Beef competitions for study

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 14

Beef competitions for study

The Meat Board, in association with the Royal Agricultural Society and the United Breeds Society, is to carry out a study of export beef competitions. This was reported by the chairman of the United Breeds Society, Mr J.. G. Gunn, following a deputation to the board which came in the wake of reports that the board was intending to give up sponsorship of the competi-: tions because they were not doing the job that they had been expected to do.

Several breed societies have since expressed their concern at the board’s intentions and the possibility of the competitions being abandoned. Mr Gunn said it was felt that the board had not developed a closed mind to the competitions and it showed no lack of appreciation of the value that the competitions had been to individual exhibitors and any other people

who had participated in them.

However, there had been a trend in most areas for entries to be disappointing and attendances to be small and it was understandable that the board had decided to review the position. In its wish to have more people involved from the industry and a broader spectrum of beef producer interest, the board had agreed to “research” the 14 odd competitions that were held in association with the Royal Agricultural Society and the United Breeds Society. Mr Gunn said it appeared that two Canterbury competitions were more successful than most others.

The board also appeared to.be happy to co-operate in competitions and assist in any way possible. It was willing to provide speakers and graders. Mr Gunn. said that one

of the main aims of the United Breeds Society was to promote anything that would improve productive performance and quality, but in spite of some ex-, cellent arguments advanced in favour . of the competitions and 7 some criticism of the board’s intentions, it was difficult for the society to generate increased interest and broader involvement in the light of the fact that some breeds had not attended the council meeting

in June to give their opinions on this matter. The society would like 'to seethe competitions go ahead successfully but it was in the hands of exhibitors and breeders in providing the entries and interest to ensure that that happened. The chairman of the Royal Agricultural Society, Mr I. A. Barnett, arid the secretary of both societies, Mr J. G. Humm, as well as Mr Gunn were members of the deputation.