DCSNZ Regulations June 2011
Regulations Of the Dexter Cattle Society New Zealand Incorporated
1. Definitions
2. Membership
- Categories
- Subscriptions
3. Misconduct of Members – Complaints Procedures
4. Council Elections
- Term
- Nomination
- Postal Voting
- Counting Votes
5. Administration
6. Meetings
7. Stud Management
8. Cattle Registration
- New Zealand born Dexters
- Imported Dexters or Progeny of Imported Semen or Embryos.
9. Stud Transfers of Ownership
10. Verification Officer
11. Recognised Dexter Breed Associations
12. Royal Show Classes
Appendix I - Code of Ethics
Appendix II - Breed Description
Draft Definitions
- Constitution
- Regulations
- Code of Ethics
- Breed Standard
1. DEFINITIONS
Where the following terms are used in these Regulations, the following interpretations will apply:
Society: Dexter Cattle Society New Zealand Incorporated.
DCSNZ: Dexter Cattle Society New Zealand Incorporated.
Breeder: A member of the Society who breeds Dexter cattle and registers them with the Society.
Transfer: The transfer of ownership of an animal from vendor to purchaser.
Recognised: When used in conjunction with a sire, bull, dam or cow – those animals which have been registered either with the DCSNZ or other recognised Dexter organisations.
Registered: When used in conjunction with a sire, bull, dam, cow or animal – refers to animals registered with the DCSNZ.
Records: Details of breeding, calving, as per the Society’s Breeding Record Sheet or its equivalent containing the same information.
Dispatch: The Society’s official quarterly publication titled “Dexter Dispatch”.
Suspension: Withdrawal of all rights available to financial members
Dispute: Is an unresolved complaint
2. MEMBERSHIP
2.1 Categories of Membership:
Membership shall be divided into the following categories:
(a) Members with Voting Rights: Limited to residents of New Zealand who belong to one of the following catagories…..
Full membership, 1 vote per name - $50.00
Associate member, non breeding, no vote - $40.00
Junior Member, breeding, no vote (under 18 years of age) - $30.00
Herd Registration (stud name) 1 off fee $25.00
Honorary Life Member – (One vote)
Honorary Life Membership may be conferred on an individual as a mark of appreciation for meritorious service
rendered to the Society.
The criteria for Life membership is that a minimum of 10 years service to the breed, having worked on a positive manner and contributed significantly to the promotion of the breed.
An Honorary Life Member shall not be liable for payment of any subscription but shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges available to financial members of the Society.
Honorary Life Membership can only be conferred by members at a General Meeting upon recommendation from Council.
(b) Members without Voting Rights:
Junior Member –
Open to persons under eighteen (18) years old who reside in New Zealand.
Entitled to same rights and privileges as full members other than the right to vote.
Subject to the same obligations and responsibilities as financial members.
The Junior Member subscription rate will be two-thirds that of an Individual Member or one-third if a copy of Dexter Dispatch is not required.
Associate Members –
Open to any persons or groups that wish to receive the Society’s official publication “Dexter Dispatch”.
2.2 Membership Subscriptions:
(a) Annual Subscriptions will be set at each Annual General Meeting.
(b) The Membership year will commence on 1 July and end on 30 June in the following year.
(c) The due date for all annual subscriptions will be 1 July.
(d) Where a subscription has not been paid within three (3) months of the due date, that membership will lapse along with all rights and privileges without further notice.
(e) A late fee of $10.00 be paid by any membership renewal after 1 October each year.
(f) A lapsed membership may be reinstated when all subscriptions due are paid up to date, except that where membership has lapsed for a period of more than two ‘subscription years’ an ordinary application to join the Society may be accepted with no payment of arrears.
3. Misconduct of Members– Complaints Procedures
A complaint may be made against any Member who refuses to abide by the requirements of the Constitution, Regulations, or Code of Ethics of the Society, or whose actions are considered prejudicial to the Society’s Objects.
