ANGUS bulletin Autumn 2017
COMPLETE FEMALE
D I S P E R S A L SA L E
540
STAGE 1
270 Females PTIC Rising 3 and older
STAGE 2
120 L Heifers PTIC and with calf at foot 150 M Heifers PTIC
PTIC F EMALES
Open Day 24 May,2017 – 2pm
Sale Day 25 May, 2017 – 11am
Sale Day 15 March, 2018 – 11am
Both Sales held at ‘Wattletop’ Guyra, NSW
For enquiries and catalogues please contact Lock Rogers Mobile: 0427 792 007 Email: wattletop@bigpond.com www.wattletop.com.au
out and about
Mark Gubbins of Coolana Angus received the award for highest scoring Angus carcase at the Royal Melbourne Show in 2016, with a score of 93.65. Mark was presented with his award by Angus Australia Director, Michael Gadd and Angus Australia Vice President, Brad Gilmour, during Stock and Land Beef Week in Victoria.
Lex & Sally Crosby, Forbes, presented with second in carcase, by sponsor Brett Kowitz, Coopers Animal Health, Toowoomba. Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial 2017.
Farm Weekly livestock manager Jodie Rintoul, WA Angus Society promotions committee member Bruce Campbell, Cooara stud, Keysbrook, WA Angus Society vice-chairman Mark Hattingh, Redhat stud, Wannamal and Farm Weekly editor Darren O'Dea oversaw the draw at the Farm Weekly office for the 10th anniversary Farm Weekly/WA Angus Breeders win 10 Angus Heifers and Sydney Royal Easter Show package competition.
Lee-Anne Turner, Angus Australia Member Services Manager, Jan Robinson, Jarobee Angus and Sam Hamilton, Angus Australia Member Services Officer during The Stock & Land Southern Beef Week.
ANZ Mount Gambier staff Joe Clements and David Swiggs (second from right) congratulate Shane and Jodie Foster, Boonaroo Angus stud, Casterton VIC, on winning the SA ANZ Heifer Challenge.
Ben Hill and Marg Will were jointly presented with the Stewart Award for outstanding service to Angus Youth at the 2017 Teys Australia Angus Youth National Roundup.
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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18 Contents Autumn 2017
| volume 27
25
6 1 Out and About 2 Contents 4 From the President 5 2016: The year in review
7 Angus Australia Board News 8 #GrowAngus National Conference 13 Around the Saleyards 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
14 Angus Weaner Wonderland 17 Around the Weaner Sales 18 The Angus Affair
28 32 Angus Australia Set To Launch New Software Tools 33 Introducing angus.tech Software 34 Killara Feedlot continues the Angus tradition 36 Commercial Development 6 months in‌ 37 From the Angus BREEDPLAN Desk 38 New DNA Services Available to Angus Producers
19 Around the Shows
40 Developing a Genomics Testing Strategy For Your Herd
20 Most widely used sires in last two years
42 Improving Structural Soundness in a Beef Breeding Herd
Editor: Diana Wood
22 Angus Bulls better value for money than ever before
45 Understanding Structural Soundness EBVs
Layout: Ebonie Sadler-Small
24 Angus focus in feedback success
Printer: APN Print, Warwick QLD
26 Angus influences feedback trial results
45 Collecting Structural Soundness Scores for Angus BREEDPLAN
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.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
48 How to register your calves
28 Angus Education Centre is open for business
49 2016 in review - Member Services Statistics
29 Building blocks to increase your bottom line
50 WA Angus females in hot demand
30 Back to Basics - Brush-up on buying better bulls
52 Marketing opportunities aplenty for Angus
30 Collection guidelines for Angus BREEDPLAN
54 Angus Sire Benchmarking Program Providing Lessons About the Value of Angus BREEDPLAN EBVs
31 Repro360: A new tool for cattle breeders
34
51
62
66
55 Sire Nominations Open for ASBP Cohort 8
advertising index
56 ASBP Cohort 4 Analysis Completed
Angus Studs
59 Angus Australia Focused on Research and Development 60 Retail Beef Yield Data Set for Collection on ASBP Steers 61 Trans-Tasman Project to Improve Beef Cow Productivity
46 Glenisa Angus 39 Kansas Angus 7 Knowla Angus BC Outwest Angus 62 Riga Angus
62 Angus Genetics for North Australian Production Systems
16 Sparta Angus
63 Breeding Resilient Angus Cattle
IFC Wattletop Angus
64 Breeding Angus Cattle with Superior Feed Efficiency on Pasture 65 Trans Tasman exchange to expand horizons
29 Spry Angus
Advertising 16 Agricon 25 Anipro Performance Feeds
66 Mt Gambier roundup wrap up
IBC Catagra
68 Fulfilling dreams at Kansas State
74 Coopers Animal Health
69 World Angus Forum – Angus Youth Team
54 Eastern Spreader Pty Ltd
70 2017 Angus Australia Foundation Study Scholarship winners
63 Forsyths Accounting
72 New venture for Jeogla Station
47 Out and About Clothing
73 The black cattle are in high demand
64 Prolix
75 Staff Directory
36 QLD Machinery Agency
61 Foot & Playsted 27 Haulmark Trailers
48 Vetoquinol 58 Yamaha
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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from the president Libby Creek, Angus Australia President
This report covers a period that can only be described as a brilliant year for cattle producers, and most importantly Angus producers. With record numbers of registered Angus females, now in excess of 100,000 females, the breed continues to thrive and grow. The returns being received at both stud stock sales and in the commercial market for Angus cattle continue at previously unseen levels. The Angus Australia Board began 2016 with a reduced number of Directors as per the recent Constitutional changes, but of these we gained four new Directors who have brought a diverse skill set to the Board. A further reduction this year will see all States reduced to one Director along with four National Directors and up to two Appointed Directors with specific skills. The Board and Management has continued to focus heavily on innovation and technology, striving to give members the most informative and objective information to aid decision making. Three new Consultative Committees have been established in the areas of Angus BREEDPLAN, Sire Benchmarking Project and Youth Development, to provide broader industry views and knowledge. We thank the members of these committees for their valuable input and suggestions. The 2016/2017 financial year has been no exception to the past sound financial record of Angus Australia. Under the management of our CEO, Dr Peter Parnell and Accountant, Ron Bower, we are delighted to report that once again Angus Australia came in ahead of budget, while maintaining static registration fees and expanding talented new staff to support and grow various areas within the business. Some of the highlights of 2016 include the Board’s decision to restructure its subsidiary company Certified Angus Group Pty Ltd, moving it under closer control of Angus Australia. This decision is in line with Angus Australia's constant assessment of its focus to provide the best service to its members. The vision and success of the Certified Australian Angus Beef brand is to be applauded. However, as the branded Angus beef market has expanded and changed since CAAB's beginnings, there is now a strong commitment to support all branded Angus products around Australia, each being customers to our diverse membership. Not only has this decision been cost saving, it has also allowed CAG Pty Ltd to verify Angus product to a much broader range of Angus beef processors, who now see this fit as being more in line with their programs. CAG Pty Ltd and its verification companies remain an important arm of Angus Australia.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
The Angus Sire Benchmarking Program in partnership with MLA and others, now in its seventh cohort, continues to be a leading project providing important validation for Angus BREEDPLAN accuracy and genomic testing. We are pleased to report that not only is Angus Australia gathering valuable data from this project, it is repeatedly costing less than budgeted. Genomic testing has been a topic of discussion during the past twelve months, with Andrew Byrne, Christian Duff and Dr Peter Parnell rolling out workshops around the country to help members understand how this area may be useful in their enterprises. Development of Single Step analysis of genomics data has been progressing, with rigorous QA testing required to ensure results are accurate before being available to producers later in 2017. The newly formed Commercial Development Program managed by Liz Pearson is an exciting innovation which will be a beneficial conjugate between producers, back grounders, feedlotters and processors. The opportunities are enormous in the area and we look forward to seeing this program expand during the next year. The Youth Roundup was well supported in Mt Gambier and continues to be a popular event with young cattle enthusiasts. We are proud of the extensive educational and scholarship support we are able to offer Angus Youth and thank the many members who so generously support the Angus Foundation to enable these opportunities for our youth. Delegates of the Board and the CEO had discussions during the year with the Angus New Zealand Board to plan joint activities with their youth. There are many new and exciting opportunities for Angus Youth being planned which will see an extension of the current programs. The World Angus Forum is to be held in the United Kingdom in June this year and I encourage all members to attend. We look forward to hosting this event in Sydney, Australia in 2021. I would like to thank the Directors for volunteering the time and effort they have committed during the past twelve months to ensure Angus Australia has a strong and innovative strategic direction. Our State Committees play an important role in supporting members in their state and I thank them for the time and knowledge they give. Importantly, I would like to express the Board's sincere thanks to our CEO, Dr Peter Parnell and his wonderful team of Managers and staff. They are an impressive group of talented and dedicated professionals, and we are truly very fortunate to have them developing and promoting our breed. Communication is so important in our breed society and our industry. I thank all the members who have contacted us during the year to discuss their ideas.
I wish you all continued success and can assure you that your Society is committed to ensuring our breed remains the premium beef cattle breed in temperate Australia.
Libby creek, president
peter parnell, Ceo
2016: The year in review Dr Peter Parnell, Chief Executive Officer
2016 was another positive year for Angus Australia and its members, with many previous records eclipsed. Some of the key performance indicators and highlights are summarized below.
During 2016 a total of 75,784 calves were registered (4.8% more than 2015) including 45,133 in the Herd Book Register (HBR); 23,949 in the Angus Performance Register (APR); 3,641 in the Angus Commercial Register (ACR); 95 in the Red Angus Register (RAR); and 2,966 in the Multi Breed Register (MBR) – see Figure 3. A total of 18,197 transfers of ownership were recorded.
Finance Angus Australia and its controlled entities returned a modest surplus of $9,846 in 2016. Figure 1 shows that the primary areas of expenditure in 2016 compared to other recent years.
Governance During 2016, the Angus Australia Board had meetings in February, March, April, July, September, November and December. Various Board Committees met numerous times during the year by teleconference.
Membership At the end of 2016 there were 3,756 members (3.5% more than 2015), including 1,062 Full Members, 25 Honorary Life Members, 424 Junior Members and 2,245 Commercial Members. During the year there were 4 members recognized with 50 years membership (Carlisle Park Holdings Pty Ltd, Vic; Lochaber Partnership, Tas; Glendaloch Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, Vic; and J & J Young, WA), and 23 members recognised with 25 years membership.
Based on statistics compiled by the Australian Registered Breeders Association (ARCBA), Angus Australia recorded 44% of all animals recorded in the Primary Registers of British and European breeds and their derivatives in Australia in 2015; and 51% of the total number of seedstock recorded among these breeds (including Secondary Registers such as APR).
Breed Development & Extension High levels of performance recording continued in 2016 with 64,535 birth weights; 40,959 400-day weights; 31,178 ultrasound carcase measurements; 15,182 scrotal size measurements; 15,006 mature cow weights; and, 18,097 docility scores added to the Angus database – see Figure 4 (following page). The increase in Angus Breeding Index Value among 2015 born calves was +$3.90 (+3.9%) with an average increase of +$2.96 (+3.3%) per annum over the past 5 years – see Figure 5 (following page).
Registrations
A total of 12,435 DNA tests were conducted in 2016 for the recessive genetic conditions Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM), Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH), Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA) and Developmental Duplications (DD).
A total of 105,233 females were retained on the female inventory in 2016 (12% higher than 2015) - see Figure 2.
As shown in Figure 6 (following page), the prevalence of carrier animals for each of these conditions has reduced
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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substantially compared to when these conditions were initially recognized.
member support relating to Angus BREEDPLAN was transferred from ABRI to Angus Australia, and fortnightly Angus BREEDPLAN analyses were implemented for much of the year. Considerable work was conducted to prepare animal genotype information stored on the Angus Australia database for incorporation into Angus BREEDPLAN. A number of workshops and field days were conducted during 2016, including 12 Reginal Forums across all states in June-July on “Genomics in a Modern Angus Beef Business”. A number of new education and extension resources were developed, including a comprehensive suite of “proof of concept” resources for use in Angus BREEDPLAN education.
Marketing, Communications and Youth A total of 158 auction sales were reported to Angus Australia in 2016 with 8,405 Angus bulls sold for an average of $6,918. Angus eNews was distributed to over 3,000 email addresses each week; and, 4 issues of the Angus Bulletin were circulated to members. The Angus Australia website received an average of 15,454 visits (33,121 page views) per month. Database lookups and searches averaged of 257,506 views per month. Interest in Angus Australia’s social media platforms continued to increase with 4,089 Facebook followers and 1,692 Twitter followers at the end of 2016. A successful National Conference was conducted in Albury on 19-20 May. Angus breeders had good success at Royal Shows across Australia, including the Sydney Royal Show where Killain Alaska K18, exhibited by Killain Angus and K5X Lisa H56, exhibited by KL Smith, won the Hordern Trophy; K5X Lisa H56, exhibited by KL Smith also won the Urquhart Trophy for Supreme Interbreed Female; and, Pine Creek Angus won the Interbreed Breeders Group. At the Hobart Royal Show, Platinum Angus Tibbie L68, exhibited by Daryl Heazlewood won Champion Interbreed Female and Supreme Interbreed Exhibit; and this female also won the Supreme Interbreed Exhibit at the Launceston Royal Show. At the Perth Royal Show, Little Meadows Merriment D80, exhibited by Little Meadows Angus won the All Breeds Supreme Champion Beef Female. A successful Angus Youth Roundup was conducted at Armidale in January, with 220 participants. Data collection has continued to schedule in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Project (ASBP) and results incorporated into monthly Angus Breedplan analyses. A total of 267 sires have been included across the first 7 Cohorts of the ASBP.
International youth scholarships were awarded in 2016 to Mardi O‘Brien (Semex Genetics Kansas State University Scholarship); and Hannah Powe (New Zealand Exchange). A number of other scholarships, awards and bursaries were awarded from the Angus Foundation to assist youth members with study and travel to attend industry events.
A total of 4,957 Zoetis i50k DNA profiles and 1,518 GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP) profiles were added to the Angus Australia database in 2016, and the resulting genomic values integrated into Angus Breedplan EBVs.
The Angus Youth electronic newsletter titled “The Herd” was distributed monthly across the Angus Youth membership network.
During 2016 a number of processes were implemented to improve the governance and management behind Angus BREEDPLAN, including the establishment of a Angus BREEDPLAN Technical Committee and Angus BREEDPLAN Consultative Committee. The responsibility for the processing of all performance information and
Export certification During 2016, export certificates were issued for 37,868 animals, mainly Category 2 heifers destined for China, shipped by 5 export companies. This was the second highest year on record for Angus breeding animal export certification, and the highest year on record for the China market.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Information Systems Angus Australia’s software development project progressed during 2016, including further database construction and testing of a new database enquiry system scheduled for implementation in the first half of 2017.
Commercial Development During 2016, Angus Australia commenced a new Commercial Development program, with the appointment of Liz Pearson as a Commercial Development Manager. The initial objectives of this program were to improve the communication and engagement between Angus Australia and other key participants of the beef value chain.
Infrastructure During 2016 a secure DNA storage facility was constructed adjacent to the Angus Australia office. In addition, extensions were commenced to provide additional office and meeting room space.
Certified Angus Group Pty Ltd Angus Australia’s wholly owned subsidiary, Certified Angus Group Pty Ltd (CAG), through its work with member owned certified brands, Certified Australian Angus Beef (CAAB), Angus Pure, and with other Verified Angus brands, continued to support the premium paid for quality Angus beef during 2016. The important contributions of the Angus Australia Board, State Committees, staff and membership, in the achievements accomplished by Angus Australia during 2016 are gratefully acknowledged.
Angus Australia Board News Peter Parnell, Chief Executive Officer
The Angus Australia Board met by teleconference on the 15th March 2017. At the meeting, the Board reviewed and accepted the audited financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2016. These statements will be included in the 2016 Annual Report. In addition, the Board approved changes to DNA service costs to combine the current individual genotyping and sample processing fees, to be combined into one, all-inclusive fee for each DNA test that appropriately encompasses all costs associated with the delivery of DNA services. In addition, the component included in DNA prices to cover the cost of handling, storing and facilitating the inclusion of the genomic information in Angus BREEDPLAN will be set at a fixed value across all relevant tests rather than being set as a percentage of the genotyping cost for the individual test. The Board appointed the following individuals to the 2021 World Angus Forum Organising Committee: M Gadd, L Creek, B Gilmour, M Gubbins, D Ginn, Board Chairman, CEO, Marketing Communications & Youth Manager (Secretary), plus appointed Conference Organiser. The next Board meeting will be conducted on 19-20th May in Ballarat following the Angus National Conference.
Knowla Livestock
9th ANNUAL SALE
SATURDAY AUGUST 19th at GLOUCESTER 70 PERFORMANCE RECORDED SIRES - 100 COMMERCIAL FEMALES Feature Sires: Reality, Black Pearl, BHRH744, EVTG57, QQFH146, BHRH119, DCGJ19 Contact: Ted Laurie (02) 6558 5503 • James Laurie (02) 6558 5519
www.knowlalivestock.com.au
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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#growangus national conference
#GrowAngus national conference - BALLARAT, 18-19 May Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager
The Angus National Conference will be heading to the Mercure Hotel in Ballarat VIC, on the 18th and 19th of May.
The Venue The Mercure Ballarat Hotel and Convention Centre is an upscale hotel and conference venue, set amongst three hectares of beautifully manicured gardens, complete with its own ornamental lake. Conveniently located just 75 minutes from the Melbourne CBD, Mercure Ballarat is situated opposite the multi-award winning Sovereign Hill, with close proximity to the historic centre of Ballarat.
The Program The program boasts an impressive line-up of highlevel speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds. Sessions will cover topics in the areas of communication across the beef supply chain, genetic technologies, commercial supply chain, market technologies, and technology in agriculture. 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. Prior to the 2017 #GrowAngus National Conference on Wednesday 17th of May, Angus Youth will host a pre-conference tour, open to all. Following the pre-conference tour will be a Welcome Cocktail party at the Mercure Hotel.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
AGM and MEMBERS Forum At the end of the first day’s speaking session on Thursday May 18th, Angus Australia will hold its Annual General Meeting and Members Forum from 4:30-5:30pm. All current financial members are welcome to attend.
GALA dinner Pre-dinner drinks, will kick off the evening’s festivities at 6:30pm on the evening of Thursday May 18th, with musical accompaniment by Ballarat Grammar String Quartet. This will be followed by a two course sit down meal, entertainment and an auction to raise money for the Angus Foundation.
PRE CONFERENCE TOUR Brought to you by Angus Youth, Wednesday May 17th. The Pre-Conference tour is to provide Angus Australia members with learning opportunities that are thought provoking, progressive and relevant to the fast-paced agribusiness realm in which we all operate. This year’s tour will visit Murdeduke Agriculture, a diverse mixed farming property situated near Winchelsea Victoria and Genetics Australia, one of Australia’s largest artificial breeding suppliers to both the dairy and beef industries, located at Bacchus Marsh.
Murdeduke Agriculture Located near Winchelsea in Victoria and owned by the Wilson Family, Murdeduke Agriculture comprises an Angus stud which is run in conjunction with an extensive prime lamb and cropping enterprise. In addition, Murdeduke also operates a free-range piggery, marketed under the popular brand, Otway Pork. The visit will focus on the strengths, opportunities and challenges of running a multi-enterprise operation and
Genetics Australia Located at Bacchus Marsh in Victoria, Genetics Australia is a co-operative, owned by members who are also shareholders. Genetics Australia is one of Australia’s largest artificial breeding suppliers, supplying semen to both the dairy and beef industries. The visit will include a tour through the Genetics Australia facilities, where attendees will have the opportunity to see the process involved in semen collection, testing, storage and transportation.
REGISTRATION FEES Note: all prices include GST. FULL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION
(Includes 2 day conference package and gala dinner)
Member registration
$220
Youth member registration
$150
Non member* registration
$255
day registration Member registration Thursday May 18th
$90/day
Non member registration Thursday May 18th
$120/day
Those delegates that are in Ballarat on the evening of Wednesday May 17th, are invited to join Angus Australia at the Mercure hotel from 7pm for a welcome cocktail party.
Member registration Friday May 19th
$75/day
Non member registration Friday May 19th
$105/day
This function includes substantial finger food, with drinks available for purchase from the bar. Guests will also hear from an inspirational Angus Youth alumni on how Angus Australia and Angus Youth have helped shaped their career in the Australian Beef Industry.
PRE CONFERENCE TOUR
WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY
REGISTRATION
Members
$55
Non members
$75
WELCOME COCKTAIL PARTY
Registrations for the #GrowAngus National Conference can be made by visiting www.angusaustralia.com.au/ growangus-national-conference
Tickets
* to access member rates, you may wish to join Angus Australia as a Commercial members for $88pa.
Tickets
$60
Gala Dinner $75
Speakers include: (See over page for highlights) - Andrew Byrne, Angus Australia – ‘The Next Generation of Angus Genomic Technologies’ - Jon Condon, Beef Central – ‘Digital disruption and the social media evolution’ - Sophia Edwards, Vetoquinol – ‘Advancements in management of assisted reproduction programs in Angus cattle’ - Tom Maguire, Teys Australia – ‘Knowledge is Power: Improving Communication across the Australian Beef Supply Chain’ - Dan Moser, AGI – ‘Developments in Genetic Improvement Technologies in American Angus’ - Liz Pearson, Angus Australia – ‘Making the Most of the Meat Market’ - Ben Simpson, OGA Marketing – ‘Marketing Angus in the digital age’ - Kev Sullivan, Bell Vet Services – ‘Plan or Perish: The Importance of Pre-feedlot Entry Preparation' - Ben Thomas, MLA – ‘Are Current Beef Prices Sustainable: Australian Beef Industry Projections’ - Drewe Ferguson, CSIRO – 'Use of Digital Technologies in the Australian Red Meat Industry' More information on the conference will be available from www.angusaustralia.com.au/growangus-national-conference
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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#growangus national conference
the commercial drivers that ensure the success of each of these enterprises.
#growangus national conference
speaker highlights Garry Edwards, AAM Investment Group Pty Ltd
Ben O’Donoghue – Celebrity Chef Ben O’Donoghue is one of Australia’s original and most loved Celebrity Chefs. Having worked in kitchens and the media all around the world Ben’s highlight of his career so far was catering the 2015 G20 summit, serving the leaders from around the world and having Barak Obama coming back for more! Ben started his career in Australia in the 90’s, then headed to London where he worked in kitchens like the famous River Café, Monte’s Clun, Atlantic Bar and Grill alongside names such as Jamie Oliver and Oliver Peyton. Quickly he became a well-known personality there and fronted the BBC2 series The Best with Paul Merret and Sylvana Franco. When he returned he went straight into filming Surfing the Menu with Curtis Stone, which lasted for 4 very successful seasons. Further TV shows that Ben fronted include The Best in Australia Lifestyle channel, Drive thru Australia, Tom & Ben’s Singapore and Aussie BBQ Hero’s Channel 7. Ben has released four cookbooks with Hardie Grant Books, Outdoor: Grill Your Way Round the World; Ben’s Barbeque; At Home With Ben - a snapshot of his stellar cooking career and Ben’s Barbecue Bible – a culmination of all things barbecuing. Ben's 4th book, Ben’s Meat Bible, was released in 2015. He has also has been a regular contributor to major food magazines including writing for Delicious for 10 years. Owner of 3 successful and award winning Brisbane restaurant and retail fronts – Billykart Kitchen, Billykart West End and Billykart Provisions, these venues encapsulate his signature laid back style, fresh local produce and distinctive flavour. He is the quintessential, modern, boisterous Aussie Dad. The combination of his larrikin sense of humour with his high end culinary expertise and a passion for sharing what he knows about food, cooking and having a great time, has ensured he continues to be one of Australia’s most loved celebrity chefs.
