Yarram Herd Services Incorporated
History
1957 marks the year an idea was born.
In the storage from of the SEMP factory, Yarram AB centre came to life. The original committee consisted of F.Dawson, I Patience, A.Peterson, D Bertram & G.Kennedy.
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These founding members saw a moment of opportunity, and decided it was time to make a move.
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Trainee technician wages were 10/hour plus mileage.
While semen was sourced from Werribee & Hunter River, NSW
In view of shortage of proven sires, farmers were allowed 1 of any sire in 10.
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A meeting was held in Maffra in October 1957 to discuss the subject of Ai production distribution in its relation to the industry & the research centre at Werribee.
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A deputation had already been made to the Minister of Agriculture. The department didn’t know what to do at the time & another meeting was called.
The following is an extract from the meeting.
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“The Yarram & Maffra AB centres met at Maffra on October 26th, 1957, to discuss the future of AB in this state as it presents itself after the recent interview with the minister on July 30th.
There are 2 alternatives-
Either
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The Govt. is to run semen production & distribution in co-operation with an advisory committee from the industry, with the view that the installation be taken over later on by the industry. This cannot happen if the installation is established at the research farm.
Or -
That AB production & distribution be taken over & organized right away by the industry. This may involve 50,000 pounds finance & availability of staff
The following resolution was unanimous-
“That the minister be asked that the AB organization be now established on independent ground adjacent to the research centre to be run for the time being as a separate division in conjunction with the animal husbandry research division and an industry board, bearing in mind that the whole set-up be later taken over by the industry. The position re-handing over be reviewed annually”
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The following years mark the major occasions-
1962- Sub-Centre at Gormandale formed
15th June 1967- Shifted to another room in original SEMP factory, 15/06/67
1968- Conversion from Dry ice & alcohol to liquid nitrogen prior to 68/69 season
22nd December, 1969- Unused dairy in Tarra Valley Road, Devon North (C.Patersons)
1970- Semen straws in use for the first time 70/71
30th September 1970- Gribbles in Commercial Rd, Yarram
13th June 1971- Automatic Telephone answering service used first time
June 1974- Mini-straws used for first time
12th April 1975- Old Grain Store at MG (Vacated 18/08/93)
9th June 1978- First centre owned vehicle purchased- Toyota Corona SE S/Wagon ADQ845
14th August 1993- New premises Rodgers St
1st July 2013- Combined with Yarram Herd Testing Centre to form Yarram Herd Services Incorporated
17th September 2019- Fire Destroyed building at 54 Rodgers Street
1st October, 2019- Moved into 15 Livingston Road, Yarram
1st November 2020- Moved back into 54 Rodgers Street after re-build
From here we have continued what our founding committee had set out to do. To remain an independant Not-for-profit organisation, helping farmers reach their breeding & herd goals.
Although the staff has changed over the years, and we have invested in more then just 1 centre vehicle- now having a 4 utes & a van, our goals and values haven't. We offer affordable, and reliable services to our local & abroad clients, going out of our way to ensure they are happy with the products & services we deliver on a daily basis.
