YOUNG FARMERS' CLUB

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 1, 22 August 1944, Page 7

YOUNG FARMERS' CLUB

INSTRUCTION IN CATTLE

JUDGING

VISIT TO FARM

Continuing on a lecture given by Mr Neil Carter at his farm McGar-

vey Road, on Tuesday on cattle .judging the Wlmkatane branch of the Young Fanners' Club together with three representatives of the YVaimann branch attended a further field period on Wednesday when an opportunity was given for the boys to judge a cow themselves. The first judging was done, on the points method. In this fashion, points are given out of a total of a certain percentage being allotted to tlio head, neck ? body; udder; colouring; skin and general appearance etc. A number of the boys were very close, in their allotment of points to those given the cow by Mr Carter himself who also judged it for comparison, and from these a team of three was selected to compete.against the te,am from Waimana in another contest. Two cows were brought forward t but a different method of Judging was used. The two teams were required not only to place the cows in. their positions of Ist and 2nd but also to give reasons for their selection, and placing.

Although the margin was very close, the Whakatane boys were deemed, the winners. 1

As. cattle judging is a very necessary part of successful farming the boys of the Young" Farmers' Club are indeed fortunate in having so handy a complete farm where they may go, even for an hour and receive instruction in the practical side of this work. Many of the boys showed a distinct aptitude for it and the possession of such ability should no doubt go a long way towards making them into successful farmers* When both teams had completed their papers and handed them in, Mr Carter pointed out the difference in the two cows and explained the points bj r which one took supremacy over the other. In he spoke briefly on the necessity for using proven herd sires when breeding, and used as an example an illustration of a champion Friesian sire. The team which competed for Whakatane on Wednesday will probably be entered in the Stephenson Cup contest which is to be held in the near future in which, judging by the standard shown on Wednesday it should stand a good chance of success.