Michelle McCauley outgoing IMCS Chairperson wishing Dan Bull all the best as IMCS Chairperson
The Irish Moiled Cattle Society AGM took place via zoom on Wed 6th August commencing at 7.30pm.
A warm welcome was made to everyone especially to guest speaker PJ Budler who had joined from Peru.
Chairperson Michelle McCauley (NI) stated that all the AGM documents including the directors report were available on the IMCS website before giving a brief overview of what had taken place since the last AGM.
Mark Logan retiring as IMCS President congratulating Chris Ball on his new role as IMCS President
Michelle McCauley continued by announcing three director retirements, Derek Steen (GB), Chris Ball (GB) and Seamus Holmes (ROI), all three directors have always put the Society to the fore and committed to do what was best for the Irish Moiled breed. Chris Ball retires after a phenomenal period of twenty-seven years as a director, nine of which he served as chairperson. The Society is delighted to announce that Chris is appointed as the new Irish Moiled Cattle Society president 2025-2028. Thanks were expressed to all three retiring directors.
Retiring GB Directors Derek Steen and Chris Ball with Dan Bull IMCS Chairperson
Breed Secretary Gillian Steele
Michelle McCauley thanked the retiring president, Mark Logan (NI), commenting that Mark had been invaluable to the Society over his 3-year term. Michelle continued to thank the breed secretary, Gillian Steele for keeping the Society active, with all the workload, considering that registrations and memberships are at an all-time high.
IMCS President Chris Ball with outgoing Chairperson Michelle McCauley and Mark Logan who retired as IMCS President.
Seamus Holmes retiring as ROI Director
Thanks were extended to the ‘behind the scenes’ teams in setting up events and joining sub committees, keeping the breed to the fore.
Anthony Gilsenan ROI Director who was voted in as vice-chairperson of the IMCS
The official AGM business was conducted by Brian O’Kane (UK Company Sec)
Brian O’Kane who conducted the official business of the AGM
After the official business Michelle McCauley thanked Brian O’Kane for conducting the official business and extended thanks to Seamus Holmes and Gillian Steele for the background work in preparation for the AGM. Michelle welcomed two new GB directors Nathalie Chitty and Lyn Arrowsmith. Michelle stated that her three-year term as chairperson now ends but welcomed Dan Bull from GB who is taking over her as chairperson and Anthony Gilsenan from the ROI as vice-chairperson for the next three-year term.
Dan Bull IMCS Chairperson and NI Director Michelle McCauley with newly elected GB Director Nathalie Chitty
Sam Smiley (NI) was added to the list of vice presidents.
Dan Bull thanked Michelle for her work in her three-year term as chairperson.
Gillian Steele thanked the board for supporting her as Breed Secretary and highlighted the following events-
- Tullamore Show – 10th August 2025
- Bunratty Castle – 17th August 2025
- Irish Moiled International Online Show entries close 30th August – Show Day 6th September 2025
- Fields Good Event NI – Glenarm 6th September 2025
- Westmorland Show GB – 10th & 11th September 2025
- H & H Magnificent Moilie Online Sale – 25th -27th September 2025
Full details and report of the 2025 AGM will be available on the website.
Lyn Arrowsmith newly elected GB Director
Guest speaker at the IMCS AGM was PJ Budler of Global Livestock Solutions in Canada who spoke on ‘feeding for breeding’. PJ is an international business manager of Trans Ova Genetics and consultant and as a 5th generation farmer who ancestors originated from Kilkenny in Ireland, he has travelled extensively assessing all cattle breeds. PJ spoke on how he felt that livestock farmers are the real heroes in this world as they first and foremost feed the nation.
PJ Budler of Global Livestock Solutions
Guest Speaker at the IMCS AGM
PJ gave a very interesting overview on his thoughts of calving heifers at two-year-old, and the benefits compared to that of three-year-old. PJ touched on some very interesting facts including: –
- Farmers focus too much on muscle and weight and forget about very important traits such as fertility.
- The possibility of Irish Moiled cows calving seven times in six years.
- The need to focus less on the tools and more on the product i.e the cow.
- Waiting to calve at three-year-old can upset the natural hormones.
Questions were invited and a short discussion took place around the benefits of calving younger. This included the smaller cow being able to rear just as good a calf as a bigger cow as she will have surplus calories, she needs to eat less to achieve this and is lighter on the land. PJ concluded by stating that this is important and that the Irish Moiled breed need to play this as one of its important strengths.
PJ was thanked for his very interesting talk and it is hoped in 2026 that PJ will be available to judge one of the Irish Moiled shows.