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2000 |
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The year of the Millenium Show saw the presentation of 2 Shetland heifers by President Laurence Odie to HRH Prince Charles on his visit to the Shetland Agricultural Show. The Prince was also made an Honorary Member of the SCHBS. |
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New promotional leaflets, "A Breed from the Past with a Place in the Future" and "Shetland Cattle as Conservation Grazers" were produced by Mr & Mrs Ronnie Eunson who effectively met the Millenium Show deadline. |
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Laurence continues that 20000 also saw the establishment of the UK Mainland Shetland Cattle Support Group. It had regional representatives and a contingent of 30-40 Shetlanders were hoping to do a round tour of the members in 2001, subject to the devastating Foot & Mouth outbreak being contained. |
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2001 |
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Mrs Evelyn Leask was retiring and President Odie informed the Committee that discussions had taken place with Shetland Agricultural Association regarding their administration of the secretarial duties. He felt that this would be a benefit to the members knowing that the members' queries could be answered during office hours plus a dedicated answering line. More complex matters would be dealt with on a weekly basis or taken to the Management Council which would hopefully give continuity. The estimated workload of 10 hours/week would be funded by the SIC. |
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The future of the pure-bred heifer calf grant was uncertain but the Chief Executive was fully aware of the Heritage importance of the native breed. A delegation to address the Development Department on this issue was proposed. |
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2002 |
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No meetings of the Management Council were held in 2001 due to the FMD restrictions. |
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The UK Mainland Support Group was mirrored in the Isles with the Shetland Producers' Group to deal with daily matters, thus releasing the SCHBS to concentrate on Animal Registration, transfers and Procedural matters. |
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The issue of bull inspection was raised by Jim Johnson with a suggestion that a scoring system would help new breeders. He also suggested that the herd book would be enhanced by photos and it was mentioned that the Shetland Agricultural Association had space for the Society on its website. Lauraine Manson observed that the Shetland Pony Breeders' Society Website had proved most successful, giving details of every Shetland pony in Shetland. Costing was to be sourced. |
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2003 |
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President Kevin Rennie informed members that the SCHBS office was now established at the Agricultural Marketing Centre, with the Herd Book now on computer there. Registration Certificates are currently being sent out on registration and the local Herd Book quote was accepted. |
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It was agreed that the AGM would now be held on the first Sunday of April. |
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2004 |
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Kevin informed members that an office staff amalgamation had resulted in delays with the Herd Book, but hopefully this would be overcome in future along with a simpler procedure for registration. |
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Administration funding from the SIC was continuing, but with no guarantees for the future. |
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Cunningsburgh Show had been in contact to establish whether we would incorporate our show again. |
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Jim Johnson suggested that both Dr SHU Bowie and Mr TAU Fraser should be made honorary life members for their sterling work with the Shetland Breed. |
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2005 |
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New President Ms Jackie Syme filled the Chair at a premature date, thanking all experienced Committee Members for their assistance in various realms including the prompt delivery of the 2004 Herd Book in time for the AGM. |
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The numbers of calves born seemed to be stable with 148 heifers born in 2004 compared with 144 in 2003, 65 in Shetland and 83 outwith the Isles. |
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2006 |
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Jackie again thanked members for their support, remarking that the lack of issues to deal with was surely a good sign that the System was working. She observed that enquiries for cattle had diminished but put this down to the changeover to Single Farm Payment, hoping that trade would pick up once this was established. Notwithstanding this a healthy number of new members have joined the Society during the year, both in and outwith Shetland. |
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2007 |
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The President observed that in the wake of the Foot & Mouth outbreaks Shetland cattle prices were extremely low in the back end of the year here. The lack of dedicated slaughter facilities for cattle combined with higher freight charges continue to have a detrimental effect on these prices although there are hopeful signs that these are starting to recover from this extremely low level. Not only did Britain suffer FMD outbreaks in 2007 but also Bluetongue raised its ugly head. This has got to be a time when we all review our biosecurity measures and become very particular as to where we buy our cattle. |
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Jackie concluded that she was now finishing her 3-year tenure as President in addition to the 7-month Acting Presidential role. She gave heartfelt thanks to both the Committee and all members for their dedicated support over this period. |
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She continued that she felt it a great honour, as an English incomer, to have gained local acceptance and thus been nominated President of this very respected Society, administrated from its native roots. As her final Presidential act she asserted she would buy us all a drink as a specific appreciation of our faith in her |
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2008 |
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At the AGM Jackie Syme’s tenure came to an end and a long standing member and breeder Mr Addie Doull was honoured with the Presidency. On behalf of The Shetland Cattle Herd Book Society he wishes to thank individuals and organisations who have contributed time, effort and money to promote the breed in any way but most of all to those who have faithfully kept the breed, and for their dedication over many years. |
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2010 will be a very historic year in that the Society was formed in October 1910 and Shetland intends to celebrate this fact with a four day, informative and action packed Centenary Celebration to give all attendees a real flavour of Shetland and its heritage and how Shetland Cattle were central to family life in the country. |
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