‘All go’ for Canty’s big show

Press, 9 November 1988, Page 3

‘All go’ for Canty’s big show

By

JOHN HARFORD

A casual observer could have mistaken yesterday as the opening day of the Canterbury International Agricultural Show.

Car-parking was at a premium for several blocks in all directions from the Addington Show Grounds, the grounds themselves were packed with colourful displays, livestock was being groomed, and people were rushing everywhere. All that was missing was the public. The final day of preparation went smoothly, said the chief executive of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Mr Noel Woods. “It’s all go. Everything is running smoothly,” he said. It is the first year the show has been called an international show. Mr Woods said the association had realised the Canterbury show was becoming the stud stock “window” for the area and many overseas visitors came each year to look at and buy stock, as well as semen for artificial insemination. The standard of stock at the show was high and New Zealand had the advantage of being a relatively disease-free country. “We feel it has reached the stage where we can call it an international show,” said Mr Woods.

The number of entries is high, although there are not quite as many as last yera’s Royal Show. About 1300 sheep, 500 cattle, 120 pigs, and 84 goats have been entered. The chairman of the association’s cattle committee, Mr John Wyllie, said there had been more cattle entries than expected. Initial entries were actually greater than last year’s but a few exhibitors had to withdraw at the last minute because of the effect the drought was having on stock. The number of dairy entries had again increased. Mr Wyllie said it seemed Canterbury was becoming more suitable for dairying with the development of irrigation schemes. The positive outlook for the dairy industry was also encouraging more people to move into dairying. Extending the show until Saturday this year would give more time for judging, said Mr Wyllie. In previous years, 12 months of preparation went into an event which could be rushed through in five minutes. The extra day would help provide a more relaxed atmosphere for judges as well as competitors.