March 2010: issue 61 NZHCS Highland News

March 2010

Issue 61

$3.50

“Complete Dispersal Sale” Sunday, 11 April 2010, 11.30am Retiring Vendors, Ian & Shirley Blanchard

Quality fullblood Highlands Home of consistent show winners

Overseas Genetics

Great variety of pedigrees on offer

Variety of colours

Black, brindle, dun, red, yellow and white

All Fullblood Cattle

Females 18 x In-calf Cows 5 x Rsg 2 Yr Heifers 3 x Weaner Heifers

Quiet and well handled

Males 1 x 3 yr Bull 2 x 2 Yr Bulls 5 x Weaners

Many already been out in the public

Parentage verified

By DNA or bloodtype

Sale to be held On-site at 73 Taotaoroa Rd, Matamata

PGG Wrightsons Auctioneers

Full Sale Catalogue can be viewed at:

www.braco.co.nz

For a Printed Catalogue contact: Ian or Shirley on Ph. 07 888 1919 or E-mail braco@xtra.co.nz

“Cattle can be viewed any time – but no sales prior to auction”

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

What’s been happening…..Area reports South of the North Report By Ewen Grant and Doug McLean It’s been a busy show season in the South of the North since the last update.

The season started with the Wairarapa A&P show in Carterton late November. A great showing of Highland Cattle in both the purebred all breeds section and the lifestyle classes with NZHCS members out in force.

Then it was on to the Fielding show in December – again a great turn out.

The big event for the lower north island was the 150th anniversary show at Stratford. NZHCS member Lloyd Putt has long been an able volunteer for the A&P Society and arranged for Highlands to be shown in force with NZHCS breeders coming from Northland, Auckland, Taranaki, Manawatu and the Wairarapa. With so many highlands in the pure bred section judge Judy Smythe and assistant Errol Clark had a busy day too.

Then the Horowhenua’s AP&I show in January plagued by rain, and more rain, had the NZHCS members up against Murray Greys, Herefords and Dexters.

It’s a bit of a breather and then the Masterton show in late February where again there is a good showing of Highland listed in the catalogue.

Looking forward to Queen’s Birthday weekend the Wairarapa members "East Coast Coos" are excited & looking forward to hosting this year’s AGM in Masterton - with a distinct Scottish theme. Make sure it’s in your diary.

Canterbury Westland Area Report

by Cynthia Christie Things have been relatively quiet on the Highland scene since the last report.

Highlanders were well represented at the Royal Show in Christchurch. The Highland classes were judged

by Ashburton highland breeder Willie Christie and he was one of the panel of judges for the interbreed classes as well. Congratulations to all those who were successful on the day. It is a lot of work to bring animals to a Royal event and your efforts are valued.

On the 28th November we held our annual dinner to celebrate St Andrews Day. This year we were hosted by fellow Highland Breeder Gorg Spiteri at his restaurant The Palazzo Del Mariniao'. We all enjoyed great food and hospitality and having the chance to “yarn” with other breeders. We welcomed several new members at this event.

Organisation is well in hand for the NZHCS South Island Show being held in conjunction with The North Otago A&P Show on 27 th February. The organising committee has been working hard to make this a successful event and we hope for a great turnout.

Otago Southland Report by Janice Bulling We have twenty one folds who have paid a sub and their owners joined as members of our club .Anyone who still wishes to join our local club and attend field days is welcome to do so by paying a $10 sub. We look forward to meeting new members.

In November our members met for a field day hosted by Lindsay and Isla Jean Tregonning. We had a get together with tea, coffee and muffins thanks to the Tregonnings before viewing their cattle and returning for a pot luck lunch. This followed with a meeting and discussion about performance based recording. Something many of us may wish to consider.

Our next field day is to be held in March when we will visit Stu and Jacqui Dreavers . They breed highland cattle for beef. This is a farm visit to learn about their business venture producing highland meat products e.g. highland pies and their beef supply.

Show season is under way and I wish you all well for the upcoming shows. Congratulations to those of you who have already gained success in the recent shows.

Welcome New Members Leonie Mateer

Kaeo

Franz and Diane Edgar

Warkworth

Brentley Smith and Karin Austurian

Auckland

Kirsten St George and Glenn Cooper Manukau Karina and Jon Stretton

Hamilton

Alison and Richard Jeffcoat

Raglan

M and M Toogood

Te Aroha

Gunado Farms Ltd

Thames

Anne O'Halloran and Emerald Barlow Te Awamutu Christiane Schmidt

Wanganui

Andrew and Penny Meuli

Hawera

Sjoerd Schotanus

Picton

Mike Wilson and Janette Shaw

Christchurch

Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

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2010 AGM and Council Nomination Deadlines 28th February:

Early Bird Accommodation Booking deadline at Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway, Masterton Deadline for Nominations to stand for 24th April: Council Deadline for Remits to the 2010 AGM for 24th April: changes the NZHCS Constitution Registrations due for the AGM (late fee 10th May: will apply for registrations received after this date) Applications to host the 2011 AGM to be 27th April: put toward Council Final date for receiving votes if an Elec30th May: tion for Councillors is required AGM and Conference Weekend, Master4th – 7th June ton (hosted by East Coast Coos) The Councillors that are retiring in 2010 after their three year term are: Judy Bruerton Ian Blanchard Ewen Grant All three Councillors are eligible for re election if they so wish.

Therefore nominations for these three New Zealand Highland Cattle Society Council positions are called for. Nominations are to be received by the Secretary, 72 Jackson Road, RD 6, Rotorua 3096 no later than 12 noon on Saturday 24th April 2010. Forms are available from the Society’s website or from the Secretary at secretary@highlandcattle.org.nz Returning Officer: W A Cleghorn JP, 64 Oturoa Road, RD 2, Rotorua 3072

GLEN CANNICH

A change of circumstances mean that I regretfully offer for sale the remainder of the Glen Cannich Fold

Braco Uranium dun, 2 yrs Fenella of Glen Cannich dun, 5 yrs Jaimee of Glen Cannich red, 3 yrs with black bull calf at foot Contact Jenny McDonald, 07 3323953 See Society website For further details

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

Presidents Report February 2010

It is hard to believe we are already half way through the second month of the year.

Weather in Canterbury has been very changeable, we have had our log burner on for the last two days!

There has been a plentiful supply of grass with a lot of second cuts. North Canterbury is well set up for winter feed.

We had a very productive Council Meeting in February and I would like to thank all the Councillors for their hard work, dedication and input into discussion. I appreciate their support. Thank you once again Michelle, Jenny and Noelene.

Other members I would like to take this opportunity to thank are; Those who are out competing in the show ring, it is a great way to promote our breed. The members who purchased calendars and those who sent in photographs.

The organisers of the Virtual Show and congratulations to the prize winners.

The Bull Assessors around the country for your time and distances travel. All the branches through out the country who are organising field days.

National Highland Day coming up on the 18 April will be a great day to promote our breed. We would like to encourage members to Open their Folds to the public on this day, perhaps from 10am to 4pm. There will be an editorial in several publications and a list of Open Folds. Please give your details to your local councillor or to our Secretary by phone or email. In some areas local camera clubs have been approached to visit on the Open Day. Remember to send news items, articles, photos, recipes, and poems to Noelene for the magazine. The more information she gets the better it is.

Please also to get your cameras out and start clicking for next years calendar I am always pleased to hear from members, with their ideas and concerns and from non members interested in joining our friendly and progressive Society.

I would like to wish all the Branches well for their activities this year.

Judy Bruerton

Quality purebred heifers and cows—most halter broken—all quiet

Ginni Alexander Parish Line Rd, R D 2, Papakura Ph 09 292 8004 Inquiries and visitors welcome

Council Corner A Council meeting was held on the 6 & 7 February. We were scheduled to start at 1pm, but a delayed flight from Christchurch meant we did not get underway until 2pm. We worked until 7.40pm, and then had discussion after dinner. On Monday we worked from 9am until 4.30pm. We covered a lot of ground.

