"Show" casing Lincoln

By Isabella Kerby

Kaikōkiri Toi | Curatorial and Collections Assistant; Associate Art Curator

As a foundation agricultural college, Lincoln University has a long history of participation and partnership with regional and national A&P Shows.

The School of Agriculture was originally founded in 1878 as a model farm (an extension to Canterbury College) to provide a practical agricultural education to the growing population of farmers, or farmers-to-be, in the province while, stressed by inaugural Director William Ivey, also being a place of research and scientific experimentation. A heavy focus of this research was to trial the crossbreeding of sheep and, by the turn of the century to produce high quality livestock for the stud market. For many years a member of the A&P Association also served on the Board of Governors.

The Christchurch Show was particularly an event for public relations for the College with the town community, and in 1931 the College started its regular display tent to showcase the research and educational activities at the College.

Professor Ian Blair’s 1956 account of the College history recalls, “By 1900 the College was being known throughout the colony for its livestock which were being sold far afield and were being exhibited at all the main shows in the South Island with no little success. On one occasion (1895) the College Border and Shropshire flock rams topped the market at the Christchurch Ram Fair. The price in each case was 5 guineas.”

Champion Corriedale Ewe, Ellesmere Show mid 1970s. Bred and exhibited by Canterbury Agricultural College.

1978 Champion Border Leicester Ewe, Ellesmere & Amberley A & P Show

He goes on to say, “Competition was keen and interest around the show rings intense as each breeder was striving for his ‘place in the sun’ in the stud stock world. One can imagine how well-pleased Director Bayne must have been in 1899 when ‘at great event of the year, the three days’ Show of the Canterbury A. & P. Association, the College was eminently successful.’ There follows a detailed list of 15 awards. including four first prizes. At Ellesmere the same year the College gained 43 awards, including 15 first prizes.”

Serving Dish, Award to CAC for Most Points Purebred Pigs, 1950

 

Our heritage collection features a large number of certificates, medals, and trophies awarded to the College for stock exhibited at the Royal Shows and provincial shows, and in some cases we even have an image of the same animal. The majority of these Show prizes cover the 1920s to the 1970s when such events were more frequent. These are testament to the quality of the College’s livestock and success of the research and work done by staff and students at Lincoln.

Bull, 3 year old, “Broadhook’s Stamp” (imp.) 1st and Champion at the Metropolitan Show, 1912.

Canterbury A&P Association medal, Awarded to Canterbury Agricultural College for Champion Shorthorn Bull “Broadhook’s Stamp”, 1912

More can be found at https://livingheritage.lincoln.ac.nz/nodes/view/97247