Young Te Pahu calf handler takes top honours at Waikato A&P Show

Myra Smith, 8, and her award-winning calf, Bell, with Waikato A&P Show judge and DairyNZ area manager Willie McKnight.

For 8-year-old Myra Smith, weeks of caring for and preparing her Red Holstein Friesian calf, Bell, paid off when she took home the Champion Dairy Type title at the recent Waikato A&P Show at Claudelands.

The win recognised plenty of hard work, patience and commitment.

“When I won, I felt so happy,” Myra, from Te Pahu, southwest of Hamilton, said.

Behind the winning ribbon were weeks of brushing, leading and caring for Bell.

“Bell is a Red Holstein Friesian from Semex; her dad’s name is Pringle Red, and her mum’s name is Jingles,” she explained.

“Bell’s favourite food is marshmallows.

“I would brush Bell every day and lead her every second night.

“Leading was the hardest part of training her.”

Waikato A&P Show judge and DairyNZ area manager Willie McKnight said Ag Days helped children to develop skills that extended well beyond the show ring.

“Ag Days are about so much more than winning a ribbon.

“Children learn how to care for an animal, understand its needs and build a relationship with it.

“That takes patience, responsibility and a fair bit of resilience, and those are valuable skills, wherever life takes them.”

He said the Government’s decision to reinstate agriculture and horticultural science as a standalone Year 11 subject would help strengthen pathways into the sector.

“Keeping agriculture visible and accessible to young people is incredibly important for the future of dairy and the wider primary sector.”

McKnight said seeing children such as Myra put so much effort into caring for an animal was a reminder that there was plenty to be excited about in the future of farming.

“You see children gaining confidence, learning about animal welfare and handling, and picking themselves up when things don’t go exactly to plan.”