International Gathering A report was given from the meeting held in Christchurch on the 23 January 2010.

There has been a good response. Thirty places have been booked with The Highland Cattle Society UK. These are being held until the end of March. Cynthia Christie reported that the plan to date is that people will make their own way to Glasgow the night before the gathering. After the official functions there is 6 days before the Oban show and sale. During this time there will be fold visits. Details of the Official functions are in this magazine.

International Gathering 2012 The Council is giving serious consideration to bidding for the next International Gathering. We are thinking perhaps the start of the Gathering could be in Christchurch at the time of the 150 Anniversary of the Canterbury Show, moving further south and then functions in one or two spots in the North Island. It would be a great opportunity to promote our Society and Country.

Magazine We have received quotes for printing our magazine and from April it will be printed and posted with NZ Post verification of the database. This will make a considerable saving.

NZHCS Herd Book Proposal A proposed procedure for bringing in animals from the outside the herd book was tabled. There was very positive discussion.

Interbreed Judges List In the last magazine it was reported that there had been a change of grading for two of our experienced judges. After submitting her CV, one of the judges has had her grading reinstated. The other has yet to submit her CV. Reports The following reports were received: Membership Movements (new/resigned), Advertising, Work plan, Financial, Registrar, Area Reports and Subcommittees. Most of these reports are in the magazine.

The Subcommittee Reports: Policy Constitutional review.

Doug MacLean tabled a planning document which

was accepted.

Multiple ownership policy was accepted.

Sale and Purchase Agreement Pro forma was tabled.

A Sale and Purchase Agreement will be on the Website and there will be an article in the Magazine.

Promotion A decision was made to advertise with the NZ Farmers Weekly/Country Wide and to approach Metservice.co.n.z.

National Highland Day There was discussion on how the day will be advertised.

Michelle is to co-ordinate approaches and editorials. Michelle will also put together a small Highland Day kit for Open Fold members (PR, health and safety etc.).

Banners Subject to quoted prices being confirmed 3 new banners will be purchased.

AGM 2010 Report A programme, registration form and castings were received from the organising committee. The programme and the registration form will be in this magazine issue. It was decided there should always be a Council member on the organizing Committee for Annual General Meetings. The Council is grateful for the work that is going in to the organisation of the AGM. A returning Officer was appointed for the 2010 election.

Bull Assessment Discussion on the last round of Bull Assessments.

DNA It was proposed that as of 8 February 2010, it is highly recommended that a hair sample suitable for DNA testing accompanies all application for registrations of all animals and that this will become compulsory from the 1 June 2010.

RAS A proposed meeting between the NZHCS, NZLHS, NHR and the RAS is planned for March.

Beef Sub Committee Dehorning document is underway.

Beef section to be put on website with business’s named where Highland Beef can be purchased.

Sale pages on the Web site to include Steers for sale.

Michelle to organize a competition for recipes for Highland Stewing steak in the next magazine.

General Business.

There were several ideas put forward for investigation that are to be reported back to the next meeting.

Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

Page 5

Harmony Update – Sue Cole I am sitting here at my desk working out the growth rates of cattle coming through the Harmony Beef venture and I am very pleased with the weight gains our finisher has been able to consistently achieve. On average he has achieved 0.87 kg/day. We have had a couple of ‘odd ones’who have done poorly (for what reason is unclear) so if we remove them out of the equation our weigh gainsgo up to 0.99kg/day. Most of these cattle seem to be around 3 to 3 ½ yrs old. A lot of the Heart of the Globe cattle prior this venture was also of a similar age but I did not have weight data to ascertain growth rates. The hook weights would lead me to believe they were of a similar live weight. It begs me to ask the question, why are ourcattle not making better weight gains up to this point?

Our own calves consistently grow around 1kg/day to weaning at 7months and have done for the 3 years we have owned weigh scales (despite the droughts). We don’t e f ed them anything special but do feed out hay or haylage when grass growth stops, usually in Feb-March. Then they are sold on, as we don’t have the area to complete the cycle to a finished product. When we have done home killsin the past our steers have been no older than 2yrs old and all had dead weights of 450kgs plus.

So we know they can achieve good growth rates at the beginning and the end so what is going on in the middle?

For example If you take an overall look at a 3yr old steer weighing 550kg finished, his overall growth rate is only 0.48kg/day 1095days / 525kg (550kg less birth weigh of 25kg) = 0.48kg/day So if he makes 1kg/day to weaning and 1kg/day at finishing, the growth rate in the middle period must be down to 0.2-3kg/day.

Of course we have winter to deal with where growth is bound to stumble a bit as shown in our Society growth rate guidelines.

We have all been told that they are slower growing than your standard modern cattle. But how slow is too slow?

Most modern cattle finish at 18months and I was under the impression Highlanders would be able to finish at around 24months. Are we feeding our cattle adequately or isit a genetic thing? Does anyone else have any data to shed some light on this? It would be very interesting todo some research on this, looking at NZ cattle in NZ conditions.

Having a quick scan over various websites and articles specifically talking about highlanders, generally they all talk about a finished steer at 2yr old weighing around450kg (0.58kg/day) or the live weight of their dam2. Our own NZHCS growth rate chart for bulls is 500kg at 2yrs ( 0.65kg/day), heifer is 420kg at 2yrs (0.54kg/day).

One article I read on post weaning growth rates1 from a start weight of around 200kg to a pre-finished weight of 400kg over 13ish months for breed groups showed as follows: Breed Average daily gain (kg) Hereford 1.14 Angus 1.08 Hereford/Angus X 1.12 Jersey X 1.04 South Devon 1.2 Limousin X 1.08 Simmental X 1.25 If a Jersey X can manage 1.04 average surely a highlander can do similar!?

Maybe it a matter of the perceived by-product of breeding stock ie steers, being undervalued because of their $ value over scales is not that of our breeding stock.

All I am really pointing to is ‘Are we doing our cattlejustice?’ Most commercial farmers would not consider highland cattle because of their perceived slow growth. But is itbecause the majority of us are novice or hobby farmers and just don’t know enough to get it right?

Now having had a glimpse of what weights these cattle canachieve on cow and at finishing surely we can get the middle bit better managed so we can see more cattle sent tofinishing at 2yrs old with the same meat qualities. If it means feeding them more over 2 years or that same amount over 3years I know what I would rather do. The spin offs could mean cattle rotations improve and more other farmers might use Highland bulls over their stock.

Food for thought anyway!

Of news of how things are going in general, Harmony istargeting high-end restaurants and changes in menu are set for February-March so you may see your favourite cow on a menu near you soon. We have got an award winning restaurant in Wellington very interested in our product however we will only be able to supply the lunch menu at this stage. David is also working on a contract to movethe cheaper cuts through a well-known chain. I can’t yet give you the names until the contracts are signed. I will post them on my website in due course www.heartoftheglobe.co.nz . Harmony is also supplying chefs in competitions with the Harmony product. So if you have cattle to move give us a call, things are starting to get very exciting!

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

Of the cattle coming to the finishers and going to theworks, the general quality has been excellent, and all have graded P2 as suspected. Marbling has been awesome. Things to watch however are dehorning and castration techniques. We have had to send a couple of steers to the works early whose horns were growing into their heads. Also some suspicious bullish behaviour has led usto discover a few rigs amongst the herds. These are not eligible for our programme and have had to be moved on at market rates.

With market rates now around the $3.20/kg mark, farmers will be please with the $4/kg they receive back from Harmony. On a 450kg animal, that’s a bonus of approx $150 per animal (including costs).

Harmony is also offering Highland cattle society members a special deal. In the usual case of when we all home kill, we first run out of prime cuts. Harmony is offering you the opportunity to top up your freezer from their chiller, prime cuts (when available) at wholesale price + GST. “Its all about supporting each other to get the job done.”

