Other Breed Societies - info for comparison

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 5:06 pm

Here is a quote from this weeks "Scottish Farmer" entitled " 'Baptism of fire' for new breed sectretary"

"The Highland cattle breed might be facing a renewed export interest and is now increasing its membership, but its administration is going through a period of considerable change.
Enduring a "baptism of fire"at Oban, during the sale and the Highland Cattle Society's agm, was the new breed secretary, Peter Hollins. In an address to the agm, he promised 100% commitment to the breed and went some way towards spiking the guns of those who later questioned the way in which he was appointed.
Mr Hollins was recently given the job after three recommendations had been considered for the postiion of HCS secretary and two had been interviewed. His appointment followed the resignation of former secretary, Hamish Wilson, last year, which incurred a £20,000 'golden handshake' in the society's accounts. Along with the loss of £9500 in 'gift aid' tax releif from the Treasury (which has now been rectified) this meant that the HCS made a loss of £28,000 in the last financial year.
Members at the agm highlighted the fact that no proper herd book had been produced by the society for some years. Former president, Angus MacKay, from Bridge of Earn, said it was appalling that the fundamental basis of any breed society's administration, the production of a herd book, had been allowed to lapse.
He told the meeting: 'The last time this happened was in 1941, when there was a gap of four years. No one can convince me that conditions today are in any way the same as then. It is council's responsibility to ensure the publication of the herd book and this delay must never be allowed to happen again'.
Mr Hollins confirmed that a revised stud bood for 2002 was in the pipeline, and the production of newer volumes would be his priority in the next few months.
A few members, led by a couple of breeders from Aberdeenshire,, Charlie Bruce and Alex Garrick, questioned whether, in a new international market, Oban was the right venue for the breed's main sales. Re-elected president, Donald McGillivary, from Mull, said that the incoming council would discuss this and other problems - 'There will be no sweeping issues under the carpet', he promised.
The agm also heard how the breed was embarking on a new DNA database, beginning with the DNA profiling of the 2006 crop of bull calves. All those which are to be registered will have to be DNA tested, though the cost of this will be borne by the HCS, said Andrew Kirkpatrick, the outging chairman of the breed development council.
And, despite the annual loss of £28,000, the finance committee's Ian Bowie said that heifer registration costs would be reduced from £15 to £10, in an effort to encourage more breeders to register their stock. Elected to the council were Alastair Harrison, Archie MacGillivary, Angus McKay and Hugh McPhail."

I thought this piece made interesting reading. Despite not producing a proper Herd Book they have managed to produce a 150 page "Journal" along the lines of that proposed for the DCS. Of the 150 pages about half are very glossy adverts for herds - could we sell that number of pages of ads every year? And I can't help wondering if those who produced the journal would have been better employed producing a herd book. At the moment our Bulletin is produced without impingeing on the office's capabilities to produce a herd book. I note that they are reducing the fees to register a female to £10, whilst some feel we are too expensive at that figure. The bull registration which will apparently include the DNA, was £70.50 in 2005.

Perhaps our Council and past and present secretaries do not too bad a job!!

Duncan

Woodmagic · Post by **Woodmagic** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:11 pm

Fascinating reading, I think we are now on the up and up, and it is good to know we didn’t reach the depths criticised here. I suspect the readiness to pay for expensive advertisements in their Year Book is a reflection of the price they can expect for their stock. This needs to be taken in account when one does comparisons on registration fees. Have you any idea of average bull prices?
I certainly endorse the remarks on the fundamental basis of any breed society's administration, being the production of a herd book; we were getting dangerously near ignoring it. The continental societies lost theirs during the war, and it makes their pedigrees virtually worthless.
I sense enthusiasm in Council now, and hope we shall see real progress. . Members must be prepared to do their part, you can never satisfy everybody all the time, but I sense real movement, and am prepared to be patient.

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 6:59 pm

Recent Oban Highland sale,

aged bulls (3) ave £2275
senior bulls (6) ave £3675
two yr old bulls (18) ave £1716
yearling bulls (7) ave £987

Yearling heifers (16) ave £397
2 year old heifers (21) ave £648
3 year old heifers (14) ave £987
senior heifers (14) ave £1578

Bear in mind that they may be 5 before the heifers do anything useful.

My grandfather managed two prominent Highland herds (folds) in the early 20th century, so I always feel a bit disloyal having taken on the Dexter as my breed of choice, but the production possible from a Dexter leaves the Highlander standing.

Duncan

MAB · Post by **MAB** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:24 pm

I am very new to keeping Dexters so this may qualify as a daft question but is there an equivelent show & sale for Dexters and if there is what are the prices on a like for like basis?

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 8:53 pm

2006 Melton Mowbray show and sale prices

Cows (15) ave £569
senior heifers born 2004 (8) ave £739
junior heifers born 2005/6 (10) ave £431
bulls (5) ave £816

animals failing inspection (5) ave £180

Notice the difference in senior heifers, Dexters are senior heifers at 2-3 yr old, Highland not till 4-5yr old.
I am not certain of inspections at Highland sales but those failing inspections at most pedigree sales do not go through the ring. The object of the inspection of the Dexters for years has been to raise the standard of cattle at the better pedigree sales and it is beginning to get results.

Duncan

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:07 pm

Luing sale Castle Douglas last week

Bulling heifers (109) ave £1683
in calf heifers (13) ave £1962
bulls (10) ave £7917

Duncan

Duncan MacIntyre · Post by **Duncan MacIntyre** » Sat Feb 17, 2007 9:20 pm

Aberdeen Angus, Perth, Feb 2007

Bulls (141) ave £4356
Females (25) ave £2543

Beef Shorthorn, Perth Feb 2007

Bulls (37) ave £3357
Females (17) ave £1713

Black Limoousins

Bulls (112 through ring out of 120 entered) ave £3706

Simmental and Charolais in Perth this coming week.

Duncan

Broomcroft · Post by **Broomcroft** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 4:28 am

Herd Book
---------------
It would be great if we could have an electronic herd book?

Just save it as a PDF and then we could search it. I don't mean replace the herd book with electronic only (but that would make it incredibly cheap to do), but have one as well and/or put it on the web site.

Clive

Kathy Millar · Post by **Kathy Millar** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 5:20 am

The North American Shetland Sheep Breeders Society went to a flockbook on CD as it really saves $$. However, I find it difficult to sit in my favourite chair in the sunroom and snoop through other people's doings while enjoying a cup of tea. Just doesn't feel the same sitting in front of a monitor.....You can buy a flockbook still but used to get it free with the yearly membership.

Inger · Post by **Inger** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 12:49 pm

Why do you say that a Highland heifer might not be useful until 5 years old Duncan? In NZ they calve at the same age as the Dexters. They have their first calf in their 2nd year.