Angus Bulletin Autumn 2023

Angus BULLETIN

Distributed by the Angus Society of Australia | Autumn 2023

2023 Beyond the Beef Angus National Conference

You are invited to get ‘Beyond the Beef’ with the Angus National Conference

In this issue...

Genetic Improvement,

Hybrid

& Premiums

Vigour

Commercial producers can benefit from significant genetic progress

Don’t be quiet about docility

The ability to calculate Docility EBVs on more than 60% more animals than had previously been available

Angus Proves Resilient in Desert Environments

Encompassing 6,562km 2 (roughly 1.6 million acres), “Tieyon” consists of a variety of land types

Semen available later this year!

SAV RISE N SHINE 2709 WAS THE HIGHEST-SELLING BULL IN THE 2023 SAV SALE SELLING FOR $250,000 (USD) WITH THE LANDMARK FLUSH SELLING FOR OVER $1M (USD). ALSO IN THE 2023 SAV SALE WAS RISE N SHINE’S FULL SISTER SAV EMBLYNETTE 2725 SELLING FOR $375,000 (USD).

Rise N Shine’s dam SAV Emblynette 2369 is a true cornerstone of the SAV herd and is the dam of SAV Emblem 8074 ($175,000 USD), SAV Ajax 8885 ($75,000 USD) and the $250,000 (USD) selling SAV Bloodline 9578 who has been used heavily here at Killain Angus with outstanding success. The number one 205-day weight and marbling female of her calf crop, SAV Emblynette 2369 has had 71 progeny scanned for an astounding IMF ratio of 123!

As stated by Kelly Schaff when describing Rise N Shine, “Seeing is believing, from front to back he demonstrates as much shape, muscle, power and presence as you can put in a phenotypically flawless package, along with authentic Angus breed character and perfect feet.”

2023 Yearling bulls by sires including SAV America 8018, SAV Bloodline 9578, SAV Scale House 0845 and Killain Rainman P1

SAV EMBLYNETTE 2369

Anthem is the highest marbling bull ever produced in the history of the Schaff Angus Valley program ratioing 191. Anthem’s dam SAV Madame Pride 3145 is a phenomenal producer and as stated by Kelly Schaff, “If I had to start the SAV program all over again that is the one cow that I would choose to start with.”

SAV Anthem is incredibly docile with an EPD in the top 2% for docility and presents authentic breed character with masculinity, muscle, capacity and soundness. He earned a 205-day weight of 1058lbs (480kgs), and boasts an EPD for weaning weight in the breeds top 3%.

SAV AMERICA 8018

SAV MADAME PRIDE 3145 X

SAV ANTHEM 0042 THE BEST SON PRODUCED TO DATE BY THE $1.51M (USD) WORLD RECORD SELLING ANGUS BULL, SAV AMERICA 8018. ANTHEM WAS THE LEAD OFF BULL IN THE 2021 SAV SALE SELLING FOR $250,000 (USD).

26 Angus Proves Resilient in Desert Environments

31 Packing a punch for Wheals

32 Skinner sees much potential in Angus

34

41 Angus Verified NVDs & Guidelines

43 Are you collecting DNA samples correctly?

44 Member Services Matters

49 “Standalone Full Genetic Test Panel” and “Standalone test for Horns (HH)”

50 Understanding Angus Australia’s DNA Services

52 Repro Injectables - How to avoid costly mistakes

62

Publisher: Angus Australia

Locked Bag 11

Armidale NSW 2350

P: 02 6773 4600 | F: 02 6772 3095

E: office@angusaustralia.com.au

W: www.angusaustralia.com.au

Editor: Diana Wood

Layout: Ebonie Jones

Printer: Impulse Print

ASBP

Angus CONNECT

Northern Development Member Services

Youth

Angus Education

Marketing

Angus Foundation

Advertisers Indexes

1 Killain Angus

IFC Killain Angus

IBC Knowla Angus

16 Lizzy Valley Angus

56 Macka's

8 Millah Murrah Angus

74 Neogen

BC Outwest Angus

43 Queensland Machinery Agency

18 Raff Angus

30 Reiland Angus

64 Semex Beef

30 Sprys

42 STG

55 Sugarloaf

49 Upper Murray Seeds

75 Vetoquinol

28 Waterford Stud

63 Wallangra Angus

21 Yallambee Angus

38 Yamba Angus

Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Editor or of the Board of Angus Australia. Neither the Editor nor Angus Australia takes any responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained within this publication, nor for the outcome (including consequential loss) of any action taken by readers or others based on information contained therein. The publishers reserve the right to refuse or cancel without notice any advertisement in a publication issued by them.

Presidents Report

Erica Halliday, President and Board Chairperson

Mother Nature continues to show us how utterly powerful and eternal she is over this past few months with floods devastating sections of Victoria, Queensland and more recently New Zealand, where she showed no mercy at all.

Our hearts go out to our fellow Angus breeders and all people affected in these areas. Human kindness is a great salve so if you can reach out to those affected, there is much physical and financial support needed, but equally as important is emotional support and sometimes it is just as simple as picking up the phone.

Recently we packed up our grown up family to do a 3805km round trip to the Victorian and Southern Beef Weeks as well as a stint to beautiful King Island. We were blown away by the quality of the cattle and the hospitality. 3 of the 4 members in my family could be military officers in command and we had a very tight itinerary, so if we also had a helicopter we might have achieved our mission. As it was we were hampered by a Ford Ranger that we purchased on a Monday in the fruit section and a women who loves to talk to people so we didn’t quite meet all our itinerary targets. I’m sorry if we didn’t get to you this time, but we will be back.

It was great to see Jake Phillips, Nancy Crawshaw and Member Services Manager Bernard Beatty on the road too, along with the semen companies. There were lots of cloak and dagger bull inspections followed by a cup of tea or a beer and dinner at the end of the day- all in good sport and just great company. Huddling around a heater at Pathfinder and Weeran in the ice-rain in summer was actually one of my favourite memories.

It became apparent that while people were putting together their sale catalogues for the Autumn sales that they became more aware of how the recent changes to TACE had affected them, some negative and some positive. I have encouraged people to reach out to our Extension Manager Jake Phillips, Extension Officer Nancy Crawshaw, or Northern Development Officer Jen Peart if they need to talk, or reach out to the Director in their area. This is the feedback we need to make the service better.

With the focus on performance the need for diversity is critical. When you are miles from your goal it is logical to take the most direct route and fire up the engines, but as you get closer we need to be aware that we don’t overshoot the mark. Our evaluation systems are linear and there is a natural human reaction to believe that more is best, but in nearly all of our performance traits there is a sweet spot that is different for everybody. Ultimately just like Mother Nature it is the market and the taste buds of the consumer that are all powerful and have the final say.

That everyone knows their own unique sweet spot, where their animals meet their environmental constraints and their market goals is important for our breeds enduring success. It’s critical that we have differing beliefs in what type of cattle we breed to maintain that diversity and it’s critical that Angus Australia supply the tools, education and services to support each and every member to achieve their goals. That’s what the Board and management are striving for.

This month we say goodbye to long standing Genetic Evaluation Manager Andrew Byrne as he heads off to a new position with Neogen. Andrew is a brilliant scientist and has been at the forefront of genetic advancement not just for Angus Australia but for the global beef industry. We have been very fortunate to have had Andrew at Angus Australia and wish him the very best.

At 70 years of age Financial Controller and Manger of Accounts David Cameron has also decided to step away and will be sorely missed. He has been at the forefront of helping members in times of need during droughts, floods and hardship and we wish him the best.

Wishing all members the very best of the fruits and colour of Autumn.

President Erica Halliday during her beef week tour

USA19203618

ELLINGSON THREE RIVERS

Popular Demand Sires for

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BIG BODIED POWER SIRE BREED LEADING GROWTH AND CARCASS VALUES

JCAQ7 STELLAR QUICKSILVER Q7

BREED LEADING PERFORMANCE TOP 1% GROWTH EBVS, CW, FOOT STRUCTURE & INDEXES

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CONNEALY BIG VALLEY

SUPERIOR CARCASS, EXCELLENT PHENOTYPE TOP 2% IMF, TOP 3% EMA

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UNIQUELY COMBINES CALVING EASE, HIGH GROWTH & MARBLING OUTCROSS MARBLING GENETICS

CEO Report

Scott Wright, Chief Executive Officer

As I enter my second year as CEO as Angus Australia, can I say that I am very encouraged as always by the interaction across our membership.

I receive frequent calls from across the membership and I have felt very supported during my first year – so thank you.

We do have a big job ahead of us going forward. The Angus Australia Board of Directors has just approved a new 5-year Strategic Plan. This will be released to the membership at the Beyond the Beef National Conference in May. This plan gives us the roadmap for the organisation moving forward across six critical objectives. These six critical objectives are:

Critical Objective 1. Build a level of member engagement that is without parallel.

Critical Objective 2. To achieve genetic improvement in Angus and Angus Influenced cattle in member herds.

Critical Objective 3. Increase the “Angus Premium” and Angus market share in the Trans-Tasman beef industry.

Critical Objective 4. Develop a world class digital platform that enables members to interact with the society intuitively, simply and easily.

Critical Objective 5. Attract, develop and retain talent to build the “Angus” future (people and culture).

Critical Objective 6. Ensure Angus has a sustainable and viable future (future generations).

Underneath these objectives is a comprehensive series of key outcomes and strategies which will be outlined to the membership in May. I would like to thank the members and the Board for their involvement, diligence and patience. It has been an excellent process that gives us very clear direction moving forward.

As we draw close to the end of quarter one at Angus Australia I do have to advise the members of three significant staff changes. Andrew Byrne (Genetic Evaluation Manager) has left Angus Australia to pursue a career within another organisation in the genetics sector. David Cameron (Financial Controller) has also made a career change and Barney Beatty (Member Services Manager) has also decided to make a career change to another industry. I would like to thank each one of these people for their contribution to the Society. We look forward to new appointments in the coming month. In the first instance, I have appointed Adam Allingham as Acting Member Services Manager due to his experience as a Senior Member Services Officer and great rapport with both members and staff. This should ensure that service to members continues uninterrupted.

Cattle prices have seen a decline over the last few months. While expected, it does cause pressure in the sector. It does seem as though sales have been strong in the south so far with good clearance despite averages coming back. On the flip side, as a result of lower cattle prices there has been a return to market of China with regards to export heifers. This is always a useful market for our southern members putting a price base in the market. Export heifer verification is an important source of revenue intermittently for Angus Australia that will be helpful as volume increases. We have just completed another Board meeting in Sydney. The key outcomes of this meeting were:

1. To accept the audited accounts for 2022. Again, another pleasing result which will be released to the members in our annual report;

2. The adoption of a revised and updated Angus Australia logo. This will be released at our National Conference in May. It is an excellent logo that is a brand evolutionkeeping the best of what we have and adapting it for the future; and

3. The adoption of the new 5-year Strategic Plan. The Board also had a guest speaker Tim Brittain, Chairperson of AngusPRO. He was able to update the Board on the situation in New Zealand and thanked Angus Australia for the excellent service provided by staff.

Two recent events that have been held were seminars or workshops by both Angus NSW and Angus QLD. These were both well attended by members of both affiliated groups. Thank you to both for a very warm welcome and enthusiastic participation by members. Thank you to all organisers and guest speakers.

In May this year Angus Australia will hold our first national conference since COVID-19. The Beyond the Beef Angus National Conference will be held in Tamworth, NSW. This will be an excellent opportunity for members to reconnect and celebrate the Angus community. Please head to www. angusaustralia.com.au to find the event details and make plans to join us in Tamworth.

I would like to thank the Board of Directors (and particularly President Erica Halliday) for their continued enthusiastic support as we build on our past success in 2023. Also, thank you to our hardworking staff! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any issue. I wish our members in the south an excellent sale season.

Dr Shane Thomson Holbrook Vet Centre, Dr Matthew Wolcott ABRI Armidale, Nancy Crawshaw Extension Officer Angus Australia, Matthew Macri Chairman AngusNSW, Jo-anne Southorn Secretary AngusNSW, Dick Whale Independant Breeding and Marketing Services & Scott Wright CEO Angus Australia at the Angus NSW Breeders Seminar.

Out and About

A: Angus Australia Extension Manager, Jake Phillips, with Best Presented pen of Angus cows to vendors Paul and Will Bryson, Keppoch SA at the PPHS & Spence Dix & Co feature female sale, Naracoorte Regional Livestock Exchange 15/12/22. P&K Bryson, Keppoch SA, sold 52 PTIC Angus mixed age cows to a top of $3280 and an average of $3199. : Stock Journal, B: Ed Dunn, Dane Skinner, Ruth Corrigan at the Angus NSW Breeders Seminar, C: Commercial Supply Chain Manager, Liz Pearson presenting the Champion pen of Angus heifers at the Nutrien Livestock Tasmania Weaner Sale at Tasmania Livestock Exchange 9/3/23 to 'Kinloch'. The 20 heifers av. 336kg and were sold for $1,460. 'Kinloch' sold another pen of 34 Angus heifers 302kg av. for $1,260, D: Christian Duff, Angus Australia General Manager - Genetic Improvement joined Aaron Ingham (Group Leader, Agriculture & Food, CSIRO), Phoebe Jenkins (Genetic Improvement Officer, Stockyard Lot Feeders Pty Ltd) and Dom Neimeyer (Research Technician - CSIRO Agriculture) this week at Kerwee Feedlot to discuss R&D opportunities and trial results and inspect a mob of ASBP Cohort 10 steers on their Growsafe units to measure feed intake, E: Member Services Officer Rachael Constable with Claire Scott from Rennylea Angus during Southern Beef Week

Most Widely Used Sires in Last Two Years

1. Millah Murrah Paratrooper P15 has the most progeny born in the last two years, followed by Chiltern Park Moe M6 and Rennylea L519. These bulls have a combined total of 7,478 progeny born during this period.

2. When reviewing the 20 bulls with the most progeny in the last two years, new bulls entering the list (by comparison to the equivalent list 12 months prior) include Murdeduke Quarterback Q011, G A R Hometown, Te Mania Pheasantry P1479, Millah Murrah Quixote Q96, Dunoon Prime Minister P758, Clunie Range Plantation P392 and Sitz Stellar 726D.

3. Of the 20 bulls with the most progeny in the last two years, 10 have been bred in Australia, while 10 are imported sires from the United States. Of the 10 bulls bred in Australia, 6 are sons of imported sires from the United States.

4. The average Angus Breeding Index of the 20 bulls with the most progeny in the last two years is +247, which is placed in the highest 7% percentile band (when compared to 2021 drop calves). None of the 20 most widely used bulls have an Angus Breeding Index that is below the 30% percentile band.

5. Across individual traits, the average EBVs of the 20 bulls with the most progeny in the last two years is as follows:

50 Sires with the Most Progeny in the Last Two Years

Angus Australia

2023 Beyond the Beef Angus National Conference, Tamworth NSW

Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

You are invited to get ‘Beyond the Beef’ in 2023 with the Angus National Conference being held in Tamworth NSW, May 18th and 19th at The Event Centre West Tamworth League Club NSW.

The 2023 program for the National Conference will cover a wide range of topics designed to bring the #AngusFamily back together and encourage producers and industry professionals to delve ‘Beyond the Beef’ to ensure they are future proofing their production systems and remain at the forefront of the beef industry.

The topics covered will look at the outlook for Australia in the world protein space, bio security, the supply chain of the future, how Angus work in varying environments, management opportunities for the future and much more.

Delegates will be able to touch base with other progressive beef producers as well as network with industry professionals and service providers during the trade show

The Program

There will be a pre conference tour on Thursday May 17th, followed by a Welcome Function at the West Tamworth Leagues Club.

The program on Thursday the18th and 19th of May, boasts an impressive line up of high level speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds. Registration and trade stands will open at 9am on Thursday the 18th of May, with the conference concluding at 4.30pm on Friday the 19th of May.

Sessions will run across two days at a relaxed pace, with ample time allowed for refreshments and socialising between sessions.

Various trade stands will also run throughout the conference with many opportunities for networking and interaction with other producers and industry service providers.

A gala dinner event will be held on Thursday the 18th of May and will incorporate entertainment and a fundraising auction for the Angus Foundation.

Sponsorship

Sponsors will receive up to six hours access to existing and potential clients and will be widely acknowledged both prior to the event and during it.

While Angus Australia are hosting this event, it will be open to all commercial and seedstock beef producers, regardless of the breed, and so presents a great opportunity for sponsors to show their business and products in front of a wide audience.