The Counties/ Manukau Club had a very enlightening field dayat our place in November talking about feed type and quality, and dehorning techniques. It was very well received and we would consider running it again if anyone was interested. We intend to have another field day in late March on something revolving around soil, fertiliser and grasses. The finer details are yet to be worked out. If you are interested in attending let me know. One of the speakers has written a lead-in article for this quarters magazine.

Sue Cole daveandsue@xtra.co.nz 1

Characterization of Biological Types of Cattle II. Post weaning Growth and feed efficiency of steers – Gerald M Smith at al, Journal of Animal Science, 1976

2

Websites of - American Highland Cattle Society, Canadian Highland Cattle Society

GLEN TANNOCK

SCOTTISH HIGHLAND CATTLE

HAWERA A& P SHOW Other Breeds: Cow with calf at foot 1st Julie Neilson - Nadia of Berwick 2nd

G & W Gadsby – Christina of Berwick

3rd

Lloyd Putt – Trixie of Littlecreek

2 Year old Heifer 1st Non Member 2nd

Mandy Neilson – Kiki of Julzanda

Bull Yearling 1st & 2nd Other Breed Quality, quiet stock for sale, heifers and cows.

Introducing our new fullblood sire

McIntyre of Glen Tannock (Sire Black Watch Emmett, Dam Alana of Braesteen)

First crop of progeny on the ground Available for lease -

bookings taken now for next season

Dave & Sue Cole 94 Farm Park Rd, Glenbrook, Auckland Ph 021 1348750

3rd

G & W Gadsby - Dundee of Berwick

Heifer Yearling 1st Lloyd Putt – Tracey of Littlecreek 2nd

Non Member

Bull Calf – 1st

Other Breed

2nd

Julie Neilson – Mc Caw of Julzanda

Reserve Champion Julie Neilson – Nadia of Berwick Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

Page 7

2009 Virtual Highland Cattle Show

By Trevor Perry—Australia

The 2009 Virtual Highland Cattle Show has been run and wo n. Congratulations to Gisela & Dr. Dietrich Klosner Faugustenhof Fold, Germany who won the Supreme and Grand Champion Female and Grand Champion Bull.

A total of 106 entries were received from Austria, Belg ium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Our panel of Judges consisted of Mr. Malcolm Moy (Senior Herdsman at the Pollock Fold, Glasgow City) Scotland and past Councilor and on the panel of Judges In the UK. Mr. Eddie Mackay, Past President of the American Highland cattle Society, and Mrs. Sue Boland Past President of the Australian Highland Cattle Society.

The show itself came about after a group of interested Highland Breeders started to discuss items on the internet.

From those discussions, Nicola Almoosa form Wales in the UK, Noelene Gallagher from New Zealand and myself put together an idea to host a Virtual show on the net. All th ree of us had run the shows for our societies in the past.

Unfortunately as no society was interested in hosting the show it was decided to go it alone. A Domain name was registered and invitations sent out looking for entries and sponsors. The German and New Zealand Societies donated Cash a long with a donation from Bears Over there (Collectables) (Australia) to support the event (a sincere thanks).

This allowed the purchase of rosettes that will shortly be sent to all winners. The entry for the show was free for all classes with only a small fee charged to have a link to a home page. Only one entry was allowed for each class per fold thus restricting multiple entries. Another part of the show was the People’s Choice awards. The animals in these classes were chosen by breeders. To send in there choices, the persons had to be a registered fold, or a member of the Highland Breeders group on Face book. Entries in classes 7 and 8 did not require membership to a society to enter. All other entries had to be from official recognised herd books.

The Judges had a difficult time coming to a consensus but eventfully they were able to pick there Champions and place winners. A magnificent white cow was placed supr eme exhibit and Grand Champion cow Bonita von der Sommerleite. Grand Champion Bull went to Ceannard 4th of Glengorm also owned by Gisela & Dr. Dietrich Klosner.

Winners & place getters came from around the globe. In total in the official judging five firsts went to Germany, and first place winners also from Finland, Austria, Denmark and Australia. Second place winners came from Australia, Austria, Finland Denmark and Germany. Third Place came from Australia, Austria, Germany and New Zealand.

In the People’s choice award, the place winners were very similar despite 37 people passing judgment. In first place, Australia, Finland, Germany and New Zealand. Second placed were Denmark, Australia, and Germany.

Third placed were from Australia, Austria, Belgium, New Zealand and the USA. It is hoped that the 2010 show may commence in the coming months and sponsors for the event will again be sort.

A sincere thank you to all those that took part in the even t, and for the messages of encouragement form breeders a long the way. Without your support it would have been a non event. Such a show is the only way breeders can compete internationally without having to leave the farm., as it is impossible to have European, American, Australian and New Zealand cattle all in the ring at the same time. May be as the internet grows we can look at improving the event by having classes of videos instead of photos, but that would be a long way down the track an a lot more than I wish to take on at this time.

So please keep an eye on the pages for further information at www.virtualcattleshow.com free entry will be repeated so stay tuned and again Thank you.

BONITA von der Sommerleite DOB 20.04.2005 Sire: Dylan Geal vom Augustenhof Dam: Berta vom Frankenwald Exhibitor Gisela & Dr. Dietrich Klosner AUGUSTENHOF FOLD GERMANY

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

CEANNARD 4th of Glengorm DOB 6.05.04 Sire: Campbell Ruadh of Dalriada Dam: Mairina 4th of Glengorm Exhibitor Gisela & Dr. Dietrich Klosner AUGUSTENHOF FOLD GERMANY

NZHCS AGM & Gathering hosted by East Coast Coos

th

Queen's Birthday Weekend

Fri 4 – Mon 7th June 2010 PROGRAMME Fri 4th June 2010: An informal get together at Cafe Solway & Golf Range from 7pm for those arriving early.

Sat 5th June 2010: 10:30am

Registration

12:00pm

Lunch

1:00pmNew Zealand Highland Cattle Society AGM 6:00pmNew Zealand Highland Cattle Society Gala Dinner - Seated 4 course dinner and dance with several diverse entertainments. th

Sun 6 June 2010 “Mystery Manoooooooooeuvres” Bus Tour Including: Travel Arrangements.

Refreshments: Morning Tea, Lunch, AfternoonTea, Wine Tasting and Dinner (with cash bar).

Attractions: The world's most colourful shells.

One of 4 sites of International Significance in New Zealand.

One of the '101 must dos for Kiwis'.

Fold Visit.

Presentations: DNA Profiling – its so much more than parentage verification.

Electronic Stud Record Keeping – it doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. th

Mon 7 June 2010 Make your own way around the open folds.

Join us for a Wonderful Wairarapa Weekend

Across: 2. Dangerous in a china shop with those horns.

3. Place to run naked with the driuds.

5. Once a year gathering.

7. Blow the bags don't smoke them.

8. A wee tot of au de vie.

9. A sour old grape.

10. Formal Italianate Clippings.

11. Too old for a heifer.

13. caned jitterbug.

16. Speeding along at 78, 45 or 33.

17. 7 across and Down: 1. Double helix tells you who's your daddy.

2. Animal in black & yellow stripes, that is (abbrev).

4. God of sheep & cattle herds.

6. Having a Duchess for high tea.

7. Abalone retailer.

8. Sherlock Holmes' hat.

12. Great chieftan of the pudding race.

14. Scottish Family 15. A wrinkled gaelic stud

Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

Page 9

East Coast Coos in the Wairarapa are continuing to work on the 2010 AGM. The room rates & “Early Bird Specials” at the Copthorne Hotel & Resort in Masterton are given below; so now you can get mooooving and book your accommodation.

• • • • • • •

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park Room Types & Rates for New Zealand Highland Cattle Society 04-Jun-2010 to 07-Jun-2010

All rates include GST. All rates are for a maximum of two adults and two children under 14 years per room.

