MATT BROWN
Fewer sheep in the region, at least compared to the good old days, doesn’t mean easier competition.
Close to 40 sheep, from Corridales to Suffolks, are expected to go toe-to-toe in the sheep section at the upcoming Marlborough A&P Show.
A&P Show sheep section organiser Chris Bowron, a sheep and beef farmer his whole life, says most breeds in Marlborough are still fairly strong, albeit now up the Awatere.
But the profit-driven move to grapes has hurt Marlborough’s stud stock.
“The farming on the flat used to be sheep fattening, cropping and probably market gardens.
“Virtually all of it has been pushed aside because of the wine industry. There was variation, before.
“The effect has been about an 80% reduction in the entries of the sheep section.”
He says there are a few hardy sheep farmers sticking it out in central Marlborough, as well as a few new, small-scale meat breed studs.
But the competition is still expected to be tight.
“It’s advertising for your stud.
“I’ve always been a commercial farmer. You buy the breed,” Chris says.
A new judging section, for commercial farmers, will see whole flocks judged. Judging the product, Chris says, instead of the stud.
Different breed classes will be looked over by independent judges and marked against specific criteria at Blenheim’s A&P Park sheep shed in November.
Wool types, such as Merinos of course, as well as Corridales and Romney are expected while Chris says he hopes to see some new meat types in this year’s competition.
“We’re hoping the meat breed section of the show has some new breeders this year,” he says.
“A Hampshire stud started recently, too, which isn’t common in New Zealand.”
Chris hopes bringing the countryside to town in November will “let the people in town know the countryside is still there.”
One of the Marlborough A&P Show organising committee for about a decade, Chris says the show is a part of history.
“The committee is always working hard to keep it going and keep interest up,” he says.
He says besides the formal judging, there will also be a well-supported fleece competition and the ever-popular Gift Sheep competition with some amazing prizes donated by generous supporting businesses.
This year’s A&P is the region’s 149th show, and has for the first time in it’s long history it has changed days.
The show will take place on Saturday and Sunday this year – instead of the traditional Friday and Saturday.
Chris says there are only two shows missed in history – one during the war and one in the first year of the Covid pandemic.