Ramesh Raja Segaran, University of Adelaide 'Drones – Opportunities and Challenges in Australian Agriculture'
Ramesh is the Deputy Director of Research at the Unmanned Research Aircraft Facility (URAF). URAF is a research group in the University of Adelaide which focuses on the use of drones for conservation and agriculture. The common thread that runs throughout Ramesh’s career has been GIS and remote sensing. This hasn’t changed since joining URAF in 2015, but is focused on democratising the data collection, processing and analysis with new and exciting technologies.
‘The Evolution of Livestock Selling Systems’ Garry Edwards is the Founder and Managing Director of the AAM Investment Group Pty Ltd (AAMIG). He has over 20 years’ experience in investments and management within the Australian agribusiness sector. As an equity investor, he has developed assets and opportunities in livestock production, livestock marketing, value added marketing and processing, and consistently delivered superior financial returns. Garry studied a Bachelor of Applied Science, Systems Agriculture at the University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury where he graduated as dux of his course and also received a scholarship to attend the University of Illinois in the United States. In his early career, Garry created Livestock Exchange and developed the technology and systems that today underpin Australia’s multi-billion dollar livestock industry through the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). These days, Australia is the envy of all other livestock export markets due to the value attributed to commodities that fall under the NLIS program. Garry has extensive experience in a diverse range of agricultural businesses from family operations through to large scale integrated corporate agricultural operations across a range of industry sectors. In 2007, AAMIG commenced the development, operation and management Operation and Management a portfolio of livestock selling facilities on behalf of Australian Superannuation funds which today trade over $1 billion of livestock annually.
Greg Farqharson, Bushy Park
'Growing an Angus Business' Greg is a fourth generation farmer who has been in agriculture for more than 50 years. During this time, he has grown the family business from 60 cows to calving down 4000 Angus females per year across 6500ha. The Bushy Park operation has been breeding commercial Angus bulls through AI since 1985 with a strict emphasis on fertility, structure, shape and temperament as the main drivers of the program, which aims to produce about 100-150 bulls per year for the business. Greg has been a Cattle Council of Australia board member along with numerous other community positions but since the late 90s, has concentrated his efforts on business growth and next generation succession with his wife Dinah and sons Tim and Scott. National & Support Office: ICMI Speakers Entertainers Street ICMI Speakers11& Banool Entertainers ABN: 42 114Ashgrove 669 224 QLD (PO Box 2311) 4060 Level 2, 159 High Street p 1300 663 966 PRAHRAN VICTORIA m 0427 5323181 443 +61 3 9529 3711 ep angus@icmi.com.au +61 3 9529 4573 wf www.icmi.com.au e icmi@icmi.com.au w www.icmi.com.au
Ben O’Donoghue
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Ramesh Segaran
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Garry Edwards
Greg Farqharson
Berry Reynolds
‘Genetic Selection Technologies in the Poultry Industry’ Susan graduated from the University of Melbourne as a veterinarian in 2000. Since this time she has worked in Government service, including in the 2001 Foot and Mouth disease response in the UK, in private mixed practice and as a commercial poultry veterinarian servicing all species including broiler breeders, broilers, layer breeders, laying hens and turkeys. Her work has taken her all over the world with time spent in Scotland, Hungary and the USA, as well as Australia and New Zealand. She currently works part time for Specialised Breeders Australia as Veterinarian and National Started Pullet Manager, and runs a mixed species veterinary practice in Strathfieldsaye, just outside Bendigo.
Andrew Howie, MLA
‘Beef is Best: Understanding the Nutritional Health Benefits of Beef’ Andrew is currently the Group Marketing Manager at Meat and Livestock Australia, responsible for the delivery of all marketing programs in the Australian market. He leads a team of 9 highly motivated individuals, all tasked with developing effective and creative marketing outcomes. Under Andrew’s leadership, the domestic marketing team has been consistently recognised as one of the leading marketing teams in the country. His team proudly deliver the highly effective “You’re better on Beef” marketing campaign for Australian Beef.
Brad Hine, CSIRO ‘Measuring Immune Competence for Improved Animal Health’
Troy Setter, Consolidated Pastoral Company
‘Future of Angus Genetics in Northern Australian Beef Production’ Troy is one of the top agribusiness leaders in Australia and well-renowned for his achievements across the industry. CPC is Australia’s largest private beef producer with 367,500 head of cattle run on a portfolio of 16 stations across Australia’s three Northern States. CPC’s stations are vertically integrated with its two joint venture feedlots in Indonesia. Throughout his career Troy has been responsible for all aspects of the supply chain; from cereal and fibre cropping, grain and grass fed cattle operations, domestic and international logistics, trading and shipping through to genetic improvement, beef and cattle marketing, broad strategy development, investment and finance. Prior to being appointed Chief Executive Officer at CPC in July 2014, Troy was the Chief Operating Officer of Australian Agricultural Company. Troy has held key management positions with agribusinesses including, North Australian Cattle Company, Torrens Investments, Killara Feedlot and Twynam Group. Along with having a degree in Rural Science from University of New England, he has also completed the Agribusiness program at Harvard Business School, The Australian Rural Leadership Program and is a Member Australian Institute of Company Directors. Troy also sits on the Board of the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council and the advisory committee of Tocal.
Brad completed a PhD in Chemistry at the University of New England in 2008. Following his PhD, Brad completed two Postdoctoral appointments, the first at the University of Guelph, Veterinary College, Canada and the second at AgResearch, New Zealand, before returning to a Postdoctoral position at CSIRO in 2012. Brad now works as a Research Scientist with CSIRO based in Armidale, NSW and specialises in ruminant immunology. Brad’s current research is focussed on developing methods to assess the immune competence of livestock and investigating how immune competence and other resilience traits, such as stress-coping ability and temperament, are linked and how together these traits influence an animal’s ability to cope with challenges posed by their production environment. Brad is currently part of the Phenomics team at CSIRO which specialise in developing methodologies to assess difficult to measure traits of significant economic importance to the livestock industries. Working under the guidance of Dr Ian Colditz, Brad recently completed a large MLA/CSIRO co-funded project aimed at developing methods to assess immune competence in beef cattle (B.STU.0244). As part of the project, Brad was fortunate to work with Angus Australia to immune competence test calves from the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program on co-operator herd farms. By working with Angus Australia, Brad was able to ensure that his research was industry relevant and that animals used in the study were representative of those currently in industry.
Berry Reynolds, Mort & Co
‘The value and development of strong relationships within the supply chain’ Berry Reynolds is the Private Client Manager for Mort & Co, based in Toowoomba. Berry’s role is to build and maintain Mort & Co’s private client business with particular focus on establishing producer relationships that feed into the Mort & Co Angus, Wagyu and Backgrounding programs. He has a strong background in livestock breeding, genetics, client and member services, marketing and has a strong commercial acumen. He accrued this experience while owning and operating his own Red Angus stud herd prior to his commencement at Mort & Co.
Susan Bibby
Troy Setter
Andrew Howie
Brad Hine
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 11
#growangus national conference
Susan Bibby, AGI
#growangus national conference
#GrowAngus national conference program Thursday 18th May 9:00 – 10:15
Registration and Trade Displays Open
9:30 – 10:00
Morning Tea
10:15 – 10:30
Welcome – Libby Creek, Angus Australia President
Plenary Session 1:
10:30 - 11:10
Dan Moser – AGI
Developments in Genetic Improvement Technologies in American Angus
11:10 – 11:50
Ben Thomas – MLA
Are Current Beef Prices Sustainable: Australian Beef Industry Projections
11:50 – 12:30
Tom Maguire - Teys Australia
Knowledge is Power: Improving Communication across the Australian Beef Supply Chain
12:30 – 13:30
Lunch and view Trade Displays
Concurrent session A - Genetic Technologies
13:30 – Brad Hine 14:00 CSIRO
Measuring Immune Competence for Improved Animal Health
Concurrent session B - Commercial Supply Chain
value and development of Berry Reynolds The strong relationships within the - Mort & Co supply chain
14:00– 14:30
Greg Andrew Byrne - The Next Generation of Angus Farquharson Angus Australia Genomic Technologies Bushy Park Angus
14:30– 15:00
Susan Bibby – Specialised Breeders Australia
15:0015:30
in manageSophie Edwards Advancements ment of assisted reproduction – Vetoquinol programs in Angus Cattle
Genetic Selection Technologies in the Poultry Industry
Kev Sullivan – Bell Vet Services
Growing an Angus Business
Plan or Perish: The Importance of Pre-feedlot Entry Preparation
Liz Pearson – Angus Australia Making the Most of the Meat Market
15:30 - 16:15
Afternoon Tea and view Trade Displays
16:30 - 17.30
AGM and Members Forum
18:30 - 19:30
Pre-Dinner Drinks – with musical accompaniment by Ballarat Grammar String Quartet
19:30 - Late
Conference Dinner, with Entertainment and an Auction
Friday 19th May 8:00 - 9:00
Registration and Trade Displays Open
Concurrent session C – Market Technologies
Concurrent session D – Future Visions
9:00 9:30
Garry Edwards – AAM Investment Group
The Evolution of Livestock Selling Systems
Drewe Ferguson Use of Digital Technologies in the – CSIRO Australian Red Meat Industry
9:30 10:00
Jon Condon – Beef Central
Digital Disruption and the Social Media Evolution
Ramesh Segaran Drones – Opportunities and – Adelaide Uni Challenges in Australian Agriculture
Marketing Angus in the Digital Age
Troy Setter – CPC
10:00 - Ben Simpson – 10:30 OGA 10:30 - 11:00
Future of Angus Genetics in Northern Australian Beef Production
Morning Tea and view Trade Displays
Plenary Session 2:
11:00 - 11:40
Andrew Howie – MLA
11:40 - 12:20
Ben O’Donoghue – Celebrity Chef
12:20 - 12:30
Conference close and invitation to stay for lunch – Peter Parnell, Angus Australia
12:30 - 13:40
Lunch and view Trade Displays
PAge 12
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Beef is Best: Understanding the Nutritional Health Benefits of Beef
around the saleyards
Grant Family Trust manager Anthony Robinson, Loomberah, with Joel Fleming, Landmark Tamworth, and vendor Rodger Grant, Grant Family Trust, sold 29 Angus steers, 320kg, for $1,280. Tamworth 9/02/17
Michael Carey, Chiltern, sold 68 Angus heifers, PTIC to calve Feb-Mar. These sold from $2200-$2310. His 16 calved heifers sold for $2725. Wodonga VIC 16/01/17
Curban district mixed farmer Don Foran, New Beridaí, was happy with the return on these 29 Angus heavy feeder steers. They weighed an average 502kg to fetch $1660 each. Dubbo, NSW 9/02/17
Tony Gaudron, 'Meadowbank', Yarrowitch, sold 217 10 month old weaners. 73 steers topped at $1310 a head and 54 heifers made up to $1100. Tamworth, NSW 13/01/17
Ian and Joy Macallister with grandson Ben Whip, “Roma Downs”, Roma, watched 561 of their Angus cross steers, averaging 271kg, sell for an average of 396c/kg to return $1,079/head. Roma, QLD 17/01/17. Photo supplied by Maranoa Regional Council
Corrections Victoria Ag State manager, Matthew Menhennet, with the Langi Kal Kal PTIC heifers that made to $3225, Ballarat 10/02/17
Images: Fairfax Media
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 13
Angus Weaner Verbac best pen of the day award to first-time seller Pennie Scott, The Land
First-time seller at the NVLX January cattle sale, Jim Ross, “Noonbah”, Holbrook, was chuffed at the prices his steers made – $1520 per head – and proud to have been awarded the Verbac Best Pen of the Day award. “I normally sell from the paddock but this time, I thought it would be interesting to sell through the NVLX sales. These 11 month old steers finished really well as we did have a great wet winter and they weighed in at an average of 439 kg”, Mr Ross said. “We’ve been breeding Angus for three generations with my son, Sandy, now more involved in the operations. We use Rennylea and Dunoon genetics for our cow herd and, as you can see, these steers are tops”. Image: Jim Ross, 'Noonbah', Holbrook and his award-winning Verbac Best Pen of the Day steers. His 19 head, averaging 439kg reached $1520 per head. This was the first time Mr Ross had sold cattle at NVLX and, after this positive experience, he said he will be back.
January sale the aim for Macaulay family Pennie Scott, The Land
It was a family affair for the Macaulays at the first day of the NVLX January sales, Wodonga on January 5th, with parents Dawn and Graeme offering 105 steers and heifers, plus their daughter, Michelle, their son-in-law Simon, and grandson, Bill, including their own smaller offering under the “Tiviotdale”, Huon, property brand. The Macaulays run 300 breeders on their 1000 acre property using Angus bulls over their cows and heifers. “We have 50 cows calving in spring with the remainder in autumn and next month, we are expecting 250 new calves. Each year we sell off the lesser quality of the females and buy in, either privately or through the saleyards, about a dozen cows with calves to keep the genetics growing,” Mrs Macaulay said. Their first pen of 9-11 month old steers with an average weight of 383 kg, reached $1360 per head with another pen of 14 weaners averaging 285kg making $1185 per head. Dawn Macaulay, Landmark agent Pat Kindellan, and Graeme Macaulay with one of their pens of steers at the first day of the NVLX January sales. The Macaulays sold 105 head and were delighted with the prices
PAge 14
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
r Wonderland Top breeding recognised at weaner sales Catherine Miller, Stock & Land
Well bred Angus calves from Dunholme Propos, Koppamurra SA, are synonymous with the annual Naracoorte weaner sales. And this year the Munro families were again among the high prices, with their 19 European Accredited, March/April-drop steers making an impressive $1605. This equated to $3.73 a kilogram. A fortnight later their surplus to replacement heifers, weighing 390kg, made $1430 or $3.67/kg.
‘Even the kids know about Angus thanks to McDonalds Angus burgers,’ he said. Dunholmes herd of 85 Angus breeders are run in conjunction with 2180 first cross ewes. The operation involves Bill and Kathy Munro and their son Andrew. Their nephews Tom and Ben Munro help with the cattle when needed. Bills’ brother Phil was a partner, but has now retired.
The Munro’s are thrilled to have received at least $150 more for their weaners than 2016.
After one of the wettest rainfall years – 825mm – in 2016, the cattle are looking good.
But they say the present rates are what cattle prices need to be.
But aside from the better season, the Munro’s say genetics are making a big difference.
‘We are a long way ahead of where we were four years ago, which encourages us to remain in cattle,’ Tom said.
Their selection criteria for Angus bulls includes good growth and muscle BREEDPLAN figures with positive fat, as well as visually good growth and shape.
‘We just need it to be consistent every year.’
Dunholmes calves are yard weaned about a fortnight prior to sale.
The family made the switch to Angus 22 years ago. ‘We wanted to keep the easy calving and have a line of straight coloured cattle, and they were starting to get a premium in the market,’ Bill said. That demand has only strengthened.
The remaining third of the steers will be grown out to 480-500kg in August/September, when prices traditionally spike. About a dozen heifers are retained each year, with some small heifers grown out and sold in spring.
Kath, Bill, Tom and Phil Munro, Dunholme , Koppamurra SA, at the Naracoorte sale where their steers made $1605 and heifers $1430
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 15
‘AGRICON’ BUILDING BLOCKS FOR BETTER PRODUCTION
Giddyup Enterprises T/A
Call James Dickson 07 4122 2599 or 0437 715 981 agricon.com.au
PAge 16
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
around the weaner sales
Rob and Ruth Caldwell, 'Alister', Mole River Tenterfield sold 109 Angus steers to the top price of 432c/kg at Tenterfield, NSW, Angus Feature Weaner Sale, 9/03/17.
Jean & Phil Biggins, Biggin Hill, Naracoorte, sold 57, March/ April drop Angus steers to $1,544 for a $1,460 average. Heaviest pen weighed 434.8kg. - $3.55/kg or $1,544, 22 Angus steers, 435kg, Phil & Jean Biggins. Naracoorte SA, 19/01/17
Nick and Sarah Moyle (centre) congratulate Kelvin and Julie Wyatt "Wrights Swamp" Mt Richmond and Allan Lakey, Elders Heywood on their 446c/kg or $1605 Angus heifer price at Hamilton, VIC 19/11/17.
Images: Fairfax Media
Peter Peach, Comly Banks, Byaduk, Vic, sold 22 Angus heifers, 398kg at $3.96/kg a price greatly exceeding his expectation. at the Hamilton VIC, Independent Agents British bred heifer sale, 18/01/17
Kelly and Tim Brown, Keyneton, with children Maddi and Lachie sold 50 weaners at Mount Pleasant, SA 19/11/17. Four of their Angus steers sold to the sale's equal top price. of $1,500 for 4 Angus steers. They also sold 12 Angus steers for $1,400.
Mal and Lyndsay Phillips, sold steer calves sold to $1472, with their sought-after Angus heifers topping at $1508 or $412c/ kg , at the Manjimup weaner sale in WA, 24/01/17.
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 17
The Angus Affair
Liz Pearson, Commercial Development Manager
Michael and Jacinta Coffey with some of the Angus weaners from their Port Fairy property. Michael’s family has been in the district for over 160 years
Michael and Jacinta Coffey have been present at the Hamilton weaner sales for well over a decade now, presenting some of the most highly regarded and sort after Angus weaners of the distinct annual southern weaner sale circuit. 2017 has been no exception, with the Coffey’s topping the market at Hamilton reaching $4.17/kg for a pen of 318kg Angus steers and averaging approximately $1,423/ head for their entire run of 170 Angus steers. Michael, a 4th generation Port Fairy grazier, and wife Jacinta took over the family business in 1989, which at the time was running predominately fine wool Merino sheep. Beef production played a secondary role in their operation, but following the wool market crash in 1992, they decided, like many, that beef production would suit them better. Michael’s herd was a mixture of Herefords, Shorthorns and Simmentals in the early 90’s, however it quickly became apparent that the buyers wanted Angus. With the Angus-premium far out-weighing any benefits of his other breeds, the Coffey’s affair with Angus began. After trips to the Hamilton weaner sales the path forward was clear to Michael. “I needed to produce the best quality weight for age Angus calves I could by the time the big weaner sales came around to gain the premium for Angus that was in demand” he said. Michael started his Angus herd with 120 top priced Angus heifers from the annual Hamilton weaner sale. “If we were going to do it, we were going to do it properly” Michael said.
PAge 18
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
fairbank Port fairy, VIC property: ‘Fairbank’ size: 607 hectares enterprise: 440 breeding herd The intention was to trade heifers after joining as PTIC, however Michael and Jacinta liked them so much they kept 50% of these animals and established their own Angus breeding herd. They continued to build their quality Angus herd by purchasing small lines of surplus heifers from local Angus seedstock producers to reach a herd size of 440 breeders, which is now self-replacing with 120 heifers annually. “Our Angus steer weaners are nearer to feedlot weight and ready for the January sales” Michael said. “With our Hereford-cross weaners, we just couldn’t get the weight into them in time and they were not getting the price premium of the Angus, so it made perfect sense to change”. “We have tried other breeds before, including Charolais and F1 Angus cross, but again we couldn’t get the weight, couldn’t get the premium and couldn’t make it economical”, he said. “I received some advice from my agent very early in the piece. Don’t worry about the money, just build a quality reputation” he commented.
Building relationships with repeat buyers of their cattle and delivering quality Angus animals every year is paramount for Michael and Jacinta. This reputation is underpinned by focusing on consistent improvement, producing large even lines with good averages and cattle with easy doing ability along with the utilisation of BREEDPLAN when selecting sires. There are no second chances at Coffey Partnership, with heavy culling based on temperament, growth,
calving ease, muscling and doability being of the highest importance. As Michael and Jacinta continue to build on their buyer relationships, they are looking to pursue relationships with buyers that are conducive to the flow of feedback on cattle performance. By utilising this information, they plan to continually improve and maintain their reputation for quality to keep buyers coming back for more year after year.
Angus steers offered by the Coffey’s during the Hamilton weaner sales reached $4.17/kg
around the shows Canberra Show 2017
Junior and Grand Champion Bull: Hillview Leggett, D&D Hill
Senior and Grand Female and Supreme Exhibit: J&C Doris K28, C&B Halliday
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 19
Most Widely Used Sires in Last Two Years Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager 1.
Te Mania Emperor E343 has the most progeny born in the last two years, followed by Matauri Reality 839 and Sydgen Black Pearl 2006. These bulls have a combined total of 4,966 progeny born during this period.
2. Of the 20 bulls with the most progeny in the last two years, 8 are imported sires, with 7 from the United States and 1 from New Zealand. An additional 1 bull is sired by an imported sire. 3. The average Angus Breeding Index of the 20 bulls with the most progeny in the last two years is +133, which is placed in the highest 10% percentile band (when compared to 2015 drop calves). Only 2 bulls have an Angus Breeding Index that is below breed average.
