The show goes on

Be it pet calf, prized cattle beast or preserved fruit, the Otago-Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society's 150th anniversary show next week promises to stir rural passions. It might even prompt some to breed, writes Shane Gilchrist.

Next weekend will be a big one for those who live at Bonacord Farm, on the Taieri.

Cows will be shampooed, their coats clipped, udders cleaned.

Like their owners, the Allison family, the animals will break with dairying's daily routines and head to a show.

And it's not just any show.

Next weekend marks the 150th anniversary event for the Otago-Taieri Agricultural and Pastoral Society.

It is hardly news that the day of a dairy farmer begins in the small hours.

However, next Saturday alarms will bray a little earlier in the Allison household, sometime around 3.45am, though dad Kelly suspects his oldest boy, 5-year-old Fynn, might not need any aural prompting.

"Fynn usually gets up fairly early.

"He gets hyped up, ready for the day.

"By about 2pm, after the grand parade, the kids hit the wall ...

"We'll be up nice and early to get the milking done then load the cows and take them to the show.

"We have to be there by 7am-7.30am."

For the Allison family, the show is notable because it includes among its competitions the South Island Ayrshire championship.

"Not one of the big breeds", chewing their cud in the shadow of the higher-producing hybrid beasts, Ayrshire dairy cattle nevertheless have a strong Otago connection, Mr Allison says.

"Ayrshire are from Scotland.

"They were first landed up the Otago Harbour ... over the years their popularity has dwindled a wee bit," explains Mr Allison who, despite the demands of a 600-strong dairy herd, is currently enjoying a run of success, having won "supreme dairy animal" ribbons at the recent South Otago and Milton shows.

Dairy cattle aside, next weekend's show features categories for pets (hence young Fynn's entry in the pet calf section), sheep, wool, dairy and beef cattle, dogs, dairy goats, baking and preserves, as well as a range of equestrian events.

Mr Allison, the immediate past president of the Otago-Taieri A and P Society, has been going to shows for as long as he can remember.

Like his three children, he was introduced to the rural showcase by his parents; by the time he turned 5, he was "actively involved".

"I enjoy it and have carried on with it.

"I have a brother and sister but, at this stage, I am the only one actively involved in the dairying business and in breeding and showing dairy cattle.

"There is obviously kudos in doing well in shows.

"You build up a name of having quality stock.

"I don't play golf, so in the summer time we do showing.

"You become involved with the breed society. There are field days and herd walks.

"There is a lot of camaraderie among breeders, which is nice.

"When we get to a show as an exhibitor we are very much focused on winning or doing the best we can, but once the serious part of the showing is over we have a job to relate to the public.

"I have no problem when people ask if they can pat the calves or want to talk about the cows.

"I get the biggest satisfaction in seeing my son doing well with his pet calf.

"He comes back beaming from ear to ear.

"The best he has done is a second."

Mr Kelly concedes there is a fine line in maintaining the tradition of an A and P show while also attracting younger people or those from a more urban background.

"It is quite a tricky one.

"You have to try to maintain tradition but look to move with the times.

"Some of the things we've tried to do is look at getting attractions that are not strictly agricultural but might bring in a crowd, such as the Topp Twins or Levi the Mitre 10 man [both of whom will appear next weekend].

"We've had motocross in previous years.

"It's about trying to get a balance, sticking with our mission statement of excellence in the agriculture sector, or something like that, and also get as many people out of Dunedin along to the show.

"For many people, it's the only contact they have with some rural activities.

"They come along and see the sheep, cattle, tractors and things.

"I think our biggest issue - and we are not alone in this - is attracting newer, younger members to the movement and getting them to help run shows and other activities.

"I know the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand is focused on developing youth.

"I've gone to a conference last year where I was a minority because I was in my 30s ... you have got a lot of retired-age people."