PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT
TO MEMBERS, 2008

Looking back over the last two months one can again reflect on the success NZ Angus has had on the National stage.

I would congratulate all those who contributed to the National Sale and Steak of Origin. What a success they both were in what has been a truly difficult period of farming for us all.

To Neil & Rose Sanderson, congratulations on winning the Supreme Championship at the National Sale and then going on to pick up the prestigious Champion of Champions award.

To Alistair & Pat Sharpe for firstly winning the Best of British award in the Steak of Origin and then taking out the overall Steak of Origin for 2008. Also to Joe &Lea Fouhy for winning the Best of Brand in the Steak of Origin.

The FBNZ competition was again dominated by Angus breeders and steers alike. Well done and congratulations to the Crawshaw, Hauschild and Harnett families for their success and representing Angus so well. The Future Beef concept has been a tremendous success for all those who have attended either the “Hoof and Hook” competition or an “Outstanding in the Field” field day.

The NZ Angus Youth Charitable Trust is heavily involved here with sponsorship to enable FBNZ to financially operate. The opening of our new headquarters at PBB House in Feilding has gone exceptionally well, many of you taking the opportunity to attend the opening and following luncheon. The staff have settled well into their new home and by all accounts are very happy.

Please call in if you are in Feilding, NZ Angus owns a quarter share in the land and buildings also maintaining a share of PBB’s interest. Bull sales around the country are holding up very well given the extraordinary combination of events that have beset and surrounded sheep and beef farmers over the last 12 months.

Unfortunately these are all outside our direct control so we all have to manage these as best we can. I firmly believe that NZ Angus will pick up market share as a result of the drought conditions and our pasture to plate philosophy. Patience will be required as we all hurt financially to let the dust settle so to speak.

Just where this set of events will lead agriculture in NZ remains to be seen, it certainly makes for an interesting debate, carbon credits included.

Over the next few months the 2013 World Forum will receive its first attention. A decision will be made as to where the forum part of the events that surrounded hosting an event such as this will be held. Once these place / location / time decisions have been made we will be asking that you all get in behind the future organising committee to enable NZ Angus to host a successful event. The different wards will be approached to put forward their case for hosting tour parties, etc as part of the overall forum activities.

The emergence of DNA markers in some sale catalogues this year is causing some debate amongst our breeders. This technology will play an important part in breeding in years to come but at this stage they cannot be used as a genetic tool in our cattle.

Please take time to read the official position NZ Angus is adopting at this point of time, with regard to DNA markers. With winter well established, snow in many parts, cold driving winds and rain, your attention will turn to getting as many cattle through the next few months as possible.

The upcoming spring will see a shortage of prime cattle so more than ever your commitment to supplying our brand of AngusPure will be even more necessary for us to maintain and grow market share. Look out for further developments in this area which hopefully will not be too far away.

As we begin the journey toward the 2013 World Forum you should ask yourself “NOT what this event can do for me”, but “what can I do for it”. We will be looking for a focussed and united Angus breed to present to the World and we invite you all to be part of this hugely important event in the history of NZ Angus.

Happy wintering.

Richard Rowe,
Angus NZ President