CEO Update February

Bull sales in the southern states are well and truly into full swing. Generally speaking, the average prices have held up well, although in some districts clearance rates have been impacted by the dry weather and reduced commercial cow numbers. The highlights have been several bulls passing the $50,000 mark and also a multi-breed, multi-vendor sale in Western Australia where Herefords not only topped the sale but also had the highest average price.

Over recent months we have mentioned the importance of sharing good news stories about Hereford cattle and amplifying positive information to help grow market share for the breed. This is a key part of the marketing strategy for individual studs as much as it is for the breed as a whole.

To help further develop this concept we have asked Tegan Buckley from Mallee Marketing to write a monthly opinion piece for the eNews. Mallee Marketing helps seedstock businesses and rural brands communicate their value with clarity, confidence, and consistency. Tegan’s first article in the series has been included in this month’s eNews and I encourage everyone to take the time to read it.

We have also mentioned the development of GenSELECT a couple of times over the last 12 months. GenSELECT is the genomic selection tool that has been developed for commercial heifers and steers utilising Hereford BREEDPLAN. I am pleased to be able to let you know that the development of GenSELECT has been completed, and commercial delivery pipeline has been completed. Herefords Australia are working with Neogen and ABRI to finalise details so that GenSELECT can be formally launched. Watch this space over the next few weeks.

Planning for the 61^st National Show and Sale at Wodonga is well under way with more than 110 bulls having been entered. Tickets for the breed forum and dinner function are now available. The breed forum will be focussing on Markets and Marketing, with a great lineup of speakers. We look forward to seeing as many members there as possible from the 12 to the 14 of May.

The location and date for the Herefords Australia National Youth Expo have been confirmed as being held in Goulburn from 10 to 12 July. Entries are opening soon for this event.

As part of our youth program Herefords Australia is committed to continuing to run a heifer show in southern NSW on an annual basis. In addition to this we have been developing plans to return to having the National Youth Expo rotating around the key Hereford heifer shows that are run in different regions. This means that youth members will have the opportunity to compete at the National Youth Expo in Queensland next year and in Northern NSW in 2028.

If there is anything that you would like to discuss in more detail, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

Kind regards,

Hamish Chandler