really rapt."

Mrs Riley was particularly pleased with Hinde's illustrations.

Cow 569 gave birth to a bull calf last month and a local newspaper is running a competition to name him. The auction will be held at the Manawatu A&P show in Palmerston North on November 5 and 6, with proceeds to the Plunket Society.