We were at the SCBA AGM this weekend. That's the Shetland Cattle Breeders' Association - which supports mainland breeders and promotes the breed on the mainland. There is also the Shetland Cattle Herd Book Society, which does all cattle registrations and works on the Shetland Islands, with much the same aims as SCBA.
I'd like to ask all Shetland cattle breeders or owners on the mainland to join SCBA. The Association counts among its members a number of excellent geneticists who do a lot of work on behalf of the breed. It also has area reps who help with advice and with sourcing bulls and other stock.
The website
www.shetlandcattle.org.uk also has a members area which contains a database of cows and bulls, with four generations of the pedigree. Further developments on the website are likely.
The Association also produces a quarterly newsletter with lots of interesting articles. Even the AGM was interesting as it included a visit to a breeder who milks her cows and produces cheese commercially. Good visit, lovely lunch and we met other Scottish breeders, so good contacts as well.
It only costs £11 a year if you pay by standing order, so if you're not already a member, please do join now.