2021 Winter Angus Bulletin by Angus Australia

Angus BULLETIN

Distributed by the Angus Society of Australia

Review of Angus Selection Indexes · Genomic Opportunities for Commercial Angus Breeders · Managing & Selecting Bulls for Northern Australia · Angus an ideal all-rounder for border-based business · Back in action for the Angus Youth scholarship program

Winter 2021

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www.temania.com.au The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

contents

Winter 2021 | Volume 44

2 Contents

38 Genomic Opportunities for Commercial Angus Breeders

Angus Snapshots

President’s Report

39 Investing in Genomic Selection Tools for Commercial Heifers Makes Sense

Report from 102nd Angus Australia AGM and Board meeting conducted on 28th May 2021

The #AngusPremium in action

More records fall

12 Review of Angus Selection Indexes 16 Coat Type Research Breeding Values - Update

20 Beef Australia Out and About 22 The Angus Influence strong at Beef Australia 2021 24 The Angus Influence – from Performance to profit 29 Verified Black Angus Beef on show at Beef

40 Next Generation Selection with Research Breeding Values 41 The Ideal Cow Size for Your Environment 43 Managing & Selecting Bulls for Northern Australia

44 Taking Angus to the next level at Golden Arrow 46 Behind The Beef – Angus in the North

52 Welcome Jake Phillips 53 Angus Australia Introduces Nationwide Breed Development Officer Program 54 The Role of Genetics in Optimising MSA Carcase Compliance and Improving MSA Eating Quality 59 Collaboration for the advancement of beef production in Australia

31 Angus & Angus Influenced Cattle rise to the top in National Carcase Competition 33 Steer and Carcase success for Angus at Sydney 34 Champion titles for Angus & Angus cross at Wingham

62 Angus Australia commits to future of Angus Sire Benchmarking Program 63 Benchmark your Bull through the ASBP

35 Around the Shows 64 Building Better Cows 36 What went down at Angus CONNECT

Publisher: Angus Australia Locked Bag 11 Armidale NSW 2350 P: 02 6773 4600 | F: 02 6772 3095 E: office@angusaustralia.com.au W: www.angusaustralia.com.au Editor: Diana Wood Layout: Ebonie Sadler-Small Printer: printcentre.net.au. TACE Angus.Tech ASBP Breed Development Commerical Supply Chain General Genomics Northern Development Member Services Youth

29 67 Out and About

69 First Angus Verified Steers Hit the Market 70 Stand out from the crowd with exclusive Angus Verified Tags 72 Cooking with Verified Black Angus Beef 73 NVDs – Accepted Breed Descriptions

Angus Education Marketing Beef Australia

95 Angus Australia Staff Directory

Advertisers Indexes 84 Achmea

57 Myanga Angus

63 Anipro

10 Neogen

56 Bald Blair Angus

87 Pentire Angus

53 Beef Genetics

37 Queensland Machinery Agency

31 Booroomooka Angus

74 Angus an ideal all-rounder for border-based business

75 Flexibility boosts beef producer’s bottom line

51 Brooksby Angus

Bridgewater Angus

52 Curracabark Angus 76 Understanding RBVs Module Added to the Angus Education Centre

58 DSK Angus 81 Dulverton 89 Eastern Herd Development

77 Marketing with Angus Australia

Eastern Spreaders PTY LTD

62 Farmers Breeding Supplies 83 Genetic Choice

80 Member Services Matters

15 Kidman Angus IBC Killain Angus

82 Changes make Angus.Tech even more User focused

57 KO Angus

94 Raff Angus 50 Sara Park Angus 34 Semex Beef 77 Sugarloaf Angus 85 Tandara Angus 1

Te Mania Angus

IFC Texas Angus 32 The Glen Angus 42 The Weekly Times 66 Vetoquinol 6 Virbac 76 Wallawong

BC Millah Murrah Angus 85 Where are they now? 86 Back in action for the Angus Youth scholarship program 88 Roundup to reconvene in Wodonga 92 What’s in a week at Beef Australia?

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.

Keep up to date with all of the latest news from Angus Australia, it’s members and the industry

Angus e w s

ANGUS

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Behind the Beef

ASBP Cohort 11 Calving Commences Calving has commenced for Cohort 11 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP). Across five co-operator herds, this Cohort is set to produce 926 calves, with calving to be completed by early September 2021. The first calf was born on the 23rd May 2021 in co-operator herd “Burindi”, Barraba, NSW which is owned and operated by Paraway Pastoral company. The calf was a heifer from sire NORQ213, born unassisted, with a birth weight of 29.5 kg and a gestation length of 270 days.

Selecting Angus Bulls

The program to breed the calves utilised Cue-mate® devices coupled with advice and protocols from Vetoquinol personnel. For more see – www.repro360.com.au

Choosing your bull is an important task, with many things to think about before making selections.

To see a full list of the ASBP Cohort 11 sires visit www.angusaustralia.com.au

Whether you are selecting from an auction, a sale, or from within your own breeding program, there are a number of things to consider. A single bull’s genetic influence has the potential to significantly impact the future direction of your herd, so it is important to choose wisely.

@Angus Australia

@angusaustralia

Angus Australia

@angusaustralia

Angus Australia

Don’t forgetytoour tag us across ls! social channe

President’s Report

Sam White, President and Board Chairperson Bull sales across the country, in the Spring of 2020 were strong, while bull sales in the Autumn 2021 across WA, SA, and VIC & Southern NSW were even stronger with great prices being received by our members.