Any other person sharing the same accommodation room are charged at $35.00 per person per night.

Same rate for single occupancy as for double/twin share Early Bird Rates available for bookings made prior to 28-Feb-2010.

To receive these special rates please Quote Booking Reference Number 66170 Booking can be made by calling 0800 SOLWAY (0800 765 929) or email reservations@solway.co.nz

63 x Standard Hotel Studio Rooms Comprises one room only with two queen beds, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, mini-bar, flat screen TV with Sky channels, air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom: NZHCS Early Bird Rate: Room Only - $130.00 per room per night.

Bed & Breakfast - $159.00 per room per night.

NZHCS Rate: Room Only - $140.00 per room per night.

Bed & Breakfast - $169.00 per room per night.

23 x Superior Hotel Studio Rooms Comprises one room only with one king bed, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, mini bar, flat screen TV with Sk y channels plus DVD player, slippers and robes, air-conditioning and an ensuite bathroom.

NZHCS Early Bird Rate: Room Only - $180.00 per room per night Bed & Breakfast – $209 per room per night NZHCS Rate: Room Only Rate $190.00 per room per night Bed & Breakfast - $219.00 per room per night

5 x Junior Suites Comprises two bedrooms with one king sized bed in the front bedroom, flat screen TV with Sky channels, tea and coffee making facilities, air-conditioning, separate toilet and bathroom with shower box. The back bedroom has two single beds and a flat screen TV with sky channels.

NZHCS Rate: Room Only - $200.00 per room per night

3 x Executive Suites Consists of one separate bedroom with one king bed, separate lounge with dining table and chairs, leather lounge suite, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge, mini bar, slippers and robes. Flat screen TV with Sky channels, DVD player and air conditioning in both bedroom and lounge.Separate bathroom with spa bath and separate shower box.

NZHCS Rate: Room Only $220.00 per room per night

There are also 7 x economy rooms available at a special room only rate of $99.00 per room per night.

They consist of one queen & one single bed, tea and coffee making facilities, TV with sky channels and an ensuite bathroom

Page 10

- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

Biological Farming for beef farmers

them to your plants roots.Just one episode of overgrazing can significantly reduce your below ground workers with long term implications on your pasture. Biologically diverse soils have a better capacity to resist damage and also to repair themselves, compared to soils with low numbers of inhabitants.

by Clive Sinclair and Jacalyn Reynolds On the surface, soils might appear to only be an inert mass of minerals and organic matter that our grasses/ crops either flourish or fail in. Taking a closer look reveals an incredibly complex web of organic molecules, and minerals. In a healthy and functionally active soil these are all intertwined with microbiology and numerous water and air filled pores l. Maintaining and growing the biology of the soil requires careful, thoughtful farming practices that enhance rather than harming the physical and biological elements in this complex relationship – this is the approach commonly now being referred to as Biological farming.

In terms of grazing residuals, it should be remembered that plants not only feed your cattle but also exude sugars into the soil, from their roots. These sugars feed the microbes, building their populations which in turn cycle increased amounts of nutrients and deliver them back to the roots to feed the pasture. Plants often struggle to obtain the minerals and trace elements the microbiology deliver, with out this close and beneficial relationship.

Chemical regimes can disrupt, or even entirely destroy, critical elements in these relationships. The plants in a chemical regime would often struggle to obtain enough minerals and trace elements to produce dry matter without this close and beneficial relationship with the soil microbial biomass. Bare soils and very hard grazed pasture starve the microbes. You don’t want to do anything that reduces the populationsof these beneficial microbes in your soil.

Biological farming is not new. Generations of farmers have successfully followed many biological farming methods. The aim of biological farming is to work together with the microbiology in your soils in order to produce economic returns from healthy, nutritious pasture and crops.

Biological farming means farming to maximize productivity and profits over time by understanding and working with biological processes (whereas conventional practices focus on maximum productivity and profits ASAP, and don’t give a @#$% about biological processes) G.Zimmer

Pacific Biofert BIOACTIVE FERTILISER PRODUCTS

we’ve moved... to a new patch!

Greers Calf

21 Irish Road, Pokeno, PO Box 794, Pukekohe, New Zealand Tel: 09 233 6491 Fax: 09 233 6492 www.biofert.co.nz

HAMILTON

Grazing strategies need to consider the soils inherent susceptibility to soil compaction. You don’t want to break down the soil structure, which are the microbes living quarters, as this will reduce the pores that are filled with air and water. Many of the microbes live here and work away for free cycling nutrients and delivering

P

POKENO

STA TEH

IGH

WA Y2

STATEHIGHWAY 1

Herbicides and pesticides have the potential to damage soil flora (minute plants) and fauna (minute animals). Creating imbalances in the soil biology can reduce your soils ability to keep populations of pest organisms in balance. The use of agricultural chemicals that disrupt the microbes is extremely negative and should be used with care.

We will be speaking more on this subject at a Counties/ Manukau field day in March. Any one interested should contact Sue Cole daveandsue@xtra.co.nz or Martin McLeod Martin.McLeod@portacom.co.nz

LOOK FOR THE BIG GREEN SHED

AUCKLAND

Everything applied to the pasture or soil has the potential to impact on the soil biology. All fertilisers (such as phosphate, potassium, sulphur etc) and soil improvers (such as lime, and fish nutrient) should be considered in terms of the quality of food they provide for the microbes, not just their mineral content.

By building your biology within your soil it has been proven that you can, over time, increase your phosphate and nitrogen levels, lessen unwanted weeds that flourish under sub optimal conditions, balance beneficial verses harmful fungus and bacteria leading to less unwanted animal health problems like facial eczema. In general, by spending a little more time to tread carefully over the soil can reap benefits to the soil, farmer, livestock, pasture and bank balance.

ROAD

If you have good populations of earth worms this is a pretty good indication that you also have good numbers of the much smaller and harder to quantify microbiology. Biological farmers recognise that these minute helpers are critical. Healthy soils containing the right balance of nutrients, along with the right communities of microbes to cycle and deliver them, will produce healthy, nutritionally balanced and nutrient dense pastures and in turn healthier stock and people. Therefore, every day to day decision that is made considers the effects on the soil. For example:

Increasing numbers of farmers are examining alternative management options and products that exist in the market place, in particular their reliance on pesticides and high analysis and salt-based fertilisers.

IRISH

During all management decisions, Biological Farmers place the greatest emphasis on enhancing the health of the soil and all the microbiology that live in it. Think of soils as a housing complex for microbes. They need food, water and air to breath. The health and productivity of your farm is in direct proportion to the number, activity and balance of soil organisms consisting of bacteria, fungi, algae and larger organisms such as earth worms.

Cultivating soils seriously disrupts the structure of soils whereas pastoral farming is by comparison, far more soil friendly, as long as inappropriate inputs are not used.

One key aim of biological farmers is to facilitate biological processing and protection of organic matter to build top soils.. This in turn maintains and builds soil carbon, soil structure and long term fertility whilst reducing nutrient losses. Soils have to be treated with the utmost care to protect the productive capacity of the soil.