With entry level sponsorship at just $1,000, this event offers a low expense, high impact opportunity to access progressive beef producers and develop new business contacts and connections.

Put your business in the spotlight and be sure to be seen at the #beyondthebeef National Conference 18th – 19th May 2023.

To become a sponsor, please contact Robyn Brazier marketing@angusaustralia.com.au

AGM

Angus Australia will hold its Annual General Meeting on Thursday May 18th from 5pm, along with a presentation from Scott Wright around the 2030 Vision for Angus Australia. All current financial members are welcome to attend.

Registration

Tickets for the conference and associated activities will be available for purchase from March 31st. Visit www. angusaustralia.com.au

MSA Performance Spectacular

Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

With cattle represented from the New England of NSW down to the southern parts of Victoria, the 2023 Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial once again demonstrated the commercial viability of Angus and Angus influenced cattle.

Angus and Angus influenced cattle had tremendous success in the competition with nine of the MSA Eating Quality Medals going to purebred Angus steers and the remaining medal to an Angus cross team and seven of the overall top ten awards going to going to Angus and Angus cross cattle.

In the trials’ fourteenth year, there were 495 head entered, making up eighty-nine teams from forty-seven vendors.

Brett Tindal, Australian Community Media and event organiser commended the vendors for their commitment to the Beef Spectacular and appreciated the fact that the competition allows vendors to obtain feedback data that can be used on farm.

‘We work on the mantra of being a commercially focused and industry relevant competition,’ he said.

‘The Beef Spectacular was created around trying to drive the data for the vendors to help in production systems for what they are trying to achieve.’

Champion Carcase and Eating Quality Award winner went to Bryce Miller of Ladysmith NSW, with the one team of five Angus steers.

The steers had an average hot standard carcase weight of 343.8kg, an average P8 fat of 16.8mm and 8.4mm on the rib and an average eye muscle area of 82.4 square cm. The average MSA Index which saw the team take out the Eating Quality Award was 64.786. The highest score for the team was 66.95, with three of the steers receiving a marble score of two, and two steers a marble score of 3. Mr Miller runs about 300 cows and breeds replacement females and sells his grass-fed Angus steers directly over the hooks to Teys at Wagga Wagga through September to October when they weigh around 700kg.

The overall Reserve Champion Pen of five steers was awarded to first time entrants Will and Melinda McCrohon, Holbrook NSW, who entered a team of Angus cross Shorthorn steers

The McCrohons operate a commercial herd of predominantly Angus females with 300 females joined last year.

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A: Places 1st – 5th in the Eating Quality Medals, B: Shane Bullock, Teys Australia, with Matthew Shea, Barfold Beef, who won Riverine Premium Beef Champion Pen, C: Corinne Whiteman ACM, with Suzie and Mitch Crawford, Baringa Pastoral Company who won the Teys Certified Premium Black Angus Champion pen, D: Bryce Miller, with Scott Hannaford Coopers Animal Health, was awarded 1st in Eating Quality & Champion Carcase Pen, E: Corinne Whiteman ACM, with Reserve Champion pen winners, Melinda & Will McCrohon and Shane Bullock, Teys Australia, F: Places 6th –10th in the Eating Quality Medals

Full Angus & Angus influenced results

Eating Quality Medals

1st: Bryce Miller (Angus) - MSA Index 64.786

2nd: Berthong Pastoral (Angus x Limousin)MSA Index 64.526

3rd: Barfold Beef (Angus) - MSA Index 64.510

4th: The Sisters Pastoral Company (Angus) –MSA Index 64.406

5th: Mackinnon Pastoral (Angus) - MSA Index 64.386

6th: Shore Pastoral Trust (Angus) - MSA Index 64.276

7th: D & A Skinner (Angus) - MSA Index 64.154

8th: Brian Moore (Angus) - MSA Index 64.140

9th: Tait Pastoral Company (Angus) - MSA Index 64.114

10th: Baringa Pastoral Company (Angus)MSA Index 64.106

Carcase

Champion: Bryce Miller (Angus)

Reserve Champion: Wantabadgery Pastoral Co (Angus)

Riverine Premium Beef Champion Pen

Champion: Barfold Beef (angus)

Reserve Champion: Wantabadgery Pastoral Co (Angus)

Teys Certified Premium Black Angus Pen

Champion: Baringa Pastoral Company (Angus)

Reserve Champion: Shore Pastoral Trust (Angus)

Overall Pen of 5 Steers

Reserve Champion: WC & MA McCrohon (Angus x Shorthorn)

2rd: Barfold Beef (Angus)

4th: Baringa Pastoral Company (Angus)

6th: Shore Pastoral Trust (Angus)

8th: Wantabadgery Pastoral Co (Angus)

9th: BC Bateman (Angus)

10th: Shore Pastoral Trust (Angus)

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Around the Shows

A: Junior Champion Angus Bull and Grand Champion Angus Bull – Hollywood Smokin’ S57 ( IC & LE Frecklington)

B: Junior Champion Angus Female and Grand Champion Female and Supreme Exhibit – Winchester Abigale S17 (Winchester Livestock)

Genetic Improvement, Hybrid Vigour and Premiums –The Profitable Combination

Jen Peart, Northern Extension Officer

By incorporating Angus genetics into their operations, commercial producers can benefit from the significant genetic progress being made by the Angus breed and the market premiums they receive.

This in turn significantly improves the profitability of businesses in some of Australia’s largest and most productive beef producing regions. It also identifies the greater potential for use of Angus genetics in both straight and cross breeding scenarios, particularly in Queensland. These are the findings of the report “Profiting from Angus Genetics in Commercial Herds” by Bush Agribusiness, released this week. Angus Australia engaged Bush Agribusiness to model the impact of introducing Angus genetics into real business performance data across Queensland and New South Wales, using their extensive benchmarking data.

The modelling conducted by Bush Agribusiness simulated the use of Angus genetics in 24 different scenarios throughout Queensland’s Central West and Southern Inland, as well as the NSW Tablelands.

The scenarios included both straight bred and cross bred breeding programs and modelled breeding enterprises targeting the weaner, feeder and slaughter markets, as well as trading operations and tracked the changes in profitability over a 10-year period.

In all the scenarios analysed, the use of Angus genetics resulted in a greater net benefit when compared to the expected average performance of a business in that area, as derived from Australian Beef Report bench marking data.

The biggest increases in profit stood to be gained by the Queensland’s Central West in both straight Angus and cross bred scenarios. Trading operations and breeding operations targeting the feeder and slaughter markets utilising Angus genetics in this area were found to return a minimum increase in profit of $116,000 (net present value) over a ten-year horizon.

Genetic Improvement Packs the Most Profitable Punch

The value of genetic progress is often overlooked, as market premiums are much more easily quantified. Through the modelling conducted by Bush Agribusiness, the impact of associated premiums for Angus cattle, as well as the production gains arising from genetic improvement were analysed and quantified.

Genetic improvement, particularly for traits that improved key economic drivers such as weaning rate, sale weight and reduced mortality rate, had significantly greater impact on farm profitability – far outweighing any market premium received.

Illustrated in the graphs below is the modelled change in profit over a ten-year period for the four scenarios analysed for each region and the breakdown of where that profit is derived from – genetic gain (blue), hybrid vigour (red) and market premiums (green).

This increase in profitability arising from genetic improvement was most evident in operations taking animals from breeding through to backgrounding and

slaughter, as well as growing and trading operations. These operations benefit from the genetic improvement made in traits that are expressed as the animal matures, such as growth rate. Meanwhile, due to the quicker turnover of animals in weaner production, the enterprise doesn’t have as much opportunity to financially benefit from the genetic improvement made, particularly in growth and carcase traits, and therefore only made smaller increases in profit.

The modelling conducted used the average genetic progress being made each year by Angus Australia Member herds, known as ‘breed average’. This suggests that the profits derived from selecting breed average animals could be enhanced further by selecting above breed average animals and applying selection criteria tailored to a particular business, it’s profit drivers and regional environment.

The impact of hybrid vigour was also quantified, and it further demonstrated the opportunity to utilise Angus genetics in Northern regions in cross breeding scenarios. Through cross breeding, producers are able to leverage and benefit from the genetic improvement gains being made in the Angus breed each year, while also benefiting

from hybrid vigour. All crossbreeding scenarios were appreciably more profitable than straight bred scenarios as the production benefits of hybrid vigour had significant impact. The financial impact of hybrid vigour was particularly evident in Southern Inland Queensland. Market premiums were the cream-on-top in terms of impact on profitability and were considerably greater for straight Angus cattle – with marginal premiums also evident for Angus-Bos indicus animals. Market premiums contributed the greatest amount to profitability in operations targeting the slaughter market in all scenarios.

To access the full report entitled “Profiting from Angus Genetics in Commercial Herds” please visit the Angus Australia website. For more information, please contact staff at Angus Australia.

Don’t be quiet about Docility

Jake Phillips, Extension Manager

During the recent TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE), a number of significant enhancements were made to the calculation of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), including the ability to calculate Docility EBVs on more than 60% more animals than had previously been available.

This enhancement has thrown docility into the spotlight of commercial bull buyer’s decision making by providing an EBV to assist in objectifying the process for animals that may not have previously had the EBV available.

What Docility EBVs indicate and the way breeders should use the EBV has not changed, being that Docility EBVs are estimates of genetic differences between animals in temperament. Docility EBVs are calculated from a subjective assessment of temperament when animals are between 60 to 400 days of age and are expressed in percentage units.

Higher Docility EBVs indicate an animal is expected to produce a higher percentage of progeny with acceptable temperament.

Docility is an important trait and this significance was highlighted in a recent survey of over 1200 beef producers across Australia, which found temperament was the most important trait when selecting a bull (Australian Beef Breeding Insights, 2019).

Docility is a trait that can at times also be considered a pass or fail in phenotype expression, meaning so long as the animal does not behave poorly it is often deemed acceptable.

However relying solely on the individuals own display of docility , particularly in older animals that may become conditioned to handling over time, is fundamentally flawed when considering the effect of the trait on the progeny. An example of this is a bull that has been prepared for a show or has become accustomed to handling from a young age may present with an acceptable and calm temperament, however this is a reflection of the good management and should not be confused with the docility that will be inherited by his progeny.

The expectations of the commercial supply chain is that animals will be able to adapt quickly to new environments and overcome stress, returning to their normal state of behaviour as quickly as possible. Often this ability to perform can be demonstrated by the results achieved while growing and finishing in grassfed and grainfed situations with an ultimate end point of being processed, often into high value markets.

The temperament of an animal has a large impact on its value within a beef operation, more specifically the way animals behave when being confined or exposed to unusual situations (e.g. being separated from the herd).

Issues commonly experienced with animals of poor docility include:

· Increased production costs

Make cattle more difficulty to muster and handle

· Potential damage to infrastructure g. yards and fences

· Risk of injury and stress to cattle

Risk of injury and stress to stock handlers

· Weight loss during transit

Variable feedlot performance

· Dark cutting ( high pH beef) – costing the beef industry approximately more than $55 million dollars annually

The heritability of docility score on the observed scale is 0.21 (S. F. Walkom,2016) which highlights the importance of docility considering the inheritance of the trait to the progeny.

Docility is moderately heritable with weak but favourable genetic correlations between docility score and the production traits indicating that docility score is largely independent of these traits and that selection to improve temperament can occur without having an adverse effect on growth, fat, muscle and reproduction.

In order to make improvements in docility the trait needs to be recorded in animals. Recording of docility, in line with the collection parameters, allows calculation of Docility EBVs. The EBV takes into account all information in the pedigree and docility records on itself and its relatives, giving the commercial bull buyer an objective tool that better explains the genetic potential of the progeny and the likelihood of the number of calves that will have an acceptable temperament.

By recording docility and analysing it in the TACE analysis, we have the potential to benefit from improved temperament within the breed and as an industry more broadly given significant market penetration of Angus genetics into the broader beef industry. Research is currently underway to incorporate genomic information into the docility analysis in the future.

Looking back on Docility

Since 2003 the breed average for docility has improved by 3%, indicating there is still significant room for improvement in the trait amongst the population.

One of the key reasons improvement has not been higher is that the majority of animals in the TACE analysis could not have had an EBV published without docility trait recording on themselves, their progeny or on closely related animals. With the recent TACE enhancements released in December 2022, the Docility EBV is available to more than 90% of the animals in the evaluation, which is a game changer for those looking to use this tool for selection.

See the link below for more information on the recent TACE enhancement for Docility.

WATCH

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hwswaKIdwyg

In 2022 more than 30,000 docility scores were submitted to the TACE analysis. This is up from 5,000 observations submitted in 2020, indicating the importance of docility is fast become a trait of importance common in many

breeding objectives across Australia and New Zealand with herds looking to make genetic improvements for themselves, their clients and the broader beef industry. To learn more about collecting docility information please visit the Angus Education Centre or scan the QR code below.

TAKE HOME MESSAGES

· Docility is ranked #1 as trait of importance amongst beef producers

· Docility can impact many parts of beef production from paddock to plate

· Docility is moderately heritable and can be selected for to make improvements without compromise

· Some improvements have been made but recent enhancements will create a more appropriate tool for producers to select on to make improvements

· For those interested in collecting the trait or understanding how their bull suppliers do, visit the Angus Education Centre

Personnel Change in the Genetic Improvement Team

Members are advised that Angus Australia will see an upcoming personnel change to its Genetic Improvement team.

Christian Duff, General Manager Genetic Improvement informed “Andrew Byrne, the current Genetic Evaluation Manager, will finish with Angus Australia on Friday March 10th 2023. This follows an 8.5-year tenure with the organisation”.

“Andrew has made numerous significant contributions to Angus Australia such as ensuring the fortnightly TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation runs to schedule, modernizing our services in the genomics era, leading the Angus Database Search and Angus SELECT development, and growing our external partnerships including those with Angus Genetics Inc. and the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit.”

“When commencing with Angus Australia, Andrew was appointed in a critical role as Extension Manager, and more recently managed both the Breed Development and Extensions portfolios. He has supported many members to ensure they understand the services being offered by Angus Australia, particularly related to genetic evaluation and modern-day cattle selection.”

“Additionally, Andrew played a crucial mentoring and support role to the broader Angus Australia team.” Christian said.

Angus Australia is currently reviewing the structure of the Genetic Improvement team and expects to re-fill the Genetic Evaluation Managers role in a similar capacity. In the interim, delivery of the genetic evaluation services, including the delivery of the fortnightly TACE, will be prioritized by the existing Genetic Improvement team.

Angus Australia members can continue to direct Genetic Evaluation related questions to:

· Jake Phillips (Extension Manager)

M:0401 261 217

E: jake.phillips@angusaustralia.com.au

Jen Peart (Extension Officer)

M: 0417 219 405

E: jen.peart@angusaustralia.com.au

· Nancy Crawshaw (Extension Officer)

M: 043 633 7652

E: nancy.crawshaw@angusaustralia.com.au

· Christian Duff (General Manager Genetic Improvement)

M: 0457457141

E: christian@angusaustralia.com.au

Sinclair Munro, Booroomooka Angus, Bingara NSW, with Andrew Byrne

Profits driven by accurate selection decisions with Angus HeiferSELECT

Neogen Australasia

During the spring bull selling season, every commercial Angus breeder rightly puts their focus on finding a team of bulls with the right mix of genetics to meet their breeding objectives. But what about the genetics of the females in your herd? Having a clear picture of the genetic strengths and weaknesses of your commercial female herd is just as important when it comes time in the production calendar to select which heifers to keep for breeding purposes, and which ones to cull.

It’s a question that challenges all commercial Angus breeders, but one that’s much easier to answer for cattle producers who utilise the Angus HeiferSELECT DNA test. Developed by Angus Australia with CSIRO, Angus HeiferSELECT has been specifically designed for use by commercial Angus breeders to identify genetically superior females, allowing producers to ramp up genetic progress within their herds.

Angus HeiferSELECT is a low-cost genomic selection tool supported by Neogen that helps inform the selection of replacement females (with 87.5% Angus content or greater).

Generation 2’ of the test provides four pillars of information:

· Angus BreedCHECK for determining breed composition, focusing on Angus content

Genetic predictions for 13 commercially important traits covering maternal, growth, feed intake, carcase, and resilience traits

Three overall values (selection indexes) for cow-calf value, feedlot-carcase value, and total breeding value, and

· DNA sire verification

Key advantages of HeiferSelect for Commercial producers: Accurately identify the highest value replacement females before investing time and money

· Make precise decisions with a complete toolbox of performance traits to capitalise on market prices for replacement females.

