Wednesday 25 November 2015

Boys and Girls Ag Day Results

The Synlait Boys and Girls Agricultural Club Championship Day was held last Thursday (November 19) at ASB Agricultural Park.

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 80 entries were received, comprising beef calves, dairy calves, lambs, poultry, pigs and goats. Entries were received from: Springston School, Oxford Area School, Ohoka School, Tai Tapu Primary, View Hill School, Darfield High School, Darfield Primary, Leeston Consolidated School, West Melton School, Broadfield School, Hororata Primary School and Lincoln Primary.

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.

Nicky Hutchinson, President of the Canterbury A&P Association, said that youth development was a cornerstone objective for the Canterbury A&P Association.

“The Championship Day is an extremely important initiative. Getting children interested in animal care and welfare from a young age is imperative to both the future of the Association and the agricultural industry as a whole in New Zealand. It’s wonderful to see them all so involved and having so much fun on the day.

“It’s also fantastic to have the support of Synlait who are so involved at a community level and share the Association’s values.”

Supporting children showing an interest in animals is something Synlait is very happy to do according to Mark Burnside, Synlait’s Milk Supply Relationship Manager.

“We want to support those youngsters who commit time to seriously looking after their animals. Our hope is they hold on to their interest in livestock and farming, and will in time, establish futures in the sector,” said Mark.

“Whether it is in a farming capacity or in the wider agriculture sector, we are going to need a growing number of people looking at these roles as serious career opportunities.”

Champion and Reserve Champion Placings (full results can be found at http://www.theshow.co.nz/canterbury-ap-association/other-events/)

Dairy Calves – Junior (Years 1-4)

Champion: Jody McCarthy-Dempsey (West Melton School)

Reserve Champion: Elizabeth Cooper (Oxford Area School)

Dairy Calves – Senior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Sam Stalker (Lincoln Primary)
Reserve Champion: Hannah King (Darfield High)

Beef Calves – Junior (Years 1-4)
Champion: Claire McConchie (Tai Tapu School)
Reserve Champion: Sophie Lilley (Ohoka School)

Beef Calves – Senior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Jack Drage (Oxford Area School)
Reserve Champion: Marshall Stokes (Oxford Area School)

Lambs – Junior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Lucy Bain (Springston School)
Reserve Champion: Sam Rawston (Leeston Consolidated School)

Lambs – Senior (Years 5-8)
Champion: Kieran Prendergast (Lincoln Primary)
Reserve Champion: Zoe Bain (Springston Primary)

Poultry Junior (Years 1-4)
Champion: Toby Benison (Springston Primary)
Reserve Champion: Amelia McConnochie (Leeston Consolidated School)

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

Goats
Champion: Kaylee Hood (Springston School)

-ENDS-

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