Bull calf Hagrid lives up to his name
A bull calf named Hagrid has lived up to his name in a competition between two DairyNZ research and development farms to raise the heaviest calf for IHC.
Hagrid, raised by Brendan Graham and Odette Chauncy from Scott farm near Hamilton took out the annual competition, weighing in at 232kg. Robby, raised by Ashleigh Wennham and Abby Miller from Lye farm was the runner up, weighing in at 219kg.
The competing calves were selected based on a number of qualities including, a large boned frame, good colour, overall health and of course, they must be a good keen drinker.
The calves were fed as much as they wanted to drink at two feeds each day. Lye farm manager Bruce Sugar says, “Any secret formulae shall remain a secret.”
Both calves sold for $700 each at the Frankton Sales on Wednesday 22 November.
“We’re always keen to see the outcome of this competition,” says Greg Millar, IHC National Manager of Fundraising. “The competition and proceeding sale is especially encouraging this year for IHC.”
In July IHC made the call to suspend its transfer and sales of livestock due to the threat of Mycoplasma bovis. This year, farmers had the option of donating a virtual calf or to sell a calf on behalf of IHC at a regular sale.
Although IHC has made changes to their scheme, the threat of Mycoplasma bovis has had little effect on Scott and Lye farm’s ability to sell calves. With a few added precautions in place, it’s business as usual. “Our regular calf buyers were not allowed in our calf pens. Both their boots and vehicles also had to be disinfected before accessing our farms,” says Bruce.
IHC would like to encourage people who want to continue to support people with intellectual disabilities to head to www.ihc.org.nz/pledge and donate in any of the following ways:
- Take part in our virtual rural scheme by donating $300 (or $25 a month) in lieu of livestock
- Register a calf to IHC that that you would rear alongside your replacement heifers or dairy beef, and then send as part of the normal sale of your surplus calves.
- Register a pledge of other livestock or produce
Story caption: Brendan Graham (L), Farm Manager Ben Fisher and Odette Chauncy (R) with Hagrid from Scott Farm, weighing in at 232kg.
