CALF CLUBS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 14, 14 December 1932, Page 4

CALF CLUBS

, GROUP SIX RESULTS. Yesterday group 6 in the calf club section of the Manawatu-Oroua division of the Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Club was judged, the prize winning calves from the various schools assembling at Sandon in the' afternoon. The judges were Messrs J. A. Mitchell (Longburn), dairy type, and J. H. Mason (Feilding), care and. attention in rearing. The awards wqre as under: DAIRY TYPE. Rex Pearce’s (Waitohi) Dawn 1, Joyce Thompson’s (Carnarvon) Peggy 2 Margaret Dear’s (Waitohi) Trixie 3, Fairfield Thompson’s (Carnarvon) Trixie, v.h.c., Pat Grossarts (Clydesdale) h.c. CARE IN REARING. Jean Gennell’s (Clydesdale) Lass 1, F. Thompson (Carnarvon) Trixie 2, R. Pearce’s (Waitohi) Dawn 3, Pat Grossart’s (Clydesdale) Tiny v.h.c., Margaret Dear’s (Waitohi) Trixie h.c. The results of the children’s judging competition were: Terry Anderson (Sanson) 1, Fairfield Thompson (Carnarvon) 2. Following the judging' of the calves, a ladies’ committee served very accepts able refreshments in the Sanson Hall. No. 2 GROUP. JUDGING AT RONGOTEA. 1 (From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, Dec. 13. On Monday the annual calf judging competition in No. 2 group took place in the local school grounds. The schools comprising the group are Rongotca, ICopano, Glon Oroua and Oroua Downs. Much interest was taken in the event, as shown by the number of people present. The proceedings were in tho capable hands of Mr W. J. Croucher, the group supervisor, and Mr F. Saxton, the group secretary, with the supervisors of the surrounding schools, and this made for the smooth running of everything associated with the fixture. Tho weather

was ideal, and as the grounds had been specially prepared by Mr A. Bottcher nothing was left to be desired to add to the pleasure of- the occasion. The tasks ret the judges were of no mean order, and the thoroughness end detailed attention which they put into their work gave unbounded satisfaction. The first event to be decided was calf judging by tho scholars. There were 22 entrants (Rongotea 6, Kopane 10, Glen Oroua 4, Oroua Downs 2). The result was: — Gordon Arnott (Rongotea) 1. Bernard Forlong (Ivopane) 2. Mary Fraser (Rongotea) 3. Murray Lind (Rongotea) 4. Rodger Curran (Oroua Downs) 5. The judge, Mr H. R. Green, specially complimented Gordon Arnott on his success, stating that in every' detail he was of the same opinion as himself, and, further, the lads remarks were so decisive that he could not but award him the highest marks possible. He heartily' congratulated him, and could but wish him similar success at subsequent events. CARE AND CONDITION. The next event was judging for condition, care and attention. This was assigned to Mr J. McLinden (Massey College). Tho awards were .as follow: — Molly Slattery's (Rongotea) Patsy 1. William Scott’s (Glen Oroua) Wonder 2. Charles Webb’s (Glen Oroua) Pearl 3. Roland Hill’s (Rongotea) Mona 4. Violet Bottcher’s (Rongotea) Pet 5. |

In his subsequent remarks on this class, Mr McLinden said that, as a group, no person could bo asked to undertake a more difficult task than that was presented him. It was remarkable to see the wonderful improvement in the calves in just a few days. It was perfectly apparent the eagerness and enthusiasm which was being developed in the children. To the most casual observer it must be evident the wonderful amount of work the children had put into their calves since the individual school judging of last Friday. It was only on very fine points of discrimination that calves could bo placed in position. There was little left to be desired so far as condition was concerned, so that more weight had to be given to the leading calves. For example, the calf brought forward by Lionel Funnell, a beautifully brought out calf, which probably would have stood second in the final placings, lost position through the lack of leading. The calves brought forward would do credit to any breeder of pedigree stock. No one could desire animals brought out in better shape than they were, and it reflected the very highest credit on these children. This by no moans belittled the other entrants, because the group as a whole was a great credit to all the children, for few adults could have done better.

TYPE CLASS. Then followed the judging of the various calves according to type. This was in the hands of Air Green. The awards were as follow: — Alolly Slattery’s- (Rongotea) Patsy 1. Lionel Funnell’s (Oroua Downs) Nigger Minstrel 2. AVilliam Scott’s (Glen Oroua) Wonder 3. Charles Webb's (Glen Oroua) Pearl 4. Harry Glasgow’s (Kopane) Tiny 5. Of this class Mr Green said that since ho judged here two years ago he was exceedingly surprised to note the improvement in the way the children were bringing their calves forward, both in condition and treatment, and also in their nearness to the ideal type. It was often said that calf group competitions did not serve any real purpose, but if only farmers would take a live interest in the movement and follow these competitions they would soon seo the great value of them, and note the great improvement that could be brought about by the proper treatment of stock. The children who had entered those competitions had proved this, and if these functions continued it would not be long

before there would be seen a vast improvement in the herds in tho district. So great was tlie interest in theso events that it became more difficult every time one was called on to judge to place tho calves. This was exceedingly so that day and the calves brought before him wore of such a quality that he had the greatest difficulty possible in placing them. He heartily congratulated the winner on tho way she had brought her calf forward, as it was such an outstanding animal. Between the others there was very littlo to choose; in fact, all in this class were very fine, and those that did not succeed in being placed ho heartily congratulated on their splendid work. YEARLING CLASS. While not many were brought forward in the yearling class, Mr Green had 6omo good things to say of them as well, congratulating tlio children for the care and attention displayed during the year, that was evident in tho fine animals presented. The placings were as follow: — Gordon Arnott’s (Rongotca) Topsy 1. Robert Mossop’s (Rongotea) Trixie 2. Olive Bottcher’s (Rongotca) Bovo 3. Dorothy Bottcher’s (Rongotea) Tui 4. May Bottcher’s (Rongotea) Trixie 5. Both Mr McLinden and Mr Green, in their remarks, stressed tho necessity for the contestants to not only enter their calves in the first year in a fit condition to win a prizo but a greater tost of ability was shown in tho care and attention given the same animal subsequently as it developed to maturity. The idea was to rear and feod animals with a robust constitution so that as milk cows they would be ablo to stand up to tfio strain of successive milking seasons. Mrs Croucher was called on to decorate the prize-winners, aftor which Mr Croucher presented the children with their awards. He heartily congratulated all the boys and girls who had entered, and it was most gratifying to seo the interest tnken in the movement. He noted that th'oso who had won last year lest this year, and vice versa, so they wero all to be complimented. Mr Croucher said ho would like particularly to congratulate Molly Slattery on her doublo win, both on this occasion and also last Friday in her local school competition, and sho was the more worthy of praise seeing her entry was only one of a herd, and it was under ordinary conditions sho had attained her ideal. He concluded with calling throe cheers for the judges who had como at much personal inconvenience to assist. These wero lustily given.