(a) Any person or organisation may make a complaint to the Council that the conduct of a member of the Society is or has been injurious to the character of the Society. Every such complaint will be in writing and delivered to the Secretary.
(b) On receipt of the complaint Council will refer the matter to the Complaints Officer(s) to investigate and report their findings back to Council.
(c) If the Council considers that there is sufficient substance in the complaint, it may invite the member concerned to attend a meeting of the Council and to offer a written and/or oral explanation of his/her conduct.
(d) The Council will give the member as least fourteen (14) days written notice of the meeting. The notice will:
(i) Sufficiently inform the member of the complaint so that the member can offer an explanation of his/her conduct; and
(ii) Inform the member that if the Council is not satisfied with the member’s explanation, further action, which may include suspension or expulsion of the member, may be taken. Where a minor complaint is upheld, a formal reprimand may be issued to the offending member.
(e) If this complaint becomes a dispute it will be dealt with as a Dispute in accordance with the Constitution.
(f) If in the meeting the Council decides to expel the member from the Society the membership will cease forthwith.
(g) A member expelled by the Council may within thirty (30) days give written notice of appeal to the Secretary. The Secretary will then call a Special General Meeting to take place within sixty (60) days of receipt of the notice of appeal. If the decision of Council is upheld there will be no further right of appeal but if that meeting passes a resolution rescinding the expulsion, the member will be reinstated immediately.
4. Council Elections
4.1 The office of President is elected annually.
4.2 Councillors are elected for a two year period after which time they may stand for re-election
4.3 Where a councillor does not complete the two year term, his/her replacement will complete the balance of that term.
4.4 Elections will be by Postal Ballot unless Council decides they should be by Secret Ballot at any Annual General Meeting.
4.5 The electoral system will be the first past the post.
4.6 Nomination of Candidates –
(a) Nominated Candidates for all Council positions must be financial voting members.
(b) Nomination of candidates for the positions of President and/or Councillors will be called for in February by notice inserted in the Dexter Dispatch or by separate posting.
(c) Written nominations, signed by a financial voting member and endorsed with the consent of the nominee, shall be delivered to the Secretary before the notified closing date.
(d) If the number of nominations received are less than or equal to the number of vacancies, no ballot will take place and those persons will be declared duly elected at the Annual General Meeting.
(e) If the number of nominations received exceeds the number of vacancies, a postal ballot will be held.
(f) If there are insufficient nominations to fill the vacant positions on the Council, oral nominations may be received at the Annual General Meeting, provided that no member will be elected who has not consented to being nominated.
(g) Where a vacancy on Council arises between Annual General Meetings, for any reason, Council is empowered to appoint a replacement who will service until the following Annual General Meeting when that position will be up for election, and subject the provisions of Regulation 4.3
4.7 System of Postal Voting.
(a) Council will appoint a Returning Officer who is independent of Council to receive completed postal ballot papers.
(b) Only Individual, Joint Members, Life Members and Group Nominees who are currently financial are eligible to vote.
(c) Subscriptions may be paid up to the advertised commencement of the Annual General Meeting.
(d) Ballot papers listing candidates in alphabetical order will be distributed to current voting financial members with the official AGM programme.
(e) All candidates are entitled to supply a brief profile for publication in the AGM programme
(f) Completed ballot papers must be returned in a sealed envelope with the voter’s name and membership number clearly
printed on the back of the sealed envelope.
(g) Completed ballot papers must be in the hands of the Returning Officer prior to the advertised commencement time of the Annual General Meeting.
(h) The Returning Officer will deliver all the envelopes containing ballot papers unopened to the Annual General Meeting.
4.8 Counting of Votes:
(a) Votes will be counted by two Scrutineers who will be appointed by those attending the Annual General Meeting after it
has been declared open.
(b) The Treasurer will supply the Scrutineers with an up-to-the-minute list of those members who are financial and eligible to have their votes counted.