Te Mania Emperor
4. Across individual traits, the average EBVs of the 20 bulls with the most progeny in the last two years are as follows:
Trait
Sire Average
Breed Average
Calving Ease Direct
+2.0
+0.0
Calving Ease Daughters
+1.0
+0.1
Gestation Length
-5.6
-3.7
Birth Weight
+3.2
+4.3
200 Day Growth
+49
+42
400 Day Weight
+90
+77
600 Day Weight
+116
+100
Mature Cow Weight
+93
+87
Milk
+20
+15
Scrotal Size
+1.8
+1.7
Days to Calving
-5.6
-3.8
Carcase Weight
+69
+56
Eye Muscle Area
+6.9
+4.6
Rib Fat
+0.5
+0.0
Rump Fat
+0.1
-0.2
Retail Beef Yield
+0.0
+0.3
IMF
+2.9
+1.6
NFI-P
+0.35
+0.09
NFI-F
+0.46
+0.16
Front Feet Angle
+0
+0
Front Feet Claw Set
+1
+0
Rear Feet Angle
-4
-1
Rear Leg Hind View
-1.1
-0.2
Rear Leg Side View
-0.3
-0.1
PAge 20
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Sydgen Black Pearl 2006
Matauri Reality 839
Rennylea Edmund E11
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 21
Sire Ident
USA14543651
VTMB1
USA15354674
USA14675445
VTMB219
VTMA217
USA14686137
NGMY145
USA13009379
USA15719841
BNAD145
NENZ181
VLYC402
BNAD145
USA2928
USA14528330
BNAD145
HIOE7
NORE11
USA16396499
222 1840 146 1575 70 1551 141 1280 64 1123 24 1098 167 980 51 908 57 900 61 895 68 852 159 829 10 817 31 765 282 716 59 662 32 646 11 641 21 612 128 601
5281 686 3104 135 1697 0 3988 241 1263 15 1431 52 4525 705 963 0 919 0 1440 139 1343 0 3015 287 939 22 721 0 7224 1500 773 2 1223 35 676 0 527 0 1937 109
Prog Anly Perf Dtrs
2739 48 1317 5 345 0 2088 22 406 0 740 32 2411 17 305 0 250 0 564 28 579 0 1591 0 280 22 258 0 4518 8 188 0 629 40 265 0 134 0 792 0
Scan Prog Carc Prog
Average EBVs for 2015 born calves:
USA0035
S A V THUNDERBIRD 9061
NAQH255
ARDROSSAN HONOUR H255
VLYH803
LAWSONS INCREDIBLE H803
VTMG555
TE MANIA GASKIN G555
USA16748826
JINDRA DOUBLE VISION
NAQA241
ARDROSSAN EQUATOR A241
CXBJ15
PRIME JUGGERNAUT J15
VTMG333
TE MANIA GASCOYNE G333
QHED62
CARABAR DOCKLANDS D62
NJWG279
MILWILLAH GATSBY G279
USA16295688
G A R PROPHET
USA17307074
DEER VALLEY ALL IN 2138
USA16916944
V A R RESERVE 1111
HIOE7
AYRVALE BARTEL E7
VTMG67
TE MANIA GARTH G67
USA16198796
EF COMPLEMENT 8088
NORE11
RENNYLEA EDMUND E11
USA17236055
SYDGEN BLACK PEARL 2006
NZE14647008839
MATAURI REALITY 839
VTME343
TE MANIA EMPEROR E343
Animal Ident
Name
Num Herd Prog 2Yr
Statistics
+4.4 59% +2.1 91% +3.7 74% +3.4 84% +5.9 93% -0.8 70% +2.1 57% -0.2 84% -4.8 77% +1.0 86% +1.6 72% -3.6 62% -0.8 95% +2.1 58% -8.2 80% +4.3 62% -0.6 62% -2.3 88%
+4.4 88% +5.6 96% +4.3 87% +1.3 91% +5.0 97% +4.3 82% +1.1 86% -1.5 91% -4.2 86% +3.9 95% +1.8 86% -4.7 79% +0.1 98% -0.3 75% -0.6 88% +4.5 82% +2.7 81% +3.1 94% +0.1
+5.9 89%
+6.7 94%
+0.0
+4.2 91%
+2.4 97%
Calv-Eas Dir e Dtrs
-3.7
-7.0 99%
-3.8 98%
-6.7 98%
-3.6 99%
-2.7 98%
-4.8 99%
-5.6 98%
-5.5 99%
-9.0 99%
-2.6 99%
-0.7 99%
-5.4 98%
-3.9 99%
-5.4 99%
-8.8 99%
-5.4 99%
-7.4 99%
-7.3 99%
-9.9 99%
-6.5 99%
+4.3
+2.6 99%
+3.5 98%
+2.8 98%
+3.1 98%
+5.1 98%
+4.1 99%
+5.7 98%
+0.6 98%
+4.0 99%
+5.3 98%
+3.3 99%
+2.7 98%
+2.5 98%
+1.8 99%
+2.7 98%
+2.5 98%
+1.1 99%
+3.2 99%
+1.4 99%
+5.0 99%
Bwt
Birth GL
600
Growth Mwt
+99 98%
+92 99%
+85 +101 97% 95%
+88 +111 99% 99%
+91 +114 98% 97%
+95 +116 98% 96%
+71 99%
+90 +126 98% 93%
+81 98%
+79 85%
+73 98%
+91 95%
+76 90%
+84 97%
+92 83%
+75 96%
+94 +125 +125 99% 99% 98%
400
+85 97%
+68 90%
+94 97%
+85 +107 95% 94%
+84 +117 97% 94%
+81 +120 98% 97%
+98 84%
+89 85%
+98 93%
+99 +123 +102 97% 95% 84%
+93 +121 +108 99% 99% 99%
+88 +115 +109 96% 96% 85%
+67 97%
+90 +126 99% 98%
+87 +117 +100 98% 98% 88%
+93 96%
+42
+77 +100
+87
+59 +103 +130 +113 98% 98% 98% 95%
+44 95%
+49 97%
+46 98%
+51 96%
+50 99%
+52 96%
+33 97%
+47 98%
+51 98%
+62 +111 +137 98% 98% 98%
+62 +117 +138 +100 96% 97% 95% 84%
+46 97%
+49 99%
+47 98%
+51 97%
+38 99%
+53 98%
+42 98%
+51 99%
200
+15
+15 93%
+14 71%
+23 72%
+25 85%
+16 79%
+22 99%
+16 73%
+15 81%
+20 96%
+17 76%
+29 93%
+27 77%
+24 81%
+27 98%
+37 87%
+23 84%
+13 95%
+20 77%
+15 93%
+10 98%
Milk
+1.7
+1.3 98%
+2.8 92%
+2.2 94%
-1.2 97%
+0.2 94%
+3.1 99%
+0.5 95%
+1.9 94%
+3.2 98%
+2.4 97%
+0.4 97%
+1.9 95%
+1.0 96%
+2.4 99%
+3.7 97%
+1.2 96%
+2.3 98%
+1.4 97%
+3.5 98%
+2.0 99%
SS
-3.8
-3.6 61%
-6.5 54%
-6.9 54%
-1.7 62%
-0.4 46%
-7.0 92%
-6.9 59%
-5.6 60%
-5.7 70%
-6.8 60%
-5.5 56%
-2.7 47%
-4.7 47%
-9.4 76%
-7.5 64%
-3.7 50%
-8.9 74%
-4.1 46%
-4.3 57%
-9.4 80%
DC
Fert
+9.1 95%
+7.5 87%
+9.3 86%
+6.4 94%
+9.3 86%
+4.2 90%
+4.8 95%
EMA
+56
+78 91%
+69 79%
+76 80%
+82 93%
+78 81%
+84 98%
+71 80%
+46 90%
+62 93%
+78 82%
+71 93%
+83 81%
+4.6
+4.3 90%
+6.2 81%
+6.6 83%
+3.3 87%
+6.3 83%
+4.8 97%
+9.4 84%
+8.7 85%
+6.7 91%
+7.1 86%
+6.2 88%
+7.7 84%
+58 +10.2 82% 85%
+81 96%
+53 93%
+72 83%
+57 95%
+74 81%
+49 90%
+59 97%
Cwt
+0.0
+1.6 90%
+1.5 83%
-0.3 84%
+0.0 86%
-2.1 84%
-1.6 98%
+1.2 84%
-0.3 86%
+1.6 92%
+3.2 85%
-0.4 88%
-2.6 84%
-2.0 85%
-0.3 95%
+1.7 87%
+1.1 86%
+2.8 95%
-0.2 85%
+4.4 90%
+1.4 96%
Rib
-0.2
-1.9 88%
+1.0 81%
-0.1 82%
-0.8 92%
-2.8 80%
-1.6 98%
-0.5 83%
+0.0 89%
+2.1 91%
+3.0 84%
+1.0 90%
-4.5 80%
-2.7 81%
+0.3 95%
+2.6 91%
+1.6 81%
+1.4 94%
-1.7 81%
+4.2 89%
+0.4 96%
P8
Carcase
+0.3
+0.7 85%
-0.5 76%
-0.5 77%
-2.5 81%
+1.4 75%
+1.0 97%
+0.1 77%
-0.4 80%
+0.6 88%
-2.4 78%
-0.9 82%
+2.7 76%
+3.0 77%
-0.2 93%
-0.4 81%
+0.6 78%
-1.2 92%
+1.3 77%
-1.8 85%
-0.9 94%
RBY
Estimated Breeding Values and Accuracies (%)
+1.6 +0.09 +0.16
+0.7 -0.08 +0.23 88% 69% 72%
+3.6 +0.59 +0.79 78% 63% 64%
+4.1 +0.47 +0.74 81% 64% 65%
+4.6 +0.21 -0.01 89% 74% 79%
+0.5 +0.02 -0.04 80% 55% 57%
+1.8 +0.22 +0.12 97% 94% 94%
+3.4 +0.41 +0.39 81% 65% 66%
+4.6 +0.64 +0.75 86% 66% 67%
+1.0 +0.40 +0.68 90% 76% 78%
+4.7 +1.01 +1.02 83% 66% 68%
+4.1 +0.41 +0.29 90% 62% 66%
+1.9 +0.07 +0.29 81% 56% 58%
+1.6 +0.07 +0.06 82% 59% 61%
+3.6 +0.56 +0.78 94% 86% 89%
+3.5 +0.53 +0.62 90% 75% 81%
+2.0 +0.12 +0.27 83% 59% 62%
+4.1 +0.80 +1.17 93% 83% 87%
+2.0 +0.06 +0.18 82% 60% 62%
+2.7 +0.44 +0.62 87% 70% 72%
+3.6 +0.12 +0.19 95% 87% 87%
IMF NFI-P NFI-F
Extra
mid-february 2017Angus angusAustralia australiaBREEDPLAN breedplan - 20- sires withwith the most progeny in theinlast Mid-February 2017 50 Sires the most progeny the two last years two years Indexes ABI DOM GRN
GRS
+85 +126
+97
+95 +109
+6 +106 +103 +110 +105
-1 +113 +115 +107 +117 98%
-5 +136 +119 +158 +123 90%
-14 +150 +124 +177 +136 83%
+12 +105 98%
+13 +103 +111 94%
+12 +127 +116 +139 +121 99%
-6 +127 +109 +148 +115 86%
+34 +130 +115 +158 +115 96%
-15 +135 +118 +135 +135 98%
-9 +129 +103 +154 +116 95%
+4 +151 +132 +173 +140 97%
+8 +143 +144 +155 +139 91%
+26 +124 +126 +130 +120 97%
-11 +157 +134 +179 +143 98%
+48 +144 +126 +163 +133 98%
+6 +135 +130 +136 +135 97%
+11 +135 +114 +160 +120 98%
-7 +141 +125 +150 +137 95%
+3 +117 +112 +118 +116 97%
+5 +157 +128 +188 +140 99%
Doc
Angus Bulls better value for money than ever before Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager With the demand for Angus bulls at an all-time high, and the auction prices being paid for Angus bulls at levels not seen before, it is timely to reflect on what has occurred within the Angus bull selling market over the past 20 years.
1. Number of Angus Bulls Sold at Auction Reflective of the increased market share of Angus cattle in southern Australia, and the increase in the number of Angus bulls being used in Northern Australia production systems, the number of Angus bulls being sold at auction has increased considerably over the past 20 years. 2016 saw a record number of 8,405 bulls sold at auction, a 128% increase on the 3,685 bulls that were sold at auction in 1998. A breakdown of the number of Angus bulls sold at auction by year is outlined in Figure 1 below.
of bulls sold nationally at auction in 2016 being offered in NSW, followed by 19% in Victoria, 13% in Queensland, 9% in Western Australia, 7% in South Australia, and 4% in Tasmania. Of note has been the increase in recent years in the number of bulls offered for sale at auction in Queensland, which has increased from between 600 – 700 bulls sold annually in 2006 – 2011, to over 1000 bulls in 2016. Anecdotally, this increase is consistent with a considerable increase in the number of private treaty sales of Angus bulls into Northern Australia (QLD, NT and Nth WA) in recent years.
3. Average Angus Bull Auction Price The average price being paid at auction for Angus bulls has increased over the past 20 years, with the bull sale prices in 2016 being the highest on record. The average price being paid at auction for Angus bulls each year in nominal (i.e. actual) and real (i.e. adjusted for inflation) terms is outlined in Figures 3 and 4 below. 4.
Figure 1 - Angus Bulls Sold At Auction By Year
Note: the statistics regarding the number of bulls sold at auction have been compiled by Angus Australia based on information provided by members, and from information contained in media reports. The statistics may not necessarily be a complete record of all Angus bulls purchased at auction, and do not include the considerable number of bulls that are purchased by private treaty.
Figure 3 - Average Angus Bull Price By Year (Nominal)
Figure 4 - Average Angus Bull Price By Year (Real)
4. Average Angus Bull Price By State Figure 2 - Angus Bulls Sold At Auction By State
2. Number of Angus Bulls Sold by State New South Wales has been, and remains the primary state in which Angus bull sale auctions are held, with 49%
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
The average price paid for Angus bulls at auction is each state has generally followed the national average, with bulls prices in NSW and Western Australia in recent years being consistently higher than bull prices in other states. The difference between the average sale price of Angus bulls sold at auction in each state, versus the national average is outlined in Figure 5.
Specifically: • The lower genetic merit of bulls in past years is modelled as an opportunity cost, and added to the average bull sale price. The opportunity cost differs subject to the number of females to which purchased bulls are subsequently joined over their breeding life, with values provided if bulls are joined to 100 or 200 females respectively. • Figure 5 - Average Angus Bull Sale Price By State
5. What Has Driven the Increase in Bull Price? When evaluating the increase that has been observed in the average sale price of Angus bulls sold at auction, both in nominal and real terms, it is interesting to consider what factors have driven the change in bull sale price. Figure 6 illustrates the relationship between the average sale price of Angus bulls at auction, and the Eastern Young Cattle Indicator, each year. The conclusion that can be drawn from this figure is that increase in sale price is predominantly a reflection of increased price of young cattle, as illustrated by 82% of variation in bull sale price being accounted for by changes in the EYCI.
It is assumed that the genetic merit of the bulls being offered for sale is reflective of the genetics of an average Angus animal born two years prior to the sale date
• It is assumed that the Angus Breeding Index describes the overall profitability of the bulls being offered for sale. Figure 7 clearly illustrates that the increase in the genetic merit of the Angus bulls is outpacing the increase in average bull sale price, suggesting that Angus bulls now represent better value for money than at any time in the past 20 years. Note: the values in figure 7 represent the increased profitability of Angus genetics across the entire beef supply chain, from conception to slaughter, and so the increased profitability may not all be realised by the bull purchaser.
Similarly, it can also be concluded that the increased demand for Angus bulls is not leading to an increase in sale price, with the Angus seedstock sector appropriately increasing the number of bulls being offered for sale each year and keeping the demand:supply balance of Angus bulls unchanged.
Figure 7 - Cost of Angus Bulls (Average Bull Sale Price Adjusted for Inflation & Genetic Merit)
7. What Lessons Are There For Angus Bull Sales in the Future? It would be remiss of anyone to speculate as to what the future holds for the sale of Angus bulls, but there are some important lessons that can be taken from bull sales over the past 20 years. Figure 6 - Average Angus Bull Sale Price vs Eastern Young Cattle Indicator
6. Are Angus Bulls Better Value for Money Than 20 Years Ago? When considering the average price paid for Angus bulls at auction, it is important to recognise that the genetics of Angus bulls in 2016 bear little resemblance to genetics of Angus bulls from 20 years ago, with the Angus seedstock sector continuing to make genetic improvement at rates that surpass any other recorded beef population in the world. Figure 7 explores whether Angus bulls now represent better value for money, by adjusting average bull sale price at auction (in real terms) for the genetic merit of the bulls being offered for sale.
• The demand for Angus genetics is strong, with current trends indicating the demand is continuing to increase each year. • Any increase in demand for Angus bulls should not lead to an increase in the price of Angus bulls, with the increase in demand likely to be matched by an increase in the number of Angus bulls that are offered for sale. • The major determinant of the price of Angus bulls will continue to be the current price of young cattle. • The Angus breed will continue to make outstanding rates of genetic improvement, meaning Angus bulls will continue to represent better value for money each year into the future.
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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Three generations in the beef industry. James Knight, with his daughter, Olivia, father-in-law, Bruce Allen and wife Georgie, with a draft of their Angus females at Mortlake, Victoria. Photo by Laura Griffin, The Land
"
Angus suits our direction to mainatin focus on producing a beast which meets market specifications
"
Angus focus in feedback success Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager
Dornoch Mortlake, VIC property: ‘Dornoch’ size: 1220 hectares enterprise: 850 breeding females Eager to learn as much about the beef industry as possible, James and Georgie Knight, returned to her family property, ‘Dornoch’, Mortlake 12 months ago with the support of Gerogie’s father, Bruce Allen. James, a member of the Angus Youth Consultative Committee, was coming from a successful career with an Australian corporate agricultural business and he and Georgie were keen to relate that experience to the farming operation. ‘Dornoch’, located in the western districts of Victoria, has been in the Allen family since the early 1930’s when it was purchased by Bruce Allen’s grandfather, W.T Allen. ‘My father was a Hereford breeder and did a lot of bullock finishing, selling through the old Newmarket sale yards,’ said Mr Allen. When Mr Allen assumed the management of the stock and the property, he bought a B-double of straight Angus heifers from Guyra and now has an approximately 85% Angus herd.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
‘It was an opportunity that presented itself and a little foresight to where the industry was headed,’ said Mr Allen. Mr Allen considers their females to be the backbone of the herd, with steers simply a by-product. ‘It’s their genetics that carry the herd from year to year, and we ensure we are retaining consistent lines of heifers as replacements,’ he said. Processing his own cattle in the early 1990’s, Mr Allen supplied top restaurants in Melbourne and hotels throughout western Victoria. ‘I learnt a lot about carcase, yield and meat quality,’ he said. ‘The experience enabled me to benchmark my beef breeding program, and I am pleased James and Georgie are able to build upon my knowledge’. Mr and Mrs Knight acknowledged the foresight of Mr Allen in establishing an outstanding herd, sourcing suitable genetics to meet industry demand and applying strict selection criteria to the replacement females. ‘We recognise the quality of the herd in which Dad has invested a lifetime in’, said Mrs Knight. ‘Angus suits our direction to maintain focus on producing a beast which meets market specifications’. With years of solid breeding by his father in law, Mr Knight saw his own opportunity to benchmark their steers against industry performance and receive comprehensive feedback on the performance of the cattle to help shape their future breeding decisions. And so a decision was made to enter some steers into the 2017 Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial.
‘As the next generation coming through and needing to learn as much as we can from Bruce and others, we needed to have a benchmark to see how we are going and we knew this feedback trial would give us the information we required,’ he said. To be awarded the grand champion pen of 5 steers, was completely unexpected, as the Knight’s had only thought to enter the competition in order to understand the relevance of their breeding program. ‘To be able to enter the competition was appealing because we knew it would be comprehensive and we would receive feedback that would further our business,’ said Mr Knight.
With approximately 850 females joined to Angus bulls annually on their 1220 hectare aggregation, the business has a split calving, with 80% to calve in the autumn and the remainder in spring. At ‘Dornoch’, all animals have to pull their weight and Mr Knight believes it is important to look past the front gate and make sure those animals are performing in the feedlot, which is their end target market. The business aims to have steers going into a feedlot at 16 to 18 months at about 460 to 500kg. This feeder steer market has been developed through a long term relationship between Mr Allen and the cattle market.
Benchmarking allows the Knight family to set their breeding goals and produce the best quality cattle for their target market. Entering the trial will go a long way in helping them to produce better cattle for their target market. ‘At the end of the day, we can’t manage our business effectively without having benchmarks to refer to and know where we are in comparison to industry performance,’ said Mr Knight. ‘It is clear to me that the key economic driver for our operation is kilograms of beef produced per hectare and kilograms of beef out our front gate’.
Bruce Allen, considers the females as the most important part of the herd, with steers simply a by-product. Pictured is his granddaughter, Olivia Knight. Photo by Laura Griffin
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PAge 25
RG Allen & Sons - Angus steers from RG Allen & Sons in the Teys Australia Jindalee Feedlot
Angus influences Feedback Trial results
Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager First time exhibitors RG Allen & Sons were awarded Grand Champion Pen of 5 steers with a pen of Angus steers at The Land’s 2017 Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial, as Angus and Angus influenced cattle were prominent throughout the awards. Held in conjunction with Teys Australia, the Beef Spectacular Feedback trial attracted entries from stud and commercial producers from New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. A total of 75 teams from 43 vendors equated to 375 head in the 2017 trial. In their first year of competition, RG Allen & Sons, Mortlake VIC, took out the coveted title of Grand Champion Pen of 5 steers, as well as the Teys Certified Premium Black Angus Champion Pen. Having only recently returned to the cattle business, RG Allen & Sons, representative, James Knight said that they had entered the competition in order to benchmark their cattle and to receive feedback on their breeding direction.
Grant Garey, General Manager Feedlots and Southern Grain Fed, Teys Australia presents Georgie and James Knight, from RG Allen Sons with the award for Grand Champion pen of 5 steers at The Land 2017 Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial.
“We knew it would be comprehensive and we would receive what we needed to further our business.” The Reserve Champion pen of Five Steers was awarded to the Minnamurra Pastoral Company, Boggabri NSW, for their Angus cross pen. A different pen of 5 Angus steers, also exhibited by Minnamurra Pastoral Company was awarded the Riverine Premium Beef Champion Pen.
Angus & Angus influenced results Feedlot Performance (350 Points) Exhibitor
Team
Breed
Points
EGT Bateman – Gilmandyke Angus
G13
Angus
350
Exhibitor
Team
Breed
Points
2nd
Lex & Sally Crosby
G19
Angus
386.5
3rd
RG Allen & Sons
G67
Angus
384
1st
Carcase (550 Points)
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Riverine Premium Beef Champion Pen (1000 Points) Exhibitor
Team
Breed
Points
CH
Minnamurra Pastoral Company
G21
Angus
754.5
RCH
Wantabadgery Pastoral Co
G78
Angus
720.5
Exhibitor
Team
Breed
Points
CH
RG Allen & Sons
G67
Angus
774
RCH
Melon Pastoral Company
G55
Angus
745.5
Exhibitor
Team
Breed
Points
RG Allen & Sons
G67
Angus
774
Exhibitor
Team
Breed
Points
Minnamurra Pastoral Company
G58
Angus Influenced
767.5
Teys Certified Premium Black Angus Champion Pen (1000 Points)
Grand Champion pen of 5 Steers (1000 Points)
Reserve Champion pen of 5 Steers (1000 Points)
Placings 4th
JM & SA Morse
G16
Angus Influenced
762.5
5th
Minnamurra Pastoral Company
G22
Angus Influenced
761.5
6th
Coota Park Blue E
G48
Angus Influenced
760.5
7th
EGT Bateman – Gilmandyke Angus
G13
Angus
758.5
=8th
Minnamurra Pastoral Company
G57
Angus Influenced
757.5
10th
Coota Park Blue E
G10
Angus Influenced
757
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 27
Angus Education
ANGUS EDUCATION CENTRE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS Liz Roan, Education Officer
Angus Australia is committed to providing quality educational opportunities to Angus producers, and is pleased to announce the launch of the Angus Education Centre. The new education centre provides users of Angus genetics with an exciting collection of modern digital educational resources and activities, appropriate for today’s individual learning processes. Available from the Angus Australia website, or by typing https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/education/ into a web browser, the Angus Education Centre contains a suite of resources designed to cover a range of subjects that are highly relevant to both seedstock and commercial beef cattle enterprises.
you can subscribe to Angus eNews, request printed materials or engage with us through our other regular communication channels. It’s all about being flexible, and giving members a variety of options so that there is something to suit every need. Importantly, each module in the Angus Education Centre will conclude with an opportunity for you to reflect on what you have learned, and to ask questions and provide feedback. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions will be developed for each module to facilitate knowledge sharing, providing a platform for producers to learn from one another.
The first two modules to be made available are ‘Selecting Bulls’ and ‘Understanding EBVs and Selection Indexes’. Designed to suit the way in which adults engage with online learning, each module contains a range of media, such as downloadable brochures, podcasts and animations. Topics can be easily navigated via the side menu or by clicking on the links at the bottom of each page. Some topics open out to interactive activities that users can explore to test their learning. Topics with activities are indicated by a folder icon in the navigation menu.