· Use HeiferSelect test results as a seal of quality at cattle marketing programs

· Market heifers based on unique genetic attributes and earn more predictable premiums by marketing animals with known growth & marbling ability

Objective genomic data is a powerful tool that combined with visual assessments will ensure replacement heifers are structurally sound and carry the right balance of genetics for hard-to-see productive traits.

Access to genomic information means breeders can make informed decisions resulting in cows with greater longevity producing calves on the ground earlier with faster growth rates and more money in the bank

Key Advantages of HeiferSelect for Stud Producers:

· HeiferSELECT testing supports both stud and commercial breeders, with stud breeders being able to identify bulls more accurately from their program to match their commercial clients’ business goals.

Work with commercial bull buyers to measure and improve genetic gain

The end result is a clear picture of the genetic merit of your heifer drop, enabling you to make more informed selection decisions at culling, joining and bull buying, that will result in faster rates of genetic improvement in your herd.

NEOGEN Australasia’s genomic sales manager Hannah Bourke said these were vital decisions for breeding businesses, with research showing that it costs between $1800 and $2500 to raise a heifer to joining age, so decisions and investments made today will directly influence the future.

Testing with Neogen has its benefits

Testing for HeiferSelect with Neogen is easy for Angus Australia members, with all samples being tested in-country at our custom-built genotyping lab, based in Queensland. Serving the Australian beef industry for 30 years, Neogen, formerly based at The University of Queensland and now operating from new state-of-the art facility in Bundamba in Southeast Queensland.

For decades we have been a globally trusted supplier of bovine and ovine genomic testing solutions for various industries. Our lab in Queensland specialises in providing DNA tests for a wide variety of species, including beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, dogs, alpacas, goats, among others.

Neogen has a specialist team of territory managers across the country to support Angus breeders with starting on their genomic testing venture.

About Neogen

Neogen Corporation develops and markets comprehensive solutions dedicated to food and animal safety, operating with the intention to “Every day, protect the people and animals we care about.”

Our Food Safety product range covers solutions for the Australasian Agribusiness sector including rapid diagnostic test kits to detect foodborne bacteria, mycotoxins, food allergens, and hygiene indicators through ATP sanitation monitoring and much more, all supported by our team and warehouse based right here in Australia.

NEOGEN’s Animal Safety segment is a leader in the development of genomics solutions along with the manufacturing, and distribution of a variety of animal safety products, including biosecurity, wound care, and disinfectants, as well as rodent and insect control solutions. With NEOGEN, it’s not just about our products; our experienced Sales, Technical Support and Customer Service teams are on hand to offer guidance and support every step of the way.

To find out more about HeiferSelect with Neogen and Angus Australia please get in touch.

Angus Proves Resilient in Desert Environments

Jen Peart, Northern Extension Officer

“Tieyon”, owned and managed by Paul and Jo Smith and their children, is located in the Finke region on the Northern Territory – South Australian border and has been in the Smith family for over 100 years.

Encompassing 6,562km2 (roughly 1.6 million acres), “Tieyon” consists of a variety of land types; mulga country, breakaway country (flat topped hills), low tablelands, sand ridges arising from the Pedirka Desert and some channel country. There are 180 recorded edible plant species in the landscape at “Tieyon”, ranging from herbages and grasses such as Kerosene grass, Woolly Oats grass and Barley Mitchell grass, to browse such as mulga.

Angus were introduced to “Tieyon” in 1925, where Paul’s great-grandfather took delivery of a cattle-wagon load of Angus bulls freighted in on the old Ghan railway line to the nearest siding to “Tieyon”, Abminga.

In the present day, the Smith family operate a breeding and fattening enterprise on “Tieyon”, running approximately 6,000 head. Ideally running 2,000 self-replacing purebred Angus breeders on the lighter half of the property, the steer progeny are weaned to the heavier, more productive portion of the property during two rounds of mustering a year, and fattened to 550-600kg lwt at 4 years of age. The steers are then sold direct-to-works in South Australia or Victoria, some 1,600km and 1,900km away, respectively.

Efficiency and Fertility

Due to the challenging conditions, Paul and Jo put considerable emphasis on the fertility of their breeder herd, aiming to breed an efficient female that calves every year from two-years old.

“We set out to try and breed an Angus cow to match our tough, arid environment. Our parameters are an early maturing, medium frame cow with the ability to lay down fat as soon as there is excess energy available,” explains Paul. “This is combined with management strategies to consistently early wean and give the cow three to four months to regain condition and store energy ready for the next calf,” he says.

“We would much rather a smaller cow that gives you a calf every year rather than a bigger cow that fails to calve every third year,” says Paul. “We live, thrive and survive on our females”.

Making progress through genetic gain is a priority for the Smiths, who aim to keep generation intervals low by

joining as yearlings, culling any animals that are pregtested empty or fail to raise a calf and culling females for age between 8 and 10 years-old. As a result, approximately 50% of weaner heifers are selected via visual assessment as replacements each year.

Joining weight and body condition score is critical for yearling heifer mating success on “Tieyon” and has been well established via a research project conducted in conjunction with the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries. A minimum of 288kg lwt is vital for acceptable PTIC rates in heifers, which in a typical year at “Tieyon” is between 83-85% PTIC. However, Paul identifies rebreeding as the issues, with just 15-20% of the lighter heifers coming back in calf the following year.

“If we can raise initial conception weight to 300kg and maintain a body condition score of 3, approximately 50% will get in calf the second time. If that weight is 350kg as a yearling, rebreed rates are comparable to initial PTIC rates of approximately 80%,” explains Paul.

Consequently, Paul and Jo take a conservative approach to stocking rates, running approximately 60-100 cows plus followers per watering point in contrast to the 200 cows that is relatively standard in the area. To bolster preg-testing rates and garner a greater likelihood of better rebreed rates, the weaner heifers are run in the heavier fattening country for six months post weaning until they are joined as yearlings.

Those females that aren’t selected as replacements are sold into the southern weaner market and perform well, with Paul receiving feedback that heifers purchased by a producer near Dubbo, New South Wales, achieved 100% PTIC rates from the “Tieyon” heifers.

The bulls are run year-round with the breeding herd at a ratio of 2% and, although not deliberate, the majority of the cows follow a late spring calving that is influenced by rainfall patterns.

Bulls are sourced mostly from South Australian seedstock operations from a convenience point of view, purchased in February and relocated in March. The Smiths feel that this gives any introduced bulls the opportunity to acclimatise.

“They have the capacity to handle the heat, but they need the time to change and adapt,” says Paul. “We tend to rotate our bulls through our land types. We run the new bulls in our established breeder country and older bulls get taken into the harder land types before they are culled for age at 7 years old,” he explains.

“We make concerted effort not to get our animals hot as they can’t cover as much country as Brahmans,” he adds. Paul reports that he sees very few breakdowns in his bull team.

“One of the first things people complain about is breakdowns, but I just don’t see the breakdowns that others do, I don’t know if that is due to our selection or our management. We do get occasional injuries from fighting and occasionally during transit,” Paul says.

Strict Selection

Bull selection at “Tieyon” adheres to a strict Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) criteria that was established in 2003 as a product of a benchmarking program the Smiths participated in. The criteria aims to service the clear breeding objective they have set.

This EBV criteria ideally includes a breed average birth weight and up to a maximum of +6.5kg. Growth is also closely considered, with selection for a growth curve that achieves early maturity and aims to avoid overly large framed cows that require more maintenance. As such, breed average for 400 and 600 day weights and Mature Cow Weight are considered and up to a maximum of +20kg, +15kg and +10kg above bred average, for each trait respectively.

Paul and Jo approach Milk EBVs with caution, only selecting breed average or below.

“Angus are a dual purpose breed that provide plenty of milk. Trying to fuel high milk genetics just with native grasses comes at a big cost,” says Paul.

The ability to store and conserve energy is also a crucial attribute at “Tieyon”. The Smiths consider the selection for positive Rib and Rump fat as well as good temperament as the key.

“Due to the high variability in both feed quality and quantity every year, fat is stored energy that can be drawn on later in the season. The bulls we select must have positive EBVs for both rib and rump fat, the more positive the better,” says Paul. “Also naturally quiet cattle conserve energy and gain more condition which they are then able to maintain when handled during the musters,” he says.

Other traits such as Gestation Length, Calving Ease Daughters, Scrotal Size and Carcase Weight are still desirable but are considered secondary to the priority traits outlined.

A bull’s structure plays a vital role in selection and due to the relatively harsh environment, foot structure and an animal’s ability to walk are crucial. Also, a short smooth coat is preferred as summer temperatures can easily reach 40-45 degrees and sometimes higher.

Docility is also not negotiable.

“A poor tempered cow can give you one calf a year, whereas the bull is giving you 50,” says Paul. “From a workplace health and safety standpoint, we are running large numbers with only a small workforce and there is also production factors to consider. A quiet cow will retain energy and therefore more weight when being handled,” he adds.

Paul believes that by selecting on this criteria that their cattle are more consistent, fatter and healthier.

The Smiths use trap yards around watering points to conduct mustering and drafting and although very effective, a clean muster isn’t always possible. As a result Paul estimates that 10% of calves are sired by “Tieyon” bred mickey bulls. Paul says that there isn’t much more he can do to address this

We will continue to focus on number of calves on the ground and the number of kilograms on a truck

occurrence and choses to breed the best animals possible to mitigate any negative impact.

Paul plans to pursue a contract breeding program for bulls to suit their selection criteria, environment and program in the future.

The “Tieyon” Experience

Paul has experienced some limitations and changes within his production system that he feels are worth mentioning.

“If you are going to use Angus; enjoy the fertility, enjoy the market acceptance, enjoy the carcase quality, but it is easy to find yourself overstocked as you reduce breeder mortality and non-productive passengers as fertility improves. You also have to become accustomed to a greater percentage of your sales being female,” he explains.

He also has some seasonal issues with pink-eye which he estimates can affect 10% of the herd in an average year and up to 60% of their weaners in a bad year. He has found that the instances of pink-eye is reduced when using mineral supplements.

Overall, Paul is relatively pleased with the progress of the “Tieyon” herd’s fertility performance, but views the next priority as putting more focus on weight gain.

Location

Northern Territory –South Australian border

Land Size

6,562km 2 (1.6 mil acres)

Land type Mixed

Annual Rainfall

215mm/annum

“The way our herd has bounced back from the 2019 drought destocking is hugely telling. We will continue to focus on number of calves on the ground and the number of kilograms on a truck,” he says.

For more information on the heifer fertility trial conducted at “Tieyon” in conjunction with the Northern Territory DPI, please access the report entitled ‘Central Australian Heifer Research and Demonstration Project: Tieyon Station’ via the Northern Territory DPI website.

Tieyon

LOT 1 - BBB22T185

LOT 2 - BBB22T192

Packing a punch for Wheals

Julia Wythes, The Land

One thing that can be said about Mark Wheal is he knows how to grow something delicious.

Mr Wheal, his wife Kate and daughters Lily, 6, and Willow, 3, Wheal Farms, Beachport, South Australia, run a thriving Angus herd on their coastal property.

But this is only one part of what the family produce - they also run certified free-range pigs for their brand Beachport Berkshires, as well as growing a diverse range of crops, including wheat, canola, broad beans and barley, and trading sheep.

Not only does grain go towards feed for the pigs, but the barley also makes its way into their unique beer and gin, which is created at their Beachport Brewing Co premises, directly opposite Beachport Jetty.

Mr Wheal grew up on the family farm, and now has taken over running the property from his parents Guy and Sue Wheal.

He has always been proud of his parents' progressive take on farming. His parents founded and used to run Limestone Coast Lamb.

"Through his research and camaraderie, Dad changed the industry forever," he said.

When it came to cattle, his dad ran a range of breeds and was one of the first farmers to import Simmental genetics from Europe, but Mr Wheal was keen to focus more on Angus cattle.

"The genetic development Angus Australia has made is far ahead of other breeds. It has done a good job on marbling and intramuscular fat (IMF). You can't deny the dollars Angus make."

He said Angus was an impressive breed in its own right, but when crossed with another, the hybrid vigour it brought was unbeatable.

Mr Wheal is particularly focused on eating quality. "We want to produce the highest quality product we can," he said.

"If you are going to use Angus, you need the best Angus. With the Australian environment, you need an animal that can walk and eat."

"If you are going to produce beef, you need IMF to maximise return. People need to be rewarded for genetic gain." When looking for genetics, Mr Wheal wants balance.

"It is a balancing act between 400- and 600-day growth, birthweight, IMF and EMA, but I do put more emphasis on IMF and EMA, as well as milk production. We are always trying to find that balance - an even spread of really nice traits. We want all-rounders."

In a bull, Mr Wheal wants to see "muscle and meat in all the right places".

"I want him smaller in the front end, and then deep in the hindquarters, like an arrow," he said. "If you have more meat in certain areas, you get higher value cuts."

Today the Wheal family runs about 500 breeders, which are mostly Angus. Cows are joined to calve in autumn for six weeks, while heifers are joined for five weeks. All breeders are later pregnancy tested.

Calves are usually weaned about six months old in November, depending on the season. Handling is really important to the Wheals, so the weaners are walked through the yards and worked to become used to people. The weaners are rotationally grazed on perennial pastures through the summer. Lucerne is an important part of the program. "Dad was a lucerne grower. Over the years he developed his own genetic line of seed which we still use today," he said.

Mr Wheal aims to be producing EU grass-fed Angus cattle that weigh about 470 kilograms at 12 to 15 months old. The steers have been regularly sold to Thomas Foods Feedlot or more recently to Teys.

The Wheals feel positive about breeding Angus.

"At the end of the day, the future of the cattle industry is looking good, especially with the quality of Angus genetics being developed."

The Wheal family focuses on eating quality in its Angus herd, as well as a nice balance of other traits

Skinner sees much potential in Angus

Matt Sherrington, Queensland Country Life

Dane Skinner has continued a proud family tradition of breeding Angus since he bought Lawn Hill at Big Springs, south of Wagga Wagga, NSW, with his wife Alison.

The Skinners purchased Lawn Hill eight years ago, and added two further bordering properties to their holding five years ago. In all they run their cattle across 664ha of slightly undulating arable land featuring improved pastures, which they're in the midst of adding to by sowing rye grass annually to create better quality feed.

Mr Skinner succinctly described the climatic conditions of 2022 as "too wet".

"In terms of growth we were a month behind 2021," he said. "We started to get growth in spring and the cattle are going well, but the ground was too damp to pasture spray or top-dress too much."

Growing up on Gunbar on the edge of the Hay Plains in the western Riverina region, Mr Skinner has been around Angus his entire life with his father and grandfather having both centred their breeding programs around the breed.

It was a natural progression for him to continue with the breed when they bought Lawn Hill.

"The Angus handles most conditions well, and they're well suited to our area. There are also plenty of good opportunities available with the breed market-wise."

The Skinners have been carrying out AI programs in their herd for seven years, and to speed up their genetics gains they've started utilising the Zoetis Angus HeiferSELECT tool.

"We got to a point through our AI program where our oldest cows were five years old, so we were no longer culling for age," he said.

"This led us to incorporating HeiferSELECT to gain further data on genetic potential. This tool has really allowed us to fine tune the herd. The first lot of heifers we marked as calves with HeiferSELECT were like peas in a pod in the

The NDE will cut hay bales of any shape and size right in the mixer. Then blend in your grains and concentrates quickly

Dane Skinner on Lawn Hill at Big Springs, south of Wagga Wagga, NSW

paddock. The tool allows us to better select animals for genetic potential, and provides us with more figures to work from.

"I love data. Even though we're commercial producers we tag at birth and record the dam and sire lineage of each calf just for our own information. We can also use this information to choose the females we carry forward, with kill data from the feedlots also informing this decision making process."

The Skinners run fixed joinings in spring and autumn, with two-thirds of the females joined in spring and the remainder in autumn.

"We join in spring from October 12. This normally involves one or two rounds of AI then the bulls go in for one cycle. Only the bulls are joined in autumn, purely to get as much value out of the herd as we can. We try to keep both joining periods at six weeks to tighten up our calving patterns. We're achieving a fertility rate in the mid-90 per cent range across the herd."

Mr Skinner said they target the high-end, long-fed feedlot programs with the steer progeny produced.

