• 24 new members were approved
• Latest BCMS data shows that AA share of non-dairy registrations have risen to 28.3% since 2018.
• Quarter one comparison of registrations to last year shows a strong rise.
• The refurbishment of Pedigree House is in the tender phase. It is anticipated that work to stabilise the chimneys and repair the roof will commence early summer.
• The member survey has had 246 respondents, with some great feedback to be incorporated into the development of the Beyond 150 strategy for AACS. Thank you to all members who participated in the Survey.  The prize draw for the three winners of The History of the Aberdeen-Angus book took place at the meeting. The winners were Bernard Fry, Graham Denby and William Fraser…well done to them.  T
  • The top three survey highlights were:
    • >80% of respondents rated service, trust and pride in the Society highly
    • Highest future priorities for the Society were seen to be herdbook and brand integrity at farm and retail level
    • Highest future priorities for traits for the breed were meat eating quality, maternal traits and functional/structural traits

Governance

• New Council members participated in an induction day before their first Council meeting held on 27^th
• The Governance committee is considering policies on prefix and ownership changes.
• The extensive programme of work to review and update the byelaws continues.

Breed Development

• The Helical DNA management system is running in the office. Members have been given access for view-only at present, with a proposed timeline for further roll-out in early summer.
• Abacus Bio have started refreshing the indexes and the first index is expected to be released in autumn.
• The Semen Royalty Scheme (SRS) has been reinstated, and owners of bulls currently within the scheme will be written to soon with the updated terms. Nominations for new SRS bulls will be taken as soon as the new byelaws are in place.
• Council agreed that EBV graphs displayed in sale catalogues should pertain to the animal that is for sale only, and no other combination of animal/mating will be allowed to be displayed without detailed explanation.
• A trial period using an alternative EBV graph format has been in place since October 2024. Feedback on this alternative graph would be gratefully received.
• Council have agreed an important change to the display of performance recording results (trait EBVs and Index values) for non-performance recording breeders. Please see Important change to display of Performance Recording Evaluation Values – Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society for more complete information.

Shows and Sales and YDP

• YDP regional workshops have been published for the whole year. Please see https://aberdeen-angus.co.uk/youth-development-programme/
• The World Angus Forum in Australia commences at the end of April. The UK has a contingent attending, including a youth team competing in the youth programme competition. Good luck to everyone flying the flag for UK at WAF Australia!
• Judges have been agreed to late 2026.
• Council agreed that bulls unsold at official society sales will forfeit prize money.
• A Judging Course is to be developed in conjunction with the Irish Aberdeen-Angus Association. Anyone wishing to participate once it is complete is invited to contact the office.
• Council agreed to amend the class schedule for the Winter National. This will see the removal of the most senior bull class.