Mum Nicky Gill, who milks around 300 cows on 100ha at Maketu in the Bay of Plenty with partner Daryl, agrees.
When trying to get Autumn on her feet for her photoshoot, Nicky laughs that Calf Club calves do what they want, when they want – outside of the ring that is.
“They know they’re the special ones, because they get to sneak in and have milk with the little babies,” Nicky said.
“When you open the gate and let them into the calf shed, you see them instantly making their way through the others.”
Pongakawa School students Lexi, eight, and her brother Conrad, five, both have calves entered in this year’s Calf Club NZ competition.
Lexi’s calf Autumn is an Ayrshire, born July 23, while Conrad’s calf, Galaxie, is a Friesian, born July 26.
He describes Galaxie’s black markings as silvery, hence the extra-terrestrial name.
Both children have had Calf Club calves since an early age.
“Conrad had his first calf, Bambi, when he was at Playcentre,” Nicky said.
“He took her to school Ag Day – he must have been two – and led her around the ring perfectly.
“It was so cool to watch.”
Conrad’s second calf Bumblebee was entered into the competition in 2019, and training is under way with Galaxie for this year’s competition.
“My favourite thing to do is lead Galaxie around the ring,” he said.
Conrad also loves cleaning Galaxie.
“I even shined her hooves,” he said.
This will be Conrad’s first year of formal judging, as pre-school entrants are judged socially.
Lexi has had four Calf Club calves: Lightning was her first, followed by Patrick (unable to compete due to M. bovis), Trixie in 2019, and Autumn this year.
Conrad and his Calf Club calf, Galaxie. Conrad enjoys leading his calf and grooming her.
“Each year the Calf Club calves build a strong bond with each other, and they become lifelong friends,” Nicky said.
“It’s quite amazing. Lightning and Bambi are still best friends; they are always in the same row in the shed, and they are always together in the paddock. And it’s the same with Trixie and Bumblebee.
“Bambi is still waiting to calve so we’re hopeful the pair will be reunited soon.”
Nicky says the family are very thankful for everyone involved in making Calf Club NZ available to all kids.
“They are keeping Calf Club alive and fun through M. bovis, and hopefully it can keep going well into the future, even once M. bovis is under control,” she said.
Calf Club NZ marketing manager Josh Herbes says registrations for the competition were tracking really well.
“Registrations are coming in daily, and on August 17 we were at 247 entries – already well over last year’s 180 entries.”
Children have until September 1 to submit their entries for the 2020 competition. Go to www.calfclubnz.co.nz to enter.