The Angus Education Centre focuses on areas of significance to our members, and will grow and evolve as they engage with it. Please watch the welcome animation, and ‘ENTER HERE’ to start your learning journey.
The manner in which people engage online is constantly changing as new applications and processes are being developed. Angus Australia has aimed to develop resources that are easily accessed at any time, from any place, and on a range of devices. They will facilitate learning that occurs in an asynchronous, self-paced, pressure-free environment, where users can follow their interests, moving from topic to topic in a technologyrich environment. For those members who prefer face-to-face learning, never fear, you have not been forgotten! Angus Australia will continue to meet with you to deliver educational activities in the form of Regional Forums, the Annual National Conference and Industry Field Days. And of course, if you like your learning materials delivered,
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
LIZ ROAN
Education Officer education@angusaustralia.com.au
| 02 6773 4602
Building Blocks to Increase your Bottom Line Liz Roan, Education Officer
The number of EBVs and selection indexes calculated within the Angus BREEDPLAN analysis has increased considerably in recent years. With up to 25 different EBVs, and 4 selection indexes published on each animal, the amount of information can be quite overwhelming. A new module within the Angus Education Centre covers the vital area of Understanding EBVs and Selection Indexes. This module serves as a useful reference guide, giving producers clear, illustrated definitions for each of the Angus BREEDPLAN EBVs and selection indexes. Members can work through the topics at their own pace, investigating the EBVs of most relevance to their breeding program. Interactive activities attached to some topics allow for immediate feedback on a user’s understanding.
B R E E D I N G B E T T E R B E E F - S U P P LY I N G B E T T E R B U L L S
SPRYS ANGUS & SHORTHORNS 60 BULLS & GENETICS FRIDAY 21ST APRIL, 2017
SPRYS - W SUPREME M505 (AI)(ET) AT 10.5 MONTHS (OUTSTANDING STUD SIRE POTENTIAL) - LOT 27
SPRYS - W NOVAC L513 (AI) - LOT 28
Example Activities
Basic skills exist in every business and mastery of those basics is essential to success within that field. In the cattle breeding business, having a good understanding of EBVs and selection indexes are essential skills that form one building block of a strong foundation to a successful beef breeding program.
SPRYS - W NOVAC L508 (AI) - LOT 29
CONTACT GERALD & LYNDEN SPRY Wagga Wagga Ph: 02 6928 5526 | E: glspry@spryshorthorns.com www.sprysangus.com.au
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 29
Angus Education
Back to Basics – Brush-up on Buying Better Angus Bulls Liz Roan, Education Officer
With the autumn bull sales nearing completion, now is a perfect time to review the strategies used by your enterprise when choosing your next Angus bulls. Whether you are buying in new bulls or selecting bulls from within your own herd for future joinings, it is important to start by considering your breeding objective. A new module has been developed within the Angus Education Centre that will step you through some of the important factors to consider when planning your bull selections. Topics include Selecting a Seedstock Producer, Breeding Soundness and Angus BREEDPLAN EBVs, just to name a few. This module can be accessed by clicking on the Selecting Bulls tile from the Education Centre’s Module List. https://www.angusaustralia.com. au/education/module-list/ In keeping with the philosophy of allowing for optimal accessibility, these resources have been offered in a variety of forms to suit different individual learning preferences. For example, content can be downloaded in the form of a brochure or a podcast that can be accessed at a later time off-line. Alternatively, a short animation can be viewed that will provide a summary of key points. Checklist for selecting Angus Bulls Read the Brochure
Download the Podcast
Watch the Animation
For those who like to work their way through the online content and engage with the resources, testing their learning on the way, topics are presented as a series of sequential web pages and optional activities.
At the end of the module, participants have the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned and think about how they can apply it in their own situation. Reflection is an essential component of learning, as it not only allows a learner to apply what they have learned to their own situation, making the learning meaningful, it helps them discover areas where they can make relevant behavioural changes. Reflection also helps prompt curiosity, exploration and inquiry, and can provide the motivation learners need to pursue a topic or concept further. So please, take the time to view the “Selecting Your Next Angus Bull” module, reflect on what you have read and see if it can help you make positive changes to your current bull selection strategies. Of course, if you think that we can improve on our learning modules in any way, we’d love to hear from you and are happy to receive questions and suggestions for future enhancements. Feedback can be submitted by emailing Liz Roan on education@angusaustralia.com.au
Collection Guidelines for Angus BREEDPLAN Pedigree, performance and genomic information constitute the fundamental elements that inform the calculation of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in the Angus BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation. Timely, correct, and accurate collection of this information is essential in maximising the accuracy by which Angus BREEDPLAN EBVs describe the genetics of Angus animals. All Angus Australia members that are enrolled in Angus BREEDPLAN, be it experienced or relative new members, are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the “Collection Guidelines for Angus BREEDPLAN” publication. The guidelines are available either in hard copy format on electronically from the BREEDPLAN section of the Angus Australia website. For a free hardcopy, please contact Angus BREEDPLAN Project Officer, Ashleigh Horne on (02) 6773 4603 or ash@angusaustralia.com.au To view online follow: https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/breedplan/collectingperformance/collectingperformance-information
Example Activity in the “Selecting Your Next Angus Bull” Module
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Dr Sophia Edwards, Technical Specialist Reproduction – Australia & New Zealand A new resource for cattle breeders is now available to improve the reproductive management of livestock systems. Repro360 has been created by Vetoquinol Australia to help breeders, veterinarians and artificial breeding companies to have a holistic approach to the field of reproduction in Food Producing Animals. The Repro360 purpose is to have a complete vision of the industry whilst creating a useful network for all the stakeholders involved in this field. The mission is to bring a collaborative way to assisted reproduction in livestock through a wide range of high-end veterinary products, professional support, specialised services, and reputable, proven expertise in the field. The aim of Repro360 is to improve the outcomes of reproduction technology, techniques and education globally. Central to Repro360 is a new website (www.repro360. com.au) focused on educating and collaborating with all stakeholders of reproduction management. The website will feature many resources applicable to Angus breeders. The Repro360 Directory will connect breeders with assisted reproduction providers across all areas of Australia ranging from AI services, to embryo transfer and IVF providers. To improve collaboration across the industry case studies from fellow cattle breeders will be presented, demonstrating how they have improved their breeding objectives.
Education is a feature of the website, with a detailed explanation of assisted reproduction technologies and natural mating systems. The information available to Angus breeders is not limited to the content on the website, as a dedicated helpline is available to allow breeders to get in contact with an expert team to seek further information or ask any questions relating to reproductive management in their operation. An additional feature of Repro360 is the Repro360 TV. Located on the website, is a range of educational ‘how to’ videos developed with the assistance of Angus Australia. The Repro360 TV takes the guess work out of how to effectively perform tasks associated with implementing assisted reproduction programs. The performance will be driven through intelligent solutions that will work across all the aspects of reproduction. Repro360 intends to provide all the information you need to start, to improve or amplify your breeding activities, this could be simply improving your current system, or considering an assisted reproduction program. The dedicated experts assist in finding a solution related to reproduction in your herd, by working with the objectives of your operation. We want you to be involved in our project and to use our tools, network, knowledge and products to increase your quality work and to multiply your outcomes.
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 31
Angus Education
Repro360: A new tool for cattle breeders
Angus Australia Set To Launch New Software Tools Michael Ainsworth
“The new facility is similar to the Animal Enquiry facility that has been available on the Angus Australia website for some time, but has been re-developed to be a more modern and intuitive facility with a range of valuable new features”. Of particular note is the availability of a new suite of selection tools, known as AngusSELECT, that assist both seedstock and commercial producers with the identification of Angus genetics that are most aligned with their breeding goals and objectives. Mr Byrne explained “the new AngusSELECT suite consists of six different selection tools, being the Angus SaleSELECT, Angus SemenSELECT, Angus MemberSELECT, Angus ASBPSELECT, Angus ExportSELECT, and Angus HeiferSELECT tools”.
Angus Australia will shortly launch a range of new internet based tools for Angus beef producers in Australia. The range of software tools, to be released under the banner of angus.tech, are part of a major software development initiative designed to develop tools that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of producers who are using Angus genetics within their beef enterprise. Angus Australia’s Breed Development & Extension Manager, Mr Andrew Byrne explained the new tools aim to improve the profitability of Angus genetics within the beef supply chain by enabling Angus breeders to more easily identify the most appropriate genetics for their enterprise.
“Using the AngusSELECT tools, producers looking to utilise Angus genetics can carefully scrutinise the registered Angus animals available for sale, identify suitable semen for use within their artificial breeding programs, identify Angus Australia members in their area, and identify bulls of interest from within the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program”. Another major component of the new software initiative is a re-development of the database systems that are utilised by Angus Australia to construct systems that are tailored specifically to the needs of the Angus Australia organisation and its members.
The tools set for release over coming months will focus on enabling Angus breeders to seamlessly search Angus Australia’s comprehensive animal and member database.
Mr Byrne outlined that one of major objectives will be to greatly improve the exchange of registration and performance data between Angus Australia and its members.
“Using the Angus Database Search facility, Angus breeders can access information for any individual animal recorded with Angus Australia, or once signed in as a registered user, can search and sort the database to identify animals that meet selection criteria of interest” said Mr Byrne.
“This will enable members to register animals, submit performance information for inclusion in Angus
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
“Using the new AngusONLINE system, members of Angus Australia will be able to interact directly with the Angus Australia database”.
BREEDPLAN, request DNA tests and generate reports, all in real time and without the need for any interaction with staff”. The software development initiative is consistent with Angus Australia’s vision of maintaining its leadership as a not-for-profit, member-based innovation company servicing seedstock and commercial producers of Angus and Angus-influenced cattle.
Introducing angus.tech Software angus.tech includes a range of software tools and technologies that have been developed by Angus Australia for the utilisation of by Angus beef producers in Australia.
The software development has been headed up by Angus Australia’s Information Systems Manager, Mr Christopher de Crespigny. Christopher is one of Australia’s most experienced programmers in livestock database development, having previously developed systems for dairy and beef recording in Australia and internationally during a career of over 20 years at the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI). Christopher is ably supported by computer programmers, Mr Michael Ainsworth and Mr Mark Evered.
Angus ONLINE enables Angus Australia members to interact directly with Angus Australia’s breed registry database. Using Angus ONLINE, members can register their animals, record animal performance information, request DNA tests, create online sale catalogues, and modify their membership details, plus much more.
Angus Database Search enables Angus breeders to search Angus Australia’s comprehensive animal database. Christopher de Crespigny
Mark Evered
Michael has considerable experience developing livestock database software, having worked alongside Christopher within the software development team at ABRI for a number of years. During this time, Michael developed the INSolutions mobile application, which is now utilised by breed organisations in 11 different countries and across 9 different livestock species, and spent time working on closer integration between ABRI’s ILR2 database and BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation software. Mark is an experienced software developer with expertise in software engineering, agricultural IT systems, mobile applications and information security. Mark has worked in both industry and academic environments in Australia and overseas, with his most recent role with the NSW Department of Primary Industries where he worked on animal nutrition modelling. The first of Angus Australia’s new software tools is scheduled for release in April 2017.
ANDREW BYRNE
Breed Development & Extension Manager andrew@angusaustralia.com.au | 02 6773 4618
Using the Angus Database Search facility, Angus breeders can access information for any individual animal recorded with Angus Australia, or once signed in as a registered user, can search and sort the Angus Australia database for animals that meet selection criteria of interest.
The Angus SELECT suite of selection tools assists Angus breeders to improve the profitability of Angus genetics within the beef supply chain by assisting with the identification of Angus genetics that are most aligned with their breeding goals and objectives. Using the Angus SELECT suite of tools, breeders can search and sort the registered Angus animals currently available for sale, identify suitable semen for use within their breeding program, identify Angus Australia members in their area, identify bulls of interest from within the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program, and objectively select the replacement heifers that are carrying the most suitable genetics for use within the commercial beef enterprise.
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 33
Killara feedlot continues the Angus tradition Liz Pearson, Commercial Development Manager
Angus breed. In the 1980’s Killara produced the well know Angus brand for the export market, the ‘Angus Black Bag’, which was processed at Macksville.
Elders Killara Feedlot Quirindi, nsw Annual Turnover: 60,000 cattle Production: High grade, grainfed beef capacity: 20,000 head Killara Feedlot, located in the premium agricultural region of the Liverpool Plains in NSW, is one of the oldest and most well-known feedlots in Australia, dating back to the 1970’s. Killara was built and developed by Japanese meat company, Mitsubishi in the 1970’s. In 1996 Elders purchased Killara in a joint venture with Taiwanese Sugar Corporation and remained in this partnership until 2009, when Elders secured the full ownership and management of Killara. As it stands today, Killara is a fully shaded feedlot with a 20,000 head capacity, turning over more than 60,000 cattle annually. A sophisticated steam flake milling complex produces close to 300 tonnes of feed per day. Killara Feedlot has a long and valued history with the
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Thirty years on Killara’s affair with the Angus breed continues, feeding more than 30,000 grainfed Angus steers annually for its own Elders Killara Angus brand. Killara also feeds Angus steers for Warmoll Foods, Jack’s Creek Angus brand. This product is distributed throughout Australia and the world with key markets in the Middle East, European Union, United Kingdom, China, Japan and Indonesia. Killara Feedlot have also been supplying cattle to Woolworths since 1996 and was a previous winner of the Woolworths Supplier of the Year Award. “Our close association with Woolworths and their management goes back a long way. Today we feed a slightly heavier animal for Woolworths with an increasing number of Angus cattle,” says Feedlot Manager, Tony Fitzgerald. The biggest change for Killara Feedlot over the last 10 years has been the type of cattle on feed. “We’ve transformed Killara from just a producer of commodity beef to a supplier of premium grainfed Angus beef,” say Tony. Killara has taken time to develop supply chain linkages, and are lucky to have a professional and market focused group of suppliers from across New South Wales.
Most of their cattle are sourced from within 700km of the feedlot, with key supplier strategies focusing on repeat business, large lines, good genetics and the preconditioning of cattle ready for feedlot conditions. “We produce a premium product and this starts with buying the right cattle for the feedlot,” says Trading Manager, Andrew Talbot. Killara Feedlot purchases more than 1200 cattle every week in a highly competitive market space. There has been a clear transformation in the cattle type that Killara Feedlot is purchasing and this has not come about by chance. Killara Feedlot are working with key suppliers to ensure cattle are pre-conditioned correctly for feedlot entry. “Preconditioning is about ensuring the cattle are socialised, quiet, well-handled and pre-vaccinated with Bovilis + IBR,” says Andrew. “We work with key suppliers to develop a transparent understanding of the beef supply chain. The more feedback and information flow we provide to our supplier stakeholders, the more chance there is for further advancement,” he said.
“Genetics are important but having these good cattle perform on feed, that’s critical!” says Andrew. In 2016 Killara Feedlot held its inaugural Supplier Awards. These awards recognise suppliers who are pushing the boundaries to produce the best feedlot animal, with the criteria focusing on performance through marbling, average daily gain, feed conversion and animal health in the feedlot. These traits are benchmarked through Killara’s extensive database of animal health and performance and continue to be the most valuable selection traits when procuring cattle. With grain feeding of cattle being increasingly important in the production of beef, Killara sees a responsibility to ensure quality cattle and clean healthy product is produced and delivered every week to a standard customers expect. To find out more about feeder cattle procurement at Killara Feedlot contact Andrew Talbot, Trading Manager on 0408 253786 or Andrew.talbot@elders.com.au
Andrew Talbot
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 35
Commercial Development 6 months in… Liz Pearson, Commercial Development Manager
As we enter the 2nd quarter of 2017, prospects are looking good for Angus producers. Beef prices remain relatively high and producers have the satisfaction of knowing that they are being rewarded for the product they are supplying to the market. However, on the other side of the farm gate, it is a different story. Feedlotters and processors have struggled to make the sums add up as Australian beef continues, now for over 12 months, to be the dearest product on the international stage. We have recently witnessed the first major fatality of our strong beef market, with Manildra Meats closing their Cootamundra plant in February this year, as their customers struggle to absorb the constant premium prices.
We are witnessing a marketplace that has become flooded with branded beef products. But, how can consumers be assured that the claims of these products are legitimate? Angus Australia is continuing to investigate the opportunities to address these challenges collaboratively with processors. Angus Australia’s wholly owned subsidiary, Certified Angus Group Pty Ltd will retain its key function of breed verification of Angus branded products. Angus Australia and Certified Angus Group Pty Ltd will continue with its efforts to provide robust qualification that if a black hided animal is claimed to be Angus, that it actually is Angus, thereby protecting the integrity of the ‘Angus’ brand for the value of all Angus Australia members.
The lotfeeding and processing sector of our beef industry has continued to innovate, particularly over the last 10 years to be a strong competitor on the global stage. However, the strong Australian beef market has pushed our lotfeeders and processors to step things up several gears and investigate ways to remain competitive on the world beef stage. It seems that the answers may lay right in front of us. With a growing thirst for knowledge about the food we eat, the interest in ‘the story’ of where our beef comes from, what it is and how it is raised, has never been stronger. Along with that desire comes the pressure to validate our claims.
PAge 36
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
LIZ PEARSON
Commercial Development Manager liz.pearson@angusaustralia.com.au
| 02 6773 4608
From the Angus BREEDPLAN Desk Ashleigh Horne, Project Officer, Angus BREEDPLAN
Angus BREEDPLAN has had a busy start to 2017, with analyses being conducted fortnightly, changes to submission deadlines and a trip to Victoria for Southern Beef Week. Some of the questions that are commonly posed to the team at Angus Australia include topics relating to the collection of structural soundness data, ways in which performance data can be sent to Angus Australia, and the timetable for upcoming Angus BREEDPLAN analyses. A few of these common queries are addressed below:
Checklist for Submitting Structural Scores Now that Structural Soundness EBVs have been included in the routine Angus BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation, there are a few thing to consider when both recording and submitting your structural scores to Angus BREEDPLAN. • Recording weights – For structural scores to be included in the Angus BREEDPLAN analysis, a 400 or 600 day weight must be recorded for the animal. Further, the 400 or 600 day weight must be recorded either before or on the date on which the structural score data is collected. If no 400 or 600 day weight is provided, the structural score data cannot be included in the analysis. •
Score all animals in the management group – To get the most out of your structural score data, it is essential to score all animals within the management group. Angus BREEDPLAN uses the variation in the structural scores within each management group to estimate the genetic merit of each animal for structural soundness. Therefore if there is only a subset of animals within the group that are structurally scored, there may not be as much variation in structural scores, and the structural score data that is submitted may not be as effective or useful.
• Submit all structural scores recorded to Angus BREEDPLAN – Make sure to send all structural scores recorded to Angus BREEDPLAN. If animals are assessed and return undesirable structural scores, it is still vital that these scores are provided to Angus Australia, even if the animal is culled as a result. Including both desirable and undesirable structural scores provide Angus BREEDPLAN with more variation within each management group and result in the calculation of better EBVs.
Templates for submitting your performance data There are various Microsoft Excel templates that can be used to submit performance data to Angus BREEDPLAN. These templates are easy to understand and allow staff at Angus Australia to quickly process each herd’s performance data with ease. If you are looking to submit performance data to Angus BREEDPLAN and would like to try the Excel templates provided, please contact staff at Angus Australia or download the templates from the BREEDPLAN resources section of the Angus Australia website.
Alternative methods of data submission include paper performance recording forms, data submissions through herd recording programs and our online website performance submission facility. For more information, please contact Ashleigh Horne at breedplan@ angusaustralia.com.au.
Fortnightly Angus BREEDPLAN analyses. Angus BREEDPLAN analyses are now being conducted on a fortnightly basis. To accommodate the fortnightly analyses and the improved flexibility they provide, the Angus BREEDPLAN submission deadlines for 2017 have been reworked. Instead of a submission deadline of the 13th of each month, the new deadlines have been moved to the 1st and 15th of every month. Please see the 2017 Angus BREEDPLAN Analysis Schedule on the Angus Australia website for more details on the upcoming analyses.
2017 Angus BREEDPLAN Analysis Schedule (April - June) Submission Analysis Results Available (Indicative) Deadline
April Mid April May Mid May June
March 15 April 1 April 15 May 1 May 15
March 31 April 18 April 30 May 19 May 31
Note: The dates for the availability of results are indicative only. They are provided to assist with planning but should not be considered as guaranteed dates.
Performance Data Processing Statistics The table below provides a snapshot of some of the performance information that is regularly submitted to Angus Australia. This data was added to the Angus Australia database during 2016 (01/01/2016 to the 31/12/2016).
TRAIT
NO. PROCESSED
Calving Difficulty Score Birth Weight 200 Day Weight 400 Day Weight 600 Day Weigh Mature Cow Weight Ultrasound Scan Data* Scrotal Circumference Docility Scores Structural Scores Net Feed Intake - Feedlot Net Feed Intake – Post Weaning
57,400 64,535 50,815 40,959 26,169 15,006 31,178 16,082 18,097 5,213 471 62
*Ultrasound scan data includes records for eye muscle area, rib fat, rump fat and intra-muscular fat.
CONTACT INFORMATION For more information regarding Angus BREEDPLAN, please email breedplan@angusaustralia.com.au
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 37
New DNA Services Available to Angus Producers Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager Over the past six months, Angus Australia has been working with both Zoetis Animal Genetics and the Animal Genetics Laboratory at the University of Queensland to improve the DNA services that are available to members of Angus Australia. Angus Australia is pleased to inform members that a range of new DNA services are now available. i. The density (number of single nucleotide polymorphisms or “snips”) of the genotyping platforms that are utilised for parentage verification have been considerably increased, improving the reliability of the parentage verification analyses that are conducted on Angus animals. The parentage verification platform offered by Zoetis now includes ~280 SNPs, while the University of Queensland platform includes ~200 SNPs. Previously the platforms offered by both DNA laboratories included ~140 SNPs. ii. Testing for genetic conditions is now available as an “add-on” test if animals are genotyped with either the GeneSeek GGP or Zoetis i50K products. The retail price for genetic condition testing conducted as an “add-on” tests is considerably lower than if the genetic condition testing is conducted as a stand-alone test. iii. Tests are now available for a greater number of the genetic conditions that are recognised within Angus Australia’s Regulations from both Zoetis and the University of Queensland.
Note: this does not imply that additional genetic condition testing is required, but rather that the tests are available if members wish to test an animal. e.g. to accommodate export semen requirements into some overseas markets.
In association with the availability of new DNA services, Angus Australia’s Board and Management Team have also been reviewing the manner in which members are invoiced for DNA services. i. One all-inclusive retail price will now be charged for each individual DNA service, as opposed to invoicing genotyping and sample handling fees as two individual items. ii. The all-inclusive retail price for each individual DNA service will appropriately cover both genotyping costs, plus other costs to Angus Australia that are incurred in association with the provision of the DNA service. This includes costs such as labour costs to process samples and results, freight charges, ABRI database fees, royalties, sample storage costs, and the costs associated with the storage, handling and analysis of the genomic data. Importantly, the changes to the manner in which members are invoiced for DNA services does not increase the
PAge 38
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
overall retail prices of the DNA services that are offered by Angus Australia. Rather the retail price of most DNA services either remains unchanged, or decreases slightly. Similarly, the retail prices of DNA services remain on a cost-recovery basis only, and do not include any profit margin to Angus Australia. To further discuss the new DNA services that are available, or changes to the manner in which DNA services are invoiced, please contact either Angus Australia’s Breed Development Manager, Andrew Byrne, on (02) 6773 4618 or andrew@angusaustralia.com.au, or Angus Australia’s Member Services Manager, Lee-Anne Turner on (02) 6773 4604 or lee-anne@angusaustralia.com.au.