Congratulations to all, and good luck to all those with sales coming up. The market at this point is massive with great prices being received by commercial producers, the fundamental driver being supply and demand as we rebuild our herds with plenty of grass around and strong restocker demand. I acknowledge that not everyone is out of woods with respect to seasonal recovery. However, the current strong market for stock certainly helps the planning and funding for recovery. The circumstances of the prior 2 years, drought, fire, pandemic and now floods have been unprecedented in terms of challenges. But once again the resilience of our breeders and their Angus cattle herds have shone through. We have all been tested in some way. The pandemic is far from over, we have been very fortunate here in Australia relative to the rest of the world. Sadly, two highly respected Honorary Life Members passed away in early 2021, being Mr Andrew Gubbins (OAM) and Mr Lew Smit (OAM). I wish to express my sincere condolences to the Gubbins and Smit families on your sad losses and

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acknowledge the immense contributions made by these gentlemen to the Angus breed in Australia. On a happier note, it was a pleasure to be involved in the presentation of an Honorary Life Membership award to Mr Ron Cowley in early 2021 as recognition of his life-time contributions to Angus. In December 2020, the Board of Angus Australia reversed a decision on the implementation of new selection indexes based on Breed Object Version 6. I would like to acknowledge the many people who contacted Directors and staff on this issue, both positive and negative. As a result, the Board has resolved to set up a strategy for greater consultation and review with respect to your opinions prior to any further decisions regarding the implementation of revised selection indexes. Your views are important, both those supporting the new indexes and those not supporting them. I look forward to getting out and meeting many of you all around the country in 2021, whether it be at a show, meeting or a sale. Best wishes to all members, particularly to those with upcoming sales during late winter and early spring.

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Report from 102nd Angus Australia AGM and Board meeting conducted on 28th May 2021 Peter Parnell, Chief Executive Officer

The 102nd Angus Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) was conducted on Thursday 28th May 2021 with 25 members present either in person, via videoconference, or by proxy. At the AGM, President Sam White tabled the Financial Report for the Angus Society of Australia and Controlled Entities, the Director’s Declaration, and the Independent Auditors Report for the financial year ended 31 December 2020. The President noted that 2020 had been another successful year for the Angus breed and Angus Australia. He stated that while it had been extraordinary times in many respects, despite the various challenges of 2020, Angus Australia came through the year strongly and even better prepared for any future circumstances. He noted that apart from the obvious constraints on face-to-face engagement with members due to the COVID-19 response, the Angus Australia staff were able to maintain services to members during the year with minimal interruption. The President recognised that 2020 still had its environmental challenges for some members with continued drought for some, and the impact of floods, fires and plagues on others. Nevertheless, it was generally a much better year for most compared to the preceding years of prolonged drought faced by many members. This, coupled with extremely strong market conditions for Angus cattle resulted in a much more favorable year for most members. The President acknowledged that in 2020 there were 39 members recognized with 25 years of membership; and, 4 members recognised with 50 years continuous membership including Gralunga (SA), Chale (Tas), Tibooburra Angus (Vic) and Mundoo (NSW). Barwidgee Pastoral Company attained 75 years of membership. The President advised that in early 2021, Honorary Life Membership was awarded to Mr Ron Cowley from Pinnaroo, South Australia. The President noted that sadly, 2020 saw the passing of Honorary Life Members Mr Andrew Gubbins from Victoria, Mr James Litchfield from NSW and Mr Colin Lyons from South Australia, and in recent weeks Mr Lew Smit from Western Australia. The President extended his sincere condolences to the families of these Honorary Life Members who, all in their unique ways, made enormous contributions to Angus Australia and to the success of the Angus breed over many years. The President advised that the following Directors would form the 2021 Angus Australia Board: from NSW - Mrs Erica Halliday, Mr Sam White and Mr James Laurie; from Victoria - Mr Brad Gilmour and Mr Hamish McFarlane; from Western Australia - Mr Andrew Kuss; from Tasmania - Mr Jock Hughes; and, from South Australia - Mr Perry Gunner. At the subsequent Board meeting conducted following the AGM, Mr Sam White was re-elected as President, and Mrs Erica Halliday re-elected as Vice-President, for the term up to and including the 2022 AGM. The Board also appointed

Mr Ben Hill to the vacant position of State-elected Director for Queensland. Full minutes of the 2020 AGM will be made available to members via the Members Area of the Angus Australia website. At the Board meeting Directors considered numerous items, including: · Composition of Board Committees · Composition of the Angus Sire Reference Program Consultative Committee, the Genetic Evaluation Consultative Committee, and the Angus Youth National Roundup Committee · Report on progress against Budget and Operational Plan KPIs · Amendments to Regulation 6.25 (Registration of embryo transfer calves) and Regulation 6.44 (Registration of animals recorded with other breed associations). · Continuation of the Australian Angus Reference Population program for an additional five cohorts (Cohorts 12 -16) · Strategy for further development of BreedObject V6 selection indexes · Decision to further postpone hosting of the World Angus Forum Where relevant, further information will be provided to the membership over coming weeks on specific items resolved by the Board, including the details of any resulting Regulation changes. The next Board meeting is scheduled for the 12-13th August 2021. Peter Parnell, Chief Executive Officer 2nd June 2021

Ben Hill and James Laurie joined the Angus Australia Board following the AGM

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

The #AngusPremium in action At the end of May AuctionsPlus released breed breakdowns for the period of 1 January to 14 May 2021 with a comparison across the corresponding periods in 2019 and 2020 across eight breeds of cattle. This report showed that Angus cattle were easily the largest breed offered on AuctionsPlus for the period with the 25,562 head offered for PTIC heifers the single largest category.

Source: AuctionsPlus

Young steers, 200-280kg liveweight, averaged $1,551/ head, which was up 22% on the corresponding period in 2020 and 120% from the drought lows of 2019. Similarly, heifers of the same weight range averaged $1,437/head in 2021, up 40% and 143% on 2020 and 2019, respectively. Interestingly, the numbers of steers and heifers offered online for both categories were higher in 2019, compared to 2021, indicating the magnitude of the sell-off of drought impacted weaners through 2019 - even with an overall doubling of total numbers offered through AuctionsPlus by 2021.