P B

BioPhos is alive

Pacific Biofert BIOACTIVE FERTILISER PRODUCTS

Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

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RESULTS FROM STRATFORD CENTENARY A & P SHOW Inc NZHCS NORTH ISLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS SUNDAY 29th NOVEMBER2009 Judges: Judy Smyth & Errol Clarke Handler 14 Yrs & Under Cory Neilson Mccaw of Julzanda Cow with or without calf at foot 1st M & C Mcleod/Atkinson Gilleana of Te Mata Hills 2nd L Putt Trixie of Littlecreek 3rd J Neilson Nadia of Berwick 2 year old heifer with or without calf at foot 1st D & S MacLean Mollie of Kellean 2nd D & J Sheldon Eadon Suisaidh 3rd D & J Sheldon Eadon Moranda Bull Yearling 1st G & W Gadsby 2nd D & J Sheldon 3rd R Thorpe

Dundee of Berwick Eadon Vaughan Niallan of Selsorahc

Heifer Yearling 1st M & C McLeod/Atkinson Sorrento of Te Mata Hills 2nd L Putt Tracey of Littlecreek 3rd B Driffill Bella of Kellean Heifer Calf 1st G & W Gadsby Fleur de Lis of Berwick 2nd M & C McLeod/Atkinson Jade of Te Mata Hills Bull Calf 1st J Neilson

Mccaw of Julzanda

NOVICE ANIMAL – NEVER WON A FIRST PLACING AT ANY A&P SHOW 1st L Putt Tracey of Littlecreek 2nd M & C McLeod/Atkinson Jade of Te Mata Hills 3rd J Neilson Mccaw of Julzanda NORTH ISLAND CHAMPION FEMALE M & C McLeod Atkinson Gilleana of Te Mata Hills RESERVE CHAMPION FEMALE D & S MacLean Mollie of Kellean NORTH ISLAND CHAMPION MALE G & W Gadsby Dundee of Berwick RESERVE CHAMPION MALE J Neilson Mccaw of Julzanda

NORTH ISLAND SUPREME CHAMPION HIGHLAND

G & W Gadsby

Dundee of Berwick

Cory Neilson in young handlers section of Stratford Show

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

Royal New Zealand Show—Canterbury This show was a great way to start the “Show Season”. A busy week, but an enjoyable one. A big thank you to Willie Christie, who judged not only the Highland Cattle, but also the Interbred Classes.

Champion Senior Female Ceit Geal of Glenburn Grant and Cathy Watts Reserve Champion Female Chiquitita of Pottidoon Grant and Cathy Watts Champion Yearling Heifer Shanase of Abberley Harry and Beth Prescott-Ballagh Reserve Champion Dundee of Abberley Harry and Beth Precott-Ballagh Champion Senior Bull Hunter of Trelissick Harry and Beth Prescott-Ballagh Reserve Champion Killwillie of Middlebank Downs Harry and Beth Prescott-Ballagh Champion Yearling Bull Barack of Pottidoon Grant and Cathy Watts Reserve Champion Armunn Duidhe of Strathburn James Brown SUPREME CHAMPION

CEIT GEAL OF GLENBURN

SOUTH OTAGO SHOW RESULTS Cow 3 years and over 1st Dexter entry 2nd Ceit Geal of Glenburn 3rd Dexter entry Cow 2 years 1st Chiquitita of Pottidoon 2nd Dexter entry 3rd Aimee of Pottidoon Champion Senior Cow Yearling Heifer 1st MacKenzie of Pottidoon 2nd Chianti of Pottidoon 3rd Morag of Pottidoon

Grant and Cathy Watts

Grant and Cathy Watts Lyn Samuels Chiquitita of Pottidoon Brian and Rosalie Hutton Grant and Cathy Watts Brian and Rosalie Hutton

Grant Watts with Barack of Pottidoon, who won Supreme Highlander at this show

Pair of Yearlings 1st 1st MacKenzie and Morag of Pottidoon Brian and Rosalie Hutton Yearling Bull 1st Barack of Pottidoon Champion Yearling Reserve Champion Yearling

Grant and Cathy Watts Barack of Pottidoon MacKenzie of Pottidoon

SUPREME HIGHLANDER OF SHOW BARACK OF POTTIDOON Senior Meat & Wool Cup against traditional beef breeds —South Devon entry Reserve—Chiquitita of Pottidoon Junior Meat & Wool Cup —South Devon entry Reserve—Barack of Pottidoon

Rosalie Hutton with her winning yearling MacKenzie of Pottidoon Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

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EADON HIGHLAND FOLD FULL BLOOD YEARLING BULLS FOR SALE

Check website for details

FOR SALE Eadon Victor Full brother to Braco Ulster, the Supreme Champion of the NZHCS North Island Winter Show in 2009.

Cows and heifers also available for sale, vetted in-calf if appropriate

Visitors Welcome—please phone first Doug and Jenny Sheldon Kanohi Road, Kaukapakapa Phone 09 4204065 / 021 938641 Email: jenny.sheldon@xtra.co.nz Web: www.eadon.co.nz Page 14

Fold size approx. 30 breeding cows plus young stock

- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

Stud Bulls are: Black Bear of Ruatiti—sire of many champions Braco Tempest—sired by Rushmore Bracken Eadon Cailean—from Glen Cannich / Braeburn Folds

Timetable Wednesday 29th September 2010 Registration 9.00 a.m - 12 noon at designated hotels within Glasgow.

Burrell Collection, Pollok Park, Glasgow 1.00p.m. Welcome from the President of the Highland Cattle Society 1.30 p.m. Afternoon Seminar - The role of Highland Cattle in the 21st Century Speakers Jacquelyn Becker Chotkowski, President of American Highland Cattle Association, Dr. St ephan Janz, Jiggel Fold, Germany, Iain MacKay, Cnoc-na-Sith Fold, Isle of Mull, Robert Phillip, Hellifield Fold, Yorkshire 2.30 p.m. Coffee 3.00 p.m. Questions Finish approximately 3.45 p.m.

5.30 p.m. Coaches leave Glasgow at designated pick up points for dinner 7.00 p.m. Delegate Dinner at Stirling Castle (first 240 applicants only) Formal Dress – Highland Dress, National Dress, Tuxedos, Black Tie 12 midnight return to Glasgow to hotels

Fold Information for Thursday 30th September 2010 KILLOCHRIES FOLD The Killochries Fold of Scottish Highland Cattle came into being when in 1995 the Highland Cow Seud Bhuidhe 215 of Benmore was bought in calf at the Pedigree Highland Cattle Show at Oban. This cow’s first calf, Seamus of Killochries, became our first stock bull, we do know that his calves were fast growing, sweet cattle of the highest quality. Soon we were expanding, preferring to embrace organic farming we aimed to provide a habitat that benefited not only our newly emerging Fold but also the local wildlife, in particular protected birds and the rare Brown Hare. The Fold is now in its fourteenth year, includes a specialist Black Fold of Highland Cattle and has gained a reputation of breeding only high quality Highland Cows, Calves and Bulls. We now have over 300 animals based between Killochries Fold and Drumcross Farm. You can take a tour of our Fold through the pages of our website, www.killochriesfold.co.uk and trace the Killochries lineage through many other Highland Folds in the UK. View the progress of our organic policy and how we are implementing our objectives to improve the habitat for bird life, including protected birds and the Black Grouse here in Scotland. We look forward to welcoming you to Killochries in September.

WOODNEUK FOLD The Thomson family is delighted to be one of the Fold visits on Thursday 30th September 2010 as part of the International Highland Cattle Gathering. The fold was founded in 1954 with only 9 Pedigree Highlanders and today numbers over 250 Highland Cattle of all ages. Woodneuk is a family operated farm with 250 Highland and 100 Shorthorn Cross cattle. Woodneuk is an exposed hill farm with marginal ground overlooking the city of Glasgow and much of west central Scotland. Some of the ground is situated in a country park where people have open access, and the local council benefit from the conservation grazing of the cattle. Over the years we have shown Pedigree Highland Cattle at local and national shows with success and some of the cattle we have exported have also done well abroad. In 2006 and 2008 we were the UK large show fold winners.

2009 was also a successful year with 5 show championships with various cattle.

The cattle are not here just to look good but have a function as a fantastic beef animal producing quality beef. Our highland beef is mainly sold locally, therefore reducing our carbon footprint, with low food miles from farm to customer. On the visit we will have Highland Beef prepared for you to taste having seen the conditions they are kept on. We were one of the early farms to be registered in the Farm Assurance Scheme run by Quality Meat Scotland. As one of the oldest and largest folds in the UK, we would be delighted to share our experiences and show a wide range of cattle in there natural surroundings. If you would like more details please visit our web site www.woodneuk.com or contact us by e-mail at tom@woodneuk.com We look forward to seeing you during this fantastic event.

