Mr Wedge, a retired farmer, has spent the past 25 years as an honorary life member and four years as patron, and it was ''time to make a break'', he said.
He followed in his father's footsteps in joining the committee and was president in 1965, while his son, Nicholas, also later became president.
Mr Wedge, who is in his 80s, said he enjoyed the camaraderie involved and also being able to give something back to the community in a voluntary role.
One of the biggest changes was the cost of running a show when it came to entertainment, but showing livestock was something that had not changed, he said.
He might have missed one show, when he was in Canada, but he reckoned he had hardly ever missed an annual meeting.
Mr Wedge has also been the association's long-serving historian and was involved with the compilation of the booklet written by author K.
C. McDonald to mark the association's centenary. The association marked its 150th anniversary earlier this year.
After going through old minute books, he has recorded written snippets that were of historic value.
A lot of people were not aware that it was the North Otago A&P Association that was responsible for the erection of the Brydone Monument, on top of Sebastapol Hill at Totara, just south of Oamaru.
It was in recognition of Thomas Brydone, the principal founder of the frozen meat trade, and was unveiled in 1907.
''At a meeting, they discussed whether to build that monument ... or donate a bursary to Waitaki Boys' High School ... it was 50:50 and the president had the casting vote and he chose the monument,'' Mr Wedge said.
Without having an official position, he would have more time to look around the show, which was held in February, he said.