Page 115 - Hereford Magazine 2022

Left: Ella Beveridge, left, and Manaia Tiller at Future Beef 2021. Right: Intermediate Novice winner, Jack Robson from Oxford with NZ
Herefords general manager Posy Moody. Below: Tui Cave from Mangatoitoi Station, Gisborne, waits for the judge’s call.

Fourteen Otapawa steers destined for Hoof and Hook.
“As well as being the only beef-focused competition, this
competition brings like-minded people together, as well as Support for Hoof and Hook
newbies into the industry. It encourages them to see what
it’s all about and shows why the beef industry/agriculture Otapawa Station plans well ahead to offer steers to Future
industry is such a promising, challenging, and exciting Beef participants.
industry to be part of.” They have had a mob of 14 steers close to the yards
Originally run alongside AgInnovation and the former Beef since the start of the year to be handled every week,
Expo, the competition was founded in Feilding and played host groomed, and taught to lead.
to hundreds of competitors and supported countless young “The placid nature of the Hereford makes it an easy
people into careers in the beef industry, as well as teaching job,” says Maria Robbie, from Otapawa Poll Hereford Stud.
students through the competition’s school programme. She says FBNZ is an important event for youth with an
In 2018, the competition was moved from Manawatu to interest in all things agricultural.
Wairarapa. The Masterton Showgrounds venue was a hit, “It’s a hands-on weekend full of competitions, practical
providing a taste of the traditional A&P show experience. The learning-based skills, hands-on cattle showing and a big
2020 event was cancelled due to Covid-19. The 2021 competition helping of fun. Not all competitors have the opportunity
found a new home in Hawke’s Bay and was a success, with a to rear their own animal for the show, so it is an
pleasing number of entries and involvement from the local agri opportunity for Otapawa to put forward a cross section of
community. Once again, Herefords were at the forefront with our purebred and crossbred Herefords.
a Hereford steer winning the grand champion ribbon in the “It is a carcass competition for the steers; we find the
hands of champion handler Ella McWilliam. processor information extremely useful – a real time
The longevity of the competition is a testament to the insight into our breeding objectives, and it’s lovely to see
sponsors, committee, trustees and volunteers who ensure its kids out there giving it a go.”
smooth running, and shows it’s achieving what it set out to Maria was the official photographer last year.
– inspiring and encouraging the next generation of farmers, “So many familiar faces who are no longer competitors
agri professionals and agvocates. but running the event. It’s a bit of giggle because I don’t
FBNZ 2022 will be at the Tomoana Showgrounds Hawke’s feel that old!”
Bay 13 to 15 May. With record competitor numbers in 2021, the
committee’s focus is on growing the steer entries as well as
reintroducing heifers into the competition.

Year 2022 HEREFORD MAGAZINE 113