It’s the final call for bull calf entrants
Bull calves born this week will be the last animals eligible for entry into NZ Young Farmers’ annual calf rearing competition.
NZYF has overhauled its annual bull calf competition, which now has a $10,000 prize pool.
Taranaki farmers wanting to put their skills to the test to see who can rear the heaviest bull calf must choose an animal born between August 1 and August 20.
The competition is a major fundraiser for the 13 NZ Young Farmers clubs in the Taranaki/ Manawatu region and Sophie Brown, who lives on a sheep and beef farm at Toko, has already entered.
‘‘This is my first season rearing calves, so I’m keen to put my skills to the test,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s a fantastic way to support the next generation of farmers.’’
Kate Appert, who manages a 200-cow dairy farm at Okato, is also giving it a go.
‘‘This is a great opportunity for the girls to show the blokes who does a better job at calf rearing,’’ Appert said.
Farmers keen to rear a Friesian bull calf (F12+) until weaning were encouraged to register now.
The first 40 calves donated would receive a free bag of meal to assist with rearing the calf.
‘‘The calf has to be born between August 1 and August 20 this year,’’ competition manager Blair Briscoe said. ‘‘We’re hoping to have around 50 calves donated.’’
The weigh-in would be on November 18, when all the donated calves would be sold to a single buyer on contract, Briscoe said.
The Rural Support Trust was also set to benefit from the competition, with 25 per cent of the profits raised donated to RST in Taranaki and Manawatu. The prize pool included a Honda two- wheeler motorbike and $2000 of Fonterra Farm Source vouchers.
The Taranaki/Manawatu region stretches from Urenui in north Taranaki, across to Ruapehu and down to Wellington.
To enter, email taraman.bullcomp@gmail.com.