​Memories of showing 4-H calves at the county fairs

Although I had been a member of the 4-H Garden Club for several seasons, 1954 saw my first venture into the Calf Club.

In the photo below, Gail and I are showing off “Lulu,” my first calf. I don’t remember, and Mum’s diary doesn’t tell me, whether she was born on the farm or whether we purchased her. It does say, however, that we got first prize at the Kincardine Fair and that we stood in the ring for two hours in Teeswater.



Next, came “Ruby” (below). Perhaps she was purchased at Roy Geddes’ sale. Not only did she have excellent results at several fairs but she became the mother of some of my 4-H calves in later years. “Ruth,” “Reta,” and “Rena” were all valuable members of the Pleasure Valley herd.



Mum insisted that “Ruby” missed me when I left for university; so, I was amused to read recently in an agricultural journal that cows form close friendships.

Each day when I see this True Type Holstein (below) on my mantle, a wealth of memories comes to me. “Ruby” was partly responsible for this award which was presented at the Bruce County Holstein Banquet in 1955. It signified that I had earned the most points in all the county dairy clubs – 925 out of 1,000. The Hollands family is proud that Gail and cousin Koleen also won this award, some of us more than once and with higher points.



The prize money we collected each year was put to good use. I shopped for the dress I wore at Commencement, and I made a sizable down-payment on a cedar chest. Sometimes, we received bags of calf feed instead of cash.

Nowadays, if I see young people circling the ring with their calves at a fair, I like to stop and watch, judging both the calves and the showmanship.

August, 2025
Ruth Anne Hollands Robinson