October 2021 NZHCS Newsletter

NEWSLETTER - OCTOBER 2021 RUMINATING REMINDERS OCTOBER • Bull Assessments take place this month • Purchase Calendars from: Anne Meyer, 56 Alfredton Rd, Eketahuna, MANAWATU, 4900. Email editor@ highlandcattle.org.nz • Remember to send in your transfers • Have you posted a photo, comment or funny story on our Facebook page this month?

NOVEMBER

• Keep Calving and mating records up to date and accurate • Have your photo competition entries in by 15 November 2021 • Show Season. Have you applied for your show passports? Contact: The Registrar, Cynthia Christie, 145 Somerton Rd, RD 2, Ashburton, 7772. Ph 03 302 2656. registrar@highlandcattle.org.nz

DECEMBER

• Celebrate Christmas at your NZHCS Branch Christmas function • Do you belong to our Facebook page? You can find us at: https://www.facebook.com/New-ZealandHighland-Cattle-Society-341025124091/ (or look up New Zealand Highland Cattle Society on Facebook).

COUNCIL CORNER

- GRADE B SCHEME - REGISTERING HIGHLAND COWS THAT HAVE NO PEDIGREES There has been concern for a number of years that in New Zealand there are high quality Highland cows that do not have any pedigrees, or pedigrees that are able to be recognised for entry into the NZHCS Herdbook. This is a loss to the breed, to breeders and to the NZHCS as a whole.

A remit was overwhelmingly passed at the NZHCS 2021 AGM that gives a pathway for entry into the internationally accepted NZHCS Herd book for descendants of females that are clearly Highland but have either partial or no verifiable pedigree.

The particulars, including the procedure, assessment criteria, and the application form can be found on the NZHCS website.

Once accepted into the Herd book as Grade B females, Female progeny of the Grade B cows will be Grade A. Female progeny of the Grade A cows will be P1 Grade and the bloodline may progress to PX pedigree. All grading will be as per NZHCS Rules and Regulations. Animals must be NAIT tagged and NAIT registered.

All bulls used must be NZHCS registered or NZHCS approved.

Only the owner is able to register the animals, and they must be members of the NZHCS. For further information, please contact the Registrar, Cynthia Christie: 03 3022656, registrar@highlandcattle.org.nz

WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS! Karolyn Carroll – Manawatu/Whanganui, Emma Joyce – Manawatu/Whanganui, Julia Leask – Waikato, Bella Marshall – Southland, Katrina McLennan & Andy Lay – Otago, Rod Palmer – Auckland, Mary Reed & Stephen Phillips – Waikato, Shane Skinner & Kristine Nicholas – Taranaki, Ali Williams – Waikato, Jessica Withers – Waikato, Mikaela Brown – Otago, Suraj Manickam - Herbert

www.highlandcattle.org.nz

COUNCILORS CONTACTS: If ever you are wanting to get in touch with your nearest NZHCS Councilor we are very happy to be contacted.

Rosalie Hutton, President, Milton.

Ph: 03 417 4031, e: President@highlandcattle.org.nz Tony Wright, Vice President, Palmerston North.

Ph: 06 323 1486, e: tony.wright@highlandcattle.org.nz Cynthia Christie, Registrar. Ashburton.

Ph: 03 302 2656, e: registrar@highlandcattle.org.nz Doug McLean, Treasurer. Whanganui.

Ph: 06 213 0246, e: treasurer@highlandcattle.org.nz Caroline Reddie, Secretary.Hastings.

Ph: 027 865 7926, e: secretary@highlandcattle.org.nz Anne Meyer, Eketahuna.

Ph: 027 283 9236, e: anne.meyer@highlandcattle.org.nz Gini Alexander, South Auckland.

Ph: 09 292 8004, e: ginni.alexander@highlandcattle.org.nz James Brown, Dunedin.

Ph: 027 706 2190, e: james.brown@highlandcattle.org.nz Jim McMurray, Waikato.

Ph: 021 650 376, e: jim.mcmurray@highlandcattle.org.nz Judy Smyth, Bay of Plenty.

Ph: 07 543 0925, e: judy.smyth@highlandcattle.org.nz Martin McLeod, South Auckland.

