IHFA STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN 2021 - 2025
Charles Gallagher Chief Executive
Introduction
1
IHFA Mission and Objectives
2
Breed Development
3
Research
4
Breed Promotion
5
Services
6
Finance
7
Governance
8
Environmental footprint
9
Youth programme
10
Introduction The Irish Holstein Friesian Association is a company limited by guarantee with charitable status. Registered Charity Number 20040307. IHFA is approved by the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine as a breed society in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/1012 and licensed to operate a breeding programme for the Holstein Friesian breed. As custodians of the breed in Ireland, IHFA are responsible for the integrity, quality and performance of the Holstein Friesian breed and the validity and upkeep of the herdbook. The breed consists of black and white animals: Pure Holstein, Pure Friesian and crosses of both. The herdbook of the Irish Holstein Friesian Association (the Association) shall include: a) Particulars of the pedigree and performance of pedigree Holstein Friesian animals, which are entered therein. b) Breeding Programme & Rules of Procedure to ensure the uniform application of EU rules on breeding animals. c) Such other information as the Board of the Association may from time to time decide. The Strategic Business Plan The Strategic Business Plan charts a way forward for the future direction of the Association in accordance with EU/DAFM legislation and the Charities Governance Code. It sets objectives and actions required to attain those objectives under the following headings: • • • • • • • •
Breed Development Research Breed Promotion Services Finance Governance Environmental footprint Youth programme
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IHFA Mission, Aims & Objectives IHFA Mission IHFA mission is that members’ farming systems are sustainable and in harmony with the environment, production systems that are efficient and profitable to continue the family farm into the future. The system is principally based on maximum utilization of grazed grass and grass silage with varying supplementation as necessary with home grown forages to augment output from efficient long-life cows, producing wholesome food with cow wellbeing and animal welfare as the cornerstone.
Aims and Objectives IHFA aims are to improve the breeding of pedigree Holstein Friesian cattle by encouraging its members to adopt modern scientific methods to enhance genetic gain and improve conformation standards suitable to twenty first century dairy production. IHFA aims to expand and enhance pedigree registrations by giving direction to the development and promotion of the breed in Ireland through its many events and services. IHFA aims to continue its open herdbook policy where new members are welcome to join and avail of its grade-up service, whereby commercial dairy cows can be graded to full pedigree with registered traceability. This herdbook service expands the wide genetic diversity within the breed.
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Breed Development Objectives To give future direction to breed development so that the Holstein Friesian continues as the breed of choice, versatile, adaptable and profitable suited to the varied farming systems as practiced in Ireland. 1. Encourage breeders to adopt all technologies to maximize genetic gain in the breed in order that pedigree breeding remains at the top of the genetic pyramid to disseminate genetic gain in the wider population of commercial animals 2. Review and update standards so that IHFA data remains a trusted source by industry and commercial dairy farmers. 3. Develop the Classification/Linear Scoring service and engage with research to enhance the value and relevance of the conformation data to commercial dairy farmers. 4. Update the rules on Classification categories and communicate traits that require improvement. 5. Support breeders in their decision-making and trait selection to maintain genetic diversity and manage inbreeding. 6. Engage with animal health initiatives in order to establish herd confidence levels for the breed. 7. Focus on longevity through cow families to lower the carbon footprint. 8. Focus on optimum productivity per cow to dilute the green house gas emissions. 9. Focus on Pure Friesian genetics to maximize breed improvement. 10. Track trends in herdbook genetics 11. Engage with international bodies; WHFF, EHRC, ICAR to maintain breed standards. 12. Address legislation that may affect members.
Actions •
Focus on the adoption and uptake of research at farm level.
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Research Objectives Engage with research institutes so that the Irish Holstein Friesian breed is best placed as the breed of choice for Irish dairy farming systems. 1. Provide funding to Teagasc-Vista Milk project and continuation of the UCD Lyons project. 2. Update research on conformation traits and related profitability. 3. Engage with environmental initiatives and research to position the breed in a positive light. • Ensure that the breed is adaptable and contributes to positive climate change by lowering the carbon footprint. • The Ag Climatise road map aims to make Irish agriculture climate neutral by 2050 and includes 29 actions with specific and challenging targets. • Animal breeding and animal health are identified as concrete actions. • It aims to genotype the entire national herd by 2030 to enhance breeding programmes that help achieve a reduction in greenhouse gases. • Increase the EBI gain by €5 to €15 per animal per year. 4. Engage with research identifying genes that improve health traits and implications of recessive genes. 5. Engage with research on genes that affect advances in milk processing 6. Blockchain; members data accumulated in pedigree breeding. In time this data may be harvested for extracting assurances in the market place which has the potential to add value for IHFA herds.
Actions •
Appoint a research graduate to engage with government schemes, research bodies and the database especially with the Ag Climatise report to actively influence and extract data that can promote the breed in a positive light; to analyse IHFA database to enhance the value of the breed and produce meaningful reports.
