The start of Spring has been busy for the organisation as our staff, Board and I continue to progress outcomes for the Hereford breed, our members, and stakeholders. I recently travelled north from Armidale to attend the Juandah Plains campdraft in Wandoan, Queensland, where overwhelmingly positive feedback was received for the Hereford Boss steaks enjoyed by competitors at a dinner hosted by Willinga and Herefords Australia. During the trip, I also dropped in on some members and look forward to connecting with more of you as I continue to get out and about.
At the September HAL Board meeting, several important updates were approved, including changes to the HAL Regulations (Section 10), regarding how overdue accounts are handled and our Schedule of Fees, specifically postage of registration certificates. Please familiarise yourself with these updates, which are available on the HAL website and in the September edition of eNews.
While busy finalising the summer edition of the Herefords Australia magazine, moving forward we will be transitioning to a single high-quality annual edition. We’ll share more details about the timing and production soon. The location for the Herefords Australia National Youth Expo will also be announced shortly, and we’re thrilled that the 2025 event will take place in a larger venue, allowing for increased participation from both new and existing youth members.
Excitingly we’re making strides toward implementing direct-to-lab DNA sampling with Neogen to reduce unnecessary double handling. The number one priority is to do this while ensuring a smooth transition for our members. More details to come.
I had the pleasure of attending a lunch at the Norman Hotel with HAL Director Tom Nixon last week, where Herefords were again crowned battle of the breeds champion for the second consecutive year. This achievement further solidifies our reputation in the competitive steak market for eating quality.
Don’t forget to register for the Rural Bank Future Leaders & Breeders forum happening in Brisbane from October 24-26, 2024, or recommend to any aspiring 20 to 45-year-olds interested in a career in the cattle industry. This event will be packed with commercially relevant information, featuring an impressive lineup of guest speakers and exciting tours. I encourage you all to get involved!
Thank you for your continued support and engagement!
Open competitor at the Juandah Plains campdraft, Wandoan Qld. Image credit Grace Mary Photography
Hereford Boss. Image credit Courtney Turvey, Willinga Pastoral Co.
The Hereford Boss steak was thoroughly enjoyed by all at the competitor dinner. Image credit Courtney Turvey, Willinga Pastoral Co.
Image credit Cowgirl Creative Co.
