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Council Update                                                             Posy Moody  |  NZH Manager




          Technical                                           and that the latest bull, NZH Riverton Tuck, is about
                                                              to start collection. Andrew Russo and Posy Moody are
            Days to Calving has been identified by NZ Herefords   planning to meet with the newly appointed LIC staff, to
          council as an important trait due to its strong correlation   discuss whether the two old bulls currently used in the 'no
          to fertility, so difficulties around recording the trait were   choice beef pack' need to be replaced with newer genetics
          discussed in length, with a decision that NZH President   more suited to today’s dairy market.
          would request action to be taken by ABRI to ensure DTC
          recording using internet solutions is user friendly. ABRI   Finance
          changed the system of recording but didn’t inform NZ
          Herefords, so since then recording levels of DTC has   There was discussion on whether cow fees needed to
          dramatically dropped off.                           be increased to reflect ongoing business costs and the CPI
            Development of a Supersires programme was discussed   increase which was decided at a previous council meeting.
          but it was decided there would be more value in creating   There was general consensus that it was not necessary to
          and promoting a NZH semen catalogue on the NZ       increase cow fees when a good profit has been made over
          Herefords website. Possible criteria for semen listed in the   the last couple of years. It was highlighted that most of
          catalogue was discussed such as including AI approval,   the profit is a result of live export and when live export
          proven sire, registered calves, HP index top 30%, where   ends, the profit will be considerably reduced.
          semen is held, vendor to determine price.
            Cristian Moreno Carcia's Lincoln University research   Hereford Prime report was tabled. Read more about
          paper was approved for publication. Information regarding   Hereford Prime on page 4.
          the research can be found on page 5.
            Igenity was discussed in length with further due   Beef Holdings Alan Cook (NZH representative for Beef
          diligence occurring by way of reviewing Igenity results   Holdings) said the work towards the removing the air
          from a trial which two councilors participated in.   conditioning units from the roof is progressing.
          After much discussion and further deliberation, the
          general agreement by council, was testing of bulls on a   Show and Sales The suitability of the National Bull
          commercial evaluation will happen regardless of NZH   Sale was discussed. Other suggestions included a sale
          involvement, therefore NZH needs to have a plan, and   on anything – cows, calves and bulls - important to keep
          it was preferential to be involved to get better, more   working with and developing relationships with stock
          accurate results. Read more about Igenity on page 9.  agents. It was queried how much motivation would there
            The procedure around the diagnostic report was    be for such an event. A celebratory/awards evening/
          discussed with everyone agreeing it was time consuming   education event to coincide with the opening of the bull
          and relies on breeder’s knowledge of the system and   sales was suggested, as well as ideas to collaborate with
          feeding back to PBB.  Posy Moody has been asked to   other breeds/PBB, another event (herd tours, Future Beef)
          discuss an improved procedure with Harry Faas (PBB).  and youth, to encourage good attendance. The show and
                                                              sale committee were asked to propose an event outline at
                                                              the next council meeting.
          Marketing

            Becks Tosswill (marketing consultant), Ani Leggett
          (social media consultant) and Kate Taylor (editor of the
          Hereford magazine) individually reported to council on
          their progress in delivering the marketing strategy and
          magazine. Ani discussed the importance of SEO (search
          engine optimisation) and shared the social media analytics
          which showed a growth in followers and engagement
          across all platforms (Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn).

          Youth

            Becs Paterson delivered a Youth report. Read more
          about the Youth’s progress on page 6.

          Semen Marketing

            The LIC contract was discussed with acknowledgment
          that NZH Cooper is now available for the export market

          4    |    NZ Herefords Newsletter. June, 2022                                       Hooked on Herefords
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