Calves Selected For 1966 Royal Show

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30287, 13 November 1963, Page 29

Calves Selected For 1966 Royal Show

One of the leading Aberdeen Angus studs in ‘the Canterbury district is Mr D. W. J. Gould’s Glenmark Stud, only a few miles north of Waipara. Although not taking part in the Christchurch show this year a team of cattle from Glenmark are usually to be found in the cattle pavilion. They are also very well known throughout New Zealand at stud sales and have realised the top average price at the national Aberdeen Angus bull sale at Dannevirke for three years. However, although the stud will not be represented during this show, the manager (Mr A. C. Rodger) said recently that some young calves were already being selected as possible exhibits for the next Royal show in Christchurch in 1966.

Preparation of cattle for both shows and sales starts virtually at birth. The first thing which has to be done is to handle the calves until they are quiet and have grown accustomed to the close proximity of strangers, strange noises and sounds such as a pipe band, which can upset a show animal. Once they are used to being handled, the next stage is to teach them to lead properly and this, together with continuous handling, is all that is done during the first six months. However, all the time, the breeder must keep a careful eye for minor defects in the beast, such as long feet, which must be trimmed to the proper shape. In the horn breeds, such as the Shorthorn and Hereford, attention must also be given to the shaping and polishing of the horns. Three or four months before the actual show date the real work of preparation gets under way. This includes grooming and washing and more general education in handling and noises. During the month or six weeks before the show, the beasts may have to be washed as much as four or five times a week to keep the skin soft and pliable. Grooming of the bull or cow’s coats is carried out twice a day—in the mornings and evenings —for half an hour at a time. The grooming removes all the dead hair in the coat, stimulating its gloss and making it brighter and more attractive.

About the same time as the washing and grooming starts and the real preparation gets under way, the cattle are put on a special diet. No two animals will require exactly the same diet, but it generally includes grain, bran, linseed and concentrates. For both sale and show purposes, the cattle are fed to reach peak condition at show time. However, Mr Rodgers said great care had to be taken to make sure the cattle were not fed over the safe limit—otherwise the results could be fatal. On Glenmark, as with most other cattle studs, the show beasts are not covered during the winter months, but within a month of the show covers are put on all the time. This ensures that the beasts will keep clean. The covers also help the gloss in the coat and, by keeping the animal warm, the need for it to use food for producing body heat is greatly reduced. When the show is only a week away, the show animals have their tails clipped and their heads clipped. This is one facet of preparation that applies particularly to Aberdeen Angus. Clipping the tail leaves a long, neat switch, while a clipped head makes the outline more clear and enhances the appearance. Mr Rodger has found that the cattle travel better to shows and sale if ■they are given only half their normal ration immediately prior to being transported.

On show morning there is a “mad rush’’ when the team arrives at the grounds. The cattle have to be cleaned and groomed and all the last minute touches carried out before judging starts at 9 a.m. As well as preparing the cattle themselves, there is also all the necessary gear to be readied. White head stalls and lead ropes have to be cleaned and an adequate supply ensured for the duration of the show. White coats for the attendants have to be prepared and each morning of the show the stalls have to be cleaned. A typical show team from Glenmark can be judged from the team entered for the centennial show last year. It consisted of four two-year-old bulls and three yearling heifers. With all the handling the bulls receive over the months before the show, and accustomed as they become to the noises and strange people, they are reasonably safe in the show ring. However, one always had to be prepared for the unexpected, or for an unusually cantakerous bull, Mr Rodger said.

ST. ASAPH STREET,