Simmental Australia brings some major changes to our members from our November Board (Budget) meeting.
Database changes
From 1st April 2023, our animal database will be provided by CGEN who also hold Canadian Simmental, Australian Shorthorn and Gelbvieh. Our genetic evaluations will also be provided by IGS, the largest multi-breed evaluation available to us.
There will be a considerable education process for members over the next few months on these changes on how to register and enter data.
Any herds who may wish to also have Breedplan within-herd evaluations need to let us know before 31st March to allow for access to animals for those evaluations. Please note this is at your own cost as ASBA will no longer be paying for the Breedplan service.
DNA Subsidy
ASBA has resolved to no longer offer the DNA subsidy in 2023. Any member who sends requests before 22nd December (office will close for Christmas break from 22nd December and will reopen on 4th January), will still receive the subsidies on those samples, if eligible.
Grading
ASBA has discussed at length, clarification of a graded animal where approximate has been used in the Grade description.
The Board voted for a change to Bylaw 2.1.1 to read:
From 1/1/23 animals shall be entered in the Grading-up Section according to the following grades, with Grade P animals entered in the Purebred Section:
0 = Base
1 = Half bred with a minimum of 45% Simmental with the grade table then taking effect
2 = Three-quarter bred
3 = Seven-eighths bred
P = Fifteenth-sixteenths bred (being regarded as PUREBRED in the Simmental register)
Reports on breed creep will be tabled at our yearly risk management meetings to check on and graph any breed creep while maintaining our breed purity.
Schedule of Fees
For the first time in over 10 years, the Board has had to increase some fees in line with the cost of running the Society in light of recent CPI increases.
Membership – no change
Inventory – All grades and registers will now be charged at $24.20 for the first 200 females. 201 on will be charged at $22.
Reinstatements – All grades and registers will now be charged at $36.60
Embryo registrations – no change
Licences semen – no change
Transfer fees – no change
Late fees – deleted, no late fees to be charged
Breedplan fees – deleted
DNA – No change but will need to be reviewed when contract is due in May
Online Photos – $5.50
An updated set of Bylaws will be sent out to members shortly.
Inventory – in light of the increase in inventory fees, we will endeavour to post out all inventory sheets in December as well as to the member portal, where possible to alleviate any forgotten inventory changes. You may still enter your fates/disposals through the ABRI online portal. Forms/batches will need to be to the office by 31st January 2023.
Trading terms
Our trading terms have also been tightened from 180 days to 120 days. Unless you have a written payment plan in place, when your account goes over 120 days, all work ceases and you become unfinancial and animals made inactive.
Any queries to the Board, please email using this link here Do not hit reply to this email.
The next Board meeting is set for Tuesday 17th January. Letters to Board need to be sent by COB Thursday prior to the meeting, to be included in meeting notes.