(c) The Scrutineers will check the financial status of members against the name printed on the back of the voter’s envelope.
(d) Any votes submitted by unfinancial members or sent anonymously will be set aside unopened.
(e) Folded Ballot Papers will be removed from the envelopes of eligible voters and the envelopes set aside to preserve the
anonymity of voters.
(f) Votes will be counted and checked; any incorrectly marked Ballot Papers will be declared invalid and set aside.
(g) The Scrutineers will report the results of the election to the Annual General Meeting.
(h) Where a member has been elected to the positions of both President and Councillor, the President’s position will take
priority.
(i) Where a sitting member of Council stands for and is elected to the position of President part-way through his/her two year council term, his/her position on council becomes vacant and will be filled either by the next highest policy candidate for council (if a ballot is held) or by oral nomination at the Annual General Meeting, as provided for in Regulation 4.3 (f). The elected replacement will complete the remainder of the two year term according to the provisions of Clause 4.3.
All Ballot Papers and envelopes will be destroyed at the conclusion of the AGM.
5. Administration
5.1 Registered Office - The registered office will be nominated by the Secretary.
5.2 Removal from Office – A member of Council shall cease to hold office if he/she
(a) ceases to be a financial voting member of the Society.
(b) fails to attend two (2) consecutive Council meetings without leave of absence.
(c) resigns from office by notice in writing given to the President or the Secretary.
(d) is removed from office by resolution of a Special General Meeting of members provided that such person shall be given not less than fourteen (14) days notice in writing of the intention to move such a resolution and shall be entitled to attend such meeting and to be heard.
5.3 Council Agenda – Where appropriate, the closing date for Council Agendas will be published in the Dispatch.
5.4 Portfolios:
(a) At its first meeting following each Annual General Meeting, Council will assign such of the following to its members as the Council requires for practical working purposes except for President who is voted annually at the AGM:
Officers: President, Secretary and Treasurer
Portfolios for: Herd Book, Membership, Regional Groups, Dexter Dispatch, Promotions, Showing and Judging, Research, and Annual General Meeting
(b) Council may create, combine or delete any Portfolios it deems necessary for administration purposes and as demand dictates.
5.5 Financial Arrangements:
(a) The funds of the Society shall be derived from annual subscriptions, registration and transfer fees, donations, and other such sources as the Council will from time to time determine.
(b) Monies of the Society shall be disbursed only upon a resolution of the Council or a general meeting of members of the
Society provided that, for the expenditure of the funds of the Society on the general administration of the Society and for purposes reasonably incidental to the general administration of the Society, the prior authority of the Council or general meeting of the Society shall not be necessary before cheques are signed or accounts paid.
(c) All cheques and other instruments for the withdrawal of any funds of the Society from any bank or other account shall be signed by the Treasurer and President.
(d) The full accounts summary to include budget, income and expenditure.
(e) The accounts are to be made accessible to Council and members if requested.
(f) The Treasurer will provide each member of Council with a copy of the Society accounts quarterly, or as requested by the President or Councillors.
(g) An Auditor shall be appointed annually by the Council.
5.6 Positions Outside of Council:
(a) Council has the power to appoint persons to such positions outside of Council as it deems necessary to assist with administration purposes.
(b) Such appointees will be bound by all rules and regulations of the Society, and the conditions of appointment set by
Council.
6. Meetings
6.1 The procedure for Council meetings will be as follows:
(a) A quorum will be at least four of its members.
(b) If a member of the Council does not attend two (2) consecutive meetings without leave of absence that member may, at the discretion of and on decision of the Council, be removed from the Council.
(c) All questions will, if possible, be decided by consensus. In the event that a consensus cannot be reached then a decision will be made by a majority vote by show of hands.
(d) Each meeting will be chaired by the President or, in the President’s absence, the Council will elect a person to chair the meeting from among its members
(e) If the voting is tied, the Chairperson will exercise a casting vote.
