Friday 24 October 2008

Welsh Black Cattle Society conference Down Under

It promises to be the trip of a lifetime - but there is a more serious side to next

month's visit Down Under by members of the Welsh Black Cattle Society.

The three week tour of Australia coincides with the society's second World Conference in Melbourne and chief executive Andrew James who will be leading the party of 29 says the underlying aim is to secure the international future of the breed.

The society, based at the Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells and with an office in Caernarfon, now has thriving national Welsh Black clubs and associations in England , Germany , New Zealand , Australia , Canada and Denmark .

The first World Conference was held in Wales to mark the society's centenary year in 2004 and the latest event was instigated by Mr James and the then president of the Australian Welsh Black Cattle Society Malcolm Douglass who issued the invitation for the 2008 conference to be held in Oz.

Now Australian farmers are already looking forward to a "memorable occasion" and, appropriately, the conference tour will start with a celebartion of Wales in Australia - and a Welsh Black beef welcome dinner at the Melbourne Park Hyatt.

Says Mr Douglass, "The tour will once again underline the importance of networking and cultural exchange between Wales and Australia , as well as pooling experience in the agri-business field. Invaluable contacts will be made, easing the continued development of bloodlines globally and the further enhancement of this great breed of cattle."

Breeders in Wales couldn't agree more and an enthusiastic Mr James says, "It is going to be like a breath of fresh air for these people to see us because at the conference there will be a gathering of between 60 and 70 delegates from all over the world.

"It is going to be memorable but it is also a busy trip because the party from Wales - who will also include three breeders from Germany - will be visiting 13 Welsh Black farms in Victoria and New South Wales .

"There will be a wealth of information, knowledge and ideas coming out of the conference and as we will have a number of young people travelling they will be linking up with wise and experienced members to help secure the future of Welsh Blacks.

"We are excited about the project because we have been discussing it for the past four years and I feel it is one of my major contributions to the society. Networking and contact between members is an important part of my mission to ensure the society does strengthen its position and continues to go from strength to strength.

"One of the big advantages of the breed, however, is that it is so hardy and versatile because the animals will adapt equally well to the cold conditions of Canada as they do to the hot climates of Australia and Nigeria ."

Leaving for Australia with the party on November 7 is the society's Young Member Ambassador Jessica Evans, 25, who will cover the event with reports and photographs.

Farmer's daughter Jessica, a trading standards officer with Gwynedd County Council but with her own pure pedigree Welsh Black herd in Harlech, won the Hybu Cig Cymru Scholarship of £1,500 to travel, investigate and return to Wales with her findings.

"I am delighted to have won the scholarship and am thoroughly looking forward to this once in a lifetime trip to Australia to promote Welsh Blacks and have the opportunity to see how Wales' native breed has adapted in a different climate," she says.

The society has been fortunate to obtain sponsorship of £250 from Lloyds TSB, c/o Gwilym Francis of Carmarthen , and £300 from Evan Evans Brewery, Llandeilo, to cover the cost of gifts for their Australian hosts. These will include newly designed table mats and matching coasters as well as society badges, trailer and car stickers and journals.

As well as visiting a host of farms which breed Welsh Blacks, the aim of the tour is to increase public relations on an international basis, market breed genetics and ensure the Welsh Black is recognised worldwide for its quality cattle and as a prime source of first class beef for the dinner table.

"Hence, the trip has tremendous potential for the Welsh Black Cattle Society," says Mr James.

During the tour, there will also be an opportunity to sample the culture and history of Australia with stop-overs in Singapore and Dubai including breakfast with Orangatans in Singapore Zoo and a four wheel drive dune dinner safari to a traditional Arabian encampment.

Ends

Notes to editors

For further information contact:

Andrew James, chief executive, Welsh Black Cattle Society.

Tel: 01982 551111