As with most A & P shows throughout the country there has been a steady decline in the number of dairy farmers showing and competing at A & P Shows within the Northern District. The older generation of pedigree cattle breeders who have had a long association with A & P shows is declining, and modern day farming technology has changed dramatically from that of yesteryear.
As with most A & P shows throughout the country there has been a steady decline in the number of dairy farmers showing and competing.
However an A & P Show without dairy cattle is not an option for the northern shows. With this in mind (and on a 2 year trial basis) a decision has been made to move away from offering competition to strictly pedigree cattle in the breed rings, but to also offer competition to non-registered animals, provided those animals are recorded 12 or better. This will provide opportunities to farmers who do not have pedigree animals but do have animals they consider worthy of showing. The non-registered animals will show alongside registered animals in their respective breed rings at the same level and will have equal opportunity to take away the prizemoney.
The decision to break away from tradition was made in consultation with current pedigree dairy exhibitors who agreed that the time has come to bring dairy cattle showing at A & P level into the 21st century.
Today’s farming world revolves around commercial farming to a much greater extent than the farming of pedigree animals and therefore another competition ring will be created for cross breed animals that do not qualify for the Jersey, Ayrshire or Friesian rings. The classes offered will be similar to that of the other dairy rings including in-milk and dry stock classes.
The future of A & P cattle showing lies with our youth. There are many young and enthusiastic people who compete at calf club level, but up until now, unless they had a pedigree calf, there has been no higher level of competition for them to graduate to. Therefore a new dairy youth section will provide classes for any breed of calf or yearling, registered or non-registered, and open to young people 18 years or under. These young people already have an interest in the show ring, and the dairy youth section will open the way to foster and groom exhibitors of the future.
The 2010/2011 northern show season commences with the Bay of Islands Show on 13 November 2010 right through to the Auckland Easter Show from 21-25 April 2011, covering areas from Kaitaia to Clevedon. The new criteria for dairy cattle showing will apply to all northern shows that currently have a dairy section.
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