Sheep and cattle at A&P shows go together like candy-floss and Ferris wheels. Cattle have been missing at some shows recently in the wake of the Mycoplasma bovis outbreak but are set to make a return at several Canterbury shows. For the Canterbury A&P Association's new president Chris Herbert, the inclusion of cattle is an important part of show day. It was often the only chance city folk had to get up close with sheep and cattle, reinforcing the importance of A&P shows in bringing together town and country.
Agricultural shows are essential to maintaining connections with urban communities, Chris Herbert says.
As he looks ahead to this year's New Zealand Agricultural Show, the Canterbury A&P Association president said the shows were often the only chance city folk had to get up close with sheep and cattle.
''The city farmyard and sheep maternity ward are extremely popular. A lot of those kids would not get the chance to see those animals otherwise, so I am keen to bridge the rural-urban divide and keep it going for the children.''