Event organising committee co-chair Lawrence Satherley says because of Mycoplasma bovis the event has not been held for the past two years and the uncertainty created by covid-19 affected this year’s turnout.
Bearing that in mind, he says the 270 cows entered compared well with the 400 that were part of the event the last time it was held.
“We’re rapt with it. It’s a unique event that usually brings together animals from North Cape to Bluff,” Satherley said.
“We haven’t run it for two years but this year’s entries are a good start.
“We’ve got the best animals from around the country. There’s some top cows here.”
There were entries from as far south as Ashburton and as far north as South Auckland.
Enjoying the competition and camaraderie at the NZ Dairy Event are Jacova Gread, of Morrinsville, and Ella and Julie Pirie of Ngatea.
Youth are traditionally an important part of the event and Satherley says this year was no different.
“There’s more young people involved in this event than any other, except the Young Farmers competition,” he said.
“They love their animals and they’re passionate about the industry.”
Julie Pirie, who travelled to the event from Ngatea on the Hauraki Plains with her daughter Ella who was taking part in the youth competition, says the event is educational and provides young people with encouragement.
“It’s not just about pretty cows. It’s about learning things like animal husbandry and what makes a good cow,” Pirie said.
This year was the third time she has attended the event and despite the lower than usual number of people there, the standard of the cows was very high.
“It would be nice to see more (people), but you really had to work for your ribbons,” she said.
