Cattle class back after 15 years

Tony Thompson with the evidence of the day when the Dannevirke show's cattle section was last held in 2000 - when cow Cascade won the top prize for a third time. Photo / Paul Taylor

The revival of the cattle section at the Dannevirke A and P Show next week has turned organisers into treasure hunters as they search for trophies which were presented when the bovines were last at southern Hawke's Bay's big event 15 years ago.

But they did not have to go far for the best of them all, the Meat and Wool Challenge Cup, which was still safely held by the still-prolific showgoer, natural first port-of-call and simmental breeder Tony Thompson, of Glenanthony Simmentals, Farm Rd, Waipukurau.

And next Friday he will take it back, along with more than 20 cattle, which section convenor Simon Collin expects to have at least nine breeds, and hopefully more than 50 entries.

Mr Collin, who two years ago produced Rauriki Beaujolais to pip Mr Thompson's Glenanthony Yale for the Meat and Wool Cup at the 150th anniversary Hawke's Bay Show, said plans to revive the cattle section in Dannevirke developed after a discussion he had with Akitio hereford breeder Phil Barnett.

Among the promising signs were the numbers of younger people in cattle breeding, and the need to prepare for the Royal Show, which will be held in Hastings on October 21-23 and again in 2016 and 2017.

Businesses and breeders were soon showing keen interest, and planning started - including looking for the silverware.

"We were wondering where the Meat and Wool Cup was," he said. "Well, Tony's got that."

"I feel quite good that I have looked after it," said Mr Thompson, who has wondered at the fate of some trophies as they've been decommissioned, or the events for which they were presented have folded.

Ironically, the cup in a photograph published of him with cow Cascade, after winning the Dannevirke show's Meat and Wool Challenge Cup for a third time when it was last presented in 2000, is not the revered trophy, although he can't recall why not, for they had won it the previous year.

He also recalls one champions trophy from the now-gone cattle section at the Central Hawke's Bay A and P Show was some years later presented for a "coal-shovelling" competition, he said.

So, what of Dannevirke's other trophies?

"We think there are three or four," said Mr Collin. "We've got two."

As for the entries? "We should have 40-plus. If we get 50 we will be over the moon."

Mr Collin said Dannevirke had, in the past, been seen as "a good show to get the calves under way," and the tradition seems to be ready to be revived, as breeders get their youngsters ready for the showing ahead, including the Future Beef expo in May.

Breeds expected are charolais, simmental, hereford, south devon, murray grey, gelbvieh, lowline, and dexter. Breeders from Wairarapa, Wanganui and Manawatu areas are expected.

Mr Thompson is making no predictions about the outcome at the Dannevirke show, saying it is a good time of the year to prepare the cattle for showing and it makes the competition tougher for the judges "on the day".

The stoic cattle show supporter may, however, be entering his own twilight, and says he is committed to show at the Royal Show in Hastings for the next two years.

Turning 70 this year, he worries about the numbers at the shows when he bows out, but said: "Perhaps the fact I'm not going to be there might stimulate the others."

The two-day Dannevirke show starts on Waitangi Day and is the last of the four in Hawke's Bay, adding to a cramped programme of events on the first weekend of the month.

While the show has traditionally coincided with the first Saturday of the month, in 2009 it was held the previous week, the last time January 31 was a Saturday.