Can I say thank you to Mike Hasshill for writing to the NFU Countryside magazine regarding Dexters and cattle suitable for smallholdings. I was amazed when I read their initial article regading animals suitable for smallholdings, because when it came to cattle some British breeds were recommended including Herefords, but there was no mention of the Dexter! I have had the magazine by the computer for some time with the intention of contacting them to highlight the fact that they had overlooked an obvious choice. However, lack of time won the battle, so I am very grateful that Mike is far more organised than me, and wrote a super letter.
Could it be due to the DCS not advertising in Smallholder magazines, I wonder? I really do think that some promotional money should be spent on this.
Penny
NFU Countryside
Why spend money on advertising? I do not subscribe to NFU so was unaware, but all power to Mike for providing excellent free advertising. Most periodicals are happy to accept articles, and these are far more telling than adverts. Which is likely to stick in your mind longest, a half page advertisement, or the story of somebody’s success with the cattle, and some good pictures? We have pleas not to put the subs. up, why spend money when it can be achieved without?
I agree that free advetising is best, but Dexters are not in these magazines every month but potential buyers are always there. Speaking from personal experience, I started with a Shetland cow, because I saw the breed advertisement in a magazine. It is easy to forget that not everyone is familair with Dexters unless they go to shows. Infact, I have just had someone on the phone tonight enquiring about Dexters in comparison to Highlands and Belties, and they commented on the fact that that there was not much help in knowing where to start.
Not everyone has access to the internet. I have not had time to think for long about this ( and my brain sometimes requires a good length of time to think things through!), but if you do not have the internet, and you do not attend shows, how are you going to find out about the Dexter Cattle Society?
I'm not asking for subscriptions to go up, but for looking at where the money is best spent. When there are seemingly a large amount of stock for sale, promoting the breed in a regular magazine could be good value for all members. It does not have to be large or cost a lot.
Not everyone has access to the internet. I have not had time to think for long about this ( and my brain sometimes requires a good length of time to think things through!), but if you do not have the internet, and you do not attend shows, how are you going to find out about the Dexter Cattle Society?
I'm not asking for subscriptions to go up, but for looking at where the money is best spent. When there are seemingly a large amount of stock for sale, promoting the breed in a regular magazine could be good value for all members. It does not have to be large or cost a lot.