INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 6, 5 December 1932, Page 8

INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

JUDGING COMPETITION FOR PUPILS. For the first time in tlie calf club work carried out by the ManawatuOroua Agricultural Clubs, a judging competition among the school children will be held. This competition 'for tlie current season is not restricted to those pupils who have participated in the club competitions, but is open to all pupils of the primary schools m the district covered by the Mana-watu-Oroua Association. In view of the fact that many of the pupils have reared and exhibited calves for one or more seasons, it is hut fitting that a judging competition should be introduced as a means of gauging to what extent such pupils have profited by their experience and by the guidance tendered by the judges, many of them prominent breeders, who have officiated at the club judging. ■ The competitors will be handed a score card on which they will be called upon to allot points to the calves to be judged. Max. Com. Remarks Points Points

HOW TO USE THE SCORE CARD. The basis of the scoring is a knowledge of the location and name of each part of the animal. Usually one lesson from a part or club supervisor wiil suffice to give suclr knowledge. The animal to be scored should first be viewed by the competitor at a distance of 20 to 30 feet to obtain _ a general view. At this time the points to bo noted are: —The movements of the animal and its general appearance as to type and the relative size of head, neck and body. Are these parts properly proportioned P Are they well joined together ? A careful observation should also be made of straightness of back, slqpe of rump and length of legs. The view from the rear and front should likewise bo observed while the animal is moving, and the width of body and chest and the general carriage noted. SCORING. A satisfactory way of scoring, i.e., allotting points, is to make systematic reductions from the maximum possible score under each heading. The following scale of reductions lias been found to work satisfactorily:—Excellent, 9 to 10 out of 10 possible points_; very good, 8 to 9 out of 10; to 8 out of 10; fairly good, 6 to 7; very fair, sto 6 out of 10. Ihe competition points indicated in the card show how an animal of the following description might receive points under the above scale of deductions.

An animal with a very good head and neck, an excellent body, a fairly good tail, good udder and teats, good skin, and good appearance. In the “remarks” column suitable comments would add to the value of the scoring card.

Head 18 15 Neck 5 4 Body (including fore and hind 27 quarters) Tail 30 3 2 Udder and tents ’ 25 18 Skin General ap9 7 pearanee • 10 8 Total points 100 81