Murray Grey Newsbrief

December 2009

 

PRELIMINARY NOTICE
BALLEE STUD HERD REDUCTION

Established 1972
Available mid March 2010

20 MA Cows
Carrying International Bloodlines
7 R3 year Heifers
Most sired by Australian – Lerwick Park Zeppelin
Embryo & Semen Exported Worldwide
Produced Show & National Bull Sale Champions

Contact:
Barry & Bebette Buchanan Ph/Fax: 06 328 8599
728 Mt Stewart-Halcombe Road Email: ballee@xtra.co.nz
RD 9, FEILDING 4779

Bull Market 2009
Feedback from Studs this season indicated that there was a shortage of Murray Grey bulls to supply the enquiry this year.

Rule change
A rule change to reduce the number of members to makeup a quorum at the AGM has been put forward. It has been an ongoing issue for some years that we have struggled to get sufficient numbers to the AGM to form a quorum.

Proposed By-Law changes
As many members will know issues with serious inherited calf defects have arisen within the Angus breed. With Angus being used as a base for Murray Greys and also to widen the genetic base of Murray Greys in Australia there is a risk that these heritable problems could emerge within the Murray Grey Breed.
By-Law changes are being looked at to include testing for these heritable problems to hopefully avoid them arising within the Murray Grey breed.

Beef Meetings
AGM’s were held at the PBB offices for the following companies/ organisations;
*PBB which reported a small loss for the past financial year.
The net cash surplus from operations however improved $93,000 during the year.
Significant changes at PBB are;
The joining of the Devon Society to the PBB fold.
The purchase of the rights to HerdMASTER software. This is a fully integrated supply management and a lifetime traceability system. PBB will become actively involved in the sales and support of HerdMASTER Stud and Herd MASTER Commercial. This is a direct result of AngusPure asking that they develop a supply management and lifetime traceability solution for them.
*Steak of Origin
Steak of Origin will be much the same as last year.
A major change is that the tenderness testing will be done by Carne Technologies in Cambridge this time. The change has been made as the cost is significantly lower. As a result of this the initial taste testing will move to Hamilton instead of Christchurch.
More stringent regulations were planned for the semi final stage to improve uniformity in how steaks were cooked.
Prizes are to remain the same as 2009.
*Beef Expo
Beef Expo for 2009 recorded a small loss.
This year all animals are to be sold on the one day.
Currently the Society has received expressions of interest from 4 members to enter stock. Two members have expressed an interest in entering unled animals. This may not be possible given the constraints at the present.
Video selling is being considered for some animals. If this is put in place then this may free up space for entrants. It is expected that video selling of animals would cost an additional $250.00 each on top of the entry fee. The cost is due to the screen needed (a cost of $5000.00) plus the cost of the videoing.
*Beef Holding Company Ltd AGM
This is a relatively new company has been set up specifically to own the building in which PBB resides. The shareholders of the company are the Angus Society, Hereford Society, Simmental Society and PBB.
*Combined Societies Representative on the PBB Board
Timothy Plummer (from the Shorthorn Society) has been the representative for the combined societies for the last 2 years. He resigned at this meeting and has been replaced by the South Devon Society member Peter Foss. Peter had been the alternative representative (the representative who attends meetings if the board member is unable to). Trevor Clarke has been appointed as the alternative representative for the next 2 years.
The combined societies are; Charolais, Murray Grey, Shorthorn and South Devon.

PBB Service Agreement
The Service agreement between PBB and the various Breed Societies is currently under review.

Mystery Creek Fieldays
Wanted, preferably 15 to 18 month Heifers and Steers, Murray Grey or Murray Grey crosses are required for the Steak Sandwiches at the Murray Grey Stand. Animals are required between February and the end of May 2010. The contact person for stock supply is Allan Hayward phone. 07 827 1847

Australian Youth Ambassadors
Courtney Smith of Ganado Murray Grey stud, winner of the Youth Ambassador Study trip to New Zealand for 2008 will be in New Zealand from March 13th to April 9th 2010. The Society members are asked to host and deliver her to the next venue over the period of her visit. She arrives in Auckland and departs Christchurch. Wayne Allerby is coordinating her visit and will be contacting members to assist in the near future. Planned dates will include Central Districts Field days March 18-20th and Oxford Show on April 2nd where she is happy to assist with displays and grooming!
Kurt Wise the winner of the 2009 competition has also contacted the Society recently and would like to visit in February next year. If you are able to host Kurt during February please let Wayne know.

Pivot Design formerly PBB Graphics
The PBB Graphics Department is re-branding in the New Year. From early 2010 they will be known as “Pivot Design”.
Manager and Senior Designer Adele Gray says with the name change they will begin marketing themselves as a commercial design company based at PBBNZ.
She says the aim is to achieve a larger client base within the wider Manawatu and along with beef breeding members - new and current. They have the expertise, knowledge and equipment to offer as a core business of PBBNZ.
The Pivot Design team would like to thank all breeders for their support since opening in 1999 and Travis, Brett and Adele look forward to continuing their relationship with breeders under the new Pivot Design brand.

Transferring Animals
Members are reminded that they must complete a transfer form when selling registered animals to members of the Murray Grey Society.

Attention Photo Competition
- On line Photo Show
For those that would like to show but haven’t got the time to break in your cattle and take them to a show, the Society is holding a Virtual Show on line.
This may become a regular event if there is enough interest.
Photos may be posted to Lindy Lawrence, Performance Beef Breeders PO Box 503 Feilding or emailed to
lindy@beefbreeders.co.nz by March 6th 2010 entry fee $2.00 per photo
Prizes to be announced later!
Initially the class will only be for Yearling bulls born between 1st June 2008 and 31st May 2009 and photographed between Jan 1st and Feb 28th 2010
Please indicate with entry
Owners name and contact details
Animal’s name and herd number
Sire and dam, Birth date

Tips

• The animal can be in natural paddock condition but obviously the cleaner the better!
  It may be led or unled.
• Photo taken side view (aim camera at heart region level!) and try to get legs evenly placed and head facing camera with ears pricked.
• The entries will be posted on the Murray Grey Website and if there is enough interest a different class could be shown every 3 or 6 months. Prize winning photos will hopefully display at Mystery Creek Murray Grey stand in June.
• This is an opportunity for everyone both to see and display what stock is available around the country and encourage some communication between possible purchasers and sellers for your stock.
• Further suggestions from members to create interest would be appreciated.