Boys and Girls Ag Day Results

Christchurch turned on a beautiful sunny day for the annual Synlait Boys and Girls Agricultural Club Championship Day at Canterbury Agricultural Park last week.

Outlying Canterbury Primary Schools were given the opportunity to compete in livestock judging, similar to what they would experience at an A&P Show. To qualify for the Championships, entrants had to have attended a school pet day within their region.

Over 70 entries were received, comprising beef calves, dairy calves, lambs, poultry and goats. Entries were received from: Broomfield School, Springston School, Oxford Area School, Kirwee School, Tai Tapu Primary, Darfield High School, Ladbrooks School, Leeston Consolidated School, West Melton School, Broadfield School, and Hororata Primary School.

Students were judged across three sections: Care and Attention, Leading and Handling and their Project Books which were submitted prior to the Canterbury A&P Show.

Each participant was required to parade their animal in front of the judges and answer questions on their care. After some serious deliberation, winners across all sections and classes were decided. Entrants received a certificate and Tip Top ice cream. Winning entries also received ribbons and trophies.
Peter Gilbert, President of the Canterbury A&P Association, enjoyed the day out.

“As usual the kids were so enthusiastic and their animals were in great condition. It’s important to get children interested in animal care and welfare from a young age. The skills they learn are invaluable. This not only benefits the A&P movement, but the agricultural industry as a whole.”
Mr Gilbert paid tribute to the volunteers that helped make the day a success.

“Many of our volunteers have had a busy time at the recent A&P Show, but they still turned up helping to mark project books, judging animals and doing the odd bit of heavy lifting too. We also couldn’t have pulled the day off without the support of our Sponsors – so thanks very much to Synlait for all their help and support.”

Mark Burnside, Milk Supply Relationship manager from Synlait spoke to the young exhibitors and said that an understanding of animal care and welfare would serve them well should they choose to have careers in the Ag sector later in life.

“You will also learn that caring for the environment and ensuring produce from NZ farms is high quality and safe to eat is very important as well, but for now learning about caring for animals is a great place to start” said Mr Burnside

CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION PLACINGS

Dairy Calves – Junior (Years 1-4)
Champion: Kate Geddes (Kirwee School)
Reserve Champion: Page Wakelin-Noble (Oxford Area School)

Dairy Calves – Senior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Sam Stalker (Lincoln Primary)
Reserve Champion: Hillary Cooper (Oxford Area School)

Beef Calves – Junior (Years 1-4)
Champion: Louis Dalley (Leeston School)
Reserve Champion: Sonja Slemint (Oxford Area School)

Beef Calves – Senior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Daniel Stokes (Oxford Area School)
Reserve Champion: Lilia Wadie

Lambs – Junior (Years 1-4)
Champion: Hayden Lineham (Broadfield School)
Reserve Champion: Dustin Rowlands (Hororata School)

Lambs – Senior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Mitchell Frahm (Oxford Area School)
Reserve Champion: Adele Pope (Springston School)

Poultry Junior (Years 1-4)
Champion: Daniel Benison (Springston School)
Reserve Champion: Ebony Grieve (Tai Tapu Primary School)

Poultry – Senior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Emily Neal (Tai Tapu Primary School)
Reserve Champion: Sonya Benison (Springston School)

Goats
Champion: Jack Bishop (Broadfield School)
Full results can be found at http://www.theshow.co.nz/canterbury-ap-association/other-events/.

-ENDS-

© Scoop Media