Dear Members,
2024 is shaping up to be a big year for the breed and the industry. Our plans are well advanced for BEEF Australia being held in Rockhampton 5th to 11th of May. We will be positioning Hereford cattle as the breed of choice to advance fertility, productivity and carcase quality in northern Australia with a particular focus on cross breeding with northern breeds. We will have a stand in the genetics pavilion and have a range of promotional activities planned throughout the week. I look forward to seeing members at our stand if you are able to make it up there for this flagship industry event. We will also be putting together a special edition magazine for the event and you will see shortly opportunities to advertise with us in that edition. Jack Ward and Shane Bedwell from the American Hereford Association will be joining us for both BEEF and Wodonga.
Following BEEF 2024 is the Herefords Australia National Show & Sale in Wodonga being held on the 15th and 16th of May. The committee are also very organized for the event and we are working together to build on the already strong foundations of the event. A new initiative this year is the inclusion of a breed forum on the 14th of May. The theme of the forum is Sustainability and the program will include partners from along the supply chain who will be sharing valuable insights and opportunities for driving profitable and sustainable beef businesses. The forum will be open to members and non members. We are aiming to create an event that will encourage the attendees of the forum to stay for the show & sale. The Herefords Australia AGM will also be held on the 14th of May following the forum. More specific details on the forum and AGM will be provided in due course.
On a personal note, it was great to start the year with my children attending the Northern NSW Youth Heifer show that was held in Glen Innes earlier this month. There were 108 participants and 120 head of cattle. I was able to support the event by delivering a meat science talk with Riley Weller to the exhibitors. The level of support the exhibitors had from their parents, our members and the local community was just brilliant. The young volunteer committee did an outstanding job to deliver a high quality, fun and educational program. Just great to see. It also highlights the interest in the breed from the next generation and we will be looking to build our youth programs as a vital component of our investment for the breed.
The cattle market is starting to head in the right direction and I hope the season supports further optimism across the board. I would like to wish our members with upcoming sales all the very best and to everyone, all the best for 2024!
Best regards
Michael