"Rangers Valley and Kerwee feedlots have bought the majority of our stock. Our bull buying decisions are based around obtaining a high carcase, high marbling article, which is what they chase. Prices have been holding firm. We sold some via AuctionsPlus recently and received above average money."

"We generally have tight parameters in relation to bull figures, we like intramuscular fat to be over four, eye muscle area needs to be up there, as well as 400-day growth and calving ease/days to calving.

Mr Skinner said they'll continue to focus on genomics data correlation.

"We'll look at where we go next with that in four or five years. We'll also keep focusing on meat quality and the quality of our females. We place heavy emphasis on fertility to ensure we breed the best females we can so our steers and excess females sell well."

Behind the Beef –

The Beef Supply Chain and who fits into it

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

This episode of Behind the Beef features two people positioned at two different parts of the beef supply chain. been feeding all Angus for a few years now and it’s quite a big operation.

We had the opportunity to speak to Libby Thompson from Whyalla Beef and celebrity chef Fast Ed, a proud brand partner of NH Foods Australia’s Angus Reserve. Both of our guests are involved heavily in the beef supply chain and the Angus breed in their roles, however are ultimately at two different ends of the supply chain, with Libby working towards the top end of the chain and Fast Ed further down in his role in preparing the product and feeding the ultimate end, our consumers.

Libby and Fast Ed shared with us the story about how they got to be where they are in the industry today and some background information in the role that they play within the beef supply chain. When we caught up with Libby and Fast Ed, they were joining Angus Australia at the 2022 NH Foods Australia Angus Youth National Roundup, where they spent time providing information sessions to the young attendees, exposing them to the various parts of the beef supply chain.

So Libby, thank you for joining us and having a chat with us today. Can you just introduce yourself and your role at Whyalla?

My name is Libby Thompson and I'm the Supply Chain Coordinator at Whyalla Beef. I've been at Whyalla for about 18 months.

So, what does your role encompass?

I am a jack of all trades, predominantly in the supply section of the business.

I help the buyers, but I also look after our backgrounding, which is the part of the business where we go and buy younger cattle, we background them until we bring them in mid-year.

So, you’re good with people then?

Yes, you have to be like that in the supply area. You're based up at Texas, QLD in the feedlot, how big is the feedlot?

We are licenced for 75,000 head capacity. At any given time we've got 50,000 to 60,000 head on feed. We are all Angus other than a small portion of Wagyu. So we've

So why Angus?

100% would be consistency. Consistency of feeding, consistency of supply, but also for the whole reason that you feed cattle for, consistency in the end product. The consistency of the beef that you get is just like no other. So that's why we are all Angus.

From a consumer perspective, where does Whyalla Beef fit into the supply chain to get to that end product?

Whyalla Beef is the feedlot, so we will buy in the cattle and we feed them for however many days required in the program for the products that we're selling.

Then they will go into the processing part of a supply chain. So, we are the first step of feeding those cattle and caring for them for the first 100 to 200 days. We do a few different feeding regimes in days and what products that we do sell but the main product line for Whyalla or for NH Foods Australia is Angus Reserve.

And how long is the feeding regime for that program?

Angus Reserve feeding is 150 days.

How did you fall into this career?

I am a local girl to Texas. But I have been working away for a little while so prior to that I was in live export and it's a very different part of the beef supply chain. It's very niche and very tailored to the top end of Australia, rather than the breeding in the southern part of Australia.

Fast Ed cooking up a storm at the NH Foods Australia Angus Youth Roundup, Bottom Judge Glenn Trout, Emily Hann and Libbi Thompson.

I just wanted to do something different, and I wanted to do work in an area that's more domestic supply and learn everything that's got to do with that.

With feedlotting not only was it in the area that I'm from and I wanted to move home, but it’s also a massive part of the Australian beef industry. I really wanted to get into that and to learn about it and see what doors that opened, but also meet the people in it.

So, you're here with us with NH Foods at the Angus Youth National Roundup. What's the benefit of seeing events like this for the younger generation coming into the industry that you love?

It gives the kids purpose and the ability to see what happens in the bigger picture. From a supply chain point of view, it's not just breeding and caring for those animals. It's giving them a point of view that there is a purpose as to why we breed these animals and that, in the end, it is to feed people.

So, I think it's very important that kids and everyone has that understanding and that when they're making choices for breeding cattle that they understand at some point they're going to have to be sold, and what is that person or what is that company looking for in that animal? What traits are they looking for? What are they going to be doing with them?

I think it's very important to teach kids so they understand from the very get go that they are also consumers at the end of the day, so it gives that traceability back to them and their families.

I think it's good to put a face to that part of the supply chain so kids can say, oh, yeah, there's these other big companies out there that look after the cattle for the next step, and then they process them, and then we sell them and we feed people, and our beef goes all over the world. How do you have your steak?

Medium. I used to be medium well, but I’ve got older, and I've just gone medium with plenty of salt. Well, Libby, thank you very much for joining us and giving us a little bit of insight into yourself, your role in the industry and what you're doing here today. Not a problem. Thank you for having me.

Hello, Ed, to start off, you're obviously Fast Ed and that's how many people know you. How did you get the name Fast Ed? What it's really about what my fundamental values are when it comes to cookery, which is that I've spent most of my career working in three chef hat restaurants here in Australia, owned a two hat restaurant and I worked in two and three Michelin Star restaurants overseas, but my real love is helping everyday families to cook better food within

the limited time that we all have available. It was kind of a snappy way of just summarising all that.

So how did you become a chef? How did you take that career path?

Well, as far as the cookery was concerned, I was what they referred to in the business as a bit of a loose unit when I was a child, not really the best-behaved teenager. I went to a whole bunch of high schools because we felt it continually came to the conclusion that I would be better off not in their company, which is a long way of saying I got expelled a whole lot of times.

So, when I was 14 my father said to me, have you got a bike? I said yeah. He said, wonderful, go for a ride and don't come home till you've got a job. That's what I did. I got a job originally as a kitchen hand, but within a couple of months, I'd started being a chef's assistant and started to cook and I fell in love with this thing.

I actually ended up doing quite well at school and I started a law degree at Sydney Uni, which I really hated. I didn't hate the intellectual side of it, I loved the intellectual side, but I didn't want to spend my life in a law office surrounded by lawyers when I loved being in the kitchen surrounded by chefs.

So, I threw in the towel there, so to speak, and picked up the tea towel and never looked back.

It’s always good to do something that you love. Indeed.

Why does everybody love Angus Beef so much from a chef's perspective?

Well, I can't only put on my chef's hat because I also have the unlosable hat of telling stories for a living.

The first thing I'll say is that one thing that Angus Australia has done so very well is to build a brand. And for those of you who don't think that brands matter, I would suggest that you haven't really looked at the rulebook yet. Brands do matter because the things that we pay attention to are the things we feel are reliable, things we think are trustworthy and the things that we think will meet our expectations.

When you look at when the first brands came to exist in the 1890s, brands like Kellogg's and Heinz and McCain's, these brands came into existence because at the time there was so much inconsistency in what people could buy to eat at home and there were real issues of food poisoning, particularly amongst the first manufacturers. So, these brands had wonderful recognition because they were reliable and trustworthy. That's precisely what Angus has pursued. Angus beef is predictable. They've got this wonderful set of producers around Australia who do a good job, but more importantly, the genetics has been carefully maintained so it's been improved.

You couldn't say it's the same Angus you had in the early eighteen hundreds when the breed was first recognised, but what you have got here now is an extraordinary Angus breed and it's very carefully maintained and protected, so I've got a huge amount of respect for that.

The other thing, of course, is the eating quality. I like marbling, but I don't want too much. For starters, I don't like paying for fat. I don't mind to paying for a beer, but I don't want to pay for a whole plate full of fat.

Libbi Thompson during the education sessions. Images Showcase by Branded Ag

There is a point where you can say a little shaving of some really incredible marble score nine Wagyu is great, but that's a special occasion cut. What you want on a daily basis, on a regular basis, is something that has that combination of extraordinary flavour developed through grass pasturing, but then also the tenderness and the intramuscular marbling you get from feedlot finishing.

Australia has a worldwide reputation for doing this brilliantly. There's a lot of other places in the world who reckon that they do it well, but having seen feedlots and operations in North America, Canada, Europe and in the UK, no one matches Australia both for quality of operation, but also for quality of outcome, as well as quality of animal husbandry - our respect for animals is second to none.

You’re here as a brand partner with Angus Reserve. What is it that you're doing here at the Roundup?

There are a few things. First and foremost, I really hope to be able to inspire some of these incredible young people to think about not only what the breeding, rearing, showing, judging management of cattle is all about, because that is really important, particularly if you're going to a farming world. But you always need to remember that the end user is not the farmer, the end user is not the chef, the end user is the consumer, so it's a matter of keeping in mind what are you doing and why you're doing it.

So I want to talk to them a little bit about how their work on farm translates to happy customers, which hopefully inspires them. I want to share some information and some knowledge about the difference between your primary and secondary cuts of meat and how that makes such a fundamental difference to what we do. Why you can grill some, why you have to slow cook others.

We're going to talk about how muscle fibres. Yes, there's going to be science for six-year-olds. And I'll tell you something, I do this regularly with school kids. Kids are good with science. I think too many people don't have enough respect for how much kids can learn and cope with.

I guess the other thing is to show them a delicious dish and give them some dinner.

A new survey from Meat and Livestock Australia shows that the majority of Australians feel good about the red meat industry and want to learn more. So, it's probably a good time to start when they're so young.

I would love to know what the question base for that was.

I suspect it may have been a little leading, but I'm sure the answer is also correct.

The red meat industry here in Australia is doing incredible things. If you want to talk about the ups and downs over the last five years, the ups have been the continuation of incredible quality, the supply to market and people's greater education about what the processes are, and not to mention building more of an export market.

The downside for consumers, of course, has been price, and we can't hide that with ever increasing exports around the world. Yes, the price of beef has been rising. But what I would say to Australians more generally is that just because the price is higher doesn't mean you should be worried about your beef consumption. What it means is that you should start to get more clever about which cuts you can use, and that means learning how to use them.

And equally importantly, look, I don't know if this is going to get me in trouble or not, I hope not - If a 300g steak costs more than you want to spend on it, eat a 200g steak or a 150g. The point isn't to make sure that your entire plate is covered in dead cow. It's about ensuring you can eat really good Australian beef cooked properly at a price that works for you.

One of the sessions that you're doing with the guys today is about cuts and carcase usage. Is that something that consumers are expecting in the space of sustainability these days? Has there been a pushback in the industry about that sort of thing?

I don't know if there has been pushback because if anything, butchers are making more and more money out of it. I am not aware of pushback from the consumers. I mean, the interesting thing, of course, if you look at a butcher shop in the olden days. Porterhouse, good. Ribeye, good. Rump, good. Fillet, good. Then mince, mince, mince, mince, mince, mince.

When you want secondary cuts like skirt steaks, inside skirt, hanger steaks, pillow steaks. There's a lot more involved in the butchery there, which is time, which is cost, but consumers in most places are prepared to pay for that. What's happened, though, is that these things that would normally be taken off as a job lot and put through a mincer now are being processed, and so that does yield a higher unit cost.

The butcher is doing really well out of this. I'm so happy for them. One thing I would say to Australians is, go and support your local butcher. In the mid-1980s, Australia had 36,000 butcher shops. As of a few years ago, there was just shy of 3,000. We'd lost 93% of all the butcher shops in Australia in 45 years. Now, if that doesn't make you sad, I think your tear ducts are blocked and if it doesn't make you angry your meds are working, because, quite frankly, you should be angry about that and you should be asking, who the hell is responsible for this situation?

And the answer is you are. And you'll tell me no, I'm not but yes, you are. Because where you choose to spend your money is what determines what's available on market. If you want to have butcher shops, that's where you need to buy your meat and that's where you'll find the skill to be able to get things like hanger steaks butchered out, because for the most part, your large big box retailers are not going to bother.

Do I think there's a place for that? Yes. Do I think consumers get more out of it? Yes. Do I think that some consumers

look at some of these cuts going, what the hell am I supposed to do with that? Sure they do. And that's why it's for people like myself to try and help make it a little bit more accessible. Please keep in mind, not everybody drives an Audi, not everybody owns a boat. Some people want to buy mince every week and that's okay. You don't have to live your life like you're in an episode of MasterChef. No, that's a different network! Better Homes and Gardens. You're allowed to be you. You're allowed to feel good and respected about the choices that you make within what kind of beef you want to consume. There really is something for everyone.

You want to talk about end-to-end production and nose to tail consumption that's what it's about. It's about providing options for everybody.

To wrap the questions, we ask most of our guests, how do you have your steak? But I feel like that might not be deep enough for someone who can actually cook so well. What’s your favourite cut and what's the best way to cook it? It's an interesting question because it makes an assumption about people that you would have a favourite cut, and I'm sure there are people who do but if you're someone who cooks for a living, that's like asking which one is your favourite child. And it's my son. I'm sorry, Luca, but it is my son. No! I love both my kids equally!

I like different cuts at different times. If you're talking about what I eat on a semi regular basis, I'm a bit old fashioned in that way.

I think scotch fillet is one of those cuts that will rarely disappoint you.

If you're going to cook scotch fillet, I would say cook it at least to the top end of medium rare. That big fat seam that runs through the middle, if you don't cook it, it doesn't render. If it doesn't render, you are eating meat flavoured plasticine and, quite frankly, it ‘ain’t good. But I like that cooked to a medium and I think it's fantastic.

What I'd say, rather than to eat scotch or whatever, I'd say eat a thicker cut bit of meat. For meat to retain its juiciness when you cook it, it's a question of two things - surface area, because it's through surface area that you get evaporation, and the amount of evaporation that takes place is what determines whether or not a steak is juicy.

That juiciness is literally just retained meat juices, which, by the way, is not blood for everyone.

So, a thicker cut piece of meat will always end up juicier. When it comes to something that always makes me feel well fed, that makes me feel like I'm actually cooking and makes me feel like I'm getting the sort of flavour that I want, I will almost always go for an inside skirt. The inside skirt is actually the diaphragm muscle from the steer, and it can be a little hard to get. When you get it, it's pretty springy and you sort of go, oh, no, what is this? You want to cook it pretty rare. Make sure you've marinated it. It takes on flavour really well. Keep it on the rare to medium rare, no more than that. Slice it really finely.

A really good way to use that, actually, because you want it to be really paper thin, just go and get some regular corn tortillas and use a biscuit cutter, like ten centimetres or so, and cut little circles out of that and fry those.

That's what's called a tostada, as opposed to a tortilla. Then you get the beef, you get any kind of slaw or something, avocado, if you want sour cream, if you want cream corn. And lots of hot sauce. Really, it's just a great cut. The other one, which you really should try at some point in your life, is skirt steak cooked the same way. Delicious.

Thank you for all those tips!

Can I just say one more thing before we go? Not only full credit to you guys for helping share some really great information about Angus as a breed, but to everyone listening who has taken the time either when shopping or

thinking about shopping or starting to cook, just to consider all what breed is this? That is 80% of the journey guys, because from there you're going to make your decision about what to do so all of you, next time you're starting to cook, just think, what am I actually cooking here? It's a good thing to do.

During a question time at Roundup a participant posed the following question to Fast Ed…

What made you different? How did you get on TV as opposed to the regular chef?

So, the question was how I ended up as a talking meat puppet? Very good question and I really want to answer this one properly, particularly for you kids who are twelve and up.

I was working at a two chefs hat restaurant in Sydney which I was really enjoying running and people said to me “Oh, you are just in the right place at the right time.” And maybe a bit, but I reckon that is missing the most important part of finding any kind of success in life, is that it's right place, right time, right attitude.

Each and every one of you has opportunities put in front of you each and every day. The question is, are you able to see it, do you recognise it, or does it just pass you by?

If you see it, are you ready to do something about it? If you do something about it, are you prepared to do the hard bits as well as the easy bits? In the end, getting ahead in life is not about what you're prepared to do, but it's about what you're prepared to give up.

Because you've usually got plenty of choices, but what are you prepared to really work hard for?

So, when I started working in television, for the first two years, I earned $0. I did it for free. In fact, the first year, I paid for the ingredients. I didn't want to be on television. I had no interest in it at all. But I knew that it might open some doors for me.

I didn't think it would last, but I was prepared to back myself. I had to be able to see that it was an opportunity, one worth pursuing, and I had to be prepared to go after it eventually. The trick is not to make yourself the highest paid person in the room. The trick is to make yourself the most indispensable person in the room.