PTIC heifers for January – May 2021 averaged $2,485/head – up 40% on the same period in 2020 and 106% on 2019. With 8,376 Angus cows with CAF offered through January – May 2021, prices averaged $3,337/unit, an increase of 53% on 2020 and 141% from the depth of the 2019 drought. Similarly, PTIC cows, with 8,553 head offered so far in 2021, averaged $2,481/head – up 32% on 2020 and 126% from 2019. Compared to Angus PTIC heifers in 2021, this was only $4 cheaper, while in 2020, the average PTIC Cow was $111/head higher.

In the breed

The result of the indicative breed price shows that in 2021 the Angus cattle performed best on a weighted average price basis via the Auctions Plus platform achieving a dollar per head price of $2130 across all cattle types. Applying some price/volume filters to the data the TEM team also compared prices for steers and heifers, weighing between 200 to 330 kg live-weight. Angus steers topped the category too, fetching an average per head price of $1623. Heifer prices were a little less varied with most categories fetching between $1323 to $1392. Angus heifers were again the standout, topping the group at $1504.

Matt Dalgleish, Thomas Elder Markets The Thomas Elder Markets team was able to use the data from AuctionsPlus to create some breed indicator prices and compare spreads across a selection of cattle breed types. Firstly, we created a weighted average (based on sales volumes) dollar per head price for each breed, using all listed cattle categories, which combined prices for steers, heifers, cows and cows with a calf at foot.

A: 99 PTIC Angus heifers, 16-26 months, Offered by Tooloombilla Partnership, Mitchell Qld made $2,760/head. AuctionsPlus 21/05/21, B: $1,515 or 817.6c/kg for 69 Angus steers 185.3kg, offered by WL Grieve. AuctionsPlus 11/6/21, C: $3380 for 9 PTIC Angus heifers, offered by Glenruben Angus WOOMARGAMA, NSW, AuctionsPlus 15/01/21. Image: AuctionsPlus, D: Bridgewater Group Holdings Pty Limited sold 52 Angus Verified steers, 260.5kg av for 644.9c/kg or $1,680. AuctionsPlus 30/04/21, E: 675.4c/kg or $1,700 for 60 Angus Verified Steers, 255kg offered by Bridgewater Group Holdings Pty Limited on AuctionsPlus 28/5/21

In order to compare cattle breeds for steers and heifers between all other breed types a simple price spread premium/discount matrix was created. Displayed below are the matrix tables. Reading left to right for each breed along the rows highlights the relevant spread premium or discount achieved so far during 2021. For example, Angus steers are holding a 32% premium spread to Brahman steers and a 5% premium to Hereford steers. On average, across all breed types Angus steers have achieved a 14% premium. Similarly, Angus heifers have achieved a 45% premium spread to Brahman heifers and a 5% premium to Brangus heifers. Across all other breed types Angus heifers have achieved an average premium spread of 15%.

Source: Thomas Elder Markets

· Weighted average price indicators show that Angus cattle have achieved the highest price across breeds with a $2130 per head price across all cattle categories. · On average, across all breed types, Angus steers have achieved a 14% premium spread for the 2021 season. · Across all other breed types Angus heifers have achieved an average premium spread of 15%.

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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More records fall

Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager In the current cattle market climate, it does not take long for records to tumble.

At the end of March the Brooklana Angus Stud, Dorrigo NSW smashed the record for commercial PTIC Angus heifers, reaching a top price of $4,600. The offering of 12 PTIC Angus heifers made to $4,600 and an average of $4,083, setting a new national Angus record for commercial PTIC Angus heifers, on AuctionsPlus on March 26th .

This record that had only been reset on January 7th 2021 at the Nutrien Livestock Mated Beef Female sale in Boyanup when GW & J Oliver, Kirup and the Harris Family, Treeton Lake both reached a new joint National Record for PTIC Angus heifers with their offerings making $4,100.

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| 11

TACE

Review of Angus Selection Indexes Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager

The review and updating of the selection indexes that are published in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation continues to progress. The Angus Breeding Index, Domestic Index, Heavy Grain Index and Heavy Grass Index, are economic indexes that balance the genetic merit of animals for individual traits to produce an overall “score” of an animal’s combined genetic value for the breeding objective defined by each index. The economic and production parameters that underpin the four selection indexes, along with the software that is used to calculate the index values, were updated in December 2020. However, based on feedback from members, the updates were removed to enable further consultation and development to be undertaken during 2021.

Angus Australia Members Have Their Say

Angus Australia members, and other interested parties, were invited to provide feedback on the selection indexes via an online survey and a series of focus group consultations conducted during April 2021. Feedback was sought on the importance that members place on selection indexes within their breeding enterprise, reactions to the updates that were made to the selection indexes in December 2020, suggested improvements to the manner in which selection indexes are calculated and displayed, and desired outcomes in the next five years in their Angus breeding programs.

Feedback from Online Survey

A total of 199 individuals completed and returned the survey to Angus Australia, with 98% of respondents being Angus Australia members, including a mix of seedstock producers, commercial producers, service providers, semen distributors and feedlotters. Respondents indicated that they placed importance on the selection indexes that are published within the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation, with an average importance ranking across all respondents of 6.04 out of 9. 54% of respondents placed high importance on the selection indexes (i.e. importance ranking of 7 or greater). Of the individual selection indexes, the Angus Breeding Index was index of most relevance to respondents. However, all four selection indexes were deemed to be of high importance to at least some respondents, confirming that continued publication of all four selection indexes is warranted. Survey responses regarding the updates that were made to the selection indexes in December 2020 revealed two very distinct groups of respondents, with 33% of respondents indicating that they supported the updates (ranking of 7 or higher), and 43% of respondents indicating that they did not support the updates (ranking of 3 or lower).

