About the Calf & Rural Scheme

IHC’s Calf & Rural Scheme has been raising money to support people with intellectual disabilities and their families in rural areas of New Zealand for 40 years.

You can pledge livestock and when they are sold the sale price is donated to IHC. Many farmers now choose to donate a virtual calf. This gift can be made as a one-off donation or a regular contribution.

Pledge a calf or lambsMake a donation

How to get your calf to sale

Donating livestock to the scheme is simple:

  1. CONFIRM your pledge with IHC and we will send you a pink IHC eartag
  2. SELECT & TAG your IHC calf with both your NAIT tag and the pink IHC tag
  3. INFORM your sales agent of the IHC calf or calves coming with your lot
  4. WRITE “IHC calf” on the ASD form going in with your IHC calf
  5. CONTACT your local transporter to arrange collection

If you aren’t able to send your calf, calves or other animals to sale with your own lot, IHC can pay to get them there, just let us know. It is then likely to be sold in a blended lot to get the best possible price.

1 Confirm your pledge with IHC and we will send you a pink ear tag.
2 Select and tag your calf with both your NAIT tag and the pink IHC tag.
3 Inform your sales agent of the IHC calf or calves coming with your lot.
4 Write 'IHC calf' on the ASD form going in with your IHC calf.
5 Contact your local transported to arrange collection.

Enter the 2025 IHC Calf & Rural Photo Competition

Do you have some awesome farm photos? This is your moment to show them off!

The categories are:

  • Farm Animals – Snap your favourite farm buddies and you could win a $100 Prezzy Gift Card.
  • Working on the Farm – Share those hardworking farm moments for a chance to win a $100 Prezzy Gift Card.
  • IHC Calf – Capture those adorable calves featuring the IHC Allflex pink ear tag and you could win a $150 Prezzy Gift Card.

Submit your entries online at www.ihc.org.nz/csphoto

Entries close Friday, 31 October 2025 at 4pm.

Winners will be decided by public vote – so keep an eye on our Facebook page in November for updates.

Enter now
IHC Calf & Rural Scheme Photo Competition 2025. Image of three dogs sitting in an old truck on a bright, sunny day on the farm.

How you will help

You can read about how kind donors to the Calf & Rural Scheme are helping people in rural communities in our IHC Calf & Rural Scheme newsletters.

Canvassing

IHC currently has canvassers visiting farms or telephoning to sign people up to the Calf & Rural Scheme.

Contact us

If you have any questions, contact us at calf@ihc.org.nz or phone us on 0800 442 500.

Our sponsors

IHC is very grateful for our sponsors support, and we thank PGG Wrightson in particular for their long and generous support.

Get involved with IHC