Make sure people really need to have you around and you're never out of a job. That's really what it comes down to.

I mean, all of you coming here for this event and each and every one of you are going to not only learn things, but you're going to meet people. Those relationships could be the difference between your future success or even more success, and that's why you've got to really latch onto what you can learn and make something of it.

I really whole heartedly believe in this, and I'm pretty sure that for any of you who've taken the time to come all the way down here to Wodonga in your school holidays rather than hang out at home playing video games, you're seven eighths of the way there already. Congratulations from me to you guys, I think it's pretty cool.

GEDDES. STIRLING PACIFIC. PARATROOPER. BUSH’S EASY. PROPHET. MONUMENTAL. MONTANA ELEVATION. BEASTMODE. BROOKING FIREBRAND. ALCATRAZ.

THE AGRI-GENE Y69

<< BALDRIDGE Isabel Y69’s recent passing has again highlighted the enormous impact she has had on the Angus breed.

One of the most influential matrons in the breed; she has countless sons and grandsons within Ai studs and is a multi-million dollar producer across multiple countries.

The Y69 legacy will continue as her numerous daughters and sons consistently pass on her structural soundness, eye appeal and amazing foot and udder qualities.

Pty Ltd

<< STERLING PACIFIC 904

<< EG EYES ON YOU

<< CLUNIE RANGE PLANTATION P392

<< WAITARA GK SAFEKEEPING S56

Angus Verified NVDs & Guidelines

BLACK ANGUS CATTLE ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES

Straight black hided Presenting Angus characteristics

Small amount of white underline (not visible from the front of the animal)

No white legs, feet or tail · No horns · Scurs accepted, not fixed to the skull No bos indicus or dairy characteristics

Angus cross Angus Angus

Example of ACCEPTABLE Breed Description

• Poss Rawhide the highly sought after Poss Maverick son now available.

• Rawhide’s early progeny data are excellent, with consistent reports of superior calving ease & growth.

• Winchester was the high-selling bull in the Poss Angus sale and maternal brother to popular sire Poss Rawhide, with a unique blend of growth, carcase, and maternal value.

• Winchester is a docility and HP improver, he adds extra marbling and ribeye while landing in the top 1% for all Angus Australia selection indexes.

Are you collecting DNA samples correctly?

Jen Peart, Northern Development Officer

DNA testing represents a significant investment in both time and cost and provides many benefits to the genetic evaluation of an animal, such as enhancing Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and verifying parentage, while also providing information on genetic conditions. It is vital that the DNA samples collected yield a viable amount of DNA material.

Angus Australia currently accepts three types of DNA samples:

In order to assist members to collect and submit DNA samples as effectively as possible, a new Angus Education Module outlining the best practice guidelines for collection, storage and postage of all DNA sample types has been released.

The module comprehensively covers all Angus Australia requirements, prior considerations, step-by-step instructions and tips and tricks on all aspects of DNA sample collection. It caters to those new to DNA collection and a few helpful hints for those who routinely collect and submit DNA samples.

Did you know that to avoid extra fees specific hair collectors must be used depending on the genotyping company you have elected test through?

Can you identify a failed TSU sample?

Want an example of how best to transport a semen straw for DNA testing purposes?

All this information and more is included in the module. To view the module, please visit the Angus Australia Education Centre, via the Angus Australia website. For more information, please contact staff at Angus Australia.

Member Services Matters

Bernard Beatty

The Angus Australia Member Services staff are responsible for enabling members to conduct all transactions with Angus Australia in a manner that is streamlined and efficient and provides members with a respectful and friendly service.

I have been fortunate enough to have recently travelled around Victoria and South Australia during the Beef Weeks, visiting members who had open days. It was a pleasure to see the excellent work that our members do and their animals ready for their sales. Thank you also to the Extension team, Jake Phillips and Nancy Crawshaw, whom I was lucky enough to have travelled with.

This year’s letter for calves born in 2023 is U.

Please remember to include this in your registrations, or if you are searching for animals born this year, remember that an ident is made up of a breeder’s herd identifier, a two character year of birth, a breeding year letter and an animal number. That is, rather than ABCU1, the animal ID assigned will be ABC23U1.

Update on changes within the MSO team and how we are supporting our members

Angus Australia members who have an Autumn Dam Inventory for 2023 would have recently received their Dam lists, and the Member Services Officer (MSO) whom you would have received this email from, has introduced themselves as your allocated MSO.

The MSO team have been working quietly with their allocated members over the last year. We now are going to formally advise members of who their allocated MSO is.

Rachael Constable – Southern Victoria and a selection of members in New South Wales and QLD.

· Robyn Kelly – Mid to southern New South Wales.

· Sarah Scott – Is sharing her region with Lily Christian, and the area Lily and Sarah cover is mid to northern New South Wales.

Lily Christian – Is sharing her region with Sarah.

Tammy McLeod – Looks after New Zealand members, and a selection of members within Australia.

Raelene Mold – Mid to northern Victoria, and parts of southern New South Wales.

· Adam Allingham – Looks after members in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, and a selection of members within Australia.

I also have an allocation of members and I have been lucky enough to have secured our sunshine state of Queensland. Please note that we still expect members to continue to use the appropriate emails for work being submitted to Angus Australia, see email list at the bottom of this article.

These emails are monitored daily during office hours and are forwarded to the delegated MSO for action and completion. This also enables the wider team to help members when MSO staff are out of office.

Whilst this change will see a more streamlined approach for our members to deal with one person, we also want to reassure members that for most general enquiries, the MSO team are well equipped to help answer and direct any enquiries to the most appropriate person.

Genomic and DNA Services

This year Angus Australia, in association with Zoetis and Neogen, is pleased to announce the introduction of a new “Standalone Full Genetic Test Panel” for our DNA services. Zoetis have also introduced a standalone test for Horns (HH).

Members are also advised that there have been some price increases for some of the DNA services offered.

A full list of the DNA tests and services available to members and their costs can be found on the Angus Australia website.

Helpful hints & tips (“for you and me”)

Autumn Inventory

This year, an email was we sent out to members who have females flagged as Autumn calving females on record for 2023.

Members are encouraged to use the online files in angus. tech. In doing so this will help members submit their fates and reduce human error where possible.

For members who make the request to Angus Australia, paper files will continue to be sent via postal mail. .

Angus Australia continues to help members where possible and will always provide the services requested. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact the team.

Please note that these fates are due on the 17th of March 2023.

Angus Australia Regulations – Reminders And Updates

This section will provide explanations or reminders around certain sections of the regulations that may be pertinent to your business and practices. The regulation number and content of that section will be quoted. If you have any questions or queries regarding the Angus Australia Regulations, please feel free to contact the Member Services team.

6. Registration of animals

6.24 It shall be a requirement for the registration of calves in the HBR, APR, ACR or MBR who have been bred by AI or ET and whose sire is born after 1/1/2018, that the sire must be tested for any genetic conditions monitored by the Society for which commercially available tests are available.

This part of the regulation reminds members that calves who have been bred via Artificial Insemination (AI) or Embryo Transfer (ET) do require the full tests for the genetic conditions.

If this is not completed, then registrations for any calves who fall under this category will not be fully registered until these tests have been conducted.

Members are asked to monitor calf registrations and if they are aware these tests have been completed on an animal and this calf has not been updated to full registration, please reach out to Angus Australia so the registrations can be updated .

If you have any questions about this do not hesitate to contact Angus Australia.

Privacy settings in angustech – have you updated this so others can see your business online?

On my recent visit to members during Beef Week, I was reviewing members on the website. I did notice that some of our members have not fully updated their privacy settings in angus.tech.

What this means is that your stud details are not publicly available on the database.

Now, this is completely up to each member to decide if they want their information made available on the website or not. We can only support your decision.

However, if this is something you have overlooked, please contact the staff at Angus Australia and you will be shown how to update the privacy settings of your angus.tech account to ensure that your details are available to other users. This is something you can update or change at anytime when logging in to angus.tech.

CONTACT

If members require any information, help or assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the Member Services team at Angus Australia on (02) 6773 4600 or email office@ angusaustralia.com.au.

Registrations : regos@angusaustralia.com.au

DNA services: dna@angusaustralia.com.au

Membership enquiries: office@angusaustralia.com.au

TACE information: tace@angusaustralia.com.au

If you want to discuss any other matters, concerns, suggestions for improvement, and any compliments about the team, please contact regos@angusaustralia.com.au or 02 6773 4602.

Meet Your Acting Member Services Manager

Name: Adam Allingham

How long have you been working at AA?

Will be coming up to 4 years in July

Where were you born?

Armidale

Where do you live?

Armidale, NSW

Where / what was your first job?

Furniture removalist in Armidale

What are your interests outside of work?

Anything outdoors

What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?

Head to the farm with the kids, ride bikes and have fun

Adams favourite quote;

Not my favourite but the only one that comes to mind is “Eagles don’t chase flies”

Some may be aware that Adam was recently appointed as a Senior Member Services Officer.

Meet Your Member Services Officer

Name: Sarah Scott

How long have you been working at AA?

3 and a half years

Where were you born?

Gunnedah, NSW

Where do you live?

Armidale, NSW

Where / what was your first job?

Woolworths check out chick - great place to get started! They really helped get me through my Bachelor of Agriculture/ Business.

What are your interests outside of work?

I enjoy horse riding, going to the gym and attempting to win trivia each week with friends.

What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working?

I love getting outside and going for a horse ride on Jaz, especially when I get to chase the cows!

Sarahs favourite quote;

“You know, you don’t throw a whole life away just cause he’s banged up a little” – Seabiscuit

16th January

AUTUMN INVENTORY LIST: Will be emailed to breeders for all females flagged as Autumn females

17th March

DUE: Female Inventory List for Autumn females must be received at the Angus Australia o ce

24th March

INVOICE: Members will be invoiced for all active Autumn females that will be calving

3rd April

CALF RECORD FORMS: Will be emailed to those herds whose females will calve in Autumn

15th May

SPRING INVENTORY LIST: Will be mailed to breeders for all females flagged as Spring females

26th May

DUE: Inventory fees for Autumn calving females. Late Inventory fees will be charged for breeders who have not paid their Autumn Inventory Invoice

14th July

DUE: Female Inventory List for Spring females must be received at the Angus Australia o ce

25th July

INVOICE: Members will be invoiced for all active Spring females that will be calving

7th August

CALF RECORD FORMS: Will be emailed to those herds whose females will calve in Spring

30th September

DUE: Inventory fees for Spring calving females. Late Inventory fees will be charged for breeders who have not paid their Spring Inventory Invoice

Protecting the future of your herd

Richard Reynolds.

Raised on his family cattle property, Richard currently runs a Beef Stud Cattle operation with his family at Gin Gin in Queensland.

Richard says a bull is your investment in the future of your herd and beef operation.

“The bull you choose today will directly influence the genetics of your herd for the next 10 to 15 years. With such a significant impact on the future productivity of your herd, it is important to choose wisely,” said Richard.

“Therefore, before heading to the saleyards, I encourage buyers to have a good understanding of their beef operations and their breeding objectives, in terms of what will boost their herd performance. This is a critical part of selecting a bull,” Richard said.

Richard offers buyers these important tips for choosing a bull:

1. U Understand your breeding objectives and recognise the key traits you are looking to increase in your herd to achieve these objectives.

2. R Research the breeder They may produce the breed you are looking for; but check whether they also manage and produce animals that will thrive in the environment and management practices on your farm

3. U Use breeding tools available such as Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) EBVs are genetic evaluation systems used to assess several important production traits and provide an indication (estimate) of how an animal’s offspring will perform

4. C Conduct a visual inspection Structural soundness is a vital factor in the bull’s fertility and routine examination is recommended. Visual examination combined with the use of EBVs will provide a balanced evaluation of his structure and temperament

5. O Obtain a Veterinary Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation (VBBSE), which is a test designed to identify structural issues that will impact the bull’s health and ability to be productive. This includes a semen motility test which shows the probability of being fertile by evaluating the live sperm count.

6. C Consider undertaking a semen morphology test, which is recommended as it tests the quality of sperm and can identify possible fertility issues.

Once buyers have selected their bull, a critical part of risk management is adequate stud stock insurance to cover loss of use. This can occur from accidental causes, sickness, disease, mortality or transporting the bull home from the sale.

“A bull owner must consider what level of risk they are comfortable with, that is whether they opt to insure against mortality alone or whether they also want cover for accidental loss of use, sickness or disease,” Richard said.

If unsure, we always encourage buyers to speak with their insurer directly to better understand exactly what is included in the policy,” he said.

“We encourage buyers to check that their insurance includes transit cover, as ownership of the bull transfers to the buyer from the fall of the hammer,” said Richard.

To find out more about the strategic alliance between Angus Australia and Achmea Australia, please visit www.achmea.com.au/strategic-alliances.

Insurance issued by Achmea Schadeverzekeringen N.V. (Achmea) ABN 86 158 237 702 AFSL 433984.

The information in this document is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (your personal circumstances). This means any advice may not be appropriate for your circumstances. Before using this information to decide whether to purchase the insurance policy, you will need to consider the appropriateness of any general information or advice we give you and how it relates to your specific situation to ensure the insurance cover meets your needs and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from the ‘Downloads’ section of our website achmea.com.au/downloads. For feedback and complaints, visit achmea.com.au/complaints. To view Achmea Australia’s privacy statement, visit achmea.com.au/privacy. Achmea Australia does not warrant that the information contained herein is accurate, reliable, complete or up to date, and, to the fullest extent permitted by law, disclaims all liability of Achmea Australia and its Associates for any loss or damage suffered by any person by reason of the use by that person of, or their reliance on, any information contained in this document or any error or defect in on this document, whether arising from the negligence of Achmea Australia or its Associates or otherwise.

About Achmea Australia

Achmea Australia is part of the Achmea Group, which is one of the largest insurance companies in the Netherlands. The Achmea Group has approximately 13 million clients worldwide and is fully dedicated to farm insurance in Australia. Insurance issued by Achmea Schadeverzekeringen N.V. (Achmea) ABN 86 158 237 702 AFSL 433984.

1800 724 214

As a cattle farmer, selecting a bull is often one of the most important decisions you make for the profitability of your beef operation, says Achmea Australia Farm Insurance Specialist

Achmea Australia Farm Insurance Specialist Richard Reynolds

“Standalone Full Genetic Test Panel” and “Standalone test for Horns (HH)”

Bernard Beatty

Angus Australia, in association with Zoetis and Neogen, is pleased to announce that a “Standalone Full Genetic Test Panel” panel is now available to Angus Australia members. This standalone test will include all 11 Genetic Conditions and traits:

Arthrogryposis multiplex (AM)

· Contractual arachnodactyly (CA)

Developmental duplications (DD)

· Dwarfism (DW)

· Horns (HH)

Alpha-mannosidosis (MA)

· Muscular hypertrophy (MH)

· Neuropathic hydrocephalus (NH)

Oculocutaneous hypopigmentation (OH)

· Red gene (RG)

Oesteopetrosis (OS)

The “Standalone Full Genetic Test Panel” is suited to testing influential animals within a breeding program, such as sires or donor dams.

Tip: Members whose animals have already had a full genomic profile tested but require the genetic conditions may find this test suitable for their situation.

Please note that the Angus Australia DNA Test Request Forms have been updated to include these tests.

A column has been included titled FULL GENETIC TEST PANEL in both Neogen and Zoetis order forms which is available now on the Angus Australia website. Zoetis have introduced a standalone test for Horns (HH) and has been updated in the Zoetis DNA Test Request forms. For further information and details on the pricing of these tests please visit the Angus Australia website or contact Angus Australia at office@angusaustralia.com.au or on (02) 6773 4600.

Tips for the Collection and Submission of DNA Samples

Angus Australia has launched a brand-new module in the Angus Education Centre that assists members in the collection and submission of DNA samples. This module outlines the best-practice collection, storage and submission guidelines for each sample type as well as providing helpful links and tips.

Scan here to download the DNA order forms Scan here for the Fee Schedule Scan here to learn more

ANGUS

for Northern Australia

Are you looking for information about utilising Angus genetics in the Northern parts of Australia?

For information resources, case studies, support materials and much more regarding the use of Angus genetics in the northern most areas of Australia, check in with the Northern Focus location now!

Repro Injectables

How to avoid costly mistakes

Vetoquinol Australia

An important component of maximising results from an assisted breeding program is ensuring injectables are managed correctly.