Support for the updates in December 2020 was linked closely to the importance that respondents placed on selection indexes, with respondents being most opposed to the selection indexes also being those members who placed less importance on the selection indexes. Respondents who did not support the updates also generally had smaller herd sizes than those who did support the updates. The existence of two distinct groups of respondents was further evident in the feedback regarding the specific aspects of the December 2020 updates. Respondents who supported the updates placed high importance on the use of the latest available software when calculating the selection indexes and on the updating the economic and production parameters that are modelled. Those respondents who did not support the updates placed less importance on these aspects. Similarly, respondents who supported the updates believed the correct type of animals ranked highly on the updated selection indexes, and the updated selection indexes better balanced female and steer traits, whereas those who didn’t support the updates tended to disagree with these statements.

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

| 13

TACE

Feedback from Focus Groups

Six focus groups were conducted, including 31 participants from across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The focus groups highlighted that there is great diversity in the importance that Angus breeders place on selection indexes, and the role that selection indexes play within each breeding enterprise varies considerably. Selection indexes were generally considered to play a greater role in the marketing of Angus seedstock cattle relative to their use as a selection tool. Consistent with the results from the online survey, focus group participants expressed a diversity of views regarding the selection index updates that were released in December 2020. Those participants whose breeding objectives aligned with the updated selection indexes generally supported the updates, whereas those participants whose breeding objectives did not align were generally very critical of the updates that were made. Moving forward, participants at the focus groups indicated support for the calculation of breed standard selection indexes. However, there was a widely held view that consideration should be given to not displaying the selection indexes as prominently in the Angus Database Search facility, and that greater focus should be given to the availability of selection indexes as a selection tool, rather than as a marketing tool. Feedback supported the availability of a greater range of selection indexes to better accommodate the diverse range of production systems and breeding objectives that exist across Australia. In addition, it was suggested that greater ability should be available to enable seedstock breeders to choose which selection indexes, if any, are displayed in their marketing materials.

Where To From Here?

With the completion of the online survey and focus groups, the Angus Australia Board participated in a workshop on May 27th 2021 to review the feedback obtained during the consultation process, and determine a strategy for the future calculation and display of selection indexes. Presentations were delivered during the workshop by geneticists with expertise in selection index development from the Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit, the Agricultural Business Research Institute, AbacusBio and Angus Australia.

Release of Research Selection Indexes

Communication & Extension Program

July 2021

August 2021

Arising from the workshop, a series of selection indexes will now be developed and made available as research selection indexes for industry review and consultation. These research selection indexes will expand on the selection indexes that were released in December 2020 to better accommodate the diverse range of breeding objectives that exist among Angus breeders. The research selection indexes will be made available via the Angus Database Search facility in a similar manner to how research breeding values are currently presented. It is planned that the research selection indexes will be available by July 31st, 2021. The availability of the research selection indexes will be accompanied by the delivery of a communication and extension program in August 2021 to present the research selection indexes to Angus breeders. A key component of the communication program will be the facilitation of an Angus CONNECT online event featuring a series of presentations outlining how selection indexes are calculated, the features of the BreedObject software that is used to calculate them, and how selection indexes can be incorporated into a selection program. Once Angus breeders have had time to familiarise themselves with the research selection indexes, further member consultation will be facilitated during September/ October 2021 to gather feedback and fine tune the research selection indexes. The member consultation will include an online survey, focus group sessions, and review by the Genetic Evaluation Consultative Committee. Subject to the feedback received during the member consultation, the selection indexes that are published in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation will be updated in late November in association with the December 2021 analysis. Angus breeders with questions about the selection index review process should contact Angus Australia’s Breed Development & Extension Manager, Andrew Byrne, on (02) 6773 4618 or andrew@angusaustralia.com.au

Further Member Consultation

September/ October 2021

Implementation of New Selection Indexes

November 2021

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The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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| 15

TACE

Coat Type Research Breeding Values - Update Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager

The TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation (TACE), which is conducted every two weeks, now includes the regular analyses of coat score data to produce Coat Type Research Breeding Values (RBVs). Coat type, being the subjective assessment of an animal’s hair length, has been identified as a trait of importance in some breeding programs, particularly for the adaptability of Angus genetics in hotter environments. While further research is required to confirm the relationship between coat type and traits associated with the profitability and productivity of Angus animals in Australian production systems, anecdotally, animals with shorter, sleeker coats are commonly considered to have better heat tolerance and tick resistance. Additionally, there is also suggestions that they will have reduced dag burden in feedlot environments, particularly in the colder, wetter periods.

Understanding the Science

The research that underpins the Coat Type RBV analysis was conducted by the School of Environmental and Rural Science at the University of New England (UNE). This involved analysing and modelling the coat score data recorded on animals on Angus Australia’s database to further understand its overall genetic basis, and the genetic relationship between coat scores taken in the warming versus cooling months of the year (figure 1). The research has shown that coat score is under genetic influence, being moderately heritable and similar to the weight traits of birth weight, 400 day weight and 600 day weight. When comparing scenarios (i.e. scoring period) the heritabilities were similar for all records, warm month and cool months. The genetic correlation between the coat scores recorded in the warm months to cool months was high but not 1.00, meaning they should be considered different traits. For this reason, a bivariate (two trait) model was applied for the Coat Type RBV analysis. This means that all coat scores are potentially used in the analysis, but with the scores collected in the cool months being used as a correlated trait for the reported Coat Type RBV, which stems directly from the scores collected in the warm months. Additionally, to maximise accuracy the Coat Score RBV analysis uses all available data including coat score phenotypes, pedigree and genotypes.