(f) The Council will meet at least two times every year. Meetings may be held in person or by any other means of communicating as decided on by the Council from time to time. All members of the Council will be given at least fourteen (14) days’ notice of the meeting by the Secretary in writing.
(g) The Secretary will ensure that a minute book is maintained which is available to any member of the Society and which, for each meeting of the Council, records:
i. All decisions which are required by the Constitution or by law to be made by the Society.
ii. Any other matters discussed at the meeting.
(h) The Council will at all times be bound by the decisions of the members at General Meetings.
(i) Remits to Annual General Meetings
i. The closing date for remits shall be 31 January in each and every year.
ii. Remits to be submitted in writing and delivered to the Secretary prior to the published closing date
iii. Each remit will require to be submitted and seconded by financial voting members
iv. Each remit requires the submitter to supply a rationale for publication and may also speak to the remit at the AGM.
v. A member may be represented at a general meeting by a nominee or proxy (who must be a financial member) appointed by notice in writing to the Secretary, or in his/her absence, his/her elected replacement. A member will have the right at any time to change, withdraw or revoke the appointment of the member’s nominee by notice in writing to the Secretary or his/her elected replacement.
vi. The accepted procedure that no voting will be made on matters bought forward under the heading “General Business” will be adhered to.
7. Stud Management
7.1 Stud Records –
(a) Breeders are required to keep accurate records of all their Dexter stud breeding activities. Such records are to be open for inspection at any time by the Council or any person appointed by the Council.
(b) Breeders may use the Society’s recognised Stud Breeding Record forms to record stud breeding activities or any other alternative system that provides information on identification, sex, date of birth, colour, dam and sire.
7.2 Prefix (Stud Name) –
(a) All members of the Society who wish to breed and register Dexter cattle are required to register a unique name as a Prefix. The Prefix may be up to 20 characters in length (including spaces).
(b) A Prefix which duplicates an existing prefix, by spelling or by pronunciation, or in the opinion of the Council, is inappropriate or likely to be misleading will be not be accepted.
(c) Where a membership ceases for any reason, the Prefix assigned to that member will be frozen for a minimum
of ten years, however, exceptions to this rule will be considered by Council on a case by case basis.
(d) Members must use the Prefix only as the first part of the animal’s name.
7.3 Animal Name:
(a) Each animal must be identified by a unique given name commencing with and including the Prefix. Duplications of the spelling and pronunciation of the given name will not be accepted.
(b) The animal’s full name including the Prefix shall not exceed 40 characters in length (including spaces).
7.4 Colour should be as detailed in the Breed Standard PROVIDED HOWEVER that an animal not conforming to the colour as laid down in the Breed Standard will be accepted for registration at its qualifying grade but the colour will be marked with an asterisk on the Certificate of Registration.
7.5 Grading Up – The Society recognises and accepts registration of the following grades of Dexter cattle
Grade 1 – (approximately 50% Dexter) – female sired by a recognised Dexter bull and out of a foundation dam or any suitable breed or combination of breeds of whole colour conforming to the Dexter breed standard with allowable amount of white.
Grade 2 – (approximately 75% Dexter) – female sired by a recognised Dexter bull out of a registered Grade 1 female.
Grade 3 – (approximately 87.5% Dexter) – female sired by a recognised Dexter bull out of a registered Grade 2 female.
Pure-bred Dexters (G4) – (approximately 93.75% Dexter or greater) – male or female sired by a recognised Dexter bull, and either out of a recognised pure-bred female or a registered Grade 3 female.
NOTE: That the official Herd Book of the Dexter Cattle Society New Zealand be closed to any further registrations of Grade 1 (first cross) females, as from 30 June 2007, although Grade 1 females registered prior to that date will remain in the Herd Book.