Ph: 027 445 6050, e: martin.mcleod@highlandcattle.org.nz Sheldon Reddie, Hastings.

Ph: 021 994 680, e: Sheldon.reddie@highlandcattle.org.nz

GUEST PRESENTATION ON HIGHLAND CATTLE Well it turns out our President has a knack for corny jokes and interesting cow facts!

Lynn Samuels and Rosalie Hutton, dressed in their best show uniforms were recently asked to attend a Country Women’s Institute event as a fundraiser for Alzheimers New Zealand.

After recovering from the surprise that there was not a cow in sight, the two ladies set about regaling the local assembly with laughter, knowledge and interesting Highland Cow facts.

Did you know that a cow chews her cud 50 times a minute, eats 8 hours, chews her cud 8 hours, then sleeps for 8 hours?

Rosalie and Lyn displayed a hide from Prince George along with other interesting items they have gathered over the years, and the afternoon ended with walking the Haggis in to a Scottish tune and the sharing of an afternoon tea of Haggis, swede, potato and other Scottish accompaniments.

What do you call a sad cow?................................. Moooody!

What happens when you talk to your cow? …………………………. It goes in one ear and out the udder!

STRATHBURN HIGHLAND CATTLE Bred for Quality, Hardiness and Performance

Providing genetic diversity from all over the world

Strathburn usually has for sale - Fullblood females - Fullblood bulls - Semen James Brown - Tel: 027 706 2190 - Email: jamesrbrown2012@gmail.com Visitors welcome by appointment

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www.highlandcattle.org.nz

NATIONAL FIELD DAYS 2021 Thanks again to the Matamata & Morrinsville L.J Hooker teams for having us join them on their site at 62 F St. They are kind enough to put up two marquees for us to store our stuff, provide pens to contain the stock and to provide shelter for them from the cooler Waikato mornings. It was great to be back at the National Fieldays and to be very busy.

We had a lot of interest in the cattle this year, especially as there were very few animals at the Fieldays (of any kind). A lot of children love being able to be hands on, some having never touched cattle before. It is a chance to educate people about our cattle, and to touch base with old friends. A big thank you to other members who came and helped us out.

It’s a big ask for these young animals to behave for 2 days in a situation they have never been in before. A lot of work goes into the cattle before they leave home but nothing can prepare them for the constant attention and full on solid brushing.

Thank you to Jim and Julie McMurray (Macca Fold) for providing our very comfortable accommodation, it was great getting to know you better. Gini & Catherine.

Congratulations to Gail Simons who won the Winter Competition with her photo titled ‘Red Glow in the Snow’.

www.highlandcattle.org.nz

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FOLD PROFILE – THE THREE SISTERS, WAIKAT0

Jem, Jezabel and Jules love to pose for photos in a line up that Ali Williams, of The Three Sisters Fold in Pirongia, Waikato calls the ‘marmite sandwich formation’. These three heifers came to live with Ali and her ex dairy farmer partner in March of this year as seven-month old’s. Ali originally wanted a few alpacas but was told in no uncertain terms that they were not getting involved with “long necked sheep” but that Highland Coo’s may be acceptable given her partners Scottish heritage. Ali, to prove that she would be able to rear cattle (she’d previously been a “townie”) started off with Cassie-Role and Schnitzel two little ‘beefies’ and then came the long wait for her three Highland Heifers.

Ali tells me that she still pinches herself when she looks out the window and sees her three friendly faces peering back at her. As a self proclaimed ‘newbie’ to this phenomenal breed she has had to learn to be patient and not expect too much from herself, or her girls. As cute and fluffy as they look, the reality is that that they can inflict injury when spooked regardless of how friendly they are. For all the pats, licks and smooches that they offer, she recognizes that she needs to walk away on the days that they are being difficult and it has stopped being fun.

Ali hopes that anyone deciding to breed Highlands will work closely with the New Zealand Highland Cattle Society to diversify the bloodlines in New Zealand and improve the breeding stock quality that is already available.

Apart from actually getting to work with these amazing animals every days and improving her stock handling skills, Ali counts as a highlight, meeting the wonderful supportive group

of people in the Society that have been happy to share their tips and tricks with those of us new to raising Highland Cattle in New Zealand. Ali closes by reminding us that “every day is a school day!”