Figure 1 – Heritabilities and Genetic Correlation of Coat Score Phenotypes Trait

No. of records

Heritability

Genetic Correlation

All

6,396

27%

Score from Warm Months

3,044

28%

Scores from Cool Months

3,352

32%

0.73

* Warm months included coat scores recorded from November to March and cool months from April to October 16

The next phase of this research will be to understand the genetic relationship between coat type and the production traits such as calving ease, growth, fertility, temperament and carcase quantity and quality. Further research is also required to better understand the relationship between coat type to heat tolerance, parasite resistance and dag burden.

Understanding the Research Breeding Values

Coat type RBVs are now published for all animals included in the Coat Type RBV analysis that have greater than 25% accuracy. At the time or writing this article there were 23,262 Angus animals meeting this criterion. The Coat Type RBVs can be viewed, searched and downloaded from angus.tech via the Angus Australia website. A Coat Type RBV sire report is also produced every quarter and is available to download from the Research section of the Angus Australia website. A list of top 50 Angus sires with the lowest (i.e. slickest) Coat Type RBVs are provided on pages 18 and 19 of this publication. These sires have at least one progeny recorded for coat score and a minimum of 50% accuracy. By definition, Coat Type RBVs provide estimates of genetic differences between animals in coat type, being the subjective assessment of an animal’s hair length, and are expressed in score units. Lower Coat Type RBVs indicate an animal is expected to produce progeny with a shorter, slicker coat. For example, a sire with a CT RBV of -0.30 would be expected to produce progeny that have, on average, 0.25 of a score shorter, slicker hair than a sire with a CT RBV of +0.20, all other things being equal. It is important to note that the Research Breeding Values are subject to greater potential change than EBVs routinely reported as part of the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation and should be used with some caution in animal selection decisions. The Research Breeding Values may change as improvements are made to the analytical models that are used, and as additional performance information is collected.

How to be involved

Angus Australia member are encouraged to score their Angus animals for coat type and submit it for inclusion in TACE to create Coat Score RBVs. A guide to collecting coat type scores is available from the Angus Australia website. Important points to note from this guide are: · Coat scores are collected on a 1 (short) to 7 (very hairy) scale based on the visual appearance of the animal. The full visual guide is available from the Angus Australia website. · They can be recoded on bulls, heifers and steers. · They should be recorded when animals are between 300 and 750 days of age · Half scores can be used to identify animals who exhibit a coat score which is intermediate to the scores listed. · All animals should be scored by the same scorer on the same day. · If the scorers are changed, appropriate management groups will need to be assigned to capture variation in scorers. · While scores will be effectively analysed that are recorded from all months of the year, it is still recommended to score animals during late spring to early summer when some animals have shed their winter coat, while others have not. E.g. For spring calving herds, animals would normally be scored as yearlings, often in association with their 400 day weight measurement. While for autumn calving herds, animals would normally be scored at ~18 20 months of age, often in association with their 600 day weight measurement. To further discuss the collection of coat type scores or how to access and interpret the Coat Type RBVs please contact one of the following: · Matthew Reynolds - Breed Development Officer on (02) 6773 4626 or matthew.reynolds@angusaustralia.com.au · Jake Phillips - Breed Development Officer on 0401 261 217 or jake.phillips@angusaustralia.com.au · Jen Peart – Northern Development Officer on 0417 219 405 or jen.peart@angusaustralia.com.au

An advanced genomic tool to inform the selection of replacement heifers for commercial Australian Angus breeders

A product of Angus Australia, delivered in collaboration with our partners, Zoetis and Neogen

www.angusaustralia.com.au The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

