5.8 - Australian Jersey Breeders Society

JJ
LETTER
Letter to the Editor
Dear Jersey Breeders,
It is important that when anyone sets out to be part of a culture or
distinctive group that those individuals are aware of the ethics of
this community. Ethics being a body of moral principles or values
governing a distinctive culture. Ethics are what governs us as a whole
community, what we know as humans to be correct, right and wrong.
However, what happens in a distinctive group when ethics and even
rules begin to be slowly eroded?
As a professional, I am governed everyday by ethical behaviour. Of
course there are rules which govern how I am to interact with clients,
however, there are also my own individual and workplace’s ethics
which dictate how I behave. If I was to breach these parameters, I
would be quickly questioned. But what happens when people in a
community know that unethical behaviour is happening and do not
question, but to the contrary, ‘jump on the band wagon’?
The answer is that ever so slowly what we have known to be our
registered Breeders’ community becomes unrecognisable, old
breeders become disheartened and the new either are joining the
fray or disappearing. I have watched over the years, the ‘playing field’
in the show ring shift, shift towards individuals who are prepared
to unethically alter the appearance of their animals in order to win.
What is sad is that many of the youth surrounding our show rings
appear to believe that the only way to be competitive is to engage in
dishonourable behaviour. Not only do individuals act fraudulently but
it appears, many are happy to show others how to do it as well! Why,
when many people step into a show situation are they leaving their
integrity at the gate?
Let’s consider a scenario, simply, a cows teats have been set , ‘glued’!
They walk into the ring, the judge doesn’t notice, they win their class
and go on to win a broad ribbon. They gain prize money. The question
that needs to be asked is, are they profiteering from fraudulent
behaviour? One could argue that this is especially the case if they go
on to sell this animal or progeny from this animal. It also needs to be
considered where this stands with the Australian Trade Practices Act?
In this country it is clearly illegal to misrepresent an item which is up
for sale.
If we were a ‘gambling society’, this would not be a problem because
Australian law prevents ‘fixing’. Take for example the Fine Cotton Affair
of 1984. A racing horse was misrepresented as another; a prominent
racing industry figure was given a 14 year ban from the industry
because of alleged knowledge of the fraudulent behaviour. I suggest
that if these rules were applied to the Australian show rings, many
prominent breeders would be banned!
When is enough going to be enough? When will people regain their
sense of integrity and question their own behaviour and that of others?
Why are we so scared to say it is not ok? Is it because it is already of
epidemic proportions? It is time to start to question the unethical
behaviour that we see happening in our show ring. Sadly, I do not want
my two year old son growing up and wanting to be part of the current
Dairy Industry Show Ring. I do not want him to grow up thinking that
people will condone, even affirm those who cheat in life.
Our Breed Society leaders need to demonstrate through definitive
action to the young of our breed that it is not acceptable behaviour.
That it is serious fraudulent behaviour with critical breed and legal
implications. Show entrants need to comply with the letter and spirit
of the Breed Society’s Code of Ethics, and as breeders we need to
support the Breed Societies, should they have the ethical fortitude to
enforce the Code of Ethics.
Yours Sincerely
Michelle Brown
(Wollingurry and Foxton Jersey Studs)
FEES & CHARGES - 1st JANUARY 2012
REGISTRATION FEES
COWS & BULLS PRICE GST TOTAL
0 - 3 months $11.00 $1.10 $12.10
3 - 6 months $13.00 $1.30 $14.30
6 + months $17.00 $1.70 $18.70
Associate Members $17.00 $1.70 $18.70
3 per year
Bulls born after July 1, 2007 - dam must be classified.
Bulls born to a GR cow cannot be registered
Telephone Emergency Registrations - $55.00 surcharge
GENETIC RECOVERY PRICE GST TOTAL
Live Animals (1st yr) $7.00 $0.70 $7.70
Dead Animals
No Charge
SEMEN PURCHASE PRICE GST TOTAL
Jersey Marketing Services $10.00 $1.00 $11.00
TRANSFER CHARGES
SITUATION PRICE GST TOTAL
Whole Herd - Walk In-Walk out $2.00 $0.20 $2.20
Under $1,000 $15.00 $1.50 $16.50
$1,000 - $1,999 $20.00 $2.00 $22.00
$2,000 - $2,999 $30.00 $3.00 $33.00
$3,000+ 2% of Sale Price
Within Family
No Charge
Within Syndicate
No Charge
Bulls to AI Companies $35.00 $3.50 $38.50
REPLACEMENT PEDIGREE CERTIFICATES
SITUATION PRICE GST TOTAL
Incorrect Information
No Charge
Whole Herd (per animal) $1.00 $0.10 $1.10
Individual Animal $2.00 $0.20 $2.20
AI Company $5.00 $0.50 $5.50
MEMBERSHIPS
TYPE PRICE GST TOTAL
Family $180.00 $18.00 $198.00
Full or Syndicate $160.00 $16.00 $176.00
Junior $80.00 $8.00 $88.00
Associate* $80.00 $8.00 $88.00
Jersey Journal Subcription (Aust & OS) $71.50
MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
Changes to Classification fees effective Tour 1, 2012.
2yr Old Classification (classify all 2yr olds) $7.70 incl GST
Cows and selected 2yr olds $12.10 incl GST
14 Jersey Journal – January/February 2012