The MED Partnership AGM for 2013 took place in the Wark Hall, Belleek, on Tuesday night, February 12th 2013.
MED Chairman Jim Brennan after welcoming everybody to the very well attended meeting introduced the MED Secretary Hugh Gillespie, who read the minutes of the 2012 AGM.
Gerry Gallagher delivered the Accounts presentation in the absence of Terry Mc Intyre who unfortunately could not attend due to other business commitments. Gerry apologized on his behalf. After the presentation, the election of Terry Mc Intyre as the MED accountant for the coming year was proposed by Molly Reynolds and seconded by Pat Johnston.
In his capacity as MED Network Manager Gerry Gallagher also gave a report on the Rural Enterprise Skillnet Programme and gave a presentation on some of the courses which were run in 2012. Gerry thanked the steering committee of Molly Reynolds, Jim Brennan and John Barron and the consultant Orla Leydon. He also thanked Gearldine Mc Gill and Martin Doyle for their diligent administration.
He spoke about the accounts package and gave a demonstration on how it works. He also spoke about the CD for selecting breeding heifers, the visit to the Derrypatrick Herd, the meeting in Sligo on the Cap proposals, and the MED Website, (and urged everybody to use it more).
Francis Flanagan gave a report on the Northern Ireland Programmes. Francis spoke about the visit to Thomas Moorhead’s farm. He also talked about the CAFRE study tour to Scotland during 2012. He gave an update on the William Haire visit in 2011 and talked about William’s new Hereford Bull. Francis concluded by thanking the Vaughan Trust for their generous sponsorship.
Jeremy Mc Gonigle delivered the Cattle Committee Report and delivered a report on the 2012 AI scheme. He also talked about the MED cattle sale in October 2012 and said that it was another great success although numbers were down due to Bovine TB in the North West Region. He then gave an outline of the 2013 AI Cattle Improvement Scheme. He thanked all the sponsors of the AI scheme, The Irish Charolais Society, The Irish Limousin Society, The Irish Simmental Society, DM Auctions, Progressive Genetics and Ballyshannon Mart. He asked members to submit any information they had on the calves born as the cattle societies requested this feedback information. Jeremy concluded with a presentation on “Silage Quality” and how to supplement scarce supplies with concentrates. He also talked about using dry cow minerals and getting cows back in calf.
Chairman Jim Brennan then introduced Arthur Bredin who gave a presentation on Progressive Genetics and some of the bulls that were available to the MED AI Cattle Improvement Scheme in 2013. He stressed the importance of selecting proven bulls to improve the maternal traits in the herd.
The Election of the Committee for 2013 took place. Jim asked for anyone who was interested in joining the committee to put their names forward. The return of the outgoing committee was proposed by John Ovens and seconded by Neville Myles. The meeting unanimously concurred.
Jim thanked the members for their vote of confidence in the committee and outlined the MED Membership Fee and benefits for 2013. It has been set at €50 for general membership and an additional €50 to cover the AI Scheme, the FBD Scheme and the Annual MED Cattle Sale.
The Committee Member of the year prize “The Frank O Kelly Cup” was then presented to a surprised but proud Francis Flannagan by Jim Brennan, for his outstanding contribution to MED during 2012.
Jim then introduced Keynote Speaker Alex Cromie who gave a very interesting presentation on Succession Planning, Diversification & Training and Development.
Alex presented a lot of food for thought on the subject of succession planning which included a detailed analysis of present farm structures :- e.g. Joint names on Business ID, Herd Records etc. He also suggested more female involvement in MED structural outline, and also outlined the availability of training courses to MED members under the auspices of RDP/DARDNI.
Finally, Jim thanked MED staff, Gerry, Geraldine, & Martin, The Committee, for all their hard work during 2012, and everyone who attended the meeting. He singled out Jean Johnston & Andrea Flanagan for special thanks for providing welcome tea & coffee on such a cold night, and the Wark Hall Committee for their hospitality in hosting the AGM. He then closed the meeting.