DNA SERVICES - ZOETIS ANIMAL GENETICS
Genomic Tests Zoetis HD50K Add Parentage Verification Zoetis i50K
$91.00 Included $69.00
Add Parentage Verification
Included
Add Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM)
$14.85*
Add Contractual Arachnodactyly (CA) $14.85* Add Developmental Duplications (DD) $14.85* Add Dwarfism (DW)
$14.85*
Add Myostatin (NT821)
$14.85*
Add Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH) $14.85* Add Osteopetrosis (OS)
$14.85*
Add Oculocutaneous Hypopigmentation (OH)
$14.85*
Add Coat Colour
$14.85*
* Only available if 50 or more samples in a batch * Genetic condition testing processing times may be marginally longer if conducted as an add-on to i50K
Parentage Verification Base Panel (280 SNPs) Add Parentage Verification
$25.85 Included
Genetic Traits Coat Colour
$22.55
Myostatin (NT821)
$28.05
DNA Sample Types Hair
No charge
Semen
No charge
Tissue
No charge
Tissue (TSU)
$5.50
Genetic Conditions
Genetic conditions
Alpha Mannosidosis (MA)
$50.05
Alpha Mannosidosis (MA)
$44.55
Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM)
$28.05
Arthrogryposis Multiplex (AM)
$23.65
Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA)
$28.05
Contractural Arachnodactyly (CA)
$30.25
Osteopetrosis (OS)
$28.05
Developmental Duplications (DD)
$21.45
Developmental Duplications (DD)
$22.55
Dwarfism (DW)
$36.85
Dwarfism (DW)
$28.05
Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH)
$23.65
Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH)
$28.05
Osteopetrosis (OS)
$41.25
Oculocutaneous Hypopigmentation (OH)
$36.30
Oculocutaneous Hypopigmentation (OH) $28.05 Any 3 of AM, NH, CA, DD, DW or Myostatin (NT821)
$50.05
Any 4 of AM, NH, CA, DD, DW or Myostatin (NT821)
$61.05
DNA SERVICES - ANIMAL GENETICS LABORATORY
Other Tests Pesti-virus
$25.85
ANGUS AUSTRALIA – DNA SERVICES
Miscellaneous Fees
Genomic Tests $136.15
Surcharge for urgent samples
Contact AA
Add Parentage Verification
Included
Add Developmental Duplications (DD)
$8.25
Transfer DNA profile to another DNA lab
$5.50
Add Myostatin (NT821)
$8.25
Add Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH)
$8.25
GeneSeek GGP-HD
GeneSeek GGP-LD
$74.50
Add Parentage Verification
Included
Add Developmental Duplications (DD)
$8.25
Add Myostatin (NT821)
$8.25
Add Neuropathic Hydrocephalus (NH)
$8.25
Parentage Verification Base Panel (200 SNPs)
$29.15
Add Parentage Verification
Included
Microsatellite Panel
$31.35
Add Parentage Verification
Notes All fees are GST inclusive All testing will be billed to Angus Australia account, including test results reported as No Result (NR) All testing is subject to the Terms and Conditions outlined in Angus Australia’s Regulations All charges cover genotyping costs, labour costs to process samples and results, freight charges, ABRI database fees, royalties, and the costs associated with the storage, handling and analysis of the genomic data. All charges for hair samples include long term storage of any surplus sample for future testing All charges for semen, tissue or tissue (TSU) samples include DNA extraction and storage for future testing
Included
Parentage Verification Only*
$5.50
* In circumstances where genotypes are already available
Genetic Traits Coat Colour
$31.35
Myostatin (9 variants)
$42.35
DNA Sample Types Hair
No charge
Semen
$13.20
Tissue
$13.20
Tissue (TSU)
$8.80
Embryos from the Best Cows at Kansas Angus
Contact Rob Crosby 0427 434 348 Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 39
Developing a Genomics Testing Strategy For Your Herd Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager Angus seedstock breeders across Australia now have access to the latest generation of breeding and genetic technology, genomics, with increasing numbers of Angus animals being genomically tested each year.
When considering which sample type will be collected, it is important to consider that additional fees may apply for semen or tissue samples to cover the additional expenses associated with DNA extraction and storage.
When combined with pedigree and performance information, genomic information adds an additional source of information for the calculation of Angus BREEDPLAN Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs), enabling the generation of EBVs with additional accuracy, and ultimately enabling more accurate selection decisions to be made.
Consideration 3: Which Genomic Product will be Utilised?
Genomic testing is however a considerable expense and so any investment in testing seedstock animals needs to be carefully evaluated to maximise the benefits that are obtained.
Consideration 1: When will DNA Samples be Collected? DNA samples for genomic testing can be collected on animals of any age, and so should be undertaken at a time that best fits in with other normal, routine management practices. Irrespective of whether genomic testing is to be conducted, a good strategy is to collect hair samples on all calves at a young age (e.g. weaning) and store the samples for possible testing at a later date. To best preserve the sample, hair samples should be placed in either a plastic sealable sandwich bag or an envelope, clearly identified, and stored in a dry, dark environment. If collecting hair samples, collection should not be done on very young calves (e.g. at birth). Hair samples must have clearly visible follicles before they are suitable for testing, which usually occurs from 3 – 4 months of age onwards.
Consideration 2: What DNA Samples will be Collected? Tail hairs, semen straws, or tissue samples can be accepted by Angus Australia for genomic testing, with tail hairs being most commonly utilised.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Angus BREEDPLAN currently incorporates genomic information from four different genomic products, being the i50K and HD50K products offered by Zoetis Animal Genetics, and the GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP-LD and GGP-HD) products offered by the Animal Genetics Lab at the University of Queensland. When making a decision as to what genomic product will be used, it is important to consider: •
The density of the genomic product. In most cases, testing animals with a low density product (i.e. i50K or GGP-LD) is adequate for the inclusion in Angus BREEDPLAN. A high density product (i.e. HD50K or GGP-HD) would only be considered if it was deemed advantageous to store a higher density genetic profile for inclusion in future research, or to assist the research efforts of genotyping companies.
• The traits for which genomic predictions will be provided. Genomic predictions are incorporated into Angus BREEDPLAN for 14 traits from the Zoetis i50K and HD50K products, and 11 traits from the GeneSeek GGP-LD and GGP-HD products. •
The accuracy of the genomic predictions that will be provided. The additional accuracy provided by the incorporation of genomics will differ by product, by trait, and for each individual animal subject to the accuracy of its existing EBV.
Information regarding each different genomic product, including the traits for which genomic predictions are provided, and the additional EBV accuracy provided by the inclusion of genomic predictions from each product is displayed in Table 1.
600 Day Weight
Table 1 : Additional Accuracy of BREEDPLAN EBV when Genomic Prediction is Incorporated
Initial EBV Accuracy
Trait 20 % Zoetis i50K / HD50K
GeneSeek GGP-LD / GGP-HD
Calving Ease Direct
+24 %
40 % +13 %
60 %
80 %
+6 %
+2 %
Birth Weight
+29 %
+16 %
+7 %
+2 %
Gestation Length
+38 %
+23 %
+11 %
+3 %
200 Day Growth
+26 %
+14 %
+6 %
+2 %
400 Day Weight
+32 %
+19 %
+9 %
+2 %
600 Day Weight
+38 %
+23 %
+11 %
+3 %
Mature Cow Weight +40 %
+25 %
+12 %
+4 %
Milk
+30 %
+17 %
+8 %
+2 %
Scrotal Size
+43 %
+27 %
+14 %
+4 %
Carcase Weight
+25 %
+14 %
+6 %
+2 %
Eye Muscle Area
+18 %
+9 %
+4 %
+1 %
Rib Fat
+25%
+14%
+6 %
+2 %
Rump Fat
+19 %
+10 %
+4 %
+1 %
Intramuscular Fat
+13 %
+6%
+3 %
+1 %
Calving Ease Direct
+ 8%
+38 %
+23 %
+11 %
+3 %
Mature Cow Weight +40 %
+25 %
+12 %
+4 %
Milk
+30 %
+17 %
+8 %
+2 %
Carcase Weight
+25 %
+14 %
+6 %
+2 %
or when an animal has been removed from its Scrotal Size +43 % +27 % +14 % +4 % contemporary group • In situations where information recorded with Eye Muscle Area little +18 % +9 % is +4 % +1 % Angus BREEDPLAN for the animal, such as recently Rib Fat +25% +14% +6 % +2 % imported overseas sires+19 % Rump Fat +10 % +4 % +1 % It is also important to be Intramuscular Fat mindful +13 % that + 6genomic % +3 %information +1 % is of limited value if the animals being tested are not GeneSeek Calving Ease Direct + 8% +4 % +2 % +0 % related GGP-LD / to the animals that were used to develop the Calving Ease Daughters +20 % +10 % +4 % +1 % GGP-HD genomic product. For this reason, the genomic testing +31 black % +18 % +8 % +2 % should onlyBirth beWeight conducted on Angus animals (or Red 200 Day Growth +20 % +10 % +4 % +1 Angus animals with at least one black Angus parent).% 400 Day Weight
+25 %
+14 %
Consideration 5: Cost Testing Mature Cow Weightof+17 % +8 %
+6 %
+2 %
+4 %
+1 %
+15 %different +7 % genomic +3 % +1 % The cost ofMilktesting with each product differs, with costs from Scrotal Sizeranging+24 % $65 +13 to % $145 +6 %per animal, +2 % dependingCarcase on the product being utilised. Weight +12 % +6 % +2 % +1 % Eye regarding Muscle Area the +18 cost % +9 +4 % with+1 each % Information of %testing Intramuscular Fat +19 % +10 % in Table +4 % 2. +1 % different genomic product is displayed
+4 %
+2 %
+0 %
Calving Ease Daughters +20 %
+10 %
+4 %
+1 %
Birth Weight
+31 %
+18 %
+8 %
+2 %
200 Day Growth
+20 %
+10 %
+4 %
+1 %
Genomic Product
400 Day Weight
+25 %
+14 %
+6 %
+2 %
Zoetis i50K for Angus
Zoetis
$69.00
Mature Cow Weight +17 %
+8 %
+4 %
+1 %
$91.00
+15 %
+7 %
+3 %
+1 %
Zoetis HD50K for Angus
Zoetis
Milk Scrotal Size
+24 %
+13 %
+6 %
+2 %
GeneSeek GGP-LD
Animal Genetics Laboratory (University of Queensland)
$74.50
GeneSeek GGP-HD
Animal Genetics Laboratory (University of Queensland)
$136.15
Carcase Weight
+12 %
+6 %
+2 %
+1 %
Eye Muscle Area
+18 %
+9 %
+4 %
+1 %
Intramuscular Fat
+19 %
+10 %
+4 %
+1 %
Table 4: 2 :What Cost of Genomicwill Testing for Consideration Animals be Tested? Inclusion in Angus BREEDPLAN
In contrast to performance information, there is INC. no Genomic Product to collect DNA LAboratory costinGSTa requirement samples for all animals Zoetis $69.00 Zoetis i50K contemporary group. for Angus Testing can consequently be conducted as many $91.00 or few Zoetis Zoetis HD50K for Angus animals as desired, depending on the objective. Common GeneSeek Animal Genetics Laboratory (University of Queensland) $74.50 testing strategies include: GGP-LD Animal Geneticsanimal Laboratory (University of Queensland) • GeneSeek testing an individual
GGP-HD
$136.15
• strategically testing a group of animals of specific interest, for example candidate bulls for use in a breeding program • testing an entire calf drop When making a decision as to what animals will be tested, it is important to consider the incorporation of genomic information is of more value when an animal’s existing EBV has low accuracy. For example: • When an animal is very young • For traits that are hard to measure, or traits that cannot be measured prior to an animal entering the breeding herd • For traits that have a low heritability • In situations where collecting effective performance information is problematic, such as in small herds,
Table 2 : Cost of Genomic Testing for Inclusion in Angus BREEDPLAN
LAboratory
cost INC. GST
When considering cost, it is important to consider that genomic testing does include several benefits that are additional to the calculation of EBVs with increased accuracy, such as parentage verification (when candidate parents have also been genomically tested), and the ability to add-on testing for genetic conditions at a lower cost.
Consideration 6: Obtaining Advice Optimal utilisation of genomic technology will vary with each individual seedstock enterprise. In addition to being a considerable investment, utilisation of genomic testing should be considered in association with other components of the seedstock breeding program, including the performance recording program being undertaken, and the use of reproductive technologies. To obtain further advice, contact Angus Australia’s Breed Development & Extension Manager, Andrew Byrne. Information is also available from Zoetis Animal Genetics staff on 1300 768 400.
ANDREW BYRNE
Breed Development & Extension Manager andrew@angusaustralia.com.au | 02 6773 4618
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 41
structual soundness
Improving Structural Soundness in a Beef Breeding Herd Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager Structural soundness, a term commonly used to describe the conformation of an animal (e.g. feet, legs, udders), is an important trait in beef herds, with animals needing to conform to certain structural requirements to ensure high levels of production and adaptability to the environment.
• A score of 3 or 7 shows greater variation, but would be acceptable in most commercial breeding programs, however seedstock producers may be wary
Structural soundness can have a considerable impact on the profitability of a beef enterprise, with poor structural soundness resulting in:
• A score of 1 or 9 are considered culls
•
Decreased longevity of animals in a beef production system, such as bulls having a reduced working life, females being culled prematurely from the breeding herd, or steers being unable to finish a long fed feedlot program
•
Decreased reproductive performance, with structural soundness, along with various attributes of the reproductive tract, libido, serving ability and semen quality forming a key component of overall breeding soundness, and in turn, influencing conception rates and calving patterns
• Decreased performance for important production traits, such as females being unable to rear their calves properly, or animals being more prone to injury or disease • Increased animal treatment and management costs Importantly, structural soundness is heritable and can be improved in both the short and long term by selection. There are also no known antagonistic genetic relationships between structural soundness and other traits of importance, enabling structural soundness to be improved genetically without impacting negatively on other traits.
Assessing Animals for Structural Soundness While it is common practice to informally observe animals and assess their structural soundness, animals can be more formally assessed using the Beef Class Structural Assessment System. The Beef Class Structural Assessment System uses a standardised scoring system for traits such as feet and leg structure, udder evenness and attachment, teat size and shape, capacity, sheath and naval attachment, and muscle score. For feet and leg structure, udder evenness, teat size and shape, a 1 – 9 scoring system is used whereby: • A score of 5 is considered ideal •
A score of 4 or 6 shows slight variation from ideal, but this includes most animals, and any animal scoring 4 and 6 would be considered acceptable in any breeding program
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
• A score of 2 or 8 are low scoring animals and should be carefully evaluating before using in a breeding program For capacity, sheath and udder attachment, a 1 – 5 scoring system is used, with a score of 5 being considered ideal. More information regarding the collection of scores using the Beef Class Structural Assessment System is provided in the following pages of this publication, or is available by contacting staff at Angus Australia.
Table 1 - Beef Class Structural Assessment Scores Recorded with Angus Australia (as at 8/3/17) TRAIT NO. PROCESSED Front Feet Angle Front Feet Claw Set Rear Feet Angle Rear Feet Claw Set Rear Leg Hind View Rear Leg Side View Sheath/Navel Teat Size & Shape Udder Attachment Udder Evenness Capacity
48,568 48,399 48,604 46,461 48,297 48,288 24,027 13,042 9,310 9,425 9,069
Calculation of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for Structural Soundness In December 2016, five new EBVs were included in Angus BREEDPLAN for structural soundness traits, with EBVs now being routinely published in each fortnightly Angus BREEDPLAN analysis for: • Front Feet Angle (FA) • Front Feet Claw Set (FC) • Rear Feet Angle (RA) • Rear Leg Hind View (RH) • Rear Leg Side View (RS) The five Structural Soundness EBVs are expressed as differences in the percentage of progeny that will have desirable structure for each respective trait, with higher EBVs indicating a greater number of progeny with desirable structure. For example, a bull with a Front Feet Angle EBV of +20 would be expected to, on average, produce 15% more progeny with desirable front feet angle than a bull with a Front Feet Angle EBV of -10, all other things being equal. The availability of EBVs for structural soundness has several major advantages over traditional approaches
•
Like all production traits of economic importance, the structural soundness of an animal is a combination of the genetics inherited from the sire and dam, and a range of non-genetic factors. This may include such things as the nature of the country in which the animal has been running, or historically, whether practices such as hoof trimming have been undertaken.
Structural Soundness EBVs account for any differences in non-genetic factors to provide an estimate of an animal’s genetics for each respective structural soundness trait.
•
EBVs for structural soundness take into consideration not only the structural soundness of the individual animal, but also the structural soundness of all the animal's relatives. In this manner, the EBVs provide a better indication of an animal's genetics for structural soundness than an assessment of the animal's structural soundness alone.
• EBVs allow for genetic differences in structural soundness to be identified between animals who themselves may have acceptable structure (see table
2). Animals who may have acceptable structure but are likely to produce a high percentage of progeny with poor structural soundness can be removed from the breeding herd, or conversely, if two animals of similar genetic merit for other traits are being considered for use within a breeding program, the animal that is likely to produce a higher percentage of progeny with desirable structural soundness can be selected.
This is particularly beneficial given some differences in the structural soundness of animals may not become evident until the animal is older, and well after selection decisions have been made.
Table 2 – Example of Two Bulls with Desirable Front Feet Claw Structure but Considerably Different Front Feet Claw Set EBVs TRAIT bull a bull b Structural Soundness Score
Structural Soundness EBV
Structural Soundness Score
Structural Soundness EBV
FA
5
+5
5
+14
FC
5
-41
5
+27
RA
6
+5
6
+6
RS
5
-0.4
5
+0.9
RH
6
+2.7
6
+0.7
Table 3 - Sires Entered in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program with Highest Structural Soundness EBVs Front Feet Angle (FA) Front Feet Claw Set (FC) Sire G A R PROPHET MURRAY EL GRANDO G20 WATTLETOP FRANKLIN G188 MILLAH MURRAH EQUATOR D78 BOONAROO GRAVITY G13 G013 MURRAY GRANDO J136 LANDFALL INFINITY E1 TUWHARETOA DIPLOMAT D106 HAZELDEAN F1023 LAWSONS NOVAK E313
EBV +28 +27 +27 +25 +24 +23 +23 +21 +20 +20
Sire TE WHANGA M14 PINEBANK WAIGROUP 41/97 TURIHAUA REX E297 ALLOURA GET CRACKING G10 LANDFALL FORCE F3 RENNYLEA EDMUND E11 ARDROSSAN EQUATOR A241 TOPBOS AMBASSADOR F4 MILLAH MURRAH HIGHLANDER G18 ENTALLY FOREST KAINE D42 BONNY BROOKE FALCO F32 WAIRERE YNOT Y0491 CUDGEGONG PARK GRANGE G4
EBV +27 +27 +27 +27 +25 +24 +22 +21 +21 +19 +19 +19 +19
Table 3 - Sires Entered in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program with Highest Structural Soundness EBVs rear Feet Angle (rA) Rear Leg Hind View (RH) Sire MILLAH MURRAH EQUATOR D78 DWYERS RANGE GATSBY G13 BALD BLAIR HIGHLANDER C126 LANDFALL ADMIRAL E459 BOOROOMOOKA INSPIRED E124 MERCHISTON INFINITY 774 TOTARANUI 238 GLENTANNER KODIAK G10 ARDROSSAN EQUATOR A241 WAIRERE YNOT Y0491 S A V CAMARO 9272 MURRAY EL GRANDO G20 BOOROOMOOKA SO YOU THINK E184
EBV +18 +16 +14 +14 +14 +14 +13 +13 +13 +12 +12 +12 +12
Sire RENNYLEA EDMUND E11 DUNOON EVIDENT E614 TUWHARETOA DIPLOMAT D106 BOOROOMOOKA GALILEO G501 LANDFALL INFINITY E1 ESSLEMONT F4 BULLIAC FORWARD LEAP F24 BOONAROO GRAVITY G13 G013 RENNYLEA BLACK GOLD F340 WAITARA PIO FEDERAL F73 BURENDA GEIGER COUNTER G49
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
EBV +3.7 +3.5 +3.3 +3.2 +3.1 +3.1 +3.0 +2.9 +2.9 +2.8 +2.8
PAge 43
structual soundness
that have relied on trying to identify animals with superior structural soundness genetics by assessment of their own structure alone:
structual soundness
Improving Structural Soundness in a Beef Breeding Herd - CONTINUED Selection for Improved Structural Soundness in a Beef Herd
2. Consider Structural Soundness EBVs when Selecting Animals
With tools such as the Beef Class Structural Assessment System and Angus BREEDPLAN Structural Soundness EBVs available, beef producers have the ability to select for improve structural soundness in their beef herd by utilising a range of different selection strategies.
Structural Soundness EBVs should be utilised when selecting animals by way of improving the structural soundness of the “future” breeding herd (i.e. the next generation).
1. Culling Animals with Unacceptable Structural Soundness All animals in a beef breeding program should be assessed for structural soundness, using either the Beef Class Structural Assessment System or a less formal method, and any animals with unacceptable structure culled from the breeding herd. Culling animals with unacceptable structural soundness predominantly serves to improve the structural soundness of the “current” breeding herd: • For males, the risk of bull breakdown, shortened working life and lower conception rates is reduced, decreasing bull costs and improving the reproductive performance of the current breeding herd • For females, the risk of lower performance due to the presence of structurally unsound females in the breeding herd is reduced. Culling animals with unacceptable structural soundness does also ensure that the genetics of any animals with unacceptable structure won’t be passed into the next generation, albeit with the knowledge that Structural Soundness EBVs provide a better indication of an animal’s breeding value than the animal’s own structural soundness.
PAge 44
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Selecting animals that have superior Structural Soundness EBVs (or avoiding animals with inferior Structural Soundness EBVs) is paramount to genetically improving structural traits in a beef breeding enterprise. As with selection for any trait, genetic improvement for structural soundness will be achieved if the animals selected for breeding this year are genetically superior to those used in previous years. This is particularly important when selecting sires due to the overall influence of their genetics in a herd both in the short term and long term.
3. Balance Selection for Structural Soundness with Other Traits of Economic Importance While structural soundness is important in a beef enterprise, similarly to selection for other traits, selection for improved structural soundness should be balanced with selection for other economically important traits. When making selection decisions, appropriate emphasis should be given to each trait based on the relative economic importance of the trait to the individual beef enterprise. The overall objective of any selection program should be to maximise enterprise profitability, rather than focussing on improvement of an individual trait of interest.
Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager
In December 2016, five new Structural Soundness EBVs were included in the routine Angus BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation.