PHOTO COMPETITION October: Spring Shenanigans

PRIZE: $100 voucher for a Rural Trading store of your choice, and a Cattle Comb – kindly sponsored by Martin McLeod Email your competition entries to editor@highlandcattle.org.nz

by Monday 15 November 2021.

Congratulations to Gail Simons who won the Winter Competition with her photo titled ‘Red Glow in the Snow’.

www.highlandcattle.org.nz

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Photos must be landscape and at least 2MB in size.

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Your Highland Cattle must not be standing in a body of water in the photo

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You can enter up to 5 submissions for each competition

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By entering the competition, you consent to your photo being used on our website, the NZHCS Facebook page, within the newsletter and entered into the pool for selection for the annual Calendar.

We will be taking a break from the Photo Competition for the January edition of the newsletter and instead have a different competition for you all to take part in. Stay tuned for further details!

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INTRODUCING

SYMBIOSIS SIR TITAN - US 59132

Style, Muscle & Pedigree in one Package

SIRE-Karabin Farm Tuffy

DAM-Black Watch Jewel

2007 NWSS Grand Champion 2009 NWSS Grand Champion

Hot off the shipment from America!!!

Sir Titan combines some of best genetics in America at present.

With genetics from the famous Black Watch fold, this eye-catching bull has great conformation and is smoothly built with plenty of depth.

Only 30 straws available $75 per straw + transfer Contact- James Brown 0277062190 or email jamesrbrown2012@gmail.com

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2022 CALENDAR The 2022 calendar is out now! Congratulations to those that had photos selected this year. We had 39 photos submitted for selection from 14 Folds.

Calendars can be ordered from editor@highlandcattle.org.nz They are $20 each, with postage of $4 per envelope. (I can fit five in an envelope…..)

My humblest apologies to Cass Atkinson whom was given a different surname in the calendar! I accept all responsibility for not picking up the error.

PASSING OF SUSAN ELDER It is with great sadness we inform you of the passing of the Australian Highland Cattle Society Patron, long standing member and proprietor of the Durness Fold, Susan Elder.

Susan passed away peacefully at her home on Tuesday 23rd June 2021. She and her father, Robert Mackay established the Durness Fold in 1977. Susan had since played a significant role in the Australian Highland Cattle Society, being one of its founding council members. Susan began showing her cattle in 1991, winning many awards. She will be greatly missed by the Society and its members.

However, her legacy will live on in the vast number of Folds all over Australia and New Zealand that count Durness animals and their descendants amongst their herds. Many of our New Zealand members had met and spent valuable time with Susan.

NAIT AND TAGGING OBLIGATIONS

LOOKING FOR A WHITE HEIFER OR COW

There is a NZHCS rule which outlines how all cattle should be identified. The requirement is for both a primary and secondary tag.

The primary tag is the NAIT tag, with the secondary tag containing the NZHCS information.

Do you have a white heifer or cow that you are wanting to sell? Get in touch with Karolyn Carroll in Fielding, if you have what she is looking for. Please email Karolyn at waimariegypsys@gmail.com

The NAIT tag will have visual information including your NAIT number and unique animal ID and have the unique 15-digit number specific to your animal.

The secondary (management) tag will display the following: your herd code, the year letter and unique animal number. So, Arcadia Fold secondary tags would be ARCJ21-1 for the first calf born, ARCJ21-2 for the second calf born etc.

If selling cattle to non members of the Society please prompt them to not remove the secondary tag from their cattle. This ear tag needs to remain on for the life span of the cattle. Equally if your cattle have lost their secondary ear tag, please re-tag them and notify the Registrar of the new details. It is imperative that both ear tags are present and current.

If the tagging is not correct, the Registrar is unable to complete the registration. You will be contacted with a request to rectify any issues.

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ADVERTISING Would you like to advertise in the Newsletter? We can fit a couple of ad’s per addition. Prices are as follows: Full page, colour $200 (inc GST) Half page, colour $100 inc GST) Quarter page, colour $50 (inc GST) Email: editor@highlandcattle.org.nz for more details!

www.highlandcattle.org.nz