All too often, hormones such as prostaglandin (PG), Gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol benzoate (ODB) are administered either incorrectly or on the wrong day, at the wrong time or at the wrong dose. It is believed that up to 30% of producers could improve their results by following best practice management.

This article is aimed at helping minimise the risk of errors occurring and thereby helping ensure the maximum pregnancy rate is achieved from your investment in artificial insemination (AI) or embryo transfer (ET).

Route of Administration

The good thing about the injectables needed for assisted breeding programs, is that they are all administered intramuscularly (IM), i.e. directly into the muscle rather than intravenously (IV) or subcutaneously (SC).

Administration Sites

The preferred site to give IM injections, particularly in beef cattle is directly into the neck muscles to avoid damage to the higher value hindquarter cuts of meat (and minimise the risk of damaging the sciatic nerve). However, given injectables are often administered in the race rather than the crush, it may be safer and more practical to administer these into the rump and thigh muscles as shown in Figure 1. If the females are in very good body condition score, sometimes the depth of the fat on the rump may exceed the length of the needle. If this is a concern, selecting an injection site on the female that has less fat cover such as the neck or the lower thigh may be more suitable. Safety must always be considered before choosing these sites.

Dosage

Reproduction treatments are administered in small doses; usually 1 mL or 2 mL at a time. It is therefore critical to ensure that the full dose is administered to have the necessary effect on the female’s reproductive cycle. The right equipment, the right settings and correct technique will help minimise errors.

Two of the most common mistakes are incorrectly setting the dosage on flexi-dose injector guns and pulling out the needle out before the hormones have been completely administered, meaning an animal is likely to receive less than the recommended dose. Taking a few more seconds with each injection to ensure it has been fully dispensed into the muscle is worthwhile; particularly when using slapshots and more viscous products such as ODB.

Equipment

Injector Guns

Given relatively large numbers of females tend to be synchronised at any one time, injector guns are much quicker, easier and safer to use than drawing up the correct dose in a syringe.

While injector guns are available in fixed and flexi dose forms, flexi dose guns tend to be more popular in Australia. Vetoquinol has introduced blue flexi guns for PG which is typically administered in 2 mL doses and green guns for GnRH which is generally administered as a 1 mL dose (Figure 2).

Regardless of the gun used, it is important to check the dose each time (and regularly if treating larger mobs of females) to ensure not only the setting is correct but that there are no air bubbles or blockages. It is advisable to use different guns for each product to ensure different hormones aren’t combined.

Slapshot tubing

Slapshot tubing is recommended for both convenience and safety. This is often 1m in length and has the added advantage of enabling the needle to safely stay in the animal for a few seconds longer to ensure the full dose has

Figure 2: Flexi-dose injector guns with bottle mounts attached

been administered. It also means that less needles are bent and less injury to the operator administering the treatments.

Bottle Mounts

Bottle mounts are often added to the gun (as seen above) to protect the bottle whilst eliminating the need to draw up the required dose each time. Ensure when placing the bottle on the injector guns, that the seal between the gun and the product is neat to avoid any leakage. This is not only wasteful and could leave you short for the program but may also be harmful to the operator if contact is made with the skin.

Needles

Selecting the right sized needle is important. DO NOT use the same needles as you do for administering vaccines –these are designed for subcutaneous injections and are too short. Needles should be at least an inch long (2.5cm). On the other hand, if they are too long (i.e. 1.5 inches) they are more likely to bend or break. 22-gauge needles are standard for non-viscous assisted breeding drugs including PG, GnRH and FSH whereas 18-gauge needles are preferable for the more viscous ODB.

Needles should be long and strong enough to pass at a 90-degree angle through the skin and fatty tissue and sufficiently far enough into the muscle for maximum efficacy. Needles should be changed regularly. How often will vary depending on many factors such as the administration site, age of the animal, thickness of the hide and technique.

well informed about the program in advance are more likely to have superior results.

Storage

Given temperatures in Australia are often above room temperature or 30°C (which is the standard requirement for most hormones) during peak breeding season, Vetoquinol recommends that all products should be kept refrigerated to retain their efficacy. On the day of administration, vials should be kept in an esky with an ice pack until they are ready to be used. Injectables should never be frozen and always stored out of direct sunlight.

Disposal

It is always best practice to check the label indications regarding disposal for each product. Any unused product should be discarded 28 days after first broaching the vial. The preferred method of disposal is by ensuring needles are placed in a sharps disposal container and wrapping the vials in paper for disposal in general waste.

Beware

Given hormones can be absorbed through the skin, care should be taken and protective gloves worn when handling all products containing natural or synthetic hormones. This is particularly important for asthmatics and women of childbearing age using PG. Always wash your hands after administering injectables.

If any product is accidentally spilt on the skin, it should be immediately washed off with water. Repeated exposure may cause allergic disorders.

Summary

We’re human and we make mistakes. HOWEVER the most common mistakes in assisted breeding programs are avoidable. Planning and Preparation = Pregnancies

Do prepare and plan with great attention to detail

· Do administer intramuscularly (in the neck where safe and practical)

· Do administer the correct dose at the correct time and in the correct place

· Do use a different gun for each injectable

· Do set alerts in your phone/calendar and inform the team

· Do check you have sufficient needles on hand of the correct size and length

· Do not take short cuts

Timing

The timing of hormone administration is critical for the success of an AI or ET program. Forgetting a treatment or being out by a few hours can be the difference between success and failure. Taking the time during the planning stage to add calendar reminders and phone alerts is highly recommended. It is also important to ensure that the whole team handling the livestock in the yards is made aware of the timing and correct drugs and doses to be used prior to the program. Teams that operate well in the yards and are

Do not mix up PG and GnRH; and

· Make sure your team are well briefed in advance. Article supplied by Repro360, sponsored by Vetoquinol Australia. For more information, contact the Repro360 Team on 1300 163 056 or visit repro360.com.au. Alternatively learn more about assisted breeding by following Repro360 on YouTube and listening to the Making Better Bovine Babies podcast.

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Josephine to join the AuctionsPlus team

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

Angus Australia and AuctionsPlus are pleased to announce that Charles Sturt University student, Josephine Cox has been selected for the 2023 Angus Foundation AuctionsPlus Cadetship.

Following the successful launch of the Angus Foundation Industry Cadetship Program and the inaugural AuctionsPlus Cadetship in 2022, the Cadetship has returned in 2023 and will see Josephine spend four weeks immersed in the workforce at Australia’s Digital Ag Market.

The Angus Foundation AuctionsPlus Cadetship is designed to give the recipient hands-on experience in an agribusiness in the beef supply chain.

During her time within the cadetship, Josephine will experience the day-to-day operations within AuctionsPlus and develop a unique understanding of how the business works and the central role of the platform in driving innovation within the agricultural industry.

“Josephine is an excellent example of the talent that we have in the beef industry, showcasing enthusiasm, work ethic and a thirst for further knowledge,” said Angus Australia Extension Manager Jake Phillips.

“Josephine stood out as a deserving recipient due to her natural interest in AuctionsPlus that originated from being in remote environments that used the platform as part of their business. This created an interest in Josephine to want to learn more and take a look behind the scenes.”

AuctionsPlus Chief Executive Officer, Angus Street, said

of the cadetship and see how technology innovation for agriculture is moving forward,” said Josephine regarding her motivation to apply for the cadetship.

“I am most looking forward to this opportunity, as I have worked in northwest Queensland on sheep and cattle stations where the use of AuctionsPlus has become the life-changing innovation to bring Northern beef into the modern market. It has created a drive that is very passionate to see how a company driving the future of agriculture works behind the scenes.”

In addition to her time at AuctionsPlus, as part of the cadetship Josephine will also complete the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Course. The Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program is an intensive five-day workshop and is recognised as one of the longest running rural leadership programs in the nation.

About Josephine:

Josephine grew up on a mixed-stock property near Wagga Wagga NSW and has always been interested in the Angus beef industry. She is currently studying Agricultural Science at CSU Wagga and working on her family property. In pursuing this degree, Josephine hopes to position herself in a career to help design the future of

Alex is headed abroad

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

Angus Australia is pleased to announce that Alex Ferguson has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the Trans Tasman Travel Bursary, giving her the opportunity to immerse herself and gain insight into global beef production.

The New Zealand beef cattle industry is made up of more than 4 million animals, with the Angus breed making up over 30% of the beef cattle population. The industry is an important one to the countries economy, with the export of beef forecasted to have a 4-billion-dollar revenue (Beef and Lamb New Zealand, 2022).

With the production of beef cattle an important asset to the country, there is much to be learned about the beef supply chain in New Zealand and how the production systems differ from that in Australia.

Sponsored by the New England Travel Centre and the Angus Foundation, the Trans Tasman Travel Bursary is offered annually and provides an Angus Australia member the opportunity to travel around New Zealand investigating the beef industry and meeting seedstock and commercial producers around the country.

The bursary will see Alex spend up to four weeks touring the country and networking with producers in the industry. When asked why she applied for the bursary opportunity, Alex said, “I applied for the award with the aim of being exposed to the wider world of the Angus industry, as I am eager to challenge myself to network and build connections with other industry professionals to assist with my career progressions.”

“I hope to bring home industry leading livestock and pasture management practices to put me in good stead to challenge the status quo and contribute positively to the future of the Angus industry.”

“We are extremely pleased to award this year's bursary to Alex, who impressed us through her holistic view of the opportunity,” said Angus Australia Extension Manager Jake Phillips.

“Alex stood out from the start with the level of detail she put into the potential travel schedule which we feel will leave her with a life changing appreciation for the New Zealand production system genetics and grazing management.”

“Alex is an extremely capable person, and we are confident we will see more from in the coming years as an emerging leader of not only the Angus breed but the beef industry more broadly.”

As part of the bursary Alex will document the experience in a report which will be made available for reading on the Angus Australia website.

About Alex:

Alex Ferguson was born and raised in Murmungee, North East Victoria on her family’s beef cattle farm where she has had a significant involvement in all goings on of the business. After completing high school, she moved to Wagga Wagga NSW, to complete a Bachelor of Agriculture Science at Charles Sturt University. Currently she is working as an Overseer at Landfall Angus in the Tamar Valley in Northern Tasmania, where her key role is management of the livestock, pastures and fencing infrastructure.

“A small but outstanding range of sires available in Australia”

Tocal provides real world focus

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

They say knowledge is best shared, and the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course is an excellent example of how.

The Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course took place in December 2022 and saw Angus Foundation scholarship recipients from 2021 and 2022 take part.

Charlotte Nugent, Hamish Smith, Kristen Fredericksen, Liam Mowbray, William Crane, Meg Kealey, Hannah Bamford and Nicola Miller all participated in the course, hosted by Angus NSW and widely recognised as the most practical and hands on beef cattle selection course of its kind.

The course covers a wide range of topics ranging from using EBV’s, structural conformation and selection of market utilising Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus breeds and their crosses and develops practical skills and information as well as presenting networking opportunities.

“We try to provide to a wide range of participants. We've got some producers here that might have had cattle for five minutes and have five head and we've got some people here that have come from properties that are running 3,000 breeders,” said course overjudge Bryce Whale, of Glenliam Farm Murray Grey stud.

“We cater into a lot of different levels of education within the industry, so anyone that is thinking of coming to the course, it's a tremendous course opportunity.”

“We end up assessing 20 odd groups of cattle of various breeds and different types and market categories and with our night education sessions people are actually getting the science behind the industry as well.”

“We're trying to explain to people that getting it right back at farm helps the whole industry and the whole chain to make money along the way, because we're producing better cattle. Whether that is the producer, the backgrounders, the feedlotter and then to the processors and wholesalers at the end of the chain.”

“We're trying to educate that if you're going to have cattle, you might as well have good cattle and we are trying to educate people on selecting for better cattle in their own herds or in herds that they're managing or involved in.” While some of those taking part had a background in judging cattle at youth shows or junior judging events, many of the scholarship recipients highlighted that the course gave perspective in selecting and assessing cattle for specified markets and commercial backgrounds, which was an unfamiliar task for some.

“The course challenged many of my viewpoints and ideals around cattle judging and my ability to accurately assess cattle for a range of specifications,” said Charlotte Nugent, who hails from Tarcutta, NSW.

“Having grown up in the industry and attending multiple youth and junior events throughout the years, cattle judging becomes much more like a routine. Throughout the three days of the Tocal course I was taught to let go of the so-called routine that is junior judging and develop skills and an ability to quickly and accurately assess cattle based on a given market specification.”

Participants also highlighted what this broadened knowledge would mean for their own operations.

“The main thing I took away from the experience was appraising different maturity patterns for different markets and structural assessment for longevity,” said Liam Mowbray, who with his wife operates 50% of the partnership, Marlea Agri Group, over two properties at Barrington and Tibbuc at the foothills of the Barrington Tops, NSW.

“This has really consolidated the type of animal I’m trying to breed in my own Angus business and over the next few years I will be using this to objectively remove outliers from our herd.”

Over the course of the three days, the group was taken through both classroom and practical learning setups, allowing them to take what they learnt in the theory components of the event and apply them into a live animal situation down in the Tocal cattle yards.

Day one of the course saw introductory presentations from Bob Dent and an explainer breakdown of Meat Standards Australia (MSA) with Sarah Stratchan, Meat & Livestock Australia.

“Sarah Stratchan informed us of all the upcoming technologies and meat grading systems being implemented,” said Dubbo local Nicola Miller.

“Fat distributions and marbling’s direct effect on meat quality were major topics. Simple concepts provided

insight in the evolution towards achieving accuracy of animal maturity.”

Furthermore, northern Victorian participant Hamish Smith reflected on what they learnt and how it was then applicable to his own on farm experience.

“On the first day one of the most interesting parts of the course was the MLA seminar detailing the importance of low stress stock handling for superior meat quality among other things.”

The practical assessment elements began on day two, which saw an introduction in fat, muscle and bone proportions and how to identify them both on a live animal and on the hook, as well as defining saleable meat yield, dressing, P8 fat and muscle scoring.

An integral part to the success of the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course is the ability to cater to both the seasoned cattle judge and those without prior assessing experience.

With this in mind, the group then studied grids that identified various markets and their overlaps including the ideal animal and maturity for each.

Moving to the yards to finally get some hands-on experience, the groups were shown what the days earlier presentation informed them on a live animal in terms of determining an animal’s fat and muscle scoring.

Following this the participants were then broken into groups, given scenarios that producers are faced with

regarding selecting animals for certain market specifications and were tasked with ranking pens of steers and heifers pertaining to the specifications required for each scenario. Furthermore, they were asked a series of identifying questions regarding each pen to test participants on their assessing skills of characteristics within the animals which were differentiating factors.

Selecting for these different markets proved a task for even the seasoned cattle judges and proved an excellent learning experience, that also allowed for conversation between the course instructors and the participants regarding the ranking of animals, with the floor open to the expression of opinions and justification in peoples decision making and assessment of each group of animals. An experience that may have put some on the spot, but allowed for open discussion and clarification on decision making and how to refine the choices you make as an assessor based on the information and specifications provided.

“Tocal focused greatly on the commercial side of the Australian beef industry, and I personally got so much out of the course, finding the experience both challenging and very educational,” said Miss Nugent.

“The biggest thing that I took away from the experience was confidence in critiquing steers and being able to appraise them based on the end goal market,” said Kristen Fredricksen, Orange, NSW.

Agreeing with this, Meg Kealey highlighted, “Looking at the feeder cattle and really market based judging I found has been really helpful and was stripping it right back to what we're all doing it for, which is to make beef.”

Hannah Bamford echoed these sentiments when speaking of her experience in the program.

“The biggest learning curve for me was the selection for feedlots. Most of my work has been around stud farms and reproductive work, so I was genuinely surprised at how to select the appropriate animal for say a long-term feedlot as opposed to a bull for stud purposes. What I have since learned on that side of the industry has only fuelled my drive to get involved more and expand my knowledge.”

“These few days were some of the most enriching and high-quality methods of both teaching and learning,” she said. “The course was designed to be very hands on which is my favourite style to learn from, but also the way the teachers welcomed - and in fact pushed the group to have discussions or to challenge the teachers in their decisions, was what I thought makes the success of this course.”

Following an intensive day in the yards, the lessons once again moved to lecture hall with Jake Phillips, Extension Manager at Angus Australia, presenting on breeding and genetics.

“We discussed genetics and environment as well as the variation across and within different breeds. It was interesting to see the commitment needed for breeding genetics within cattle when considering the 5-year generation,” said Miss Miller.