EBV Front Feet Angle (FA)
Front Feet Claw Set (FC)
Rear Feet Angle (RA)
Rear Leg Side View (RS)
Rear Leg Hind View (RH)
Understanding Structural Soundness EBVs Description Low FA EBVs are published with an additional flag of either “ST”, indicating increased probability of progeny with steep feet angle, or “SH”, indicating increased probability of progeny with shallow feet angle. FC EBVs are estimates of genetic Higher EBVs indicate a greater Low FC EBVs are published with an differences between animals in number of progeny with additional flag of either “OD”, indicating front feet claw set structure (i.e. desirable structure. increased probability of progeny with shape, primarily curl, and evenness open divergent claws, or “SC”, of the claw set). indicating increased probability of progeny with scissor claws. RA EBVs are estimates of genetic Higher EBVs indicate a greater Low RA EBVs are published with an differences between animals in number of progeny with additional flag of either “ST”, indicating desirable structure. desirable rear feet angle (i.e. increased probability of progeny with strength of pastern, depth of heel, steep feet angle, or “SH”, indicating length of foot). increased probability of progeny with shallow feet angle. RS EBVs are estimates of genetic Higher EBVs indicate a greater Low RS EBVs are published with an additional flag of either “SR”, indicating differences between animals in number of progeny with increased probability of straight legged rear leg structure when viewed desirable structure. progeny, or “SI”, indicating increased from the side (i.e. angle of leg joints probability of sickle hocked progeny. when viewed from the side). FA EBVs are estimates of genetic Higher EBVs indicate a greater differences between animals in number of progeny with desirable structure. desirable front feet angle (i.e. strength of pastern, depth of heel, length of foot).
RH EBVs are estimates of genetic Higher EBVs indicate a greater differences between animals in rear number of progeny with leg structure when viewed from desirable structure. behind (i.e. angle of leg joints when viewed from behind).
Low RH EBVs are published with an additional flag of either “BL”, indicating increased probability of bow legged progeny, or “CH”, indicating increased probability of cow hocked progeny.
Collecting Structural Soundness Scores for Angus BREEDPLAN Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager The Structural Soundness EBVs published within Angus BREEDPLAN are calculated from subjective structural soundness scores that have been collected by an accredited scorer when animals are younger than 750 days.
Collecting Structural Soundness Scores
Use of Accredited Technicians
Structural soundness scores for Angus BREEDPLAN are collected using the Beef Class Structural Assessment System. Scores are collected for 5 traits related to feet and leg structure using a 1 - 9 scoring system, where: • A score of 5 is considered ideal •
A score of 4 or 6 shows slight variation from ideal, but this includes most animals, and any animal scoring 4 and 6 would be considered acceptable in any breeding program
• A score of 3 or 7 shows greater variation, but would be acceptable in most commercial breeding programs,
however seedstock producers may be wary
• A score of 2 or 8 are low scoring animals and should be carefully evaluating before using in a breeding program • A score of 1 or 9 are considered culls Structural soundness scores for Angus BREEDPLAN must be collected by an accredited technician. A list of accredited technicians can be accessed from the BREEDPLAN area of the Angus Australia website, or by contacting staff at Angus Australia. Structural soundness scores not collected by an accredited technician will not be included in Angus BREEDPLAN.
When Should Animals Be Scored? Angus BREEDPLAN can analyse structural soundness scores from animals that are less than 750 days of age at scoring (i.e. 25 months). The majority of animals are scored as either yearlings or rising 2 year olds.
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 45
structual soundness
Understanding Structural Soundness EBVs
structual soundness
Collecting Structural Soundness Scores for Angus BREEDPLAN - CONTINUED Structural soundness scores can be collected on mature cows but are not currently utilised in the calculation of Structural Soundness EBVs.
Handy Tips When Collecting Structural Soundness Scores •
While more than one set of structural score information can be recorded for an individual animal, Angus BREEDPLAN is only analysing the first set of structural score information for each animal at this stage.
• While bulls are most commonly scored, structural soundness scores can be collected on both heifers and bulls. • It is important to try and score as many animals within each contemporary group as possible. Collection of structural soundness scores for only a selection of animals (e.g. only collecting scores for sale bulls rather than the entire bull drop) may result in data biases and the subsequent calculation of Structural Soundness EBVs that do not reflect the true genetic merit of animals. •
There needs to be some variation in scores for them to be used in the Angus BREEDPLAN analysis. Scoring all animals in a group with a structural soundness score of [5] does not identify any differences in structure between animals, and consequently does not provide any useful information for the calculation of Structural Soundness EBVs.
•
A management group should be recorded for any animals or group of animals that have been treated differently or exposed to significant non-genetic influences prior to measurement that may affect their structural soundness scores. For example, differences in feed, or animals being run on different types of country (i.e. soft, rocky).
• Structural soundness scores should be recorded for all
animals in a contemporary group on the same day. Angus BREEDPLAN will not directly compare scores collected on different days. Likewise, the same accredited technician should be used to score all animals in a contemporary group.
• If foot trimming is practiced, structural soundness scores should be collected prior to trimming so that differences between animals are accurately described. • If there is variation from foot to foot, the score that is collected should reflect the worst foot. •
Structural score information can also be collected for a range of other traits such as sheath and navel scores, udder evenness and attachment, teat size and shape and capacity. These scores are not currently included in the Angus BREEDPLAN analysis however they may be used to develop Structural Soundness EBVs for these traits in the future.
Submitting Structural Soundness Scores to Angus BREEDPLAN Structural soundness scores should be submitted to Angus Australia. Note: Submission of structural soundness scores is the breeder’s responsibility, not the accredited technician. Structural soundness using either:
scores
can
be
submitted
• the recording sheet completed by the accredited technician at the time of scoring, providing it is presented in an acceptable format (including correct Angus Australia ident and management group information) • a compatible herd recording computer program (eg. StockBook, HerdMASTER, Cattlelink, koolcollect) • the BREEDPLAN compatible Microsoft Excel template • a paper structural soundness score recording form
GLENISA ANGUS SELLING 50 ANGUS BULLS ON PROPERTY, GLEN APLIN QLD
FRIDAY 12TH MAY 1PM Inspections invited
glenisaangus.com.au glenisaangus@gmail.com
PAge 46
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Ced Wise 0428 718 640 Aaron Wise 0409 050 267
1
2
3
4
Open Divergent (OD)
Reference: Shape (primarily curl) and evenness of the claw set
5
6
7
8
9
Scissor Claws (SC)
Desirable
FRONT & REAR FEET ANGLE
1
2
3
4
Steep Feet Angle (SA)
5
6
7
8
9
Shallow Feet Angle (SA)
Desirable
Reference: Strength of pastern, depth of heel and length of foot
REAR LEG SIDE VIEW
1
2
3
4
Straight Rear Leg (ST)
Reference: Angle measured at the front of the hock
5
6
7
8
9
Sickle Hocked Rear Leg (SI)
Desirable
REAR LEG HIND VIEW
1
2
Bow Legged Rear Leg (BL)
3
4
Reference: Direction of the feet when viewed from the rear
5
Desirable
6
7
8
9
Cow Hocked Rear Leg (CH)
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 47
structual soundness
Beef Class Structural Assessment Scores FRONT FEET CLAW SET
How to register your calves Lee-Anne Turner, Member Services Manager
There are four ways that you can register calves with Angus Australia: 1. Paper Calf Record Forms 2. Herd Management Programs (email) 3. Microsoft Excel Calf Record forms 4. Online through the “Members Area” of the Angus Australia website
PAPER CALF RECORD FORMS Paper Calf Record Forms are sent to members that request a paper copy at their appropriate calving season.
REGISTERING CALVES ELECTRONICALLY The most popular way in which your registrations can be submitted electronically is by using Herd Management Programs which are compatible with Angus Australia’s registration system. Angus Australia has also developed an Excel Spreadsheet that members can use to submit their calf registrations.
ONLINE VIA THE MEMBERS AREA ON THE ANGUS WEBSITE
After each batch of registrations is processed, a ‘Calf Registration Report’ is emailed or posted to members and lists details of the calves that have been successfully registered. Members have the opportunity to check the details to make sure they are correct and or rectify any errors. Any calves that were unable to be registered will be flagged as ‘Pending Registrations’. An “Animal Request for Information Summary Report” will also be emailed or posted with the ‘Calf Registration Report’ if applicable asking the member to provide more information or to check what has been submitted. When details have been confirmed, or the required information has been supplied, the registration is completed and a new registration report forwarded. If members have any queries in regards to ’How to register your calves’ or the process involved, please feel free to contact the Member Services Team or find more detailed information and forms associated with registering calves at www.angusaustralia.com.au
Angus Australia offers its members the opportunity to complete registration via the members login area at www.angusaustralia.com.au
P: 02 6773 4600
Angus Australia encourages members to submit their calf registrations to Angus Australia in an electronic format, rather than the traditional paper based Calf Record Forms.
E: regos@angusaustralia.com.au
F: 02 6772 3095
The main benefits to electronic submission include improved efficiency in the processing time for registrations and fewer errors.
What happens after I submit my registrations? The information that you submit is the data that will be printed on registration certificates and included in our Angus BREEDPLAN analysis.
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PAge 48AngusAngus — autumn1 2017 VET085 AutumnBulletin Bulletin Advert_FNL.indd
13/3/17 5:40 pm
2016 in review Figures are based on 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016
The Member Services Team registered
Lee-Anne Turner, Member Services Manager
FEMALE: 38,815
75,784 animals
Sale Catalogue We produced 191 sale catalogues with a total of 11,933 lots.
MALE: 32,328 STEERS: 4,642
HBR Registrations:
APR Registrations:
ACR Registrations:
Female:
22,384
Female:
12,896
Female:
Males:
22,005
Males:
9,265
Males:
Steers:
744
Steers:
1,788
Steers:
RAR Registrations:
MBR Registrations:
Female:
52
Female:
1,676
Males:
36
Males:
1,021
Steers:
7
Steers:
269
DNA A total of
27,141 DNA requests were submitted.
transfers: We have processed a total of
1,807 1,834
18,197 transfers.
Please see below for a brief break-up
DNA Genetic testing
Total Members 2016: 3,756
AM:
1,649
Pestivirus:
917
CA:
1,909
Mannossidosis: 68
DD: 7,185 Coat: 387 NH:
1,692
Full: 1,062 | Commercial: 2,245 Junior: 424 | Life: 25
Total Members 2015: 3,630 Full: 1,042 | Commercial: 2,123 Junior: 441 | Life: 24
Genomic Test i50K:
4,958
GGPLD:
1,518
New
DNA Parentage testing SEQ & SNP:
6,315
Microsatellites: 486
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 49
A selection of the 56 PTIC Angus heifers, Treeton Lake offered at the Boyanup Landmark Specially Selected Breeders sale
WA Angus females in hot demand
Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager The results being achieved for Angus and Angus cross females in Western Australia across the first couple of months of 2017, are exceeding the wildest dreams of vendors and agents alike. At the Boyanup Landmark Specially Selected Breeders Sale on the 5th of January, Angus females smashed all expectations. A record breaking $3,650 was paid for 8 quality Angus from Mark and Peta-Jane Harris and family, Treeton Lake, Cowaramup, due to calve early March until mid May. The females were purchased by Michael and Frances Armstrong, Northcliffe. The same sale saw, Treeton Lake also sell 8 females for $3,300 and another pen for $3,100. The Muir Family of Mordallup Angus, Manjimup sold 42 PTIC heifers for an average of just over $3,000, with their top pen of 8, making $3,500. While Frank Tomasi Nominees, Karridale, sold 41 Angus heifers to a top of $3,550 and an average just short of $3,300. Landmark national livestock manager, Leon Giglia said such a result came from a combination of commitment and hard work by dedicated breeders. ‘The breeders need to be congratulated on the quality and presentation of the heifers, it was outstanding and contributed to the outstanding result,’ he said. A $3,340 top was hit at the Landmark Mt Barker Blue Ribbon Breeders sale on January 17th, for a pair of Angus cross Friesian heifers, offered by The Southden Trust. Overall 6 pens of joined Angus cross Friesian heifers averaged $3,047. Mated Angus heifers topped at $3,020 on four occasions, to average $2,730. Dundeal Holdings, Narrikup offered up 113 2 year old mated Angus females, due to calve March-May. Their highly reputable females sold to an average of $2,942,
PAge 50
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
The top priced pen of unmated heifers, Boyanup, sold by DH & FA MacLeay, Vasse
with two pens of 10 reaching the $3,020 top price, selling to LB & KR Honey and Arizona Farms. Baboo Pastoral Co, Green Range and the Gatti Bros, Redmond also received $3,020 for a pen of joined Angus females each. PTIC Angus cows were also in hot demand, with a top of $3,160 paid for 9 Dundeal Holdings second calvers rejoined to an Angus bull, when purchased by Murray River Farms. 165 joined Angus cows averaged $2,743. The Elders Boyanup Beef Female sale on January 20th, also reached dizzying heights, with a pen of mated Angus females, offered by Howard and Helen Griffiths, HW Griffiths & Co, Ferguson, made $3,350, when purchased by RH Omedei & Sons, Eastbrook. The Griffith’s offered a total of 115 Angus females in the sale, with a number of other pens making $3,100. Overall 275 mated Angus heifers averaged $2,828. $3,350 top-priced pen of mated heifers sold by the Giffths and bought by RH Omedei & Sons, Eastbrook
Unmated heifers reached a top of $1,825 for 14 Angus females, offered by DH McLeay, Blackrock Angus, Vasse.
Elders South West livestock manager, Michael Carroll said the line up of weaners in the sale was first class.
98 unmated Angus heifers averaged $1,539 overall.
‘The high quality showed with competition strong throughout the yarding especially on the Angus heifers suitable to use as future breeders,’ he said.
Young Angus heifers proved their worth at the Landmark Boyanup weaner sale, on January 18th. Southwest Pastoral Co offered 90 Angus heifers 9 to 20 months old. A pen of 12, 385kg heifers made the top price of $1,524 or 398c/kg, when they were snapped up by Norm Dennis, Marybrook.
Treeton Lake Angus beauties
The top per kilogram price of 410c/kg was also achieved by Southwest Pastoral for a pen of 15 362kg heifers, also purchased by Norm Dennis.
Treeton Lake Cowaramup, WA
The Landmark Manjimup weaner sale on January 24th was dubbed ‘Ladies Day’, as buyers flocked to purchase well-bred Angus heifer weaners.
Property: Enterprise: Treeton Lake 225 breeders
A top of $1,674 or 410c/kg was paid by Mark Harris of Treeton Lake, for 9 Angus heifers, 408kg, on account of Gandy Timbers. Landmark Manjimup representative, Brett Chatley said the offering of breeding heifers sold above expectations, with known bloodlines attracting the main support for future breeders. Mark Harris also purchased the top cents per kilogram pen, 430c/kg or $$1,642, for 8 Angus heifers, 382kg, again offered by Gandy Timbers Angus heifers at the Elders Boyanup weaner sale, January 25th proved popular with buyers looking for replacements bidding hard for the quality offering. A pen of 15 Angus heifers, 362kg, from K & AL Payne, Boyanup made the top sale price of $1,574 or 434c/kg, when purchased by Howard Griffiths. Another pen of 14 Angus heifers, 345kg, offered by MD & LJ Armstrong, Northcliffe, were also purchased by Howard Griffiths, making $1,511 or 438c/kg, a record high for cents per kilogram.
The largest vendors in the Boyanup Landmark Specially Selected Breeders sale were Cowaramup, Western Australia producers Mark and Peta-Jane Harris, Treeton Lake, with 56 quiet, feminine, rising two year old Angus heifers. The Treeton Lake herd, which currently stands at 225 breeders, was established on cows purchased from the Bickley Park dispersal sale in 2009 and heifers purchased elsewhere. The family’s aim over the years has been to breed a largeframed, roomy cow with good milk, ease of calving and good doing ability. The Angus heifers offered at the sale were joined to Angus bulls and due to calve from early March until mid May.
A line of Angus heifers from the Harris family, Treeton Lake, Cowaramup, topped the Boyanup Landmark Specially Selected Breeders Sale, when they sold for an outstanding $3,650. With the hiefers are buyers of the top priced pen Frances (left) and Michael Armstrong, Northcliffe, Landmark Boyanup agent, Chris Waddingham and vendors, Josh, Mark, Beige and Peta-Jane Harris, Treeton Lake
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 51
Coonac Angus first and second calvers with 2016 drop calves at foot on the Walker's property
Marketing opportunities aplenty for Angus By Jodie Rintoul, Farm Weekly
Wambenger Wilga WA Property: ‘Wambenger’ size: 1115 hectares
Enterprise: 400 breeders
"They are easy to sell and there is always demand for Angus calves from both local and export markets, which is a big plus."
With over 40 years of commercial Angus breeding, the Walker family run one of the leading commercial Angus herds in Western Australia. The Walker family started running Angus cattle in the early 1970s when Richard's parents Peter and Mary decided to make a move into the popular black breed to stock a new property east of Esperance to run alongside their original Wilga property. Richard said his father made the decision to stock the Esperance property with Angus cattle because in his view they were the number one breed at the time, when they were looking for foundation breeders. "Also at the time they had a good genetic base to select from which was a bonus," he said. "There were certainly no regrets of going down the Angus line." The family established their Esperance Angus herd on a line of 140 PTIC heifers from a New South Wales station and they made the trip across the Nullarbor by train from Tocumwal to Esperance in 1972. "The Angus cattle performed really well in Esperance and because of the benefits we saw in running the pure Angus breeders we also decided to make the change to Angus at Wilga," Richard said. "They are certainly good doers and put on weight easily, which was something we saw them do extremely well at Esperance."
PAge 52
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
The Walkers over the years grew their Esperance herd to 420-head and ran around 110- head at Wilga. During this time the herd was based on WA in addition to an increasing use of AI sires. A change in direction for the operation in 1998 saw the family lease out, and eventually sell their Esperance property and as a result they also sold their Angus breeders at Esperance. The majority of their Esperance herd was purchased by the Bairstow family, Arizona Farms, Lake Grace, who today run one of the biggest and well-regarded commercial Angus herds in. When the family sold their Esperance operation, Richard and Robyn purchased the Wilga herd along with a line of 68 PTIC heifers from the Esperance herd and focused on their Wilga base. This has seen the Wilga herd grow from 110 breeders in the early 2000’s to more than 400 breeders in the last couple of years. Today Richard and Robyn are running an Angus Australia registered commercial herd known as Coonac Angus, consisting of around 420 Angus breeders, including 60 heifers across 1115 hectares of owned and leased land mainly in the Wilga area. With the Angus breed now well and truly running entrenched in their blood and paddocks, the Walkers have certainly seen the breed come a long way and are full of praise for it. "I really like pretty much everything about the breed," Richard said. "Not only do they perform in the paddock in terms of calving ease and their ability to put on weight early, there are also good marketing opportunities for the progeny." "They are easy to sell and there is always demand for Angus calves from both local and export markets, which is a big plus." Mr Walker said another bonus of the breed was its temperament. "The temperament of the breed has always been very good ," Richard said.
It hasn't only been about increasing numbers for the Walkers, it has also been about taking the herd to the next level in terms of genetics and they have done this through extensive AI programs over the years. On average the Walkers artificially inseminate (AI) about 200 cows a year but they have AI'd up to 400 cows a year at their peak. When it comes to new genetics to use in the operation Richard and Robyn look far and wide for the best possible sires for both the AI and natural mating programs. When selecting sires Richard selects for moderate birth weight, early growth and moderate mature weight. To get the final nod as a sire the bull must have a good temperament. Richard views temperament as his most important selection criteria because he believes having quiet cattle is an advantage when it comes to the performance and management of the herd. In terms of the breeding program it starts in late June when the Walkers AI their heifers and the cows are then AI'd in early July. The bulls then go out with the heifers and cows straight after the AI process for about eight weeks. This mating program gives a calving period which starts at the beginning of April on the property and the Walkers have chosen this timing to better match feed supplies and reduce supplementary feeding. When it comes to pregnancy scanning the Walkers only do this in a tough season when needed. Richard said at the moment their calving percentage was sitting at about 90 per cent. When it comes to selecting replacement breeders the Walkers look for good feminine types, with a good structure, growth and temperament. On average Richard and Robyn retain 60 to 100 heifers a year depending on the season and these are picked out at weaning time.
Weaning on the property occurs in late December and early January when the calves are about seven to eight months and the Walkers' preferred choice of weaning is a paddock style to ensure there is minimal stress on the cows and calves. At weaning Richard said the calves average about 300 kilograms but this did vary a bit with the seasons. When it comes to marketing their calves the Walkers sell the majority of their steer calves and the heifers they are not retaining as replacement breeders in the Elders Boyanup Weaner sales at the end of January. Last season the Walkers sold 150 steers and 50 heifers on January 28 and its offering was one of the standout drafts in the sale. Their steers sold to a top of 356c/kg and their heifer offering made up to 350c/kg, which were the top live weight prices for steers and heifers in the sale. The Walkers' top two pens of heifers were purchased as future breeders, giving an indication of what others think of the quality of their breeding herd. At the 2017 sale, the Walkers smashed their previous records, again achieving the top price per kilogram for steers and heifers. The top price per kilogram of 410c/kg or $1,057 was paid for a pen of 9 steers weighing 410c/kg. While their heifer offering hit a high of 438c/kg or $1,052 for their 294kg calves.
In 2017 the Walkers offered 10 outstanding, purebred, 2016-drop, unmated Angus heifers, or ‘Wilga Wonders' as they are known, for the Farm Weekly and WA State Committee’s annual giveaway. The lucky winner of the Angus heifers, Beermullah producer Stephen Beckwith, gets to tap into more than 40 years of leading commercial Angus breeding taking home some of the Walker's next generation Angus breeders. Wilga producers Richard and Robyn Walker
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 53
sire benchmarking
Angus Sire Benchmarking Program Providing Lessons About the Value of Angus BREEDPLAN EBVs Ashleigh Horne, Project Officer, Angus BREEDPLAN
Angus Australia is dedicated to providing selection tools that enable breeders of Angus cattle to make the most informed decisions, when selecting animals for use within their breeding program. These tools centre around the Angus BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation, a joint initiative between Angus Australia and the New Zealand Angus Association, that produces estimated breeding values, or EBVs, for Angus, and Angus influenced cattle. Angus Australia, with funding assistance from the MLA Donor Company (MDC) has been conducting a project to evaluate what lessons can be learnt from the Angus
NDE
Sire Benchmarking Program with regards to the value of genetics, and the reliability of the selection tools provided by Angus Australia. Over the next few months, outcomes from this project will be disseminated to Angus Australia members and the wider beef community. For all the latest information from the project, please see the Angus Sire Benchmarking section of the Angus Australia website, or contact Ashleigh Horne on (02) 6773 4603 or ash@angusaustralia.com.au. All the latest information from the project are available from the Angus Sire Benchmarking section of the Angus Australia website
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PAge 54
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
Nominations are OPEN for the next joining round of the Angus Sire Benchmarking program (ASBP) to produce the Cohort 8 progeny. This joining program will commence in mid-September to November of 2017, and is expected to involve approximately 2,500 cows across several cooperator herds.
Approximately 40 bulls will be selected for the 2017 joining program with the aim to join each bull to at least 50 cows by fixed time AI. The bull selection criteria will be based on genetic diversity, breeding values, selection indexes and their relationship to sires already used in the ASBP. Preference will also be given to early nominations.
