A strategic plan for the New Zealand Hereford Association

New Zealand’s sheep and beef farmers continue to struggle. With the global economic crisis stumbling along the situation on most farms is unlikely to improve within the next 18-24 months. Farmers have slashed spending, livestock numbers are depleted, a drought, an earth-quake, a storm, and sheep and beef farmer confidence is very low. Change is required if the majority of sheep and beef farms are to regain viability. With little hope of change in the market place these changes need to happen on farm. The relentless daily workload combined with the mental effort required to reinvent a struggling farm business, continues to prove too difficult for most farmers in this situation. Put simply, sheep and beef farmers are in “Siege” mode. Some are just “running down the clock”. This situation is mirrored exactly, within the membership of the New Zealand Hereford Association. This strategic plan initiates the changes required by NZHA members. It is the NZHA’s first Strategic Plan and aims to be simple and achievable. It will facilitate a crucial culture change. It introduces “Progress Groups” and targets the importance of leadership, farm performance and market understanding. Whilst it is not “flashy” it will provide the New Zealand Hereford Association with the required platform to launch the next, more exciting, more progressive and potentially much more rewarding Strategic Plan.