| 17

Name

LAWSONS LEO L488

TE MANIA CODRINGTON C737

TE MANIA ADA A149

TE MANIA DEFENSIVE D342

STORTH OAKS BEYOND INFINITY E3

TE MANIA DEEGAN D309

TE MANIA CALCINE C50

DULVERTON JACKPOT J267

TE MANIA LANGLEY L92

BALDRIDGE COMMAND C036

TE MANIA JOE J963

TE MANIA DUNOLLY D1202

BONGONGO BULLETPROOF Z3

TE MANIA JERILDERIE J10

TE MANIA MALFOY M530

TE MANIA BARTEL B219

TE MANIA LACKEY L27

TE MANIA FLORIATED F664

TE MANIA GARTH G67

BOOROOMOOKA KULGERA K270

WEERAN JOEL J13

HAZELDEAN JAIPUR J140

STRATHEWEN RED DAIQUIRI H40

PARINGA RED NEW MAN E128

AYRVALE BARTEL E7

BOOROOMOOKA KINGY K9

BALD BLAIR K268

PARINGA IRON ORE E27

BANNABY ADMIRAL D34

TE MANIA CALAMUS C46

TOPBOS LEADING EDGE L292

TE MANIA EARL GREY E25

TE MANIA NEMO N1181

AJC E91

TE MANIA JAMESON J362

VLYL488

VTMC737

VTMA149

VTMD342

NZE19507009E3

VTMD309

VTMC50

NGCJ267

VTML92

USA18219911

VTMJ963

VTMD1202

NGXZ3

VTMJ10

VTMM530

VTMB219

VTML27

VTMF664

VTMG67

NGMK270

VHWJ13

NHZJ140

VSNH40

HKFE128

HIOE7

NGMK9

NBBK268

HKFE27

ECMD34

VTMC46

DBLL292

VTME25

VTMN1181

NXOE91

VTMJ362

141

127

CT Prog

-0.37

-0.38

-0.39

-0.40

-0.41

-0.42

-0.43

-0.44

-0.45

-0.46

-0.47

-0.51

-0.53

-0.57

-0.61

-0.62

CT RBV

81%

75%

83%

90%

81%

92%

68%

81%

78%

89%

91%

60%

80%

72%

73%

81%

93%

85%

80%

85%

84%

89%

76%

81%

89%

91%

71%

81%

80%

78%

79%

88%

90%

80%

CT RBV Acc

+6.8

+10.9

+3.0

+12.3

+1.4

+11.9

-0.6

+9.2

+7.3

-6.0

+12.1

-2.0

+10.1

+10.3

+10.4

+7.7

+4.2

+7.8

-5.6

-11.4

+9.4

+8.0

+14.2

+9.9

+5.8

+10.5

+6.5

-10.8

+5.5

+1.5

+5.8

-0.9

-6.7

-9.7

-2.8

CED

+45

+48

+56

+35

+76

+36

+43

+38

+45

+49

+50

+46

+42

+39

+48

+54

+50

+57

+66

+51

+47

+57

+30

+53

+66

+61

+59

+55

+36

+56

+33

+45

+51

+45

+55

+76

+78

+104

+60

+132

+64

+81

+72

+78

+88

+84

+92

+78

+86

+92

+87

+99

+120

+85

+77

+102

+48

+86

+123

+105

+102

+97

+55

+84

+72

+86

+95

+77

+94

+101

+112

+144

+85

+171

+88

+101

+95

+99

+121

+114

+104

+117

+109

+116

+129

+113

+129

+169

+107

+111

+137

+67

+118

+163

+137

+128

+142

+74

+114

+86

+116

+128

+98

+126

+77

+98

+109

+29

+157

+50

+87

+107

+75

+126

+70

+87

+98

+87

+104

+83

+87

+120

+165

+77

+102

+124

+20

+95

+178

+107

+104

+169

+54

+61

+76

+118

+169

+80

+102

MCW

+17

+19

+26

+32

+21

+27

+20

+14

+21

+18

+27

+13

+26

+29

+14

+25

+34

+25

+24

+14

+21

+29

+22

+25

+22

+21

+27

+14

+24

+15

+11

+15

+21

MILK

Coat Type RBV - Top 50 Sires - June 2021 TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation

-6.9

-6.7

-7.6

-5.6

-6.5

-11.2

-2.8

-7.7

-6.1

-11.7

-10.6

-4.9

-5.2

-5.9

-6.6

-9.1

-12.4

-5.3

-6.0

-6.8

-12.0

-7.7

-8.1

-5.4

-6.3

-1.2

-7.6

-4.2

-8.5

-4.3

-4.4

-3.4

+0.2

-3.7

-6.0

+54

+59

+77

+44

+85

+45

+68

+74

+59

+72

+73

+63

+49

+76

+87

+72

+38

+60

+87

+69

+54

+72

+23

+83

+91

+74

+71

+76

+17

+64

+38

+74

+78

+68

+81

CWT

+12.8

+4.4

+6.2

+11.1

+6.4

+10.4

+9.5

+6.9

+5.0

+7.9

+8.5

+2.6

+5.9

+4.1

+9.7

+7.6

+8.4

+12.6

+2.3

+14.5

+7.0

+5.1

+7.9

+5.1

+2.2

+12.3

+7.0

+3.6

+4.3

+3.2

+8.3

+5.5

+4.0

+7.5

+9.7

EMA

+1.4

+0.2

+0.6

+3.0

-2.8

-1.0

-4.5

+0.4

+1.4

-0.2

+0.6

-0.4

-0.2

-2.0

-0.2

-4.2

+1.9

-0.8

-3.3

-4.4

+0.9

-4.0

-3.5

-3.0

-2.3

-2.4

-3.3

-2.0

-1.2

+2.4

+1.1

+0.1

-2.5

+2.1

-0.6

RUMP

+3.7

+4.9

+2.0

+0.5

+1.8

+2.7

+1.8

+1.6

+2.2

+4.2

+3.0

+3.7

+2.5

+1.9

+2.7

+2.1

+3.5

+1.5

+1.8

+2.7

+3.5

+3.1

+3.4

+4.5

+2.5

+4.0

+1.9

+2.4

+2.6

+1.9

+1.8

+0.6

+2.7

+2.3

IMF

+17

-12

-9

+21

+18

-2

+39

+27

-18

-3

-13

-9

+15

+38

+10

+46

+11

+33

-5

+32

-12

+17

+23

-7

+13

-12

-20

+12

-14

-6

DOC

+155

+139

+156

+109

+166

+141

+92

+111

+119

+153

+164

+111

+132

+126

150

+160

+147

+140

+133

+158

+156

+116

+136

+176

+153

+160

+111

+110

+119

+106

+114

+84

+99

+140

ABI

TACE

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

| 19

Name

WAITARA TB KNOCKOUT K61

TE MANIA MAGNATE M13

ARDCAIRNIE J27

CHERYLTON INFINITY G60

LAWSONS LINKEDIN L483

BALD BLAIR K134

TE MANIA GENEVA G452

TE MANIA DAIQUIRI D19

RENNYLEA L683

WATTLETOP LOCK L4

TE MANIA HEBBARD H1078

ALLOURA EXPLOSION X36

TE MANIA NEW DESIGN Z496

BANNABY DAIQUIRI J56

DUNOON EVIDENT E614

BOOROOMOOKA LUSKIN STAR L216

PATHFINDER MASTERPIECE M651

TE MANIA JEROME J131

BOOROOMOOKA LOHNRO L405

BSCK61

VTMM13

WJMJ27

WLHG60

VLYL483

NBBK134

VTMG452

VTMD19

NORL683

NWPL4

VTMH1078

DGJX36

VTMZ496

ECMJ56

BHRE614

NGML216

SMPM651

VTMJ131

NGML405

202

CT Prog

-0.33

-0.34

-0.35

-0.36

-0.37

CT RBV

75%

86%

75%

69%

80%

77%

85%

74%

71%

78%

93%

74%

71%

76%

81%

76%

87%

68%

CT RBV Acc

+3.7

+13.9

+2.4

+4.5

-13.2

+3.9

-4.5

-15.6

+9.3

-2.1

+3.2

-2.2

+8.0

-3.7

+7.2

+4.6

+9.8

-0.7

+4.3

CED

+55

+42

+61

+49

+52

+37

+48

+43

+49

+59

+55

+48

+40

+25

+59

+42

+57

+51

+60

+104

+71

+107

+91

+69

+83

+70

+82

+108

+94

+88

+72

+52

+106

+74

+101

+92

+111

+129

+98

+140

+120

+112

+91

+111

+87

+115

+156

+121

+119

+96

+69

+151

+93

+141

+117

+143

+128

+71

+147

+112

+109

+82

+117

+91

+108

+148

+122

+111

+65

+51

+141

+93

+134

+86

+114

MCW

+16

+22

+23

+16

+15

+19

+22

+16

+29

+14

+25

+22

+16

+31

+12

+11

+30

+19

MILK

-5.7

-12.1

-8.4

-5.0

-5.2

-10.8

-2.4

-5.6

-7.0

-2.8

-9.6

-7.1

-6.7

-2.0

-4.9

-4.5

-5.5

-7.6

-6.0

+67

+69

+71

+59

+41

+46

+52

+62

+100

+83

+41

+59

+34

+93

+55

+95

+66

+87

CWT

+6.2

+5.6

+8.0

+3.3

+12.1

+1.3

+6.8

+8.8

+6.5

+6.4

+5.9

+8.1

+6.3

+7.4

+7.5

+5.3

+3.4

+9.6

+2.3

EMA

-0.5

-2.4

-2.2

-1.6

-0.9

+4.4

-3.1

+0.6

-2.8

+1.0

-1.1

+0.5

+2.6

-1.0

+1.8

-0.6

+0.6

-1.0

-2.0

RUMP

+3.5

+3.8

+2.7

+3.2

+1.5

+4.6

+2.2

+1.0

+1.9

+1.8

+2.2

+3.4

+3.3

+1.6

+2.0

+1.9

+1.8

+2.4

+2.3

IMF

+3.1

-12.1

+35.1

+13.7

+30

+10

-15

-16

+11

-2

+19

+11

-7

+13

-13

+15

+14

DOC

+150

+141

+158

+130

+106

+134

+105

+71

+126

+132

+138

+137

+121

+70

+149

+109

+138

+142

ABI

ABeef Australia

Beef Australia Out and About A: Bryce Cam, Chairman Beef Australia and Liz Pearson, Angus Australia Commercial Supply Chain Manager, at the NH Foods Celebrity Chef Lunch, B: Cheyne Twist, Angus Australia Communications Officer and Christian Duff, Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager at the Angus Influence Seminar, C: Mark Vayro, Achmea Australia and Scott Wright, Angus Australia Member Services Manager, at the Achmea Australia drinks, D: Emma Thomas, Achmea Australia CEO; Wendy and Ben Mayne, Texas Angus, Mary McIntyre, McInture Ag; Jen Peart, Angus Australia Northern Development Officer and Hamish McIntyre, McIntyre Ag , at the Achmea Australia drinks, E: Angus Australia’s, Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager; Andrew Byrne, Breed Development Manager and Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer, F: Angus Foundation Beef Australia Scholarship winners, Georgia Laurie and Damien Thomsen with Jake Phillips, Angus Australia Breed Development 20

K L

J Officer, G: Ted & Jack Laurie, Knowla Angus and Breeder Genetics and Matt Reynolds, Angus Australia Breed Development Officer, at the Achmea Australia drinks, H: Sam White, Angus Australia President; Fast Ed Halmagyi, NH Foods Australia Brand Ambassador and Jen Peart, Angus Australia Northern Development Officer, at the Achmea Australia drinks, I: Liz Pearson, Angus Australia Commercial Supply Chain Manager; Kirsty White, Bald Blair Angus; Peter Parnell, Angus Australia CEO, Sam White, Angus Australia President; Scott Wright, Angus Australia Member Services Manager; Brett Piraner, Angus Australia Director and Jen Peart, Angus Australia Northern Development Officer, at the NH Foods Celebrity Chef Lunch, J: Sonja Dominik and Laercio Juca, CSIRO at the Achmea Australia drinks, K: Liz Pearson, Angus Australia Commercial Supply Chain Manager; Tim Horan, former Wallaby and Queensland Reds Player and Matt Reynolds, Angus Australia Breed Development Officer at the Angus Australia trade stand, L: Angus Australia’s, Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager; Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer and Kate Reynolds, Graphics & Multimedia Officer The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

| 21

Beef Australia

The Angus Influence strong at Beef Australia 2021 Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

Despite turning the event around within six months after making the call to forge ahead, Beef Australia 2021 reached new heights with a record crowd of 115,866 people passing through the gates and nearly 5,000 head of cattle competing across the competitions.

Angus Australia and many of its members took full advantage of the promotional opportunities on offer at an event that is considered the pinnacle of beef expositions in Australia. While the Angus Australia trade display was the main focal point for the society, there was ample opportunity for attendees to view Angus genetics, with Angus studs hosting trade displays and multiple studs exhibiting in the show ring and to taste Angus beef at the Beef Symposium and during the Celebrity Chef Restaurant. Partnering with Macka’s Australian Back Angus Beef, a Verified Black Angus Beef brand, to sponsor the Beef Symposium, guests at the event were treated to Pastrami Quiche, Roast Beef Rolls, Thai Beef Salad and Spiced Beef with cous cous. Angus Beef also featured as part of the Celebrity Chef Restaurant with Angus Reserve, a Verified Black Angus Beef brand from NH Foods featuring during a lunch time session and prepared by NH Foods Brand Ambassador, Fast Ed, Halmagyi. Guests at this lunch were treated to a Terrine of Angus Reserve Oxtail. As a sponsor of Beef Australia, Angus Australia hosted a seminar on the ‘The Angus Influence – from performance to profit’. 140 delegates were firstly taken through the drivers of profit in a beef herd and then provided with the opportunity to hear from three producers from both northern and southern Australia that utilise Angus genetics in their herds. These producers gave attendees an insight into what drives performance and profit in their herds, as well as the reasons behind why Angus genetics form such a large part of their operations. The seminar featured: Ian Mclean, Bush Agri Business; Sam Crowther, Harrow Grazing in the Arcadia Valley, Qld; Robert Mckenzie, Macka’s Pastoral, Gloucester NSW; and, Ben McGlynn, Rocklands Station - Paraway Pastoral Barkly 22

