Calf club days around the country are being put on hold or cancelled because of fears of spreading the disease, which has seen cattle banned from some A&P Shows.
However, a group of Waikato farmers has come up with a failsafe idea that carries zero risks and allows children to enter calf clubs and compete against others without having to leave the farm.
On a Facebook page farmers suggested running an online club.
Joshua Herbes of Own Real Experience offered to build a website where children could enter and upload photos of them with their calves.
“We launched Calf Club New Zealand last month and the response has been incredible,” Herbes said.
“In the first nine hours there were 150-200 entries and our small post went viral on Facebook with more than 130 shares.”
Herbes, along with Waikato dairy farmer Michelle Burgess will run the site, which is simple to use.
Along with a photo, entrants can tell the story of their calf.
“As well as the basic details about the calf they can tell us about their experience – what they are doing or have learnt about looking after a young calf.”
Pre-schoolers will compete in the social league and all other age-groups can elect to enter the formal league and judging when they enter.
“People will be able to vote online and once we have the top 10 calves in each category, judges will visit those children and their calf on-farm.
“They will be able to show off their training, grooming and leading skills just as they would at Calf Club Day at their school.”
Details of cattle classes and categories are still to be worked out but several sponsors have come forward to support the initiative.
“Everyone has been hugely supportive.
“This is something for farmers by farmers and it is really cool to see the industry come together.
“This is a vital link to the dairy farming industry and it needs to be preserved.”
While farmers would prefer to keep calf clubs going in schools the current situation means that is not possible.
“The dairy industry is so important to NZ and M bovis has already done enough damage.
“It is up to the people that can to ensure that this does not destroy this iconic rite of passage for our children.
“We believe that many important skills and ethics are taught through this amazing experience and the breakout should not take this away from the kids.”
The annual tradition of calf club dates back to 1911 when a Boys Agricultural Group in Otago held the first recorded event.
Originally the day was known as Calf Club even though children exhibited animals like lambs and goats.
Today, with fewer children having access to farm animals the day has become known, in some areas, as Pet, Livestock or Agriculture Day with events for all classes of animals, pets and handcrafts.
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For further information or to register your calf go to www.calfclubnz.co.nz
Entries close August 20.