NOTE: As from 30 June 2004 the pure-bred status of bulls for registration was lifted from a G4 (Grade 4) to G5 (Grade 5)
7.6 All bulls born after 30 June 2003 shall be DNA profiled prior to registration and a copy of that profile be lodged with the herd Registrar.
7.7 That a DNA profile for all Sires must be lodged with the Society by 30 June 2006. No registrations will be processed after that date unless the Sire has a DNA profile on the Society's file. Exceptions may only be allowed at Council's discretion where a Sire is dead and/or samples are not obtainable.
7.8 Breeding Methods – The Society will accept registration of offspring produced by the following breeding methods provided
the calf complies with all relevant rules.
(a) Natural Service –
i. Registration of progeny will only be accepted if the sire is a recognised bull and the owner is a financial
member of the Society.
ii. The breeder must keep accurate detailed records (see 7.1) of matings or periods that bulls are
pastured with females.
iii. Where the breeder does not own the sire of offspring conceived by natural mating, he must obtain an official document from the sire’s owner certifying either the mating or the period that the bull was leased or lent to the breeder.
(b) Artificial Insemination –
i. For registration of offspring, semen must be from a recognised bull.
ii. The service shall be certified in writing by the inseminator on an official DCSNZ form showing all relevant details.
(c) Embryo Transfer –
i. All embryos must be from a recognised sire and dam.
ii. The veterinarian performing the transplant must provide the breeder with a written Transfer Certificate to verify
the date of implant and ancestry of the implanted embryos.
7.9 Animal Identification –
(a) Prior to 30 June 2002, official identification was by means of a Society brass tag which carried the following details –
Year of Birth (last 2 digits), “DCSNZ”, and the Herd Book number. (For animals registered with the New Zealand Dexter Breeders Association, the letters NZDBA will replace DCSNZ.)
(b) From 30 June 2002, the official ID of New Zealand born Dexter cattle registered after that date is the recognised Animal
Health Board system of primary and secondary ear tags which include a Herd ID and a unique animal ID.
(c) As from 1 June 2003 the official identification of Dexter Cattle be the Society Brass Tag with the Animal Health Board tag being an optional cross-reference identification.
7.10 Deaths or culls – it is mandatory that members notify the Herd Registrar of all deaths or culls of registered animals in their ownership.
7.11 Society Recognition of Semen for Sale:
For the purposes of registering offspring, the Society will recognise commercially available semen, collected after 31 December 1998, only if a DNA profile has been lodged with the Herd Registrar
8 Cattle Registration
8.1 Fees for registration of cattle will be set at each Annual General Meeting of the DCSNZ
8.2 The fee for cattle registered after 12 months (later registration) will be twice the normal registration fee.
8.3 No animal shall be entered into the DCSNZ Herd Register with a Prefix that has not been duly registered by the breeder with the Society except where such cattle have been registered with a recognised Dexter cattle society in another country.
8.4 The Prefix of each offspring is determined by the ownership of its dam at the time of birth, with the exception that
members registering Grade 1 females do not necessarily have to own the foundation dam at the time of birth.
8.5 In order to be eligible to apply for registration, the applicant must –
(a) Be a DCSNZ member with a registered Prefix.
(b) Be a financial member at the time of application.
8.6 To be eligible for entry in the DCSNZ Herd Register –
(a) Males must be sired by a recognised Dexter bull and either out of a recognised pure-bred dam or a Grade 4 dam registered with DCSNZ.
(b) Females must be sired by a recognised Dexter sire.
(c) Applications for registration of animals must be made prior to animals attaining 12 months of age, although registration of animals between the ages of 12 and 24 months will be allowed upon payment of a penalty fee amounting to double the current registration fee.
(d) Animals must be identified in accordance with Section 7.8 of the Society’s Regulations.
(e) Animals should satisfactorily conform to the Society’s Breed Standard.
8.7 Every breeder who submits an application for registration of animals must –
(a) Sign the declaration on the Registration Application form.
