SECRETARY'S REPORT

By Siân Sharp

My first anniversary of my appointment to the role of Breed Secretary is quickly approaching and during my first year I have taken a great deal of pleasure in speaking to so many dedicated and enthusiastic breeders of Salers.

I was extremely fortunate to be able to take over from Liz who was committed wholeheartedly to the Society and extremely passionate about the breed. She made the transition into the Society particularly easy and her knowledge and administrative capability made the training process a lot easier. It was an honour to take over from someone I admire and respect and I feel privileged to have made a new friend. Liz assures me she is always on the end of the phone and on occasions I do give her a call which is particularly reassuring in a role like this, where some situations do not arise regularly. Similarly, Council and the office bearers have been extremely supportive, and I cannot thank them enough. The year however has been not without its challenges. The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent restrictions have caused havoc across the globe. Closer to home the cancellation of agricultural events, whether these be sales, exhibitions, shows etc has impacted the industry and our members, inconceivably. I have however been immensely heartened with the determined approach demonstrated by all I have come across. Members have sought out new ways of doing things, adopted new technology and techniques, and found ways of allowing business to continue. We have sold cattle in timed auctions; livestock markets have adopted online bidding facilities and the Council even met via zoom!

Likewise, the way I have had to work, and my priorities have had to change in 2020. The meeting and greeting of members and stakeholders I expected in my first year, was severely curtailed, and instead I have had to develop and progress other initiatives handed down from Council such as the new website. I wish to use this new platform coupled with social media to promote and increase the popularity of the Salers and therefore continue to expand the marketplace for this exceptional maternal breed. The historic decisions taken by the UK and French Societies that there is no place for the mutations of the myostatin gene in the Salers breed makes it possible that the Salers breed in the UK, the Society and all its members at some point in time, may be able to capitalise on a unique status and an unprecedented marketing SIÂN SHARP Breed Secretarytool. There are opportunities to adopt a system, whereby herds are classified or accredited as Myostatin free. This would make the Salers stand out from any other breed and allow us to effectively market our maternal breed to maximum effect. More information on how to prepare for this is contained in the myostatin article on page 78. I would like to thank our sponsors and advertisers who despite an exceedingly difficult year have continued to support this edition of the journal. I am grateful to them and will endeavour to share adverts and articles online throughout the year to maximise their contribution.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce you to the 32nd edition of the Salers Cattle Society of the UK Breed Journal. Whilst the normal sale and show reports are absent, I hope it brings some educational, technical and most of all entertaining articles to keep your interest. On behalf of the Council, and myself we hope that you enjoy this edition and let us look forward to a productive and progressive year for the Salers breed, the Society, and all of its members. Stay safe.

CUMBRIAN OLYMPIA POLL, A 19-MONTH-OLD SALERS BULL BRED BY TOM AND IAN WALLING, OVER WHITLAW, SELKIRK, SOLD IN A PRIVATE DEAL FOR £16,000 TO LANCASHIRE BREEDERS, G AND O LAWRENSON’S PARKFIELD HERD.