The benefits of bulls entering the ASBP include:
For further details on the ASBP and sire nominations for Cohort 8 visit the Angus Australia website www. angusaustralia.com.au
• Involvement in Australia’s largest beef cattle progeny test program including large contemporary groups. • Receive high accuracy EBVs, particularly for hard to measure traits such as net feed intake, abattoir carcase data and female reproduction. • Receive progeny average values and sire ranking from within the ASBP, including traits such as MSA Index and MSA Marble Score.
For all questions in relation to the nomination process or the ASBP in general please contact Christian Duff, Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager M: 0457 457 141 or email: christian@angusaustralia.com.au
No
• Closer genetic linkage to the ASBP ensures research outcomes, particularly in the genomics area, will have more relevance to your herd.
your b e t a u min
lls
• High density DNA profiles will be stored for current use (e.g. sire verifications, genomic predictions) and future research.
• Be involved in cutting edge research in areas such as genomics, retail beef yield, immune competence and grazing efficiency on pasture.
now!
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 55
sire benchmarking
Sire Nominations Open for ASBP Cohort 8
sire benchmarking
ASBP Cohort 4 Analysis Completed Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
The collection and analysis of the full suite of performance data for Cohort 4 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP) has been completed. This most recently included abattoir carcase grading outcomes for the Cohort 4 steers, and fertility information for the Cohort 4 heifers.
Summary of data Trait
#
Comment
Genotypes – Sire
21
Average 49,880 SNPs
Genotypes - Progeny
554
Average 25,517 SNPs
A summary of the phenotypes and genotypes (i.e. genomic profiles) collected in Cohort 4 and analysed in Angus BREEDPLAN and/or ASBP progeny performance reports is reported in table 1.
Calving Difficulty Score
554
Birth Weight
554
Gestation Length
531
The analysis results are available from the ASBP section on the Angus Australia website by way of updated Progeny Performance reports (figure 1). This report, available for each ASBP Cohort, includes BREEDPLAN EBVs, progeny averages and sire rankings. The latest BREEDPLAN EBVs and Indexes for the Cohort 4 sires are also available from the Angus Australia website through the interactive online Sire Benchmarking listing under the Catalogues menu.
200 Day Weight
534
400 Day Weight
368
600 Day Weight
485
Days to Calving
195
Docility Score
534
Scan EMA
466
A summary of the top performing sires from Cohort 4 is tabled on the following page. This table lists the top 10 Cohort 4 sires for the Angus Breeding Index (ABI) and a range of Progeny Average values from birth to slaughter based on their progeny within the ASBP. For further information on interpreting the values in the table refer to the introductory notes in the ASBP Progeny Performance reports available from the Sire Benchmarking section of Angus Australia website (www.angusaustralia.com.au).
Scan IMF
466
Scan Rib Fat
466
Scan Rump Fat
464
Foot Angle - Front
460
Claw Set - Front
460
Foot Angle - Rear
460
Rear Legs - Hind
460
Rear Legs - Side
460
Net Feed Intake
265
Steers Only
Carcase Weight
265
Steers Only
Carcase EMA
264
Steers Only
Carcase IMF
265
Steers Only
Carcase Rib Fat
262
Steers Only
Carcase Rump Fat
264
Steers Only
MSA Ossification
264
Steers Only
MSA Marbling Score
265
Steers Only
MSA Index
264
Steers Only
For all ASBP related questions contact Christian Duff, Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager M: 0457 457 141 or email: christian@angusaustralia.com.au
Heifers Only
Table 1 – Summary of data (phenotypes and genotypes) collected and analysed in ASBP Cohort 4
To assist in interpreting the values in the table on the following page, refer to the introductory notes in the ASBP Progeny Performance reports available from the Sire Benchmarking section of Angus Australia website (www.angusaustralia.com.au)
CHRISTIAN DUFF Figure 1 – The Results for ASBP Cohort 4 are Available in Progeny Performance Reports
PAge 56
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager christian@angusaustralia.com.au | 02 6773 4620
PAge 57
NORG255
QBUG49
HCAG013
NWPG188
VSNH40
NGMG501
5
6
7
8
9
10
+134
+134
+135
+136
+137
+137
+140
NORG255
NWPG188
DPCG4
NPGG121
NZE13615011491
6
7
8
9
10
32.3
32.2
32.2
32.1
32.1
31.9
31.6
31.2
31
29.5
Av. (21 Cohort 4 Sires) 32.5
QBUG49
5
DGJG10
3
HCAG013
NGMG501
2
4
VSNH40
Sire
1
Rank
NURG20
TFAF3
BCHE11
SJKF148
NZCF80
EUDF0066
CGKE9
WMYF3
USA16396573
QPDF24
Sire
NURH32
ASRG13
VICG25
NZE10752011M14
NXTF53
NWPG188
NGMG501
NORG255
409.8
410.3
415.5
415.6
418.3
419.9
422.6
423.4
429.3
282.6
280.9
280.6
280.6
280.5
280.4
280.1
279.1
279.0
278.9
278.4
GL (days)
NURH32
4
+145
NMMH105
432.9
Carcase wt (kg)
Birth Wt (kg)
ASRG13
3
+153
SMPG357
Sire
406.6
DGJG10
2
+163
ABI ($)
Av. (21 Cohort 4 Sires) +120
SMPG357
Sire
1
Rank
NXTF53
VONG272
ASRG13
VICG25
NZE10752011M14
HCAG013
SMPG357
NWPG188
NIWH16
NMMH105
Sire
VSNH40
NORG255
ASRG13
NBBG105
NZE13615011491
HCAG013
DGJG10
SMPG357
NXTF53
NMMH105
Sire
205.7
207.4
207.6
207.7
207.9
208.7
209.6
211.6
213.2
214.3
215
200 day Wt (kg)
83.0
83.8
83.9
83.9
85
85.3
85.4
85.8
86.9
87.2
87.8
Carcase EMA (cm2)
Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP) - Cohort 4 Top 10 Performing Sires
ASRG13
NIWH16
NORG255
NGMG501
HCAG013
NMMH105
SMPG357
VONG272
VICG25
NWPG188
Sire
NXTF53
HCAG013
DPCG4
NWPG188
QBUG49
ASRG13
NBBG105
VONG272
DGJG10
NORG255
Sire
536.4
515.8
516.9
519.4
521.7
522
529.2
530.3
532.8
532.8
538.8
600 day Wt (kg)
15.2
15.7
15.8
15.9
16.4
16.5
16.7
16.9
17.0
17.9
18.1
Carcase IMF (%)
Sire
NXTF53
DPCG4
QBUG49
NPGG121
VSNH40
HCAG013
NGMG501
ASRG13
NZE10752011M14
DGJG10
DPCG4
NXTF53
HCAG013
QBUG49
NBBG105
VONG272
NWPG188
ASRG13
DGJG10
NORG255
Sire
300.5
304.1
304
302.8
301.9
301.3
300
298.5
298.3
297.7
296.2
DTC (days)
502.3
518.0
520.4
525.1
537.4
539.9
542.3
542.8
546.6
570.9
581.1
MSA Marbling Score
-3.3
-3.3
-3.4
-3.4
-3.5
-3.6
-3.7
-3.9
-4.1
NFI-f (kg/ day)
65.0
65.0
65.0
65.1
65.1
65.2
65.4
65.5
65.5
65.6
65.7
MSA Index
QBUG49
-3.1
-3.2
NZE13615011491 -3.2
NIWH16
HCAG013
NORG255
NBBG105
DPCG4
NGMG501
NWPG188
NUIF32
VONG272
Sire
SMPG357
HCAG013
NXTF53
NPGG121
ASRG13
NWPG188
QBUG49
DPCG4
DGJG10
NORG255
Sire
sire benchmarking
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 58
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
As a member based organisation, Angus Australia is continually looking at opportunities to add value to the businesses of its members, and to enhance and promote the value of Angus genetics within the Australian beef industry. Consistent with this approach, Angus Australia has greatly increased its involvement in recent years in research and development (R&D) activities. The increased involvement in R&D represents a large transition from traditional breed society activities, and is consistent with Angus Australia’s vision of being a member-based, not-for-profit, innovation company servicing seedstock and commercial producers of Angus and Angus-influenced cattle. “Angus Australia is now extremely pro-active in seeking R&D opportunities that will be to the benefit of members” Angus Australia’s Strategic Projects Manager, Mr Christian Duff, said “With the end of the Beef Cooperative Research Centre (Beef CRC) in 2012, there have been some large changes to R&D investment in beef technologies”. “Angus Australia has identified a need for increased R&D investment to ensure members remain at the forefront of the latest genetic and breeding technologies”, he said Angus Australia’s most significant investment in R&D is the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP). With planning now underway for the eighth cohort, the ASBP is a young sire program that involves joining approximately 40 sires a year to 2000 Angus females to produce 25 progeny per sire using fixed time artificial insemination.
The ASBP aims to a) generate progeny test data on modern Angus bulls, particularly for hard to measure traits such as feed efficiency, abattoir carcase measurements, meat quality attributes and female reproduction; b) generate data for the validation and refinement of Angus BREEDPLAN; and c) build a comprehensive phenotype and genotype database on Australian Angus animals for genomic technology validation, research and development. “While the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program was the most visible of Angus Australia’s R&D activities, Angus Australia also had increasing involvement in a myriad of other applied and strategic R&D initiatives relating the breeding and genetic technologies", Mr Duff explained. “A key component of Angus Australia’s investment in R&D is forming collaborative partnerships with private and government organisations, both within Australia and internationally”. “Over recent years, Angus Australia has established valued partnerships with organisations such as Meat & Livestock Australia, the University of New England, the University of Illinois, the University of Missouri, CSIRO, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Zoetis Animal Genetics, Rangers Valley Feedlot and Vetoquinol”. “This is additional to Angus Australia’s ongoing collaboration with the Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit (AGBU) and the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) with regards to the development and delivery of the Angus BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation”. Further details regarding some of the R&D activities that Angus Australia are currently involved in are outlined in the following pages.
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 59
Research and development
Angus Australia Focused on Research and Development
Research and development
Retail Beef Yield Data Set for Collection on ASBP Steers Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
Angus Australia, in collaboration with NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), have been successful in attracting Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) funding assistance to collect bone-out retail beef yield data on a group of 155 steers from Cohort 5 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP). The collection of retail beef yield data involves the full bone-out of one side of each steer carcase in a standardised way (i.e AUS-MEAT standards and company specifications) in a controlled environment within the abattoir. For each side, all components (fat, bone, primal cuts and trim) are identified and weighed. To calculate retail beef yield percentage the combined weight of the primal cuts and trim are compared to the overall carcase weight. The steers, which were bred through the ASBP on NSW DPI research stations (Glen Innes and Trangie) will be fed for 150 days at the University of New England’s Tullimba research feedlot located near Armidale. Following feeding they will be processed and graded at John Dee abattoir Warwick in groups of 50-60 steers across three days. This will occur in early April 2017. The collection of the bone-out retail beef yield data will be complementary to other traits being recorded such as feed intake, carcase scanning and MSA grading. The steers and some carcases will also be imaged using innovative camera technology developed by NSW DPI
PAge 60 retail Angus Bulletin —be autumn 2017on 155 ASBP Cohort 5 Steers Bone-out beef yield will collected
and the University of Technology Sydney for research into the estimation of retail beef yield. As background, dressing percentage and saleable meat yield are key economic drivers for the Australian beef supply chain. Consequently, these traits form an integral part of the selection indexes that are calculated on Angus animals within the Angus BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation. For example, the current Angus Breeding Index places 22% emphasis on these two traits combined. The Estimated Breeding Value (EBV) for retail beef yield (RBY) is the EBV that underpins these profit drivers on a genetic selection basis. Due to the limited number of bone-out retail beef yield records, particularly on modern Angus cattle, the RBY EBV is calculated almost exclusively from correlations with live weight and live animal scanned eye muscle area and fat depths. Direct bone-out retail beef yield data from this project will be invaluable for providing higher accuracy RBY EBVs through the use of the direct phenotypes and genomic associations in Angus BREEDPLAN. In a follow-on to the initial Angus Australia-NSW DPI project, NSW DPI has recently been successful in obtaining co-funding through the MLA Donor Company (MDC) to collect direct bone-out retail beef yield and camera imaging data on an additional 1000 Angus steers, including ASBP sired steers from Cohorts 6, 7 and 8. For further information, visit www.angusaustralia.com.au.
Trans-Tasman Project to Improve Beef Cow Productivity Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
With fertility being a major driver of beef herd profitability, a project known as The Trans-Tasman Beef Cow Productivity Project has recently commenced. The project is being led by Beef and Lamb New Zealand Genetics, with the assistance of co-funding from the MLA Donor Company, and involves several research organisations including the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), the University of Adelaide, Massey University and AbacusBio Limited. Several members of Angus Australia and the New Zealand Angus Association will also be involved in this project, primarily through access to cow herds for the collection of phenotypic and genotype information. The objectives of the project, which are related to improving overall cow fertility and productivity, are:
• To investigate the variation in age at puberty and lactation anoestrous in temperate beef females, including Angus, and to determine the degree to which this variation is under genetic influence. • To establish the genetic relationships between age at puberty and lactation anoestrous with other, economically important traits. • To record cow condition, in the females evaluated for ovarian function and their more mature female relatives, to describe any genetic relationship between these traits. The project will aim to collect the fertility related data on 3,000 to 5,000 females over a two year period starting in 2017.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 61
Angus Genetics for North Australian Production Systems Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
There is growing interest in increasing Angus content of calves in Northern Australian beef herds in an effort to improve overall beef quality and to maximise the profitability of beef operations. This is most likely to occur through the use of Angus or Angus derived bulls (in natural mating or AI programs) over Bos indicus cows to produce crossbred progeny.
It is envisaged that information generated from this project will inform commercial producers when making important Angus bull selection decisions for Northern Australia. It will also provide valuable feedback to Angus seedstock producers on the performance of their sires and genetics in the commercial settings of Northern Australia.
For successful long-term infusion of Angus genetics, breeding strategies aimed at identifying and enhancing the adaptability of Angus genetics for Northern Australian production systems is vital. In a collaborative project, CSIRO and Angus Australia are exploring funding opportunities to undertake a collaborative project aimed at investigating the potential for DNA pooling, a cost-effective methodology applicable for use in large scale commercial herds, to identify Angus genetics suited to the production environment in Northern Australia by estimating the contribution of individual sires to traits of interest (e.g. coat type, heat tolerance). The project would involve collecting phenotypes for traits related to adaptation and genomic profiles on 1,000 Angus cross progeny bred in Northern Australia sired by registered Angus bulls.
PAge 62
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
Y E A R L I NG B U L L S A L E 2 017
WEDNESDAY 12 APRIL, ‘NILLAHCOOTIE PARK’ MANSFIELD VICTORIA w w w.rigaangus.com.au
RA17_AABcard_96x65_wƒ.indd 1
6/3/17 12:07 pm
Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
A capacity to cope with environmental challenges, especially those leading to disease, is described as animal resilience. A recently completed project led by CSIRO, with assistance from Angus Australia, and utilising MLA cofunding, explored associations between animal resilience traits of immune competence, stress-responsiveness and temperament in 1,149 performance recorded Angus calves measured during yard weaning, and production and disease traits during feedlot finishing. This included 978 steer progeny from cohorts 2 and 3 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP).
While the results from this research are very promising, additional records are required to further validate the research results, particularly to improve genetic parameter estimation and genomic predictions. For this reason, Angus Australia in collaboration with CSIRO, are currently collecting further immune competence data on weaners in cohort 6 of the ASBP. This research will result in the collection of immune competence data on a further 1,250 Angus progeny and is scheduled to be completed in late-April 2017.
General immune competence was assessed by combining measures of antibody-mediated immune responses (AMIR), through a blood test, and cell-mediated immune responses (CMIR), through a skin reaction test (figure 1). Pathogens, like the bacteria and viruses associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), differ in the way they infect the host animal. For instance, many bacteria live outside host cells while viruses replicate within host cells. Extra-cellular pathogens are most effectively controlled by AMIR whereas intracellular pathogens are most effectively controlled by CMIR. Therefore individuals identified as having a balanced ability to mount both types of responses are expected to exhibit broad-based disease resistance against a wide range of pathogens. Immune competence was found to be moderately heritable and favourably correlated with stressresponsiveness and temperament. Prior vaccination and minimal mixing with unfamiliar animals at feedlot entry provided a low disease risk environment in the study. Nonetheless, animals with superior immune competence had significantly reduced health-associated diseases, significantly fewer mortalities, and incurred substantially lower health related costs during feedlot finishing.
Figure 1. Immune competence traits being measured on the ASBP Cohort 6 weaners
To hear more about this exciting research Dr Brad Hine will be presenting on this topic at the #GrowAngus National Conference in May 2017. See page 8 for more information on the Conference.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
PAge 63
Research and development
Breeding Resilient Angus Cattle
Breeding Angus Cattle with Superior Feed Efficiency on Pasture Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager
Angus Steer with a device for capturing feed intake on pasture
Beef cattle occupy a unique position in the food production system due to their ability to turn grass into high quality protein from a range of environments including marginal lands. It is also widely acknowledged that pasture intake determines up to 60% of the total cost of production in beef cattle operations. Improving the efficiency of beef cattle on pasture, through genetic selection therefore has great potential to increase on-farm profits and reduce environmental impact. However no reliable method currently exists to measure feed intake in pasture grazing cattle. To solve this problem, Angus Australia, in collaboration with CSIRO, NSW Department of Primary Industries, the Agricultural Business Research Institute, Rennylea Angus and Bald Blair Angus and Zoetis have recently submitted
a funding proposal through the CRCp pathway to test and use innovative technology that predicts feed intake on pasture based on animal behaviour for individual Angus animals on pasture. The collection of pasture feed intake data will be inclusive of both steer and heifer progeny in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program. In combination with feed intake data from Tullimba Research Feedlot, the project also aims to understand the relationship between feed efficiency on pasture and in the feedlot environment. It is envisaged that the data collected in this project will be used to generate genetic parameters, estimated breeding values and genomic predictions that enable selection of Angus animals for improved feed efficiency on pasture.
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Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
youth
Trans Tasman exchange to expand horizons Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager
For twenty six year old Kate Schoen, travelling to New Zealand on the Angus Australia Foundation Trans-Tasman Exchange Scholarship, will give her the chance to further develop her skills and knowledge in the beef industry. Kate grew up on her parents angus stud, Orlanga Angus where she developed her love for stud angus cattle and the cattle sector. Growing up on the family farm instilled her interest in agriculture from a young age. ‘I have always wanted to have a career in the agriculture, and since school have aimed to get as much experience as possible to set me up for a long future in the industry,’ said Kate. During this time, Kate also spent time at many major studs preparing animals for sale, exhibition and doing general farming duties. ‘This has been not only a great way to learn a great deal but more so a fantastic networking tool that has on countless times helped me in my future,’ she said. Since high school, Kate worked as a registrar with Angus Australia for three years, Rivalea Australia, a large intensive pig farm, as a technical research person and later as an overseer of the genetic program for three years. Currently Kate and her husband, Murk manage a family farm which is a mixed farming operation including, cattle; feedlot, contract embryo rearing, and a cow calf operation, sheep, summer and winter cropping and hay. Looking towards the future, Kate would like to continue farming where she is today with an emphasis on continuing to improve the financial and environmental sustainability of the business. One of Kate’s biggest goals is to grow the family’s Angus stud to a size capable of hosting an on-property bull sale.
‘We have currently just bought a larger property in a new area and have started to increase herd numbers using embryo transfer to help speed up the process,’ said Kate. ‘Breeding Angus cattle is my true passion and the possibility of this in the future excites me and gives me something to work towards,’ she said. Kate also aspires to be a leader to young people and hopes to encourage others that no matter what their background or education, there are pathways through the agricultural industry to secure a place and make a future career. When asked about her motivation for applying for the Trans-Tasman Exchange Kate cites the enjoyment she has had from looking at other cow herds. ‘I have spent many holidays visiting studs and sales that we admire throughout Australia. I really enjoy talking to and learning from other producers on what works for them and what they are aiming for in the future in their program,’ said Kate. ‘I was lucky enough to be chosen to represent Australia at the World Angus Forum in New Zealand in 2013, which was a fantastic opportunity to see a snapshot of New Zealand Angus,’ she said. Following the World Angus Forum, Kate spent a couple of days seeing as many cattle as possible, but is looking forward to a more extended trip that will also incorporate the South Island. ‘I would like to see as many stud angus and commercial farming business in New Zealand to gain a better understanding of the differences and similarities of their farming practises and breeding programs and goals,’ said Kate.
Angus Australia CEO, Dr Peter Parnell, presents Kate Schoen with the Angus Australia Foundation Trans-Tasman Exchange Scholarship at the 2017 Teys Australia Angus Youth National Roundup in Mt Gambier SA
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Mt Gambier roundup wrap up Haylee Herriot, Youth Development & Education Officer The 2017 Teys Australia Angus Youth National Roundup took place in Mt Gambier SA on the 12 – 15 January 2017.
Angus Youth National Roundup Results
Held over 4 days, the Roundup attracted 122 participants from ages 8 to 25 with all levels of cattle experience, and provided both a learning and fun experience for all.
Kate Schoen
The educational sessions were delivered by experts in the industry & included topics such as halter making, livestock nutrition, animal selection as well as creating a business.
Georgia Laurie
The competitions at the event included the Paraders classes, Junior Judging & Herdsperson competition.
OUTWEST ANGUS NATIONAL ALL BREEDS HEIFER SHOW AWARD
The Special Dinner Dance was held on the Saturday night with 270 people in attendance. Thank-you to Laryn Gogel from SAL for leading the auction which raised money for Angus Youth. Featured lots in the auction included a headbail, several elite embryo and semen packages, artwork, as well as a large amount of items featured in the silent auction. The Roundup is supported by Teys Australia, Angus Youth and Angus Australia, however, the event is coordinated by a young and enthusiastic committee who volunteer their time to ensure the success of this annual event. This year’s committee went above and beyond the usual call of duty to ensure that the 2017 Roundup was a success.