(b) Satisfy the Herd Registrar on the matters of animal ownership and parentage.
(c) If requested, provide photographs in support of registration application – using a non-erasable pen, the back of each
photograph is to be endorsed with the animal’s full name, its ID, the applicant’s name and signature.
8.8 Council reserves the right to request additional information or tests to substantiate parentage at the breeders expense. Where the tests confirm the information supplied by the breeder, the costs of such tests will be reimbursed by the Society.
8.9 Any animal may be refused registration, or de-registered if information given in section 8.6 is proven incorrect
8.10 Recognition of Imported Dexter Cattle, Semen or Embryos:
The Society will recognise imported Dexter cattle, semen or embryos only under the following conditions –
(a) Imported animals must be pure-bred, and meet the Society’s requirements with respect to percentage of Dexter blood, and be currently registered with a recognised Dexter organisation.
(b) Imported semen must be from a pure-bred bull that meets the Society’s requirements with respect to percentage of Dexter blood, and is registered with a recognised Dexter organisation. A DNA profile with parent verification for the donor of all semen for sale on the open market and collected after 31 December 1998, must be lodged with the Society.
(c) Imported embryos must be sired by a pure-bred bull and out of a pure-bred cow, both of which are registered with a recognised Dexter organisation, and both of which meet the Society’s requirements with respect to percentage of Dexter blood.
(d) Imported Dexter cattle must be registered by the importer with the New Zealand Society within two (2) months of arrival in the country if any subsequent progeny are to be accepted for registration.
(e) The following documents relating to imported animals are to be lodged with the Society as a prerequisite to registration of any their progeny –
i. The original Registration Certificate provided by a recognised Dexter organisation
ii. A four-generation pedigree (excluding the animal concerned) for each imported animal, donor of imported semen, or imported embryo.
iii. A Certificate signed by a veterinarian or other person authorised by the collection facility, recording the name of
the collection facility, date of collection and name of semen donor, and in the case of an embryo, to include the
name of both the sire and dam.
(f) The importation should comply with all statutory requirements as laid down in New Zealand law at that time.
(g) The animal should comply in all other respects with the Society’s requirements relating to Dexter cattle.
8.11 DNA Profile for all Sires must be lodged with the Society by 30 June 2006. No registrations will be processed after that date unless the Sire has a DNA profile on the Society’s files. Exceptions may only be allowed at Council’s discretion where a Sire is dead and/or samples are not obtainable
8.12 From 1st June 2010, an official DNA profile with Sire verification certificate must be lodged with the DCSNZ Inc. for every
bull registered on or after that date.
8.13 Whenever the in-house parent verification system identifies a doubtful result, the following procedure shall be applied -
(a) In the first instance, the Herd Registrar will refer the doubtful result to Council with a written report setting out all the
facts.
(b) Council will examine the Herd Registrar’s report to determine whether there is sufficient justification to request further
information or tests under Regulation 8.7 and record their decision in Minutes.
(c ) The Secretary will (on behalf of Council) contact the breeder in writing to outline the circumstances, communicate
Council’s concerns and request further information or tests.
(d) The breeder will provide the required information and/or test results to Council and inform Council of the cost.
(e) Council will consider the facts provided by the breeder, record their decision in Minutes, advise the breeder accordingly and if a test result confirms the information originally submitted by the breeder, the costs incurred by the breeder will be reimbursed by the Society.
(e) Council will provide written direction to the Herd Registrar on what action to take.
8.14 Under special circumstances council may be able to register animals born to a lapsed or non-member once their membership is paid in full.
CONDITIONS:
a) That the animal can be parent verified.
b) That the lapsed member pay all due and past membership fees.
c) That new members pay membership in full to the beginning of the year of purchase of their stock.
d) That this application be decided upon, case by case by the Council
e) That if required DNA parent verification on all animals be done at the expense of the applicant.
