News Archive 2007
Ten years of success
After 10 years at the helm of the Welsh Black Cattle Society (WBCS), Chief Executive Andrew James takes a look back at the breed's achievements and challenges over the past decade.
There is something rather special about Welsh Black Cattle. Not just because it is Wales ' native breed of cattle, but it is the ultimate bovine - suited to all types of farming and terrain.
Ten years ago when I joined the WBCS as Marketing Officer the beef industry was still recovering from the BSE crisis. It was a difficult time for producers and I was charged with delivering the £490,000 Welsh Office, European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund, and WBCS funded 5b Breed Development Project.
While the initial three year breed development project focused primarily on genetics, the entire project activity was much more extensive, encompassing public relations and promotion, creating awareness among consumers and farmers of the quality of the beef and the breed's excellent characteristics.
Welsh Black cattle and its beef are often referred to as 'Black Gold' and potential for progress within the breed was, therefore, one hundred fold.
Once semen from Welsh Black bulls became available a consignment of nearly 700 ampoules from 3 bulls were exported to Welsh Black cattle breeders in Alberta , Canada . While at home Society members benefited from the choice of genetics available.
Before joining the Society I was an artificial inseminator and sales officer with South Wales Breeders, and therefore I was delighted in 2000 when as part of the project the Bardsey Island 's Welsh Blacks were inseminated from two chosen sires to improve the herd.
The importance of the 5b project was soon evident, and as a result the Society secured a two year £740,000 extension, this time incorporating herd health testing.
The second project, started in 2000 began with a 20 farm pilot health scheme focussing primarily on Johne's Disease, three other diseases are important namely Infectious Bovine Rhinotraechotis (IBR), Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and Leptospirosis.
It has been so successful that there are now 267 herds taking part and testing for one or more diseases as members of the Premium Cattle Health Scheme. In addition 16 Welsh Black herds are now accredited free of all four diseases, achieving elite herd health status.
With the completion of the breed development and herd health projects the Society turned its attention to supporting and promoting Organic Welsh Black cattle breeding and beef sales.
During the Royal Welsh Winter Fair 2001 the Society Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, launched a 3 year project funded by the Welsh Development Agency. This resulted in 70 active Welsh Black members receiving support and advice on Organic Welsh Black beef production.
One of many highlights was when a member won first prize for his Welsh Black beef fillet, entered into a competition organised by Fine Foods France and judged by 12 Michelin chefs in London . The Welsh black entry was chosen from nine breed entries and voted the best tasting beef.
However 2001 was also the year Foot and Mouth Disease struck the UK . Although the agricultural industry came to a standstill, momentum was kept by the creation of the position of Young Member Ambassador for the Society. During 2001 and 2002 the first Ambassador, Verity Vater, travelled to New Zealand , Australia and Canada promoting the breed to farmers and gaining information on the different conditions the Welsh Blacks thrive under.
To date six young people have had the opportunity to become involved in Society events, learning about the breed and establishing themselves as strong characters within the Society and their communities.
The project highlighted the importance of encouraging and supporting members under 40 years of age who would be our new generation of Welsh Black farmers. This point was shown to be productive as in 2005 the society welcomed its100th member.
When I took over as Chief Executive in 2002, the ramifications of the Foot and Mouth outbreak were still very much in evidence in the marketplace. The importance of the Society as a point of information and support was enhanced by the introduction of annual county meetings, including two in England , which continue to generate plenty of interest.
In 2003 Carlisle, the only sale held by the society outside Wales , was re-instated after an absence of four years. This was a great opportunity for the breed whose multiple traits included hardiness, mothering ability and milkiness together with sire fertility and longevity, and ideal for farmers residing in the borders, Scotland and Northern Ireland .
Over the last decade sponsorship and arrangement of fundraising events have played an important role within the Society's annual calendar.
But while a registered charity I believe it is imperative to run the Society as a successful business.
The core of society work relates to promoting and securing the purity of the breed and improving the growth rate of membership and cattle registrations. The past five years has seen an improved cattle sale trade with demand for cattle continually growing and the Society before the end of 2007 is hoping to celebrate its 1,000 th member joining.
If asked for the most memorable events since I have been with the Society I'd have to choose the Royal Welsh display for the millennium and the Society's Centenary in 2004.
During the Society Centenary celebrations a dinner was held for members and a visit organised for Organic Club members and Society officials, to meet HRH The Prince of Wales at his Gloucestershire home, Highgrove.
As we look to next year's 2 nd Welsh Black Society World Conference in Australia , the future looks promising for Wales ' only native breed.
The breed continues to enjoy growth and prosperity and during May 2007 the Society exported 18 Welsh Black heifers and a bull to Denmark . At the same time two breeding bulls were exported to Germany , after an absence of 17 years cattle export.
Much has been achieved in ten years and still more lies on the horizon. There are opportunities and challenges at every turn - as the recent Foot and Mouth scare has proved.
But Welsh Blacks are born survivors; the cattle can live and thrive in both the bleak and beautiful countryside of any country around the world.
They have been part of the farming landscape for centuries and their adaptability ensures their place in the farming industries of today and tomorrow.