Beef cattle entries drop at Waikato shows but passion remains strong

Julia Leask gives Vin Diesel a wash ahead of the Waikato A&P Show. Photo / Steve Edwards

While entries in beef cattle classes at agricultural and pastoral shows may be waning, there is still great satisfaction for those who continue to take part.

Liam Leask, 8, had bragging rights at home near Matamata after winning the junior handler’s title at the Waikato A&P Show.

“He has the trophy, so is one up on me,” laughed his mother and fellow entrant Julia Leask.

She also had a pretty good day at Claudelands Showgrounds in Hamilton, being named reserve champion in both the senior cow and junior bull sections after taking out her respective classes.

However, Julia and some of her fellow competitors, as well as A&P Show officials, are becoming increasingly concerned about falling entries and the viability of such events.

Morrinsville Agricultural & Pastoral Society president Bruce McRobbie said there was just one entry in the beef section at this year’s show.

The Morrinsville Show schedule was out at the end of November, and he’s adopting a “wait-and-see” attitude regarding whether the beef class will go ahead in 2025.

McRobbie said Covid affected entries dramatically.

“Old exhibitors have not come back in, and younger ones are not coming through.”

Leask has been showing beef cattle for the past two years; she agreed the situation was compounded by Covid.

“It put a bit of a stop on it, and it’s not come back.”

Growing up on a farm between Matamata and Te Aroha, she started out with calf club at primary school.

After a stint in Morrinsville, she returned to the land with her husband Dave.

They run a 7ha lifestyle block on Morrinsville-Walton Rd.

“I always wanted to come back to farming.”

Speckle specialist

Liam and Julia Leask grooming Vin Diesel and Thunderbird respectively before the Waikato A&P Show. Photo / Steve Edwards

Leask started out with a “couple of heifers” from Premier Cattle Co. near Cambridge, which specialises in Speckle Park and Murray Grey breeds.

Speckle Park became her breed of choice.

“They are beautiful to look at.”

With a name derived from its spotted or speckled pattern, the breed was developed in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan in 1959 and originated from British White Park crossed with a Shorthorn/Angus.

Leask said Speckle Park cattle boasted wonderful meat quality and “do well just on grass”.

After conducting some online research, she also found this breed had a good temperament and conformation for stock shows when up against all breeds.

She took a 2-year-old cow (Thunderbird) and yearling bull (Titan) to the Waikato A&P Show, while Liam made his debut in the calf ring with Thunderbird’s offspring Vin Diesel.

Cattle are judged on aspects including conformation, presentation, leading and behaviour in the show ring.

Leask said her entrants enjoyed a mixed diet of hay, grain and pasture while receiving a wash and clip close to show-day.

The Speckle Park animals are “awesome” to be around.

“They are inquisitive and intelligent.”

Derek Hayward, who runs Premier Cattle Co. with his wife Catherine, has not shown beef cattle for about 20 years.

“I enjoy it, but what am I getting out of it?” he said.

With the Speckle Park/Murray Grey breeding operation, plus, a 400-cow dairy herd, Hayward said he lacked time to compete in shows these days.

He could remember attending a Royal Show in Hawke’s Bay which saw 105 yearling bulls entered in a single class.

Entries decreasing

Julia Leask is concerned about falling entries in beef cattle classes at agricultural and pastoral shows. Photo / Steve Edwards

Numbers overall have been dropping back for several years, Hayward said.

“It’s a sign of the times.”

This was echoed by Liz Maslin, convenor of the beef section at Waikato A&P Show and president of the Cambridge A&P Society.

While 20 years ago the Claudelands’ event would have had 120 entries in the beef cattle classes, the November edition had 35.

“It’s been going down steadily,” she said.

“Showing is not high on people’s agenda.

“It’s unfortunate, but that’s the reality.

“It’s not easy out there.”

Maslin attributed this to a variety of factors including Covid and the cattle disease M. bovis, while some breeders had retired, and younger ones headed overseas.

“It just snowballs,” she said.

While those like Leask were an exception, Maslin said there were simply not enough young (or new) people coming through.

But she said good numbers remained in calf club sections and the hope was they would continue to senior ranks in the dairy and beef rings at A&P shows.

“That’s the only place growth will come from,” Maslin said.

“But they have got to have the bug.”

She said the cattle classes provided enjoyment and satisfaction for entrants through taking animals out and competing against others.

There was also a great deal of camaraderie involved in attending A&P shows, Maslin said.

“You meet people who have become friends over the years.

“They help and encourage one another.”