Murray Grey Newsbrief

April 2010

Australian Youth Ambassadors Visits

Thank you to all the members who hosted either Courtney Smith from Bendigo,Victoria or Kurt Wise from Katanning, Western Australia, or both of them!

They were both great ambassadors for the breed and got involved with rural life in New Zealand wherever they went. I’m sure we all learned as much from them as they did from us.

We look forward to read about their experiences when they settle down to normal life again. In the meantime we wait to hear who the winner for 2010 is and ask for volunteers to host the young person for two or three days.

Barry Buchanan, 80 Years Young

Life member Barry Buchanan celebrated his 80th birthday in February. Barry and Bebette have been keen supporters of the breed since its first arrival into New Zealand in the early 1970s and have been ground breakers for the breed over the years.

It is only now that they have decided to sell up and call it a day after 40 years of dedication. They imported the first ever live bull from Canada to New Zealand, and also marketed semen from another Canadian bull, as well as exporting semen and embryos including to Argentina.

Their Ballee stud is known around the country from top bulls sold at National sales and privately and participation at major shows over the years. A wonderful evening shared with children, grandchildren family and friends from his many interests proved an enlightening and humorous side to one of the breeds most stalwart supporters.

Beef Expo

Five entries have been put forward from three vendors, for the National Show and Sale at Beef Expo on May 18th to be held at the Manfeild Events Centre in Feilding.
Catalogues for the Beef Expo sale will be posted out to members shortly. This is an opportunity for all members to access some different genetics that vendors consider could have a positive impact on the breed.
The Society has a stand at Beef Expo at no charge due to our participation in the Expo.
Those members who wish to promote their stud by way of flyers, pamphlets or business cards can do so by sending the items to Lindy at PBB to be placed on the stand.

Best of Beef Competition

The Feilding AI & P association hold its Beef classes at the time of the Central Districts Field days, instead of at the same time as the regular Show. The Best of Beef competition is an All Breeds competition with six classes for registered Beef breeds and six classes for the Lifestyle cattle.

The Southern North Island Breeders club holds a display stand and all 35,000 spectators heading for the Fieldays have to walk down ‘Beef Street’ between the various stud cattle displays. This year Yorkvale Murray Greys entered four of the six classes and despite strong competition from the two Simmental studs with over 18 animals entered; two Hereford studs; and a South Devon stud; were thrilled to be placed 1st with a Yearling heifer, 1st with a Cow and calf, 1st with a bull calf and 2nd with a heifer calf.

In addition they were placed 2nd and 3rd in the Champion of Champions line up as well. Thanks to Courtney our Australian Ambassador who helped with the leading and probably caught the judges eye as much as the cattle! The competing animals taking it in turns to also fill the Murray Grey display pen over the three days of the event arousing much interest.

AGM / Special Meeting

A Special meeting will precede the AGM. The special meeting is being called to consider a reduction in the quorum for Annual meetings, in line with current membership levels. The AGM will take place on the 17th May at 5.00pm.

Location: Ballee Stud (the home of Barry & Bebette Buchanan) 728 Mt Stewart & Halcombe Road, Feilding. The meetings will be followed shortly after by a meal. Please let Lindy know if you plan to attend so adequate provision can be made for those attending. Charge for the meal $30.00 per person. To be charged by the office to your account.

Murray Grey to be Feature Breed at Hawkes Bay A & P Show in October

The Hawkes Bay A & P Show committee has invited the Murray Grey Society to be the feature breed at the Hawkes Bay Show Oct 20-22, 2010 due to the breeds long time support. The Council has accepted the invitation and the Southern North Island breeders club will host a dinner and Club meeting during the Show.

This is an early notice to all members to start preparing your animals or at the very least, support the Show with your presence! Last year the Gelbviehs were the feature beef breed and three studs from the Waikato hired a truck to get 10 animals there and had a great showing and display. Further details in the next newsletter.

Murray Grey Team at Best of Beef March 10. Sue leading the Bull calf Exalt, Courtney leading the heifer Dandelion placed 2nd in the Meat and
Wool cup, Trevor leading the 2yr old Cow Clover placed third in the Meat and Wool cup and Trudy Robertson leading her calf Endeavour.

Murray Grey to be Feature Breed at Hawkes Bay A & P Show in October

The Hawkes Bay A & P Show committee has invited the Murray Grey Society to be the feature breed at the Hawkes Bay Show Oct 20-22 2010 due to the breeds long time support.

The Council has accepted the invitation and the Southern North Island breeders club will host a dinner and Club meeting during the Show. This is an early notice to all members to start preparing your animals or at the very least, support the Show with your presence!

Last year the Gelbviehs were the feature beef breed and three studs from the Waikato hired a truck to get 10 animals there and had a great showing and display. Further details in the next newsletter.

Photo Competition

Thank you for entries in the recent Yearling bull photo competition. The winner was: Kotare Nimbus 0624080057 DOB 27/07/08 Sire is Kotare Ross. Dam is Kotare Nicene From the Kotare Stud of Wayne & Jean Allerby.

Council have decided to run with another class for rising 2 year old heifers, to be photographed during April and May.

Please get your entries in by June 30th. State name and birth date of the animal, sire and Dam.

They can be posted or emailed to Lindy Lawrence at PBB, P.O.Box 503, Feilding 4740. A charge of $2.00 per photo is made. All entries will be featured in Progress later in the year, a chance to showcase your stock to a wider audience.