President's Report

AGM July 2004

Another year has gone by and whilst some progress has been made, I have to report that we appear to be a dwindling association. Prior to last year we had some members and to date we have only 10 members. The following have not renewed their memberships and I would like to suggest we write to them seeking their reasons for not remaining members.

However on the positive side we are seeing increasing interest in the features and genetics unique to our breed of sheep.

Some merino breeders interested in the soft rolling skin concept and some sheep were purchased and are now involved in an embryo-flushing programme in Qld have approached us.

Increasing activity by the animal welfare groups will sooner or later result in the banning of both tail docking and meulsing. This whilst not good news for sheep breeders in general, nevertheless opens some avenues for our sheep genetics with the short tail and generally clean breeches evident in Finn Sheep.

The record price of $198 for lambs at the Bendigo sale yards recently was for a pen of Š Finn Š Merino ½ Texel crosses.

Great potential exists for Finn Texel cross rams as already demonstrated by the McClymont's in their breeding programme.

Of further interest was the visit by a delegation from the province in northern China. Whilst this may have been only a junket as there appeared to be only one genuine agriculturalist amongst the party, they were all briefed on the attributes of our breed and the potential benefits for the Chinese sheep industry of using Finn genetics. I do not expect anything to come of this visit in the short term but it is worthwhile keeping all options open. The major problem should the Chinese decide to move would be our ability to supply and wether we would make any money on the deal.

Work is underway to improve the quality of Finn Sheep in Australia with the importation of semen from 2 excellent rams from NZ. An AI program combined with an embryo-flushing program is underway that should accelerate this improvement.

There is also the possibility that we will be able to import semen from some of the best rams in Finland.

As a small association we need to ensure that we all co operate to maximise the potential of our breed in Australia we need to be aware that without this co operation there is the real chance that we will fade away. Members should be aware not only of the sheep they have available for sale but also those of other members. This is particularly relevant when an individual member cannot meet demand for sheep, we do not want potential customers looking to alternatives when this demand can be met by reference to other members.

With the upcoming renovation of our web site we should all be aware of what sheep are available as I encourage members to list them on the site.

I finish this report with a reiteration of the request for tighter co-operation and communication in order to maintain and grow the momentum we have seen this last year. I am more convinced than ever that we have a product that has a place in the Australian Sheep industry.

Gerry Shepherd