L-R Front: Nicola Miller, Jemima Nugent, Meg Kealey, Charlotte Nugent, Hannah Bamford and Kristen Fredrickson. L-R Back: Will Crane, Hamish Smith and Liam Mowbray

“It was extremely insightful to reflect on average changes to EBV data over the past 20 years using Angus Australia's data. We worked on refining individual breeding goals, clarifying 3-5 main traits that work towards a target market within a set timeline.”

“As one of the youngest in the group this really served as food for thought as to how I can be taking these requirements into consideration and how they will affect the future of cattle breeding.”

The final day of the course saw the group be presented firstly with the basics in structure.

“Being a stud Angus breeder myself, I found the seminars about the structure of cattle to be extremely insightful as I understand the importance of cattle being able to function correctly,” said Mr Smith.

Once the group was back in the yards the focus turned to selecting females for your herd, utilising different scenarios and breeding objectives to determine the selection of the animals, with the scenarios covering various instances, such as cross breeding and retaining animals in your herd for replacement purposes.

Once the female classes were assessed, the group moved onto bull classes where they were also provided with the Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) of the bulls on display to be used as a tool in their selection decisions. This allowed people to have the ability to utilise the additional breeding tools that can assist them in selecting animals that genetically are predicted to be more suitable for their market specifications.

Reflecting on the group environment that Tocal provides, Ms Fredricksen highlighted once again that discussions surrounding the selection of animals provided further development.

“The ability to discuss each class looked at whilst still in the yards in both a small group and a larger meant that it was both challenging and engaging. Getting an array of new insights in the differing opinions when judging bulls and the replacement heifer exercise was also incredibly valuable.”

The final activity culminated in a final female keep/cull class where the group were asked to select to keep and or cull animals from a larger mob utilising the skills in assessment they had established from the various presentations and activities throughout the two days.

Following the final group classes, the top scoring participants from over the course were asked to do a live judging of a group of bulls to determine the placing of the overall top assessors of the event.

Not only were there plenty of learning opportunities over the course of the intensive two and half days, it was also a hugely successful event for a number of the scholarship recipients.

Charlotte Nugent took out the coveted first place of the cohort for achieving the top score of the course. What’s more, fellow scholarship recipients Kristen Fredricksen, Nicola Miller and Meg Kealey all placed within the top ten. When reflecting on their time in the course, a number of the scholarship recipients were more than encouraging for others in the industry to take part in Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Courses in the future.

“The school packs both information sessions and a lot of time in the yards with cattle into two and a half excellent days. The structure strongly encourages the “just jump in and have a go” attitude and with this, the learning is engaging, enjoyable and will stick with me. Like this industry is great at, time socialising was also allowed and gave the opportunity to meet people both new to beef and existing,” said Ms Fredricksen.

“At Tocal I gained incredible experience regarding judging and presentation in the Angus beef industry. I have come away with practical and communication skills which provides me with a great basis to analyse the proper structure of cattle,” said William Crane.

He continued, “I believe that the Tocal experience was very beneficial for all the participants regardless of experience and prior skill and would recommend this course for all aspiring cattle industry enthusiasts. “

“I think Angus Australia has provided a really awesome opportunity with the scholarships, not only for beginners, but for people that have experience as well. There's a whole range of people here today and they really cater for everyone,” said Miss Kealey, who found the experience valuable with her ability to apply what she learnt to her home base near Walcha, NSW.

“It’s an awesome experience to hear what other people think about cattle and how to better your own herd.” For the full reports from each scholarship recipients regarding their time at Tocal visit the Angus Australia website.

A: 2022 Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment School winner Charlotte Nugent

Road tripping the New Zealand Beef Supply Chain

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

By his own calculations, Damien Thomson’s Trans Tasman experience consisted of 26 days, 4,731kms, 8,001 words of daily notes, 16 studs, 12 Agribusinesses/Agents/Saleyards/Feedlots/ Processors, one van, zero boring days and countless memories.

Traveling from Waitangi in the North Island to Invercargill on the South Island, Damien definitely made the most of his experience and what New Zealand had to offer, made possible by the Angus Foundation Trans Tasman Travel Bursary.

“The trip through New Zealand has not only given me a better understanding of the New Zealand industry but also the Australian industry,” said Damien.

“Experiencing an industry with a different environment, targeting different genetics and markets makes you realise that how we operate in Australia is not the only way, but there is very good reason why we operate that way.”

The trip allowed Damien to have an understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by those farming in New Zealand, and how the landscape and environment shapes and influences the type of animals they are producing.

“The New Zealand environment is similar to Tasmania and Victoria and is most suited to dairy production. Sheep and cattle have consequently been pushed further and further up into the hills and the cattle are often seen primarily as a grazing tool to support lamb and wool production,” says Damien.

“This has influenced the strong emphasis on moderate mature weight and structural soundness in the New Zealand cattle, so they are better able to forage across the steep slopes.”

“There is also only one major commercial feedlot in New Zealand, meaning it is mainly grass-fed production. Therefore, the main selling point for New Zealand beef in the export market is its provenance story that surrounds the ‘Taste Pure Nature’ brand.”

Covering as much of the supply chain as he could during his four weeks abroad, Damien spent time with various businesses learning about their impact and role in the industry, visiting AFFCO Horotiu processing plant, Tuakau saleyards, Five Star Beef Feedlot, Beef and Lamb Genetics, Kepler Progeny Test Farm, Mount Linton Station and Tararua Breeding Centre.

Furthermore, he spent time with a number of Angus producers touring their operations and gaining insight with the people breeding Angus beef across the ditch.

“There were too many visits over the four-week adventure to describe them all, but a few highlights included catching up with fellow GenAngus alumni George Giddings (New Zealand representative) at Meadowslea Genetics and Angus Pilmore (Australian representative) visiting Fossil Creek Angus,” said Damien.

“It was great to inspect a few HPCA Zephyr progeny at Storth Oaks Angus, Seven Hills Angus and Lake Farm Genetics and also learn more about the legendary sires Matauri Reality and Te Mania Infinity which have had a huge impact in Australia. I even got to see Infinity hanging up on the wall in the saloon bar at Te Mania Angus!”

It’s these networking opportunities that Damien expressed held great importance from his time, not only through what could be learned from each of the producers breeding operations, but also the ongoing relationships it provides him with producers around the world, expanding his professional and personal network.

“It’s no exaggeration to say my trip around New Zealand was the experience of a lifetime. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity. The landscapes are magnificent, the cattle are beautiful, and the people are wonderful.”

“I connected with a huge network of people from all sectors of the industry and was able to have a close look at progeny from some of our current and future AI sires performing in different environments,” he said. “I also found some exciting new genetics to bring back home with me that will fit into our program at Shacorrahdalu Angus really well.”

A

“I stayed in some amazing places and was overwhelmed by the generous hospitality of everyone I visited.”

“I would like to thank each and every one of them for their time and openness in showing me their programs. It made the trip a truly special experience which I will cherish for a long time. I also look forward to staying connected and hopefully returning the favour and hosting visits at Shacorrahdalu Angus.”

With his trip done and dusted and reflecting on what he took from the experience, Damien was more than encouraging of fellow Angus Youth applying for the next Trans Tasman Travel Bursary opportunity and gave some advice for those who will be afforded the experience in the future.

“For the next Trans Tasman recipient, the most important thing for your trip is an open mind and a willingness to learn and challenge ideas,” he said. “Challenging your own ideas as well as the ideas of your hosts at each visit is the best way to learn and really get to the nitty-gritty of different concepts or ideas.”

“This is not always comfortable, but comfort and growth do not co-exist. The second most important thing is to plan rest days. All this challenging conversation, learning and growth creates a mental strain combined with travelling in a foreign area and meeting lots of new people. It’s crucial to recharge so that you are fresh for the next visit. Importantly, a full day packed with touristy activities is not a rest day!”

On farm

631 Goldens Road, Wandoan QLD

50 stud Angus “S” Bulls 21mths to 23mths

32 stud Angus “S” Heifers PTIC 68 comm Angus Heifers PTIC

“Wallangra”

Lot 32 - QWW21S77

Lot 17 - QWW21S105

Lot 5 - QWW21S19

Lot 18 - QWW21S04

A: Fossil Creek Angus, B: Lake Tekapo, C: George Giddings - Meadowslea Genetics, D: Twin Oaks Angus, E: Seven Hills Angus, F: Rissington Cattle Company, F: Matai Peak, F: Hallmark Angus

John Wear Bursary supplies development opportunities

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

Candina headed to the mainland to participate in Roundup following her selection for the John Wear Travel Bursary, sponsored by the Tasmanian Angus Breeder Group and awarded to her during her participation at the TAS Junior Beef Expo in 2022.

Candina Crowden may have been a long way from her home in Tasmania, but she definitely made the most of her time taking part in the 2022 NH Foods Australia Angus Youth National Roundup. Of one particular experience which saw her competing in the junior judging final, hosted in front of the entire Roundup cohort, Candina said, “I found it very scary. We've never done anything like that in Tasmania, but it was good, and I'll take it back home, tell everyone about it, you know, hopefully get the kids trying to start their ringcraft and learn a bit about that.”

“I was sponsored by the Tasmanian Angus Breeders Group at the 2022 TAS Beef Expo to come to the Roundup, which included entry, flights and accommodation, so the Bursary is a really good opportunity for people like me to come over here.”

During her time at Roundup Candina finishing the event not only having enjoyed the opportunity to participate in educational and practical activities but also with the Reserve Senior Champion Junior Judge under her belt.

“It's been really good. I don't think I would have been able to afford to come over by myself, so it's been great, and I'm definitely going to try and come back next year if I can.”

Highlighting her biggest take homes from the opportunity afforded to her through the bursary, Candina explained that she had been exposed to a number of new skill development opportunities.

“I really enjoyed judging commercial steers because I've never judged commercial animals before, but it was something new and something interesting trying new things,” she said.

Frank Archer, Tasmanian Angus Breeders Group Chairperson, says that the bursary is in place in order to give a young person in the industry the opportunity to compete in event that continues their development in the industry.

“The Tasmanian Angus Breeders Group was thrilled to give Candina the opportunity to attend the Roundup,” said Mr Archer.

“To be able to present this opportunity to Candina delivers on exactly the purpose of the John Wear Bursary, which is to provide a young cattle enthusiast with the opportunity to broaden their experience and further develop their network in the industry.”

“The bursary is named in honour of John Wear who devoted much of this time to raising funds for the Angus group in Tasmania, now giving us the opportunity to support youth activities.”

Industry leadership focus at LIVEXchange

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

In November 2022 three young representatives of the Angus Youth Program attended the biannual LIVEXchange Conference in the Northern Territory capital of Darwin.

2021 Angus Foundation LIVEXchange Scholarship recipients Lochie McLauchlan and Lori Fogarty and 2022 recipient Ruby Canning all took part in the live export industry event, which is held by LiveCorp and the Australian Livestock Exporters Council (ALEC).

The event was an eye-opener into the live export trade and hosted a series of informative and in-depth talks over two days, with each of the scholarship recipients gaining a much deeper understanding of the industry.

“These events are all about sharing information and insight into the livestock export trade, breaking down knowledge barriers, being open about industry challenges and demonstrating the industry’s commitment and ongoing effort to improve animal welfare in supply chains,” said Jake Phillips, Angus Australia Extension Manager.

“The overall aim of offering these scholarships is to build the knowledge of those selected about the live export industry and the beef industry while allowing them the opportunity to network with industry professionals and developing their personal skills.”

For each of the scholarship recipients the event allowed them insight into an industry that they were all somewhat unfamiliar with, with all having little to do with export prior to LIVEXchange. What they also all had in common was each having the desire to further their understanding and development across the beef industry and supply chain.

“I applied for this scholarship as it appealed to me as a livestock agent for Charles Stewart based in Mortlake as a large percentage of our work is exporting Friesian calves to China,” said Lochie McLauchlan, of Mortlake, VIC. “This conference had people attend from all parts of Australia whether it be agents, exporters, stockies (people who work on livestock boats) or farmers keen to learn more about what happens on boats behind the scenes.”

Echoing this, Lori Fogerty, who herself is local to the Northern Territory having grown up in central Australia, highlighted that much of the discourse surrounding the export industry is fraught with misconceptions, “Over the two days, my knowledge of the live export industry was expanded, and I really got an insight into all the different avenues that are involved in the industry. The networking opportunities from the week were unmatched, and I only wish that there was more time to meet different industry professionals.”

“Growing up in Central Australia, I understood live export, but that understanding was mainly based off the 2011 Four Corners documentary and what I heard from discussions with other pastoralists. As an impressionable 11-year-old, this documentary was an incorrect representation of the industry. As stated at the conference, the effect of the documentary is still prevalent to this day.”

In turn, the LIVEXchange Conference provided insight into the industry through leading representatives.

“The presentations were strategically broken down into key topics and themes. We began day one discussing

strengthening our foundations, opportunities and challenges, international perspectives, and concluded with a focus on northern Australia,” said Ruby Canning, who, coming from Dunkeld in Victoria, was learning a lot of information regarding production in the northernmost parts of Australia for the first time.

“As I have had limited experience in northern Australia, I found this beneficial as I could understand the big picture of the live export trade and the importance of it, along with the challenges associated with the industry also,” she said “It was valuable to learn about the NT buffalo industry evolution as this is not a sector which I had learnt about previously. Our export industry is diverse, and throughout presentations it was reiterated how we need to be transparent to a wider population, especially to the individuals who are not in our industry.”

A highlight for the recipients of the opening day of the conference was leading keynote speaker Major General Stephen Day, Australia’s Coordinator-General for Drought, who spoke of the importance of leadership.

“Personally, the part of the conference that stood out most to me was Major General Stephen Days’ speech on leadership,” said Lori.

“I remember during this speech looking around the room, and the crowd was just as fixated on his powerful words as I was. Leadership is a powerful tool in the livestock industry, as good leaders are well respected, even after they pass on.”

“The legacy that good leadership provides will forever be a crucial aspect, and that’s why I resonated with Stephens’ speech. I also liked the point he made when talking about being “tough”. Mental toughness was a point he kept referring to, as this is often much more important than physical toughness.”

Ruby continues, “Following on from this presentation and hearing about the how the industry and key stakeholders have learnt from the 2011 halt in the export trade, it became apparent that the presentation aligned with key values of industry including moral courage and dealing with challenging situations.”

Day two topics surrounded the themes of the global outlook, sustainability, innovation, and creating connections, with highlights coming from presentations from Carolina Cucurella – Senior Veterinary Advisor, European Livestock

and Meats Trade Union about the noteworthy review of animal welfare standards and regulations within the EU. One key tone that was put above all with the young recipients was the opportunity LIVEXchange provided to network and engage with people across the industry, and the strong leadership groups championing live export.

“An immediate observation which I encountered whilst at the conference, was the number of young individuals who are the next generation of the beef industry. I have always been a strong believer that for all agricultural industries to be sustainable, the next generation must be passionate about the prosperity of our industry also,” said Ruby.

“There were multiple scholarship recipients at the event, including NTCA Future Leaders, Young Live Export Network bursary recipients and Angus Foundation scholarship winners. We engaged as a group throughout the event, and we learnt about each of our experiences in the beef industry during the multiple networking events at the conference.”

“I also attended the Young Live Export Network AGM. Along with meeting many like-minded individuals, it was exciting to be in a room with so many who are passionate about the future of the live export trade.”

Supporting this sentiment, Lori said, “Another part of the conference that I enjoyed was the number of young leaders in attendance. The age demographic at the conference was a good opportunity to network with industry professionals of all ages,”.

“Reflecting I had many of key take away points from my week in Darwin but for me the connecting and engaging with different people in the same industry but from other parts of the supply chain made it worth my time,” said Lochie.

“I can use the contacts I have made from this year’s forum and bounce ideas off them, as this is an industry that is always changing and can be challenging at times.”

WATCH

https://youtu.be/oLs2D-

Angus Foundation Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries Program offers vast opportunity

This opportunity, as well as others provided through the Angus Foundation scholarships, awards and bursaries program, is one that anyone with an interest in expanding their beef industry knowledge should look into, said Ruby and Lori.

“If you have an appetite for learning and embracing educational experiences within the beef industry, I highly encourage you to apply for any of the Angus Foundation Scholarships,” said Ruby.

“The opportunities you can benefit from are endless, along with networking with many likeminded individuals and the likelihood of making lifelong friends. Having an ongoing interest in the southern live export trade, along with understanding the career opportunities which are embedded throughout the export supply chain, I gained an unforgettable experience from LIVEXchange.”

