Reality Check: Rearing an animal for Ag Day

It's that time of the year again when calves, lambs and goats take centre stage at country schools.

Calf Club, Pet Day or Ag Day all have one purpose: to encourage children to take an interest in the welfare and presentation of an animal for a community day at their school.

Some schools keep to the traditional calves, lambs or goats while others have widened the choice to include other pets like rabbits or hens, and even cats and dogs.

An animal is chosen when about one week old and then reared by the children so it is looking good and performing well for Ag Day, usually held in October. Lambs are easier than calves for younger children.

The school, local farm supply stores or veterinarians are likely to know someone who has a spare lamb or calf. Many sheep farmers will give lambs for Ag Day on the understanding they come back to the flock afterwards.

Things you will need:

Lambs

Milk formula, collar, lead and a warm jumper can be bought from Wrightsons or a similar farm supply store. A warm woolly jumper is needed to keep the lamb clean and warm - dog coats or children's T-shirts can be just as effective. Lambs need a warm, dry house (such as a dog kennel) and it is handy to cover part of the lamb's pen with a tarpaulin to reduce wind chill.

Lambs need to be fed every four to five hours and it's best if the child does all the feeding so the lamb bonds well. After every feed, wipe the lamb's chin to prevent staining and crusting by the formula.

Calves

Milk formula (or, if on a dairy farm, warm milk from the vat) halter, lead and a calf cover from a farm supply store. The calf needs to be kept in a warm, dry environment, preferably with shavings as bedding and allowed access to a paddock for the warm part of the day.

The calf is fed on milk twice a day for the first month and then once a day, supplemented with calf meal plus grass and fresh water.

Select a calf to suit the size of the particular child - one that can be controlled when it is two to three months old, a calf that is bright and alert, has a fine coat and a good temperament.

Young stock have sensitive stomachs so it is important to keep feeding gear clean and wash your hands before and after. Calves can get scours (diarrhoea) from dirty feeding utensils, so clean everything in hot soapy water after each feed so it is clean for the next.

Follow the instructions on the milk formula bag and don't overfeed your pet. A common rule is 10 per cent of body weight, so a 40kg calf needs 4 litres each day or 2 litres twice a day.

Having a nicely grown, well groomed calf or lamb is half the process - the second part is teaching your animal to lead well, come when called and to be a loving pet. Judges will be looking at whether the child has bonded with the pet. In the rearing classes for calves, lambs and goats, the judges are looking for a clean animal that is in good health and has been well cared for. Never wash your lamb because it takes the natural lanolin out of its coat.

The Livestock Improvement Calf Club website (www.calfclub.co.nz) is a child-friendly website with plenty of information on selecting, feeding and training your calf. Many of the same rules apply for lambs.