Posted: 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
"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