William, Tom & the Thomson family

Thursday 30th September 2010 Burrell Collection, Pollok Park, Glasgow 10.00 a.m. Welcome – Archie Mc Arthur, past president of Highland Cattle Society Coffee 10.30 a.m. How to Breed the right cattle A chance to put your questions to the panel William Lipsey, Editor of The Bagpipe – Journal American Highland Cattle Association, Dr Basil Lowman, Scottish Agricultural College, Jack Ramsay, Millerston Fold, Ayrshire, David Soutar, Farms Director, Strathmore Farming Company, Glamis Castle, Angus 12.30p.m. All delegates will be picked up from the Burrell Collection to attend the fold of their choice.

Killochries Fold, Kilmacolm, Renfrewshire by kind permission of Mr & Mrs I Graham www.killochriesfold.com Woodneuk Fold, Barrhead, Glasgow by kind permission of the Thomson Family www.woodneuk.com 6.00 p.m. Return to hotels in Glasgow 7.00 p.m. Civic Reception in Glasgow City Chambers by kind permission of the Lord Provost of Glasgow and a tour round the chambers.

8.00 p.m. Evening free Friday 1st October 2010 8.00 a.m. Pick up from designated pick up points in Glasgow Visit Glamis Castle, one of Scotland’s most important and iconic historic buildings and view both the pedigree Highland Cow and the first cross Highland x Simmental on the hill farms.

Return to Glasgow for a free evening.

Saturday 2nd October 2010 9.30 a.m. Pick up from designated pick up points in Glasgow Visit Pollok Park for the day and attend the City of Glasgow International Highland Cattle Show.

5.00 p.m. Return to hotels 7.00 p.m. Picked up from designated pick up points Ceilidh & Supper – Glasgow Science Centre Welcome – The President of the Highland Cattle Society Open to all Coaches to return to hotels Main Gathering Ends Costs to delegates £100 Includes the full conference, all travel, delegate dinner and travel to Stirling Castle, fold visits and evening ceilidh & supper on Saturday 2nd October.

Full information packs and booking forms available from www.highlandcattlesociety.com and hazel@highlandcattlesociety.com Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

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REGISTRAR’S REPORT —APRIL 2010 Since the last magazine there have been:53 Cattle Registrations 73 Transfers 9 Herd registrations No meetings off the RLC but a number of items circulated via e-mail for comments and have proceeded from there with the appropriate action.

already have joint ownership of all animals in their possession but they have just one membership of the Society. The purpose of what we are recording here is if two or more of these memberships wish to own an animal between them.)

One person must be nominated as the main contact person for purposes of correspondence Any animal already registered in the New Zealand Highland Cattle Society Herdbook or which qualifies to be registered in the NZHCS Herdbook may have multiple ownership.

All multiple owners will receive a copy of the registration certificates.

There has been a steady number of registrations coming over my desk during the holiday season and it has been very pleasing to note that few have had to be referred back for more information or verification. It would make my job a breeze if this were always the case!

The multiple owners will not receive any additional newsletters, registers or other Society publications

BULL ASSESSMENTS

To date we have three animals recorded in this way since we were able to do it. I realise there are other animals out there which would qualify to be recorded in this way. If you wish to have the multiple ownership of an animal recorded please contact me.

The last round of bull assessments saw 32 bulls being assessed plus four more out of season, a total of 36 altogether representing 14 breeders.

At the latest Council meeting it has been agreed to appoint two Bull Assessment Co-ordinators for each island. Their role will be to coordinate each round of assessments and hopefully better utilise the assessors’ time. The North Island Co-ordinators are Martin McLeod and Doug Maclean with the South Island being looked after by Judy Bruerton and Gavin Reid. Members will need to fill out a bull assessment request form and post it to the Registrar along with the appropriate fees as per usual. The Registrar will then collate the lists and send them to the appropriate co-ordinator. If you like you may also advise the co-ordinator but in the end, if there is no form and fee, then there is no assessment.

It is time again to be sending in bull assessment request forms for the April round. After I receive these I send the person requesting an assessment an information sheet listing the guidelines of things they need to see to in order to make it a smooth process for them and the assessors. During the last round a new owner took the instructions literally to the letter and thus arrived at the conclusion that the bull was not sufficiently prepared to be assessed. They thought the bull should be more or less “eating out of your hand” and if it wasn’t then it would be penalised during the assessment. The guidelines are just that – a guide. The bull does need to be able to be handled, as in getting it into suitable yards. Standing still in the paddock while a whole bunch of strangers move around it trying to take measurements and read tags will upset even the quietest animal - not to mention safety issues. Grooming is your choice. Whether the bull is well groomed or not makes no difference when it is doing its job. So as long as there are suitable facilities and the bull is able to be contained for the purposes of reading tags and taking measurements, then there is no problem.

If you are at all unsure, rather than worrying, please contact either myself, the North or South Island Co-ordinators or your local councillor. All will be able to explain what is necessary and sometimes it is easier to talk to someone than go by something written down.

MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP OF ONE ANIMAL From time to time I have been asked how we deal with two or more existing Society members owning one animal. To date this has usually been a bull. With the introduction of the new database systems it was impossible to list multiple owners of one animal without that group of people taking out a new membership. Obviously this was an expense that was not warranted, not wanted and would have created much unnecessary duplication of paperwork. Michelle and I have now been able to work out a way of recording the multiple ownership without all the unwanted bits going with it.

The following points should be taken into account if you wish to record an animal as being in multiple ownership:The multiple owners must all be current financial members of the New Zealand Highland Cattle Society (A member can be a single person, a partnership, a husband and wife, a business entity or a syndicate. In the case of the latter four they may

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

The nominated contact person will be responsible for completing the annual Herd Return.

If you are selling an animal and the purchasers wish to have it recorded as multiple ownership then simply write the owners names on the transfer certificate. Unless advised otherwise, the name which appears first will be taken as the nominated contact person.

BEEF RECORDS As an off-shoot of some of the discussions held around the council table about Bull Assessments it was noted that many beef breeds now require their members to hold far more extensive records of their animals’ growth. It is hoped to have an article in the next magazine about this and its advantages. In brief, part of this record keeping requires regular checks on weight gain rather than taking a yearly figure and working out a daily average as we at present do.

This entails actual birth weight (not an arbitrary figure) and then weight checks at regular intervals there after, e.g. every six weeks or three months, etc. These results would help to show which cows and sires are best for producing heavier animals and those with better feed conversion rates thus leading to better information to base breeding and culling on. If you are expanding the beef side of your herd then this is worth considering and is not an expensive exercise.

It only requires a little more of your time.

WEB SITE It was agreed at the recent council meeting that from now on steers may be advertised on the web site for sale. Contact the secretary if you wish to list.

And to finish this report a little story of highland cattle folk. I recently attended our past Secretary Jane’s birthday party. (It was one of those significant numbers that we all have every 10 years or so.)

It was a good old fashioned shindig in the local hall with a great celtic band and guests were asked to “dress formally”. There was a small core of us “hairy moo” people and I would have to say that the best dressed gents there were none other than John Doull and Phil McCarthy – hats, bow ties and tails. As always, we highland cattle people know how to do things! The ladies were stunning too, of course! Who did the most dancing – why, those hairy moo people, who else?

And I am quietly wondering whether we shouldn’t also be incorporating a motor home society. It seems they are a very popular method of getting about with our members these days. What with our past president Shane and magazine editor Noelene travelling the countryside in one, councillor Doug Sheldon and his wife Jenny touring when they get the chance, and the two couples mentioned in the previous paragraph both retired gracefully to their motor homes parked out the back of the hall after the do was over. No having to appoint a sober driver or risk D.I.C. for them. They even provided bacon and eggs for us the next morning while we had a chat about what bought us all together in the first place many years ago – highland cattle. I think that fulfils one of the aims of our Society beautifully!

