Figure 1.--
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Figure 1.-- |
Calf Day began in the days when agriculture dominated the New Zealand economy. The Calf Day celebrations at New Zealand schools highlight the country's rural roots and continuing importance of the agricultural sector. Agriculture is still important, but no longer dominate. Many rural schools continue the tradition of calf day. Children at many rural schools look forward to calf day and to show off there often most prised possession. It is called calf day, but the children can bring any kind of animal that they have been caring for. Some of the most common animals are calves and lambs, but a wide variety of animals are brought to school--especially at elelementary school.
Q: What have you been doing to get your lamb ready for calf club?
Hannah: Well I always train my lamb every morning and every night. I take it outside, take it for a walk, take it down the back of the farm and give it the licking brick
Q: What's the licking brick?
Hannah: Its a stone brick that's got salt all over it and its good and healthy for them.
Q: What do you think the judges are looking for?
Hannah: Basically all nice and tidy
Q: What do you think the judges are looking for in the Leading section?
Cameron: Good lamb and good leaders.
Q: What do you have to remember when you are doing Call, Follow and Run?
Sheree: You have to try not to look back and call your lamb.
Q: And your lamb is supposed to follow you?
Sheree: Yes. They're looking for perfect lamb, perfect calling and good caring for your lamb.
John Murray (parent and lamb judge) talking about the
Call, Follow and Run section: You call them to the first peg and then you walk to the second peg (this is all without a lead) with the lamb following. Then you go from the second to the third peg running and hopefully the lamb will run after you. Then you stop and put the lead back on.
And if all goes well you might get a ribbon...