TRANS-TASMAN EXCHANGE BULLIAC STUDMASTER AWARD
Georgia Laurie
LANARK ANGUS SA JUNIOR HEIFER EXPO AWARD
Sophie Halliday
MERRIDALE ANGUS ASPIRING BREEDER AWARD
Marshall Arnold
MATTHEW GEORGE CITIZENSHIP AWARD
Angus McGregor
EJ ANGUS ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
Stephanie Hennings
CHAMPION TEAM
City of Mt Gambier
BEST PRESENTED ANIMAL
Lochie McLauchlan
BEST MAINTAINED STALL
Harry Turnham Grand Champion Parader Tiffany McLauchlan, Glenormiston North VIC
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BEST MAINTAINED GROUP
Bulliac
Competitors at the Teys Australia 2017 Angus Youth National Roundup
Angus Youth National Roundup Results Herdsman
PeeWee
Junior
Sub-Inter
Intermediate
Senior
Champion
Emma Parker
Emily Pendlebury
Phoebe Christie
Georgia Laurie
Marshall Arnold
Reserve Champion
Tayla Hobbs
Lachie McLauchlan
Angus Llewellyn
Tiffany Mclauchlan
Angus McGregor
3rd
Nellie Jansen
Eliza Llewellyn
Sophie Halliday
Harley Cobb
Nat Grylls
4th
Grace Jacob
Oscar Johnson
Caitlin Martin
Lucas Kallady
Mason Galpin
5th
Johnny Fish
Adam Wilke
Ella Christie
Lilli Stewart
Kate Schoen
Kayden Grist
Mackenzie Semmens
Michael Wilke
Cassidy Plier
Jack Laurie
Mia Gartner
Riley Semmens
Georgia Reuter
Robert Neil
Sean Mcintosh
Encouragement
Taylor Iwasiuk Parader
Junior Judging
Champion
Taylah Hobbs
Casey Halliday
Phoebe Christie
Tiffany McLauchlan
Sam Bird
Reserve Champion
Emily Bond
Jessica Parker
Thomas Fogden
Harley Cobb
Marshall Arnold
Champion
Emma Parker
Oscar Johnson
Angus Llewellyn
Georgia Laurie
Jack Laurie
Reserve Champion
Nellie Jansen
Olivia Toranto
Abby Male
Lucas Kallady
Katie McGregor
3rd
Taylah Hobbs
Lochie McLauchlan
Will Kosch
Stephanie Henning
Christopher Muller
4th
Oliver Crotty
Emily Pendlebury
Phoebe Christie
Lilli Stewart
Mason Galpin
5th
Grace Jacob
Jessica Parker
Brittany Abbott
Ella Kain
Angus McGregor
Encouragement
Tomas Bond
Eliza Llewellyn
Sophie Halliday
Jack Jansen
Megan Bergsueinson
GRAND CHAMPION HERDSMAN
Marshall Arnold
GRAND CHAMPION PARADER
Tiffany McLauchlan
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Fulfilling dreams at Kansas State Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager
Recently Mardi has attended the Kansas Livestock Association meeting in Topeka. The presentation covered current Kansas state laws relative to the livestock industry and the changes that were being made. Mardi was also fortunate to receive an invite to the Stockman's dinner in Manhattan, Kansas where they were honouring Richard (Dick) Janssen as the 2017 Stockman Of The Year. Mardi hanging out with the K State rodeo roping team during a team training exercise
Mardi O’Brien’s boots hit USA soil on the 3rd of January and have barely stood still since her arrival. The beginning of her adventure started with family in Colorado where Mardi was busy helping out around their feed yard and ranching operation. The freezing cold temperatures presented Mardi with a whole new set of challenges to livestock producers that people in most regions of Australia would not even imagine. ‘An excellent example of this, was the mornings I found myself out on the ranch cracking thick ice on water troughs so that the cattle could have a drink that day. There is something I’ve never had to do in Kyancutta!’ said Mardi. From Colorado, Mardi headed over to Kansas State University (K-State) where she moved into Clovia House and met with Dr David Nicholls to organise her classes. ‘So far I am having an absolute ball! I now have a very full schedule and am auditing many brilliant classes all run by incredibly inspiring people,’ said Mardi. ‘I am learning so much in general about cattle production, meat science and the US livestock production industry. I am eager to get more involved and am doing my absolute best to get as much of this invaluable information sunk in as possible’, she said. Some of the highlights for Mardi so far have included a trip down to Nashville, Tennessee with the Kansas State Collegiate Cattleman's and Cattlewomen's Clubs for the National Cattleman's Beef Association's conference and trade show.
‘I was very appreciative for that experience. I did not know him going into this event but I felt extremely grateful and humbled to have the chance to attend and hear about his life. He was a very accomplished silent achiever, as it seemed and I made sure to stay behind a while and introduce myself to him. He and his wife were very kind people and have extended an invite to me if I would ever get the chance, to come visit their ranch (Green Garden Angus),’ said Mardi. While attending the Stockman’s dinner, Mardi also met the president of the Certified Angus Beef (CAB), John Sticka who has invited Mardi to visit the office for a tour and Dr Dan Moser from Angus Genetics Inc. who has asked Mardi to catch up with him during her trip. Following this, Mardi made a trip down to Schlessiger Farms, Ellinwood Kansas, who run a very large multi enterprise business. ‘Between their cropping, hay production and their Angus herd they are kept very busy’, said Mardi. ‘They have a set up for cow calf and a grower operation and a very good relationship with the ILS feedlot, which I was able to visit there also while I was down there,’ she said. ‘They are a very kind and welcoming family. I really enjoyed my time down there’. During the US summer, Mardi will be doing some work experience with Bruce Young, from Cargill Animal Nutrition. To read more about Mardi’s K-State adventures visit www. angusaustralia.com.au/angusyouth
‘It was a great chance for me to get to know some very intelligent industry people and learn more about cattle production and the US beef industry as a whole’, said Mardi. Mardi was able to attend the Cattleman’s college presentations for two days where she heard about America's global trade and the future of US cattle feeding, selecting cattle with correct genetics to improve structure and reduce lameness in feeder cattle, and meat science regarding aspects that affect the beef taste experience.
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Mardi visiting Schlessiger Farms, Ellinwood KS
World Angus Forum – Angus Youth Team Haylee Herriot, Angus Youth Development & Education Officer
The Angus Youth team has been selected to represent Angus Australia at the World Angus Forum in Edinburgh, Scotland in June. The Angus Australia Foundation has provided four Angus Youth members, who are passionate about and willing to represent the Australian Beef industry, the opportunity to attend this highly coveted event. Applicants are required to have a broad skillset and will participate in events such as cattle judging, agriskills events and general beef industry knowledge activities. Introducing our Team Members:
Kait McGregor
Chloe Gould
Kait is a 3rd year nursing student at UNE, Armidale. She is from Bell in Queensland where she and her family own and run a small Angus stud and a commercial herd of 60 Breeders. Kate has been a participant in many Angus Youth activities throughout her life, participating in the Angus Youth National Roundup five times and representing Angus Youth as an ambassador in 2015-16. Kait has always been heavily involved in the preparation and successful showing of her family’s cattle at local and national shows. Kait has always taken a handson approach to working on her family’s property, capably assisting with general farm maintenance and cattle husbandry.
Chloe is currently employed as a graduate of the Teys Australia Program. She has prepared and successfully shown cattle both locally and nationally. Originally from a property in Queensland, Chloe has hands on farm maintenance and animal husbandry experience and has had the opportunity to compete in numerous young farmer challenges at local and state level. Recently graduating from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science and subsequently becoming part of the Teys Australia graduate program has given Chloe a solid knowledge base of the Australian Beef Industry and the challenges and opportunities it faces.
Angus McGregor
Jasmine Ramage
Angus is a Fitter and Turner in Bell, Queensland. He is actively involved in his family’s Angus Stud and commercial herd. Showing cattle since 2007 has given Angus considerable experience clipping, breaking and judging Angus cattle. His involvement in Angus Youth has seen him competing in 5 Angus Australia National Roundup’s and representing Angus Australia as an ambassador in 2014-15. Angus has purchased a property adjoining his family’s on which he and other family members have fenced, watered and developed, giving him significant experience operating machinery, welding and other farm maintenance tasks.
Jasmine is a vet nurse from Guyra, NSW. She has been involved with Angus Youth since 2010, competing in several Angus Youth National Roundups whilst also showing her own cattle and competing at judging events at local and state competitions. Having the ability to assist on both her families’ property and friends’ properties has given Jasmine a solid skill set when it comes to general farm maintenance, cattle and sheep husbandry and machine operation and maintenance. As a previous Angus Youth Ambassador, Jasmine brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for the Australian Beef Cattle Industry.
Names; Left to Right
Kait Mc Gregor Angus McGregor Chloe Gould Jasmine Ramage
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2017 Angus Australia Foundation Study Scholarship winners Haylee Herriot, Angus Youth Development & Education Officer
Each year, the Angus Australia Foundation offers five scholarships to Angus Australia members to support them in completing their tertiary studies in courses that will benefit the Australian Beef Industry. Members studying an agricultural based degree, diploma or certificate at a registered institution who have a commitment to the Australian Beef Industry and the Angus Breed were encouraged to apply. In 2017 Angus Australia has the pleasure of awarding the five scholarships to Hannah Bird, Emily Sinderberry, Daniel Kirk, Naomi Leahy and Aimee Bolton.
Aimee Bolton
Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga Aimee grew up surrounded by cattle which sparked her interest in a career in agriculture. Aimee is currently studying a Bachelor or Agricultural Business Management at CSU in Wagga, and although her passion is in the beef industry, she would like to expand her knowledge throughout the diverse areas of agriculture. Once Aimee graduates she hopes to gain a career in the Meat Science industry within Australia as well as globally. She currently runs about 40 Red Angus cattle, and is very excited to be expanding into black Angus in 2017. Aimee believes that the beef industry has had a big influence on the person she is today, from the lifelong friendships and contacts she has made, through to the travel opportunities it provides through Junior Shows, such as the Angus Youth National Round Up. Aimee is excited about her future in the Agricultural and Beef industry and is keen to inspire other young people to get involved.
Daniel Kirk
Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience, The University of Sydney Daniel is currently in his third year of a Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience at the University of Sydney. Daniel has always had an interest in Agriculture, having chosen to major in Animal Production Systems to further develop his knowledge of the Industry. Although born and raised in Sydney’s inner west, through the University Professional Development program, Daniel has been fortunate enough to have been given the autonomy to choose & experience various agricultural operations which interest him, both in Australia and overseas. Daniel has spent time at Meat and Livestock Australia as an intern working across multiple business units; Research Development and Adoption, Community Programs and Market Information. During his time spent at MLA Daniel focussed heavily on cattle, researching technologies to improve reproductive performance, collating saleyard statistics and developing welfare content. Daniel has also spent time in Animal health with Virbac Australia, acting as a Marketing Assistant to the manager of the
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Livestock Nutrition division. His research experience has encompassed work at the NSW Department of Primary Industries and a field school in Lao PDR whereby he and 14 other New Colombo Plan students investigated the impact of biosecurity on food security & rural livelihoods. In January this year, Daniel founded a research news service called informedagriculture.org with two mates from university. This website keeps readers up-to-date with research occurring in the beef, sheep, poultry and dairy industries. Daniel believes it is important to connect stakeholders to the results produced in the research studies relevant to their industry. He realises the immense opportunities Australian Agriculture provides, and is beginning to cement his future in this vital industry
Emily Sinderberry
Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management, Charles Stuart University Growing up in Condobolin central west NSW as a part of her families’ Angus seedstock business - Moogenilla Angus, sparked a passion and keen interest for Emily into beef production, cropping and agribusiness. Emily attended boarding school at All Saints’ College in Bathurst from year 6 and studied agriculture with great enthusiasm throughout her high school years. After completing her HSC in 2015, she took a ‘gap year’ to work in her family business as well as in the local Honda motorcycle dealership managing accounts and sales. She also enjoyed breaking in and showing Moogenilla Angus cattle at local shows and increasing her involvement in preparing bulls for their families’ annual auction. From her experiences of high school agriculture and involvement in every-day activities on the property, Emily pursued her passion and began studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management through CSU in 2016. Emily hopes to contribute to the Australian beef industry on completion of her agribusiness degree.
Naomi Leahy Honours in Animal Science, Murdoch University In 2017 Naomi will be undertaking her honours in Animal Science following on from an undergraduate degree of
Naomi is looking forward to exploring the eastern beef operations in Australia and comparing them to those found in the south west of WA. She hopes to use the knowledge she gains this year to help guide her toward employment at the end of 2017. Naomi is hoping for a job which will allow her to use research information to guide the expansion of WA beef production. In the future, Naomi would also like to complete her PhD in beef production and increase her knowledge of the live export industry in Australia.
Hannah Bird
immensely from these competitions, allowing her to gain further knowledge about cattle and make lifelong friends and contacts. After her degree, Hannah wishes to further her career in beef cattle production. She is interested in animal genetics, nutrition and marketing, and is looking forward to seeing what the future holds and where the beef industry takes her.
Aimee Bolton
Daniel Kirk
Emily Sinderberry
Naomi Leahy
Associate Degree in Agricultural Business, Marcus Oldham College In 2016 Hannah completed her Diploma in Agribusiness and is currently undertaking the Associate Degree, after which she will then go on to study a Bachelor degree in 2018 next year. Hannah has been involved in agriculture and the beef industry her entire life, growing up on her family’s beef cattle stud, Bluelake Angus, Birregurra Victoria. Having her family’s angus stud has allowed Hannah to travel Australia and be involved in both country and royal shows. Since finishing high school Hannah wanted to study agriculture so she decided to enrol in an Agribusiness course at Marcus Oldham College, gaining knowledge around all aspects of agriculture and the beef industry. Hannah competed in her first Angus Youth Roundup in 2005, in Hamilton Victoria, and since then has competed around Australia. Her passion for the industry has grown
Hannah Bird
by Angus Australia Angus Australia will now be offering a full suite of graphic design services to members, from complete sale catalogue production, through to flyers and newspaper advertisements
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a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Animal Science and Animal Health, completed at the end of 2016. Naomi’s project will take her to King Island, Tasmania to research the effects of magnesium on weight gain and dark cutting in cattle under the supervision of Dr Peter McGilchrist and Dr Kate Loudon.
Jeogla Station manager Richard Braham with Angus-cross cattle in the feedlot, which was set up for drought feeding. It's now the start of a new venture for the 13,350-hectare operation
"
We wanted to use a breed with good carcase qualities and the grids now favour Angus over other breeds
"
New venture for Jeogla Station Ruth Schwager, The Land
Jeogla & Wallamumbi Station Wollomombi, nsw
property: Jeogla and Wallamumbi Stations size: 13,350 hectares turn off: 5,800 per annum Angus cattle have been part of the breeding operation at Jeogla and Wallamumbi stations for the past 20 years, and the breed’s strong growth rates are behind the next step for the New England business. EU-accredited Angus/Shorthorn cattle are now being grain-fed at Jeogla Station to target the domestic and export markets, a shift from 30 years of on-property feeder and weaner sales. The feeding system was set up last year to deal with difficult seasonal conditions, particularly the lack of winter pastures on the 13350-hectare operation. Station manager Richard Braham said Angus bulls had been used with heifers for the past 20 years but had been going over the whole herd for the past six years. “We wanted to use a breed with good carcase qualities and the grids now favour Angus over other breeds.” The business turns off 5800 head a year, with most cattle in the past being sold through the annual sales. The introduction of grain feeding is a completely different direction for the property, but it’s spreading market risk, Mr Braham said.
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“We’re not saying we’ll never have on-property sales again,” he said. “In some years it might be the way to go, but by supplementary feeding cattle, we can take them all the way through to domestic or export weights, depending on the market at the time. “With our five-month winters we were finding it hard to get hold of them until the sale date, or get all cattle to killable weights, so having these feeding pens means we can get them up to the weights we want.” Last year’s sale achieved records, with Angus-cross steers reaching $1730, more than double the top price of $860 at the previous sale in 2014. The 2016 female sale reached a high of $1640 for Angus pregnancy-tested-in-calf (PTIC) heifers. “The sales have worked well in the past, but it’s a risk selling the majority of the progeny on two days of the year,” Mr Braham said. “Feeding cattle on grain enables us to offload cattle every week, which helps with cashflow, and with the management of the property. "Our biggest variation each year is the feed price, but if feed prices jump and cattle prices drop, we're not tied to this system. “It just gives us more options.” Finishing cattle on pasture has proven difficult with the New England climate. Mr Braham aims to go into winter with about 3000 kilograms of dry matter. “As soon as the frost hits, we have the quantity but the quality of feed drops, so we lose protein,” he said. “We supplement them on canola meal and hominy meal, limiting them to half a kilogram each day.
“Over four or five months at the end of the winter, we can have them 70kg to 80kg heavier.”
feed costs and high returns for heavy cattle.
Mr Braham said all cattle would be backgrounded on the property before entering the feedlot at 400kg.
“Our feedlot rations are at similar prices to those in 2002.
Cattle will be processed at an average of 550kg. “If we get them in at 400kg, they’re only in there for 60 or 70 days, but that’s 1500 cattle off pasture, which will enable us to increase cow numbers.” The main priority when choosing bulls is birthweight, especially for the 1500 heifers joined each year. Mr Braham also looks for good 200- and 400-day weight estimated breeding values (EBVs). “At the end of the day I want a live calf out of a heifer,” Mr Braham said. Sending cattle direct to the processor means the business will have a stronger focus on carcase characteristics. Birthweight will still be the focus for heifer bulls, but for the cows we need moderate, but thick bulls with the good carcase qualities.” There’s been no trouble with weight gain in the feedlot, with the Angus-cross showing good feed conversion. “They’re eating 12.5kg to 13.5kg a day and putting on more than the purebred Shorthorns we used to have.” The move has certainly paid off this year, thanks to low
“At the moment feed prices are so low,” Mr Braham said. “We were probably getting 200c/kg back then, but now it’s closer to 380c/kg, so we’re doubling our costs at the end.” Not having to buy cattle is a big bonus, Mr Braham said. “We’re not having to budget the purchase of steers into our returns. “We’re just finishing what we’ve got, value adding to the cattle we’re breeding.” The feedlot will also pay off with the sale of 1200 cull cows each year. Cull heifers will also go through the feedlot, with only the top 50 per cent kept as replacement breeders. “At the moment we sell cows at any weight, so a lot of them would be killed when they could have added another 40kg to 100kg,” Mr Braham said. “If we can hold them and give them feedlot type ration that could be a jump of 20 cents on the grid. “When cows get heavier, the grid price goes with them, they’re easy to feed, and they don’t seem to get sick in the yard.”
The black cattle are in high demand Amelia Williams, The Land
The fact he can find a market to sell Angus cattle at any weight or age has been a huge bonus of running the breed for 'Weona' manager Jason Cooper, Mungindi. Mr Cooper has been working with Angus cattle for 20 years and said they were extremely marketable animals. 'They will give you a market premium,' he said. 'When things are a bit tough, they're easy to offload'. 'It doesn’t matter what weight they are, well bred Angus cattle will sell'.
Mr Cooper runs a breeding herd of about 300 Angus cows and 160 Droughtmaster cows. The Droughtmasters are used for crossbred a production on the farm and are joined with Angus bulls. The Droughtmasters fit well with Mr Cooper's operation. The fact they're joined with Angus bulls means they're popular in most markets and easy to sell. 'They produce a nice black calf,' Mr Cooper said.
Jason Cooper has been manager of "Weona", Mungindi
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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Toll Free 1800 885 576 www.coopersanimalhealth.com.au 1 Leathwick, D.M., Besier, R.B., (2014) The management of anthelmintic resistance in grazing ruminants in Australasia – Strategies and experiences. Veterinary Parasitology 204(1-2), pp 44-54. 2 Sutherland, I.A, Leathwick, D.M (2011) Anthelmintic resistance in nematode parasites of cattle: a global issue? Trends in Parasitology Vol. 27, No. 4. 3 Leathwick, D.M Miller, C.M (2013) Efficacy of oral, injectable and pour-on formulations of moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle in New Zealand. Veterinary Parasitology 191 293-300. ® Coopers is a registered trademark of Intervet Inc. Trifecta is a registered trademark of Intervet International B.V. Intervet Australia Pty Ltd. ABN: 79008467034.
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angus australia staff directory Peter Parnell
MARKETING, communications and youth
Finance & ADMINISTRATION
CEO
Chief Executive Officer M: 0428 918 632 P: 02 6773 4605 E: peter@angusaustralia.com.au
Ron Bower
Joy Howe
Administration Manager - Accountant
Accounts Officer
P: 6773 4607 E: ron@angusaustralia.com.au
P: 02 6773 4612 E: joy.howe@angusaustralia.com.au
Sue Webeck
Amanda Wolfe
Accounts Officer - Part time
Administration Officer
P: 02 6773 4606 E: sue@angusaustralia.com.au
P: 02 6773 4600 E: amanda@angusaustralia.com.au
Diana Wood
Robyn Brazier
Marketing & Communications Manager
Marketing Assistant - Part time
P: 02 6773 4601 M: 0411 242 001
P: 02 6773 4609 E: marketing@angusaustralia.com.au
E: marketingmanager@angusaustralia.com.au
Haylee Herriot
Ebonie Sadler-Small
Angus Youth Development & Education Officer P: 02 6773 4622 M: 0429 774 065 E: youth@angusaustralia.com.au
Graphic Design & Marketing Officer
Christopher de Crespigny
Michael Ainsworth
Information Systems Manager P: 02 6773 4619 E: christopher@angusaustralia.com.au
P: 02 6773 4623 M: 0428 518 880 E: design@angusaustralia.com.au
Computer Programmer P: 02 6773 4610 E: michael@angusaustralia.com.au
Software development
Mark Evered Computer Programmer P: 02 6773 4610 E: mark.evered@angusaustralia.com.au
Angus Bulletin — autumn 2017
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angus australia staff directory
Member services
breed development & extension
Strategic projects
commercial development
Liz Pearson Commercial Development Manager P: 02 6773 4608 M: 0488 758 360 E: liz.pearson@angusaustralia.com.au
Christian Duff
Nick Butcher
Strategic Projects Manager
Project Officer, ASBP
P: 02 6773 4620 M: 0457 457 141 E: christian@angusaustralia.com.au
M: 0427 701 236 E: nick@angusaustralia.com.au
Andrew Byrne
Ashleigh Horne
Breed Development & Extension Manager
Project Officer, Angus BREEDPLAN
P: 02 6773 4618 M: 0418 412 042 E: andrew@angusaustralia.com.au
P: 02 6773 4603 E: ash@angusaustralia.com.au
Liz Roan Education Officer P: 02 6773 4602 M: 0448 888 410 E: education@angusaustralia.com.au
Lee-Anne Turner
Esther Glasgow
Member Services Manager
Member Services Officer - Part time
P: 02 6773 4604 E: lee-anne@angusaustralia.com.au E: regos@angusaustralia.com.au
P: 02 6773 4611 E: esther@angusaustralia.com.au
Samantha Hamilton
Kelso Looker
Member Services Officer
Member Services Officer
P: 02 6773 4613 E: sam@angusuaustralia.com.au
P: 02 6773 4614 E: kelso@angusaustralia.com.au
Lou Wood Member Services Officer - Part time P: 02 6773 4617 E: office@angusuaustralia.com.au
Angus Australia Locked Bag 11, Armidale NSW 2350 | F:—02 67722017 3095 | E: office@angusaustralia.com.au PAgeP:7602 6773 Angus4600 Bulletin autumn Website: www.angusaustralia.com.au
®
AUSTRALIA
Outwest Angus 5th ON PROPERTY
BULL SALE
A A R TEN X 7008 S A
Feature sire 16 sons sell • The #1 sire in the Angus breed in the USA for • • • •
registrations in 2015 and 2016. Achieved the pinnacle for a sire within the Angus breed with 7,606 progeny registered during the fiscal year in the USA in 2015. He is a balanced trait sire that excels for calving ease, performance, carcase quality and maternal traits. Sire of top selling $15,000 bull in 2016, Outwest Lumberjack L149. Trait leader in Australia for 8 different traits, calving ease direct & daughters, 200, 400 & 600 day weight, scrotal size, carcase weight and retail beef yield.
Sons in the sale:
OUTWEST 10X LIVINGSTONE L11 OUTWEST 10X LYSANDER L62
THURSDAY
1st JUNE 2017
40 BULLS
‘Wombalano’ Coonamble NSW 2829 The Cattleman’s Choice
Outwest Angus Ewen & Marg McLeish Ph: 02 6824 2044 Mob: 0428 242 044 E: outwestangus@bigpond.com W: www.outwestangus.com.au
Matt Prentice: 0437 036 691 Brian Kennedy: 0427 844 047 Mark Jones: 0429 013 123