Jenny McDonald, NZHCS Registrar

“Best Recipe for Highland Gravy or Stewing Steak” Competition Kindly Sponsored by Three Categories 1. Most Economical 2. Healthiest 3. Tastiest Each winner will receive a Healthy Food Guide recipe book and a free 6 month subscription to the Healthy Food Guide magazine.

Conditions: There is no restriction on who can enter this competition.

The “Most Economical” and “Healthiest” categories will be judged by the nutritionists at the Healthy Food Guide. The “Tastiest “recipe will be judged by a professional chef. The Judge’s decision will be final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Winners will be announced at the NZHCS 2010 AGM and Conference.

It always seems to be the last cut of beef left in the freezer—gravy beef and stewing steak.

Here is your chance to dig out your recipe books, some Highland beef and an apron to come up with creative recipes to use these wonderful cuts of beef.

Whether its a gourmet taste delight, a healthy low fat option or a traditionally economical Scottish dish, send in your entries and prove yourself a real Highland beef expert.

Send your entries to the Secretary, 72 Jackson Road, RD 6, Rotorua 3096, or secretary@highlandcattle.org.nz by the 31st of March 2010

Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

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OTAGO/TAIERI SHOW RESULTS Cow 3 years and over 1st Ceit Geal of Glenburn Heifer 2 years 1st Chiquitita of Pottidoon 2nd Aimee of Pottidoon Yearling Heifer 1st MacKenzie of Pottidoon 2nd Chianti of Pottidoon Senior Heifer Calf 1st Caitlin of Pottidoon 2nd Selina of MacRose Junior Heifer Calf 1st Edelweiss of Pottidoon 2nd Beitidh Og of Benromach Female Champion Female Reserve

Grant and Cathy Watts Grant and Cathy Watts Lyn Samuels Brian and Rosalie Hutton Grant and Cathy Watts Grant and Cathy Watts Brian and Rosalie Hutton Grant and Cathy Watts Nick Speirs and Elaine Munro Ceit Geal of Glenburn Chiquitita of Pottidoon

Two animals, any age, progeny of same sire or dam 1st Caitlin and Edelweiss of Pottidoon 2nd Beitidh Og and Brogach Og of Benromach

Grant Watts receiving the Supreme Highland of Show Trophy the N H & M R Watts Family Trophy of Ceit Geal of Glenburn presented by Grants father Mr Norman Watts

Yearling Bull 1st Barack of Pottidoon

Grant and Cathy Watts

Bull Calf 1st Matheson of Pottidoon 2nd Brogach of Benromach MacPherson of Pottidoon 3rd

Grant and Cathy Watts Nick Speirs and Elaine Munro Champion female class Grant and Cathy Watts

Male Champion Male Reserve

Barack of Pottidoon Matheson of Pottidoon

BEST HIGHLAND OF SHOW & NH & MR WATTS FAMILY TROPHY CEIT GEAL OF GLENBURN

TOKOMIRO (Milton) SHOW RESULTS

Chiquitita of Pottidoon with calf Edelweiss

Cow 3 years and over 1st Ceit Geal of Glenburn 2nd Mull of Hinterland Heifer 2 years 1st Chiquitita of Pottidoon Yearling Heifer 1st Morag of Pottidoon Heifer Calf 1st Caitlin of Pottidoon 2nd Telula of Kailee 3rd Selina of MacRose 4th Edelweiss of Pottidoon Yearling Bull 1st Barack of Pottidoon Bull Calf 1st MacPherson of Pottidoon

Grant and Cathy Watts Rob and Katrina Kelly Grant and Cathy Watts Brian and Rosalie Hutton Grant and Cathy Watts Rob and Katrina Kelly Brian and Rosalie Hutton Grant and Cathy Watts Grant and Cathy Watts Grant and Cathy Watts

SUPREME CHAMPION CEIT GEAL OF GLENBURN RESERVE CHAMPION BARACK OF POTTIDOON Tokomiro Show - Heifer Calf section

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

DNA SAMPLES AN IMPORTANT NOTICE

HIGHLAND SUPREME CHAMPION AT TAURANGA A 2 year old Highland cow won the All Breeds Supreme Champion sash at the Tauranga A&P Show in January 2010.

Out-doing competition from a good line-up of Charolias and Angus cattle John Doull & Judy Lee’s Rosslyn of Glen Elgin was a clear winner with the Judge.

It was the first time that the Glen Elgin Highlands have entered the Tauranga Show and their three two year old cows shown were a popular addition to the cattle section.

Results:2 Year Old Female All Breeds:Rosslyn of Glen Elgin 1st Serena of Glen Elgin 2nd 3rd Rowena of Glen Elgin Champion Female All Breeds:Rosslyn of Glen Elgin

Supreme Champion All Breeds: Rosslyn of Glen Elgin

SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW DUE 2010 subscriptions are now due. Pay before the end of March and receive a discount.

ALSO remember to send in your privacy document which accompanied your subscription notice. If you have lost either contact the Treasurer or Secretary

At the February meeting of the NZHCS Council it was agreed that the taking of DNA samples from bulls at bull assessment time was one of the most useful tools employed in recent times. With this is mind further discussion resulted in Council agreeing that as from the February2010 meeting members are strongly urged to include a DNA sample of every animal – male and female - they wish to register and from the 1st of June 2010 it will be compulsory.

To begin with samples will be stored with the registration in the breeder’s file and will only be processed should it be needed. In these cases the cost (currently $25 plus GST) will be invoiced to the breeder. This is no different from what happens now in the case of DNA testing being needed to complete a registration. The easiest way to store DNA in the long term is as a hard copy and/or electronic copy of the test result but this would incur considerable cost. Council will monitor the situation with a view to eventually moving to that option at the best value we can obtain.

In the meantime here is a reminder of how easy it is to take a DNA sample. Remember that it is important to take a pencil thickness tuft of hair to have enough to test and that the hair roots must be attached.

How to collect hair samples for DNA testing Gathering hair root samples is easy, but collecting good ones is crucial. To improve accuracy of test results, please follow these simple steps. Neglecting these steps may affect the accuracy of results.

1. Verify the animal’s tag number and write this number on the hair sample collector/plastic bag /envelope. This ID will be used for reporting results so it’s important to double-check for accuracy.

2. Always wash your hands or use clean gloves. Then, while holding the end of the tail switch with one hand, pull a pencil-thickness tuft of hair (at least 20 – 25 hairs from adult animals and 40 – 50 hairs from young animals) from the switch, making sure hair roots are attached. The hair follicles are under the skin and easily come out of the tail when pulled correctly. Pull the hair “up and away” to get as many follicles as possible. Always collect samples from dry hairs and make sure the follicles are not contaminated with faeces. If you are pulling hair with pliers, wipe pliers clean between animals. The more follicles that are in your sample, the better, as this will give plenty of material to test, and will mean there is sufficient sample in storage if you would ever like to use the sample for another test.

3. Samples can be placed in either:A sample collector available from the Registrar.

Open the hair sample collector completely, as you would to bend back the spine of a book.

Place the hair on the back of the printed flap of the collector as shown, with follicles close to the joined end. Peel off the backing paper, starting from the joined end, to expose the sticky backing of the other flap. Include the follicles with the hairs. . Press the sticky plastic side down on top of the hair to seal the sample. Make sure the edges of the plastic are sealed around the collector. Trim the excess hair to the edges of the sample collector or A clear plastic snap lock bag without holes and clearly labeled or An envelope that can be sealed securely all around and clearly labeled 4.

Post hair sample with your registrations to:The Registrar, NZHCS, 220B Oturoa Rd, R D 2, Rotorua 3072

Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

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MEAT & WOOL NEW ZEALAND Yard Weaning Improves Profit Russell Priest Meat & Wool New Zealand Beef Genetics Coordinator With significant numbers of weaner cattle produced in N.Z. now finding themselves ending up on feedlots, it is appropriate that producers and growers are made aware of the increasingly popular practice in Australia of yard weaning. The reason for this is the significant profit advantage yard-weaned cattle display at slaughter compared with their paddock-weaned counterparts.

