Country's sights and animals in the town

Former All Black Richard Loe banters with the crowd during judging of the New Zealand Golden Lamb Awards at the Upper Clutha A&P Show yesterday, while fellow judge Jools Topp, of the Topp Twins ranks the final contestants.
Former All Black Richard Loe banters with the crowd during judging of the New Zealand Golden Lamb Awards at the Upper Clutha A&P Show yesterday, while fellow judge Jools Topp, of the Topp Twins ranks the final contestants.
The characters, sights, sounds, and tastes of the country came to town yesterday when the 73rd Upper Clutha A & P Show got under way in Wanaka.

At midday, nearly 40 tractors rolled into town for a circuit of Wanaka's CBD, before the group parked up en masse in Pembroke Park as part of the 2010 South Island Tractor Trek charity drive for child cancer.

Meanwhile, tasting was under way for the 2010 Glammies Award, as celebrity judges Jools and Lynda Topp, of the Topp Twins, former All Black hardman Richard Loe, and chefs Graham Hawke and Michael Coughlin settled in for an extended lunch of lamb, lamb, and more lamb.

The group awarded the fourth New Zealand Meat and Wool Golden Lamb Award to Feilding-based farmers Hugh and Helen Winder, of Fairlea Texels.

Guy Bassett, of Sheffield, shows his Boer Goat in a line up for judging. Photos by Matthew Haggart.
Guy Bassett, of Sheffield, shows his Boer Goat in a line up for judging. Photos by Matthew Haggart.
The pair won the Grand Champion award from four other section winners chosen from the 20 finalists from around the country.

The inaugural Upper Clutha Show merino ram auction was called a "huge success" by PGG Wrightson auctioneer John Duffy.

All 15 of the merino rams on show were sold for an average price of $1970, he said.

Two rams tied for the top price of $3600; bred by farmers Tony Jopp, of Moutere Station, near Omakau, and Gordon Lucas, of Nine Mile Estate, near Tarras.

Judging for the increasingly popular A&P show category of Boer Goats had many breeders lining up with their animals.

Originating in South Africa, the breed has an affinity for the dry back-country conditions of Central Otago, with many farmers establishing sizeable herds here, Guy Bassett, of Sheffield, told the Otago Daily Times.

Bred primarily for its meat-producing qualities, in South Africa the Boer Goat outnumbers sheep and is a popular cut of meat at local markets there, Mr Bassett said.

The Upper Clutha A & P Show concludes today, with the grand parade of show winners scheduled for 12:45pm, after the ever-popular Jack Russell race at 12:15am.