9. Transfers of Ownership of Cattle
9.1 Transfer fees will be set at each Annual General Meeting
9.2 The fee for cattle transferred after 1 month (later transfer) will be twice the normal transfer fee.
9.3 Both the vendor and purchaser shall sign in the space provided on the “Transfer Authority” on the Certificate of Registration
9.4 The Vendor shall deliver all transfers together with the appropriate transfer fees to the Herd Registrar of the DCSNZ within 30 days of the date of sale.
9.5 Council has the right to complete the transfer with only one signature where, upon investigation, it is satisfied that the transfer is genuine
9.6 Council may, upon written application by either vendor or purchaser, grant dispensation from the imposition of a late fee where genuine circumstances outside the control of either party prevents delivery of any completed transfer authority of the Society within 30 days of sale as prescribed in 9.3
10. Verification Officer
10.1 Officers verifying Dexter livestock and records must be appointed by the DCSNZ Council.
10.2 Each Officer must be conversant with the Society Regulations and procedures.
10.3 Duties may include verification of cattle and breeding records as and when requested by Council.
11. Recognised Dexter Breed Associations
11.1 Significance of the Title “Recognised Dexter Associations”.
The purpose of this title is to indicate those Dexter associations whose registration process and Herd Book management is
considered comparable to the same processes and management of the DCSNZ Herd Book.
11.2 Importers of animals, semen of embryos sourced from members of those ‘recognised’ associations will be able to use pedigree information authorised from the ‘recognised’ associations only to authenticate pedigree for the DCSNZ registration process. Pedigree information from other organisations will not be automatically acceptable for DCSNZ registration.
11.3 Registration of imported animals or those resulting from imported semen and embryos will also require satisfactory fulfilment of all other aspects of animal registration for the DCSNZ Herd Book
11.4 The following Dexter associations have been recognised this Society –
American Dexter Cattle Association
Canadian Dexter Cattle Association
Dexter Cattle Australia Incorporated
The Danish Dexter Cattle Association
The Dexter Cattle Society of Great Britain
12. ROYAL SHOW CLASSES
12.1 Royal Agricultural and Pastoral Shows will be governed by the rules of the Royal Agricultural Society and the classes as set down by the Society.
12.2 The following classes have been recognised for pure-bred Dexters –
Pure-bred Bull calf born on or after 1 June.
Pure-bred Yearling Bull
Pure-bred Heifer calf born on or after 1 June.
Pure-bred Yearling Heifer.
CHAMPION AND RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION.
Pure-bred Heifer, two years, in milk or dry.
Pure-bred Cow, three years and over, with own calf at foot.
Pure-bred Bull, two years and over.
CHAMPION AND RESERVE SENIOR DEXTER.
12.3 The following classes have been recognised for grade Dexters –
Heifer Calf, G1, G2 or G3, born on or after 1 June.
Yearling Heifer, G1, G2 or G3.
Cow or Heifer, G1, G2 or G3, two years and over, with own calf/calves at foot.
12.4 The Society recognises the Royal Agricultural Society ruling that states that the age of all cattle shall be computed as at 1
June of each year.
12.5 Local Cattle shows to be arranged and organised by the breeders in conjunction with the local Agricultural and Pastoral
Society.
12.6 All judges of Dexter classes shall be officially appointed judges of a cattle breed affiliated to the Royal Agricultural Society
APPENDIX I
CODE OF ETHICS
All Society members are expected to agree to abide by the Code of Ethics as a condition of membership application and acceptance.
Members will not knowingly make any untruthful statement in submitting applications for registration, and not register animals of questionable parentage.
Members will not neglect or mistreat their animal(s), but on the contrary will at all times safeguard and further
its/their well-being.
Members will sell and transfer animals only to those parties whom they believe will conscientiously look after the well-being of said animals.
Members will breed only from animals that they know to be in good condition or health.
Members will represent their animals honestly to prospective buyers and give such advice or assistance to the buyer as may reasonably be requested.