Instead of separating calves at weaning and placing them on the opposite side of a fence to their mothers in a paddock situation, the calves are weaned into yards. These yards must be secure, spacious (180 – 260 kg calves need an average of 4 square meters each), have good drainage and high quality water and supplementary feed. Calves generally stay in the yards for 10 days and are regularly exposed to humans.

A trial to assess the effectiveness of the practice was conducted by the Beef CRC of which Meat and Wool New Zealand are financial partners. The study involved splitting 200 Angus x Hereford steer calves at weaning (7-9 months of age) into 3 groups:

1. A paddock-weaned group that received no supplementation or handling.

2. A yard-weaned group that were fed high quality hay and silage but received no handling.

A yard-trained group that was fed high quality hay and silage and also training to find grain in a trough.

The three groups were all vaccinated for Bovine Respiratory Disease, a major cause of sickness and death on Australian feedlots. Following weaning all the trial steers spent a 6-9 month growing-out period on pasture before being transferred to a feedlot for 90 days before being slaughtered.

While there was very little difference in performance between the yard-weaned and yard-trained groups, there was a significant difference between the yard-weaned and paddock-weaned groups. After 90 days on the feedlot the yard-weaned calves were 18kg heavier than the paddock-weaned ones and they had also suffered 10% less sickness. This is probably because when cattle arrive on a feedlot their immune systems are severely challenged. Yard weaning exposes animals to a variety of external stressors such as vehicles, people and yard noises. They become used to these and are able to adapt to new conditions more quickly reducing the possibility of sickness and even death. Cattle also benefit from pre-feedlot vaccination with growth rates improving by 8% when compared with non-vaccinated animals. Vaccination should ideally take place a minimum of two weeks prior to entering the feedlot.

Yard weaning also helps the cattle cope with finding food in a pen. If this is done at an early age, animals will adapt more quickly to the feedlot environment and animal health issues are kept to a minimum.

Yard-weaning is practiced very rarely in N.Z. however one producer who has tried it reports a 9.5kg per head live weight gain advantage after 7 days, coupled with a significant improvement in temperament. This alone would have to make the exercise very worthwhile.

Summary:

•

Yard-weaning of calves is becoming an increasingly popular practice in the Australian beef industry.

Feedlotters report that yard-weaned calves compared with their paddock-weaned counterparts: are healthier are quieter settle more quickly in the feedlot are significantly more profitable

•

Research by the Beef CRC has supported these claims.

Since a significant number of calves in N.Z. are destined for feedlots, this research has implications for the N.Z. beef industry.

This and other articles written by the author can be found on the Meat & Wool New Zealand website at www.meatandwoolnz.com .

For further information contact : Russell Priest Ph. 06 324 0346 Fax. 06 324 0347 Mb. 0274 369 372 Email. russell.priest@meatandwoolnz.com Website : meatandwoolnz.com

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- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

MEAT & WOOL NEW ZEALAND Quiet Cattle Produce Better Beef Russell Priest Meat & Wool New Zealand Be ef Genetics Coordinator

Genetically quieter cattle not only grow more quickly than flighty ones but also produce heavier, better finished carcasses and more tender beef.

These are some of the findings of a research project carried out by the Beef CRC, of which Meat & Wool New Zealand are partners, and the N.S.W. Department of Primary Industries. The results, if applied, not only have the potential to improve productivity and meat quality but also improve the safety of cattle and their human handlers as well.

All animals when confronted with a dangerous situation can either fight or flee. Cattle are prey animals, so their natural instinct is to flee from the danger. In situations where this is not an option, for example where they are being handled by humans in small confined areas, we know that they are capable of making behavioral changes. It is well known for instance that an animal’s temperament can be modified by the quality and degree of handling. But is this a permanent or just a superficial change? This project was designed to provide the answer.

Animals involved in the research were yard-weaned (weaned into cattle yards and fed on supplements for a short period) and any with unacceptable temperament were removed from the trial. This was to ensure that those involved in the trial could cope with the intense handling required to collect the necessary samples. Once these cattle were removed, the remaining ones were divided into three temperament categories based on their ‘flight speeds’ and ‘crush scores’. ‘Flight speed’ is an electronic measure of the time taken for an animal to cover a short distance after leaving a cattle crush. The ‘crush score’ is a subjective measure of how agitated an animal becomes while standing in a crush. Both these measures of temperament were recorded on several occasions throughout the duration of the trial.

Following yard-weaning, the cattle were grown out on pasture for most of the trial, then feedlotted for the final 120 days before slaughter.

It was noticeable how all the cattle appeared to become quieter as the trial progressed, however in spite of this their temperament ranking, as measured by their flight times, did not change.

The more flighty cattle grew more slowly due to their lower feed intakes, however there was no difference between the three groups in feed efficiency. The more flight y cattle were just less motivated to eat.

At the completion of the trial all cattle were slaughtered. The more flighty cattle produced carcasses that were 10% lighter than the less flighty ones. They also had 18% less rib fat and the meat was not as tender. The difference in tenderness was the result of greater levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which promotes mobilization of muscle and fat. The trial showed that when comparing these quietly handled, outwardly docile groups of animals, the genetically more flighty ones still responded more to the stresses of routine handling. During times of high stress, such as during transportation, the stress response can be an even bigger drain on an animal’s body reserves, using up glycogen (muscle sugar), increasing meat pH and reducing meat quality.

This trial provides a perfect example of how genetics can be modified by non-genetic (environmental) effects. There is a large variation in temperament (flightiness) between cattle. However temperament can be modified by regular exposure to what cattle think is a danger (often humans). If this exposure proves always to be a pleasant experience, most cattle will quieten down to the extent that it is difficult to pick any temperament differences between them. Genetically however there may be huge differences.

These genetic differences, not the modified ones are what are showing up in the productivity and meat quality variation in the trial above.

This is a similar situation that can occur when buying a herd sire. The sire you choose may appear to be very quiet when you buy him, however his progeny are mad. What you saw when you purchased him was a combination of his true (genetic) and modified (non-genetic) temperament not just his true temperament.

The moral of the story is that parents only pass their genes (genetics) for a trait on to their progeny not the modified effect the trait.

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Summary Cattle that are genetically more flighty have lower growth rates, lighter and more poorly finished carcasses and poorer meat quality.

Even if the temperament of flighty animals is modified by handling so they appear to be quiet, their performance and meat quality will still be inferior to genetically less flighty animals.

Therefore selecting cattle with better temperaments as well as culling those with poor temperaments can improve productivity and meat quality, as well as improving safety for the cattle and their handlers.

It is important to be able to distinguish between genetic and non-genetic differences when undertaking a breeding programme, otherwise you can be misled during the selection process.

This and other articles written by the author can be found on the Meat & Wool New Zealand website at www.meatandwoolnz.com .

For further information contact : Russell Priest Ph. 06 324 0346 Fax. 06 324 0347 Mb. 0274 369 372 Email. russell.priest@meatandwoolnz.com Website : meatandwoolnz.com Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

Page 21

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Page 22

- Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61

Highland News - March 2010 - Issue 61 -

Page 23

Cory Neilson with calf McCaw at the Stratford A&P Show.

Gavin Reid showing bull calf Matheson of Pottidoon behalf of the Watts at the Taieri/Otago A&P Show.

Rob and Katrina Kelly with Mull of Hinterland and calf Telula at the Tokomiro (Milton) Show.

Bull calf lineup at the Taieri/Otago A&P Show.

Congratulations Gail Simons whose “Scenic” photo was judged 3rd and 1st in People’s choice and “Funny Photo” judged 3rd see the full results at www.virtualcattleshow.com