180 PEOPLE ATTEND IRCC IN SOUTH AFRICA
writes Kären Moroney

“Focusing on the Future”, was the theme for the 2005 International Red Cow Club conference which was held in the spectacular Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa in May/June 2005.
Congratulations to the SA Red Cow Society who were our hosts for the conference (IRCC). It is an enormous task to organize a conference on this scale, when the small details, if overlooked, can be the fine line between success and failure. I believe the conference was a success on several levels. Firstly, it affords red breeders a forum in which to gather and discuss common goals, issues and future directions, this was certainly achieved with 16 of the current 22 membership attending to deliver papers on their breeds progress. Secondly, Judy Stuart the Executive Officer of the SA Red and her very able team featured international
speakers of a very high calibre, notably from the USA and Ireland. Professor Les Hansen from the University of Minnesota delivered the first paper to kick start the conference and set the theme for what was a smorgasbord of wonderful thought provoking material. Les has become a well known identity for his crossbreeding trial work in California. As Les states “Interest in crossbreeding is perhaps at an all-time high among commercial dairy producers internationally. Over the past 50 years we have seen the North American Holsteins steadily increase in numbers to become a majority in most dairy herds worldwide. Generally though, we have seen circumstances change regarding the historical superiority of pure Holsteins
compared to crossbreds, as the market demands a higher quality of milk with emphasis on solids rather than fluid. Also we have seen the reproductive decline in Holsteins and
an increase in calving difficulties”. We were also treated to some of South Africa’s eminent Geneticists, such as Professor Eddie Meyer who delivered a paper on genetic markers in
animal breeding, and a presentation by the chairman of the Clover Dairy Factory (one of the largest dairy manufacturers in SA), most of us could see that the problems we experience
in our own countries are replicated to some degree within other countries.

Sinclair Mayne, from the Agricultural Institute of Northern Ireland, presented several papers over the two days: one, on the trials being done in that country with the Holstein v Norwegian Dairy Cattle and two; on increasing milk production from pasture based systems. We also had the pleasure of hearing form Bennett Cassell, a dairy Scientist from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University of the USA. Bennet presented papers on the importance of health and fertility traits in pure-bred dairy cattle and genetic relationships, inbreeding and the future within breed selection. Maurice Bakke, a dairy Nutritionist from the USA also shared his thoughts on the effect of management and nutrition on reproduction in dairy cattle.

I felt privileged to hear these speakers, it certainly was a lot to take in over two days but gave many of us food for thought for a long time to come. Day two featured the breed associations papers. Mixed into all this was the wonderful atmosphere that can only be found among people who are all gathering for the one reason – to talk about cows, and that we all did with much gusto!! I am sure that if any readers are interested in purchasing a copy of the CD that was produced by Judy Stuart, on which most of the papers delivered over the two days are featured, that for a small fee, she would be happy to send to you.
Please write to Judy on the following e-mail address
pak03541@pixie.co.za

For many people on the Pre-Tour in particular it was their first taste of Africa. Forty Five people availed themselves of the opportunity to go on the Pre-Tour, I always enjoy this
informal part of any gathering, to have the opportunity to mix with everyone make new friends and catch up with old, again many of us did this with gusto, particularly after hours! What worries me is that the Australians, New Zealanders and Danes seemed to be a fixed feature of these gatherings most evenings! The Pre-tour featured much diversity as we took in one of the oldest game parks in South Africa, the Hluhluwe Game reserve situated in Northern
Zululand to traversing the famous Sani Pass and enjoying a cold beer or a hot toddy at the highest altitude pub in South Africa.

Apart from the plethora of wonderful cultural diversions, we had the privilege of visiting a number of farms and familiarizing ourselves with the dairying conditions and systems in South Africa. Thank you to the wonderful hospitality and sharing we experienced at these on-farm
visits. In the coming months I look  forward to showcasing some of these farm visits in future issues of the Red Cow in 2006. Most of the farms we visited had red cows that were now on their third lactation.

As Judy Stuart points out, it was as little as 15 years ago that the first inquiries were made about importing semen from Norway and Sweden. It was a long drawn out process to
eventually obtain permission from the authorities to have the first consignment of semen enter the country 10 years later! As Judy says the red scene is still in it’s infancy in south Africa but a convention such as the IRCC has attracted and generated much interest in the dairy industry. As my teenage sons like to consistently tell me “It’s all good”. But all the
good we achieved, has to continue once back home on our own “patch of ground” as red breeders, we should be taking the opportunities that are now before us, to move forward
and capitalize on the interest that has never been more evident in our red cow.

I look forward to making an announcement very soon on where and when the next IRCC will be held. Plan for it now, don’t be left behind! May I also take this opportunity to wish each and everyone of you a safe and happy Christmas season and all the best for the coming year.
Cheers to all,
Kären Moroney