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1982 |
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Progress since the New Foundation Herd Book of 1981 is recorded by Secretary Hugh Bowie for the 2nd 1982 edition. 5 cows and a bull of the Araclett line were located and accepted for entry along with an additional 32 females. 77 calves were also registered from all 4 recognised sire lines. Locally AI continued unsatisfactory with only 1 heifer and 3 bull calve resulting from the administration of a large number of straws. |
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Continued financial assistance from the SIC, administered by the RBST was greatly appreciated by Council members as was this volume typescript preparation by Mrs C. A. Calvert. |
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1983 |
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21 island calves were registered whilst mainland numbers increased to 53 new calves. |
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Mr Bowie also writes that, "Members welcomed the news that official recognition was given by the United Kingdom to the Society under the terms of the EEC Directive 77/504 - Purebred Breeding Cattle. |
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1984 |
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With the steady increase of Island cattle "The aim of the Society is to help maintain vigorous stock, that remain true to type with all the attributes that have enabled them to exist for more than a millennium. To this end Inspectors will assist in the choice of bulls and will endeavour to ensure that the 4 existing sire lines continue to be represented until new lines are established." |
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This line imbalance was also reflected on mainland Britain which would be addressed, whilst a significant development was the establishment of a herd by Leeds City Council. |
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Correspondence with DAFS Edinburgh regarding EEC Directive 84/419, July 1984 raised concerns of the Society's continued official recognition, as yet unresolved. |
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Thanks to the continued SIC grant with the RBST administration one Shetland herd now exceeded 20 head of purebred animals. |
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1985 |
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Concerns on breeding sire line ratios continued, with the old spectre of cross-breeding again coming to the fore. However the 1984 problem with DAFS was resolved with the Society being officially recognised under EEC Directive 84/419 after minor adjustments to the rules and regulations for entry included in the 1984 Herd Book. |
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"Following correspondence with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food it was agreed that the breed is dual purpose and hence qualifies for a suckler cow grant if used for pure breeding or if put to an acknowledged beef-breed bull. It is hoped that this will encourage more breeders to keep Shetland cattle for pure breeding purposes," |
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From the mainland angle a useful meeting was again held at Stoneleigh with AI still causing problems. |
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Mr Michael Rosenberg, a tower of strength when the Society was at a low ebb had congratulations extended by new Secretary, Mrs Eleanor Hall, on the occasion of his being made an Honorary Commander of the British Empire. |
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1986 |
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Island shortage of AI straws exacerbated the ongoing problem of sire line imbalance on the Isles with pedigree cow cross-breeding consequently going ahead. Elsewhere mainland owners were overcoming the AI non-performance by bull-sharing. |
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Shetland cattle continued to prevail at local shows with 9 entries at Voe, 5 at Cunningsburgh and 15 at Walls. |
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1987 |
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The sire line balance was restored via AI for Heather and Glebe lines whilst grant-aided bulls from Knocknagael, Araclett and Heather were available. The possibility of semen collection from good bulls before slaughter was discussed at a fruitful meeting in Shetland with Messrs G.LH. Alderson and G.E.Cloke representing the RBST. |
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The Society AGM was henceforth to be held annually on the last Tuesday of March and gratitude again expressed to the SIC, RBST and Mrs Cathie Church. |
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1988 |
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"History was made when the RBST, in conjunction with the local veterinary surgeon, were successful in obtaining semen from local bulls Trondra Thorgeir and Waterloo Charlie. This important breakthrough was made possible with the use of Araclett Doris owned by Mrs E.A. Hall. The semen was collected outside at the premises of Mr & Mrs J.G.H. Moar. Never before has semen been collected anywhere other than at an official A.I. Centre." |
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Local bulls Garths Gunner and Trondra Thorgeir were purchased by English breeders. |
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1989 |
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Despite the appalling winter which continued well into the growing season, the acute shortage of fodder did not affect the retention of pedigree animals, which, it had been feared may have been put to market. |
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