Ayrshire breeders on their way
Ayrshire cattle breeders are heading south to have their say.
For the first time in seven years, Ayrshire New Zealand will hold its national conference in Southland.
The conference will run from June 16 to 19.
Southland Otago president Peter Allison said the conference would give national breeders an opportunity to discuss upcoming remits and motions during the annual meeting.
Ayrshire NZ was looking to have all breeding bulls in New Zealand DNA tested to create genetic profiles, which would help to simplify the identification of progeny, Allison said.
Members would also discuss what registration costs would be in the future.
Ayrshire NZ has nine representative wards in New Zealand. During the annual meeting there would be a discussion about whether the nine-ward system was the best one to use, Allison said. ‘‘I think it is the best, because it gives representation of the country as a whole.’’
The annual meeting will be held on June 19. Delegates will spend the other days touring Southland.
While there were 370 members in the association, 30 of whom were based in Southland, the low dairy payout had affected the number who would be able to attend the four-day conference, Allison said. It would be difficult for some breeders to travel to the far end of the country.
Southland Otago Ayrshire NZ publicity officer Nancy Eade said about 70 delegates would be attending the conference.
‘‘Everybody is tightening their belts. It’s unfortunate that it’s happened down here.’’
The conference will give delegates a chance to have a look around Southland, with tours of the vintage machinery in Edendale and the Croyden Aviation Museum, as well as a New Zealand ayrshire video sale, an awards night celebrating farmer production, a talent competition, and a talk from an AllTech nutritionist.
The national conference gave breeders the chance to see fellow breeders, something that happened only about once a year, Eade said.
The ‘‘camaraderie’’ among the breeders kept them coming back, she said. June 10: B+LNZ Eastern Southland farming for profit meeting: Fertility management – 1pm: Wyndham Rugby Club, Raglan St. June 16-19: Ayrshire New Zealand national conference – throughout Southland. June 18: B+LNZ dog training workshop – 1-5pm: Wilden Station, 521 Wilden School Rd, Tapanui. June 19: B+LNZ dog training workshop – 1-5pm: Burwood Station, SH94, The Key, Te Anau. June 25: B+LNZ West Otago farming for profit technology expo – 11am – 4pm: Tapanui Community Centre, 1 Suffolk St, Tapanui. June 28-July 1: New Zealand Society of Animal Production 2015 Conference – various times: Dunedin Public Art Gallery, The Octagon.