Woodlands School resembled a zoo last week, as rural families supported the Ōpōtiki Agricultural Club Day, previously known as Calf Club Day.  

Playing fields were strewn with utilities, trailers and horse floats, while hand-reared calves and lambs waited patiently to perform in the leading pens.

Children arrived with well cared for dogs, and a few goats were in evidence.

Now in its 90th year and mainly supported by Woodlands, Waiotahe and Nukuhou North Schools, the event attracted supporters from bygone days taking the opportunity to meet and reminisce.

Some had attended as children; served on organising committees; and had children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren who took part.  

The guest of honour was Betty Udy, who had been involved in calf club since before World War II, organiser Margaret Quin said.

“Many of the trophies awarded over the years were on display, so that our supporters could have a walk down memory lane.”

The turnout of calves and lambs had seen lean time in recent years as changes to rural family life reduced time once available to rear pets on the farm.  

The Ōpōtiki event was now down to just one lamb judge and three calf judges, so organisers were keen to gain more.

Back in the day there were also junior judges, a tradition Ms Quin would love to see reinstated if possible.

“However, things now appear to be on the up.

“We haven’t had our debrief meeting but expect last Thursday’s turnout will see us persevere to organise this event again next year.

“It’s clear that missing out the individual school calf club days and going straight to a big, combined schools’ day is more popular with participants.

“It’s such a good way to teach children the discipline of caring for, feeding and grooming their animals.

“Through participation they absorb ‘stockmanship’, which is a useful skill to have, whether you’re headed for a farming career or not.

“Our new open class – which is for adults with cows and adult goats – is showing promise, with several entries on Thursday.

“We’re hoping this will grow in years to come. A couple of the beautiful cows in this category had been calf day animals themselves.”

Farmers at the Agricultural Club Day recalled that former calf club animals had gone on to join dairy herds, but they never seemed to forget being treated as pets.  

“The dairy calves eventually joined the dairy herd. They would stand at the end of the row waiting for a pat before walking up the herringbone pathway,” said one former Edgcumbe farmer Beth Leeder.

Beth and husband Doug, now Waiotahe dairy farmers, had three grandchildren taking part on Thursday, two with lambs and one with a beef calf.  

“Our daughter-in-law has a beef calf also. We love Pet Day because it’s an opportunity to catch up with people we have not seen for years.

“It’s such a social community event – we’ve seen old friends, including some we helped train many years ago as farm cadets.”