Members will keep on the alert for and work to eradicate or control inherited or other conditions adverse to the breed.
Members will so act in their breeding practice and in dealings with others as to protect and improve the good
standing and reputation of the breed and the Society.
APPENDIX II
BREED STANDARD
Breed Objectives –
To encourage improvement in the quality of Dexter Cattle herds.
To encourage the preservation of the natural characteristics and traits in Dexter cattle.
Colour –
Wholly black, red or dun are of equal merit.
A small amount of white is acceptable providing it reaches no further forward than the navel on the underline of
females and is restricted to the testicular area of males. A small amount of white is acceptable on the tip of the tail.
Skin & Hair –
The skin should be loose and pliable.
Hair short and sleek in summer, longer and thicker in winter.
Type – The Dexter is a dual purpose breed with both beef and dairy qualities.
Head and Horns –
Short, broad head tapering gracefully towards a broad muzzle.
Jaw should be wide enough to accommodate well placed teeth with an even bite.
Eyes bright and prominent.
Horns should be moderately thick with an inward, upward curve.
Animals may be polled or dehorned and shall not be penalized in the show ring.
Neck – Deep and thick, but not too short, blending well into the shoulders.
Body –
Ample chest with well-sprung ribs giving plenty of room for the heart and lungs, wide across the loins.
Quarters thick and deep, broad full hips, well-rounded rump.
A straight topline with tail set level with spine.
Good width between both front and back legs.
Legs should be of moderate length in proportion to body size, squarely placed under the body, wide apart and perpendicular
when viewed from the rear.
Feet should be well formed but can be proportionately broader or larger than in other breeds, with toes that may also point
slightly inwards.
Cows –
Udder should be well attached with high and wide rear attachment and a strong suspensory ligament.
The four teats should be of medium size and well spaced on the udder, hanging plumb and of equal length.
All four quarters should be of equal size.
Bulls –
Large well hung testicles of even size.
Four well defined teats evenly spaced.
Size – Cows – the preferred height is between 96 cm and 108 cm at the rump.
Bulls – the preferred height is between 100 cm and 114 cm at the rump.
DRAFT DEFINITIONS
1. Constitution
The “Constitution” (or “Rules”) of an Incorporated Society is a legal document required under the Incorporated Societies Act 1908 and its subsequent amendments. The Act lays down quite clearly and specifically a number of points that must be covered in the Constitution. The Constitution outlines in broad terms “why” a Society exists (its Objects) and “what” it may do. It must also be recognised by the Registrar of Incorporated Societies. Changes to the Constitution may be made by Society members at a properly constituted General Meeting (subject to the provisions of the Act) but these changes must be given the approval of the Registrar before they are put into operation. Once this approval is given they come into force immediately. The Constitution should be written to avoid such changes insofar as it is possible.
2. Regulations
The Society’s “Regulations” describe in detail “how” the Society may go about carrying out its functions within the parameters of the Constitution. Additions, deletions, and/or changes to the Regulations require only the approval of the membership at a properly constituted General Meeting. Such changes (providing always that the correct notification procedures have been carried out) come into force immediately they are passed at a General Meeting. Regulatory changes are easy to make to meet the developmental needs of the Society.
3. Code of Ethics
The “Code of Ethics” (as opposed to Regulations) relate to moral principles. They are not easily enforceable and are therefore largely a matter for the conscience of a member. Most organisations that have a Code of Ethics expect members to agree to abide by it as a prior condition on membership.
4. Breed Standard
The object of a Dexter “Breed Standard” is to encourage all breeders of Dexter cattle to aim towards a common standard of physical conformation in their breeding programme. It also acts as a yardstick for judges in the show-ring. The Standard should, insofar as is possible, reflect the original characteristics of the Dexter breed. While adherence to a Breed Standard cannot be enforced as a Regulation, there is a moral obligation for members to aim to maintain the Standard in the best interests of the breed.