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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