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Breed Promotion Objectives To communicate a positive image of the breed to member breeders and commercial dairy farmers. To promote the genetic attributes of the Holstein Friesian; the heterosis effect and value of Pure Friesian in crossing to improve strength, fertility, components and beef merit while maintaining pedigree status. 1. Promote the merit of the Holstein Friesian from research-based data, a trusted source of benefit to breeders and the wider industry. 2. Raise the profile of the Association through all media channels. 3. Reboot the intrinsic value of membership of the Association in driving profitability. 4. Develop initiatives and activity to engage with the general public, virtual stock judging, breeder herd video profiles. 5. Communicate relevance and benefits to industry of independent verifiable data provided by IHFA. 6. Promote the value of Classification/Linear scoring to members to build cow families and improve longevity in the breed. 7. Champion activity of local clubs. 8. Identify and work with key industry partners to benefit members. 9. Attend key agricultural events. 10. Encourage international visitors to key events. 11. Promote a strong sense of community and social capital that benefits all members. 12. Promote the health and nutritional value of dairy products by engaging with Board Bia, National Dairy Council, Agri Aware and all other dairy producers.
Actions • • • • • • • •
Greater use of social media in promoting activity. Develop marketing campaigns. Link up with past members of YMA. Update the website so that it is interactive and adaptable to mobile phones. Evaluate the biannual Journals as an effective means of communication and promotion. Hold a Judges’ Conference. Highlight genetic diversity in the breed. Establish a committee to continue with a Spring Show - Emerald Expo
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Services Objectives IHFA is a provider of essential services and information to members that confers benefits to the breeder and the wider dairy industry. 1. Maintain and improve existing services to members to create tangible benefits and value. 2. Ensure members understand the portfolio of services and benefits. 3. Continue ongoing staff training to ensure member experience of using IHFA services is of the highest level. 4. Engage with the database in driving improvements and new services. 5. Implement new and updated classification reports 6. Carry out an audit of all current services to drive efficiencies. 7. Improve data accuracy and implement dataflow strategy resulting in better efficiencies for members and staff. 8. Engage with alternative service providers to ensure recognition of members requirements in managing their business. 9. Engage with ICBF in ensuring accuracy and quality services
Actions • • • •
Introduce service agreements to improve commitments to services into the future. Review standard operating procedures (SOPs) Demonstrate services through social media and video clips. Explore the cost benefit of funding pilot schemes to introduce new services to members.
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Finance Objectives To be financially sound while delivering core services to members. 1. Generate sufficient cash flow to fund the business by increasing registrations and uptake of services. 2. Explore strategic partnerships that generate revenues through sponsorships. 3. Generate income from commercial companies at Association events. 4. Protect the financial assets of the Association. 5. Generate equity and utilise external financial expertise to protect investments. 6. Produce quarterly accounts. 7. Create budgets and costings. 8. Follow protocols for purchases and expenditure. 9. Maintain audit and risk assessment. 10. Maintain charitable status. 11. Hold an annual general meeting.
Actions • •
All members selling stock can encourage buyers to engage with the Association in registering progeny of their purchases by supplying contact details for the herdbook. IHFA will provide leaflets at marts and offer buyers an updated certificate in their name as the owners of recently purchased stock.
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Governance Objectives Ensure that the governance structure serves and empowers members to engage with the future direction of the Association. Ensure compliance with Charities Regulatory Authority-Governance Code. 1. Critique the present governance structure and article changes in 2015/16 to ensure it best serves the Association. 2. Engage with clubs nationally. Encourage clubs to broaden scope of activities. 3. Update members on the new EU legislation, differentiating the breeding programme and rules of procedure. 4. Provide induction for club representatives as to their role as directors on IHFA Board. 5. Provide induction programme under the Charities Governance Code. 6. Ensure compliance with employment legislation. 7. Document employment policies and procedures.
Actions • • •
Hold club conferences. Review club structure. Explore the feasibility of clubs adopting IHFA rules and governance structure for streamlining operational procedures.
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Environmental Footprint Objectives Businesses have an important role to play in combating climate change. The Association will adopt and modify company work practices and encourage members to be proactive in positively impacting climate change. 1. IHFA is to adopt management practices to reduce its carbon footprint. 2. IHFA will encourage members to reduce their environmental footprint through awards.
Actions • • • • • • •
Use of online reports rather than printing and posting. Catalogues available online. Emailing invoices. Clean desk policy. Hybrid working model - working from home 2 days and office 3 days. Herd award on biodiversity measures through novel competitions Herd award on reduced carbon footprint using Board Bia measurement.
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Youth Development - YMA Objectives Encourage youth involvement in YMA with defined focus on developing skills through organised workshops and education. Create leadership opportunities that equip young people for a dairy management career whether on the home farm or the wider industry to value registered pedigree. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.
Establish skills workshops and educational forums. Engage with agricultural colleges. Foster relations with other youth organisations such as Macra. Broaden scope of competitions to include events for all age categories. Reassess new events and awards. Compete at international youth events. Promote the value of a youth organisation at Holstein Friesian club level. Establish judging schools. Promote public speaking through reason giving in judging stock.
Actions • •
Appoint youth ambassadors to engage with clubs and promote YMA activity. Review the governance structure for YMA, separate but ultimately under the control of the parent Association.
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Irish Holstein Friesian Association Ballymacowen Clonakilty Co. Cork www.ihfa.ie Tel.: 023 8833443 Registered Charity No.: 20040307