INTERNATIONAL ANGUS WORLD SECRETARIAT MEETING IRELAND 2007

Tim & Kelly Brittain, Helen & Rob Wylie at the
Angus World Secretariat meeting in Ireland.

During August (9th – 19th), 2007, Tim and Kelly Brittain and Rob and Helen Wylie represented the New Zealand Angus Association (Inc) at the World Angus Secretariat meeting in Ireland.

Approximately 100 Angus people from Canada, USA, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, Ireland and Scotland were at this Forum with delegates from each country attending the Secretariat meeting on the Monday in Athlone, County Westneath.

The purpose of the Angus World Forums and Secretariat meetings is to bring Angus cattle breeders and their management together to build on the common interest and passion for the advancement and benefit of all Angus people throughout the world.

This gathering was originally started in ………… and each 4 years there is a “World Angus Forum” (2009 Canada) and every 2 years a “World Angus Secretariat meeting” (2011 Argentina).

This year it was Ireland’s turn to host the secretariat event. Ireland is a beautiful country that for centuries has depended on sustenance farming to survive. Properties are small by our standards so herds are tiny (average herd for Angus Society breeders is 3-4) and revolve largely around the showing circuit.

Macroon Castle

On joining the European Union Ireland was brought to life with the EU monies poured into their country, creating business investment and large scale subsidisation. Until 2012 the farming community is benefiting from this along with the rest of the community, but come 2012 it will all finish…… apparently!!

So it was a good time to be there and to see these lovely people benefiting from this union, with many Irish descendants returning to their homeland from all parts of the world to re-settle in their own country.

We were there for 9 days and during that time saw most of the southern half of the country where the bulk of the Angus cattle reside. We visited 6 lots of Angus cattle; 4 farms, 1 registered herd and the other 3 commercial and two displays of registered Angus cattle brought to a central location by members of the Irish Angus Society.

Size, weight and muscling are the market criteria so we saw some very big animals although on the commercial properties the cattle we saw were tending towards more moderate type cows.

Gardens at Macroon Castle

In our bus we were lucky enough to have a fantastic driver in Liam, he gave a continuous background to Ireland’s history, Ireland today, sang to us, told jokes, played the right music and generally looked after us so well it made the trip a memorable experience.

We went to many of the top tourist spots, dined at a medieval castle, visited many of Ireland’s historic and beautiful towns and cities, had dinner on the Shannon `River and enjoyed the company of our fellow Angus people from around the world.

Unfortunately we did not get to go to the Tullamore Show as it was cancelled due to torrential rain that flooded the venue. This is one of Irelands biggest shows with 100,000 people descending on this small town for this event, they would have been devastated as that income for this small community would have been invaluable.

During the trip the World Angus Secretariat meeting was held with the main emphasis being on DNA, Youth, growing co-operation between the countries, across border problems and the continuation of the World Angus Forums. There is a desire from many countries to set up youth programmes with other countries.

Heifers at David Holland’s Bunratty

Argentina, South Africa, Australia, Canada and Great Britain all indicated that they would be very keen to create opportunities for young New Zealand people interested in Angus cattle to visit their countries - on a reciprocal basis, which is very encouraging and would be a great experience for the many youth members that we have.

All countries were concerned with the speed that the commercial companies are developing the DNA industry and the overwhelming message from the Secretariat meeting was one to “ take it quietly, there is a lot of work to be done yet to verify the markers to a satisfactory level to be incorporated into EBVs or EPDs”. Yes it is the belief that they will work together, ie DNA markers and actual performance measurments will be incorporated into a genetic predictor which encompasses both of these.

Winter feed - James O’Connell

The next World Angus Forum is of course in Canada in 2009, followed by the World Angus Secretariat meeting in Argentina in 2011 and then the 2013 World Angus Forum in NEW ZEALAND! We left Ireland with many fond memories – a beautiful country with many contrasts, delightful people who enjoy life, are very hospitable, friendly and helpful, laugh a lot and laugh at themselves even more.

If you are going that way take the opportunity, you will not be disappointed, it is a great place with great people who are now benefiting from their membership of the EU.

Young females - James O’Connor

David Holland’s, Rathdowney - a group of his cattle