“For any youth involved in the Angus breed, applying for the many scholarships available is an amazing opportunity to network and learn new things about parts of the industry you may not know a lot about,” concluded Lori.

For more information on the Angus Foundation Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries Program scan the above QR CODE.

A: Angus Australia Member Services Manager, Barney Beatty with Ruby Canning, Lochie McLauchlan, Lori Fogarty & Angus Australia CEO Scott Wright, B: Ruby Canning with Kari Moffat Austrex, C: Ruby Canning, Lochie McLauchlan, Lori Fogarty, D: Angus Australia Member Services Manager, Barney Beatty with Ruby Canning, Lori Fogarty, Lochie McLauchlan & Angus Australia CEO Scott Wright, E: LIVEXCHANGE Gala Dinner

Read the full reports from the LIVEXchange Conference scholarship recipients

More information on the Angus Foundation Scholarships, Awards & Bursaries Program

Chloe Plowman named the inaugural NH Foods Australia Angus Foundation Cadet

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing and Communications Officer

Angus Australia and NH Foods Australia are pleased to announce that Queensland’s Chloe Plowman has been selected as the recipient for the inaugural NH Foods Australia Angus Foundation Cadetship.

“We are delighted with the large number of high calibre applicants for the inaugural NH Foods Australia Angus Foundation Cadetship,” said Angus Australia Extension Manager Jake Phillips.

“The successful applicant, Chloe Plowman, has demonstrated her ability to apply herself throughout her life with whatever she has turned her hand to.”

“It is remarkable to see someone of Chloe’s talent be so humble, yet enthusiastic and it was her passion to work in the red meat industry that made it a natural fit for the cadetship with one of Australia’s leading vertically integrated red meat processing companies, NH Foods Australia. We are excited for Chloe and genuinely feel we will see Chloe develop into a future leader of this wonderful industry we all get to enjoy.”

The cadetship is part of the Angus Foundation Industry Cadetship Program, which was launched in 2022 and provides recipients with hands on experience in an agribusiness in the beef supply chain.

Over the course of a four-week period Miss Plowman will be exposed to an authentic and valuable experience of the industry and NH Foods’ core activities: breeding, feedlotting, production, marketing, and sales.

As part of the cadetship, Miss Plowman will experience the day-to-day operations of Whyalla Beef, Australia’s most modern and technologically advanced feedlot. Supplementing the feedlot experience will be time spent at two of the company’s processing plants: Oakey (based in Southern QLD, it is one of the largest in Australia) and Wingham (located on the mid north coast of NSW). Time in the company’s Sydney head office is also a feature, including exposure to the marketing and sales activities of the branded beef programs.

“NH Foods Australia is very excited to be working with Angus Australia and offer this cadetship to Chloe,” said Mr Andrew McDonald, Director, NH Foods Australia.

“A cadetship offers a great opportunity for people to develop practical experience in their chosen field. We welcome the opportunity to demonstrate and educate the next generation of leaders in Agriculture on the wide range of career prospects in the red meat industry and within the NH Foods Australia group.”

Following her placement with NH Foods Australia, Miss Plowman will conclude her cadetship by completing the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Course.

“I applied for this cadetship as I have an interest in the feedlotting and the red meat industry and I want to gain knowledge and experience in this area to further utilise in my future and expand further into the beef industry,” said Miss Plowman.

“Applying for this cadetship was a bit out of my comfort zone but an opportunity like this one allows for myself to grow as person, meet new people, establish new connections in the industry and go places which I would not have had the opportunity to prior.”

“Overall, I am looking forward to the whole cadetship. I’m particularly interested in seeing how NH Foods runs their company from out in the field, into the abattoir and then into the Sydney HQ for the behind the scenes. I am also looking forward to expanding my knowledge and building connections in this industry.”

For further information please contact Angus Australia Extension Manager Jake Phillips at youth@angusaustralia. com.au.

About Chloe:

Chloe Plowman currently works as a Junior Real Estate and Livestock Agent at Aussie Land & Livestock in Kingaroy QLD. She has a connection to Angus cattle started back in 2013 when her family started an Angus stud, Ruby Ridge Angus. From there she has been involved in showing stud cattle as well as breeding stud and commercial Angus cattle.

Inbreeding depression in the Australian Angus beef cattle herd: cause for concern?

Hanlie Lubbe

A recent study, supported by the Angus Foundation, has found that while inbreeding depression exists for growth and carcase traits in the Australian Angus population, it is relatively minor in effect.

This is shown by a less than 1% reduction in the average of each production trait included in the study for every 1% increase in inbreeding observed.

Previous studies have demonstrated that on average a 1% increase in inbreeding is associated with a 0.14% reduction in most traits (Leroy, 2014). Recently, within the Australian Angus cattle herd there has been an increasing focus of selection pressures on the genetic improvement of production and carcass traits. Due to the limited research investigating the effect of inbreeding on carcass traits in beef cattle, this project set out to determine the inbreeding depression on production and carcass traits within the Australian Angus beef cattle herd.

The continued selection of influential sires and dams overtime leads to the co-selection and mating of related individuals, deemed inbreeding. The mating of relatives causes the accumulation of homozygous alleles throughout the genome. Whilst, this provides an increase in the uniformity of phenotypic traits across a herd, a desirable outcome for producers. It also has the potential to have negative implications as a result of the reduction in genetic variation across the herd (problematic for future genetic gains), as well as increases in the expression of deleterious recessive alleles and a reduction in the estimated phenotypic expression of an individual known as inbreeding depression. As a consequence of the detrimental implications associated with inbreeding, there has been a growing concern and management of inbreeding in many breeding programs to minimise the loss of genetic gain. Utilising phenotypic, pedigree and genomic data obtained from Angus Australia, this study determined the inbreeding of animals born post 2012 by three different methods. Inbreeding coefficients were estimated based on pedigree (FPED) and genomic information. For the latter, two estimates were derived based on the diagonal elements of the genomic relationship matrix (FGRM) and runs of homozygosity (FROH). A pedigree of 2,725,423 animals was utilised to calculate FPED and 228, 933 animals with genotypes were utilised to determine FGRM and FROH. The traits analysed included yearling weight (YW), as well as a variety of scanned carcass traits including, eye muscle area (EMA), rib fat (RIB), p8 fat (P8), and intramuscular fat

(IMF). Inbreeding depression was calculated, for each trait, by two different models a fixed effects linear regression and a linear mixed effects regression which included random additive genetic effect of each animal to account for between family variation.

The results obtained from the study demonstrated the importance of utilising mixed effects regressions to determine inbreeding depression, as it was able to account for the between family variation. This was most evident when analysing intramuscular fat which demonstrated a positive effect of inbreeding with the use of pedigree inbreeding coefficients and a fixed effects linear regression (Figure 2). It is evident from this study that production and carcass traits are affected by inbreeding depression. Moreover, the effect of inbreeding depression for each of the specified traits to be minor, only representing less than 1% of the mean of each trait for every 1% increase in inbreeding (Figure 1 & 2). Rib fat and P8 fat recorded the greatest losses due to inbreeding depression in comparison to the other traits analysed.

Though, the consequence of inbreeding depressions is minimal for the analysed traits, inbreeding should be managed within the population by maintaining genetic diversity and careful selection and allocation of mates, to ensure long term genetic improvement remains achievable. For future studies, it is recommended that when analysing carcass traits, these are measured post slaughter and ultrasound data is avoided to allow for the full expression of phenotypic variation, especially for IMF.

Figure 1 – Inbreeding depression per % of inbreeding for yearling weight (kg), eye muscle area (cm2), P8 Fat (mm), and rib fat (mm)

Figure 2 – Inbreeding depression per % of inbreeding for intramuscular fat (%)

Background

The Angus Foundation provides a mechanism for members and other beef industry stakeholders to support youth development, education and research programs conducted by Angus Australia.

These programs are designed to encourage and assist the involvement of young people in the Australian beef industry, to provide professional development opportunities for young beef breeders, and to assist in conducting research, development and educational programs for the benefit of Angus breeders and the wider Australian beef industry.

Recent programs the Angus Foundation has supported include

· GenAngus Future Leaders Program

· Angus Foundation Cadetship

· TransTasman Travel Bursary

· Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment School

· LIVEXchange Conference

· BeefEX Conference

· Beef Australia Scholarships

· Angus Foundation Research Grant

These opportunities have changed the lives of dozens of young Angus members by providing opportunities to them they may not have otherwise had.

ANGUS FOUNDATION FUNDING THE FUTURE OF THE BEEF INDUSTRY DONATION PROSPECTUS

To keep the range of opportunities offered to members accessible to a range of ages and interests and to ensure the programs remain industry relevant, the Angus Foundation continues to scope and deliver new and novel ideas through Angus Australia.

The evolving opportunities and programs depend on the voluntary levy paid by Angus members and any other sponsorship and donations.

We are proud to announce a new way to make a difference to the future of the Angus breed, supporting its younger members , while contributing to the Angus Foundation. Expressions of interest are now open for members to consider donating the proceeds of an animal or genetic lot they are selling.

Angus Australia has a lot of sponsorship opportunities for young people coming into the industry and the cadetship completely changed my life. It has given me a new career, new peers around me that are different in the industry. I’ve got to network with a lot of really cool contacts, and my future just looks completely different to how it did before the cadetship.

Donation Benefits

Members donating animals from which the proceeds of sale go to the Angus Foundation will receive a range of comprehensive marketing opportunities* provided by Angus Australia including written and media content promoted across the expansive social media channels as well as electronic and print media leading up to the sale of the animal.

Pre-sale promotion in form of:

· Media release announcing donation

· News article on the Angus Australia website

· Article included in The Angus Weekly

· Shares across the Angus Australia social media channels

· Inclusion in other Angus Australia publications where relevant eg. Angus Bulletin, Grass Roots (time dependant)

· Development of a promotional video about the donation by Angus Australia if deemed appropriate

Post sale promotion in form of: Media release announcing successful fundraising News article on the Angus Australia website Article included in The Angus Weekly Shares across the Angus Australia social media channels Inclusion in other Angus Australia publications where relevant eg. Angus Bulletin, Grass Roots

· Development of a wrap up video about the donation by Angus Australia if deemed appropriate, including interviews with the successful purchaser

Complimentary MREC on the Angus Australia website in the week prior to the sale

· Complimentary quarter page advertisement in the Angus Bulletin following the sale

· Recognition as a donation partner of the Angus Foundation

For more information on the opportunity to support the Angus Foundation by the donation of an animal or genetic lot (proceeds), please contact Angus Australia Extension and Youth Manager, Jake Phillips 0401 261 217 jake.phillips@angusaustralia.com.au

*The proposed benefits may need to be adjusted in relation to appropriateness and uptake from time to time as required by the CEO.

BONNIE COX

2022 Angus Foundation & AuctionsPlus Cadetship recipient

A TOOL FOR COMMERCIAL ANGUS HEIFER SELECTION

The investment you make today will influence the next 20 years

Angus HeiferSELECT is a low-cost genomic selection tool supported by Neogen that helps inform the selection of replacement females (with 87 5% Angus content or greater

Testing with Neogen has its benefits:

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Samples processed in-country at our custom-built genotyping lab, based in QLD. Our dedicated Territory Managers are distributed across the country and can visit you to discuss your genotyping strategy.

For more information on how to improve your herd with genomics, contact your local Genomics Territory Manager:

Dan Roe

SA & WA 0447 639 552

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Chris Hoffmann VIC & TAS

0427 167 148

choffmann@neogen com

Hannah Bourke Genomics Sales Manager 0447 299 096

hbourke@neogen.com

Mel Strasburg

QLD & NT 0447 014 133

mstrasburg@neogen com

Hannah Powe NSW 0477 771 404 hpowe@neogen com

Harry Stewart Technical Sales Rep 0447 373 084

hstewart@neogen com

Chief Executive Officer

Scott Wright, Chief Executive Officer

P: 02 6773 4636 · E: scott.wright@angusaustralia.com.au · 0428 221 008

Genetic Improvement

Christian Duff, General Manager Genetic Improvement & Research Manager

P: 02 6773 4620 · M: 0457 457 141

E: christian@angusaustralia.com.au

Malshani Samaraweera, Geneticist

P: 02 6773 4622

E: malshani@angusaustralia.com.au

Marketplace Services

Liz Pearson, Commercial Supply Chain Manager

P: 02 6773 4608 · M: 0488 758 360

E: liz.pearson@angusaustralia.com.au

Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

P: 02 6773 4601 · E: diana@angusaustralia.com.au

Robyn Brazier, Marketing Assistant

P: 02 6773 4609 · E: marketing@angusaustralia.com.au

Ebonie Jones, Graphic Designer

P: 02 6773 4610 · E: ebonie@angusaustralia.com.au

Kate Reynolds, Graphics & Multimedia Officer

P: 02 6773 4645 · E: design@angusaustralia.com.au

Nick Butcher, Project Officer, ASBP

P: 02 6773 4638 · M: 0427 701 236

E: nick@angusaustralia.com.au

Cheyne Twist, Senior Marketing & Communications Officer

P: 02 6773 4635 · E: communications@angusaustralia.com.au

Samantha Hamilton, Marketing Officer – Sale Catalogues

P: 02 6773 4613 · E: sam@angusaustralia.com.au

Dzintra Menesis, Marketing Officer - Graphic Design

P: 02 6773 4645 · E: dzintra.menesis@angusaustralia.com.au

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REPRO360 RESOURCES

Online resources designed to help you multiply your outcomes in your FTAI and ET programs:

• Webinar recordings

• How-to videos

• Case studies

• FAQs repro360.com.au | vetoquinol.com.au

Staff Directory

Member Engagement

Jake Phillips, Extension and Youth Manager

P: 02 6773 4625 · M: 0401 261 217

E: jake.phillips@angusaustralia.com.au

Nancy Crawshaw, Extension Officer

P: 02 6773 4643 · M: 043 633 7652

E: nancy.crawshaw@angusaustralia.com.au

Adam Allingham, Acting Member Services Manager

P: 02 6773 4602 · E: adam.allingham@angusaustralia.com.au

Lily Christian, Member Services Officer

P: 02 5775 8710 · E: lily.christian@angusaustralia.com.au

Robyn Kelly, Member Services Officer

P: 02 6773 4615 · E: robyn@angusaustralia.com.au

Sarah Scott, Member Services Officer

P: 02 6773 4611 · E: sarah.scott@angusaustralia.com.au

Nicky Wallace, World Angus Forum Coordinator

P: 02 6773 4616 · E: nicky.wallace@angusaustralia.com.au

Corporate Services

Joy Howe, Accounts Officer

P: 02 6773 4612 · E: joy.howe@angusaustralia.com.au

Susan Webeck, Accounts Officer

P: 02 6773 4606 · E: sue@angusaustralia.com.au

Jen Peart, Northern Extension Officer

P: 02 6773 4644 · M: 0417 219 405

E: jen.peart@angusaustralia.com.au

Tammy McLeod, Senior Member Services Officer

P: 02 6773 4604 · E: tammy.mcleod@angusaustralia.com.au

Rachael Constable, Member Services Officer

P: 02 6773 4615 · E: rachael.constable@angusaustralia.com.au

Raelene Mold, Member Services Officer

P: 02 6773 4605 · E: raelene.mold@angusaustralia.com.au

Lou Wood, Member Services Officer

P: 02 6773 4617 · E: office@angusaustralia.com.au

Carole Johns, Accounts Officer

P: 02 6773 4628 · E: carole.johns@angusaustralia.com.au

Kathryn Duddy, Company Secretary, Human Resources Manager and Assistant to the Ceo

P: 02 6773 4614 · E: kathryn.duddy@angusaustralia.com.au

M: 0447 332 202

Christopher de Crespigny, Information Systems Manager

P: 02 6773 4619 · E: christopher@angusaustralia.com.au

Dale Curtis, Computer Programmer

E: dale.curtis@angusaustralia.com.au

Angus Australia Locked Bag 11, Armidale NSW 2350

P: 02 6773 4600 | E: office@angusaustralia.com.au

www.angusaustralia.com.au

Amanda Wolfe, Administration Officer

P: 02 6773 4650 · E: amanda@angusaustralia.com.au

Dr Gerard Hammond, angus.tech Software Manager

E: gerard.hammond@angusaustralia.com.au

Chris Hocking, Computer Programmer

E: chris.hocking@angusaustralia.com.au