Tablelands, Qld. Angus Australia’s Northern Development Officer Jen Peart, hailed the seminar a success that highlighted the use of Angus genetics in some very challenging and varied environments, while providing attendees with an insight into what drives profit. The main take home messages from, Ian Mclean, were that, ‘The top performers have: more productive herds that are more efficient at turning grass into beef; target herd expenditure more effectively; use labour more effectively; generally have more operating scale; fertility should always be number 1 to achieve greater performance as it has the best impact on the bottom line; and, that it is important to make informed decisions based on the good data that is available to you’. While for the three producer panellists, Sam Crowther, Robert McKenzie and Ben McGlynn it was clear that Angus genetics drive profit in their herds, that the use of available technologies such as EBVs and genomics play a big part in their selection processes; and, that adaptation is required to remain at the forefront of the beef industry. In summing up the seminar session, Angus Australia’s President Sam White highlighted that the production systems presented showed, ‘Experience, versatility, resilience and passion, with sound business systems in place.’ To read more about the seminar go to page 16. The Angus judging at Beef Australia was an excellent showcase of Angus cattle, with approximately 60 entries coming together from both Queensland and New South Wales with Judge Matt McCamley officiating around the ring. The big wins of the day came to K5X Angus and Hillview Angus who took out the top honours, with Grand Champion Female and Grand Champion Male, respectively. Taking out Grand Champion Male was Hillview Quigley Q18, exhibited by the Bungendore stud, NSW. Weighing

A: The Angus Australia trade stand at Beef 2021, B: Peter Parnell, Angus Australia CEO; Fast Ed Halmagyi, NH Foods Australia Brand Ambassador; Liz Pearson, Angus Australia Commercial Supply Chain Manager; and Sam White, Angus Australia President at the NH Foods Celebrity Chef Lunch, C: Kieran Martin, with Hillview Stud Principal Danny Hill during the Angus judging

“

... the seminar a success that highlighted the use of Angus genetics in some very challenging and varied environments, while providing attendees with an insight into what drives profit.

in at 1,222kg on the day at 25 months of age and EMA of 143cm2, Hillview repeated what he achieved at both Sydney Royal and Canberra Royal in beating out his fellow male champions. The top female of the day was K5X Wilcoola N106, who presented with her two calves at foot, took out her class of cow 36 months and under 48 months. Mr McCamley remarked, “She is a very long cow, still full of volume and still showing extremely well. She has got a lot of beef and meat quality and is doing the job on her two really good calves.” In the ANZ National Beef Carcase Competition, Angus cattle outperformed the other competitors when it comes to carcase quality, with Angus entries taking out both MSA Index Awards. The MSA Index Award for individual carcase with the highest MSA Index from classes 1-7, went to an Angus carcase exhibited by Barry Hollonds, Sale VIC with a 68.95 MSA Index. While the award for pen of 3 carcases with the highest total MSA Indexes from classes 1-7 went to Baringa Pastoral Company Pty Ltd, Walcha NSW for a pen of 3

“

Jen Peart, Angus Australia’s Northern Development Officer

Angus carcases. The Angus Foundation supported young Angus enthusiasts with the opportunity to attend Beef Australia 2021 through the awarding of three scholarships. Angus Australia members Georgia Laurie, Damien Thomson and Jock McGregor were awarded these scholarships and spent an amazing week in Rockhampton learning everything there is to know about the beef industry. Overall Beef Australia 2021 was the perfect promotion stage for Angus Australia and its members. It ensured that the message continued to be communicated to the beef industry about the advantages that Angus can offer to any production system, be it purebred or cross bred and how the incorporation of Angus genetics into these systems can not only improve meat quality but provide a market premium. ‘Angus Australia and its members had a significant presence at Beef Australia 2021 and it is pleasing to see that the interest in Angus and Angus Influenced cattle continues to grow at each event and in particular growth in interest from northern beef producers’, said Angus Australia CEO Peter Parnell. ‘The members and partners present at Beef Australia 2021 provided the perfect complement to the Angus Australia trade stand, providing attendees with the opportunity to talk first-hand with Angus breeders and also inspect the Angus cattle on display.’

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

| 23

Beef Australia

The Angus Influence – from Performance to profit Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

‘The Angus Influence – from Performance to Profit’ seminar featured as part of the Beef Australia 2021 program during May and showcased insights from a range of members of the beef industry, covering what makes businesses profitable and how producers have successfully utilised Angus genetics in their operations in northern and southern Australia.

Building a more profitable beef herd

Kicking off proceedings was Ian McLean, Director of Bush AgriBusiness, a professional service firm providing independent analysis and trusted insights to pastoral businesses across northern Australia. Ian is a co-author of the Australian Beef Report and lead deliverer of the Business EDGE workshop.

Separating the top performers

During his presentation Mr McLean highlighted what separates the top performers when it comes to producers in the beef industry, the economic impact of selecting for fertility and how to improve business and industry performance. When analyzing beef businesses, Agribusiness lines them up from top to bottom, looking at how they perform based on return on assets and therefore comparing the top performers to those at the bottom end of the spectrum and identifying differences. According to Mr McLean, whether it’s family businesses or larger businesses that rise to the surface, there is one thing they all do best. “They’ve got more productive herds, which means they’re more efficient at turning grass into beef.” “It’s not just the size of the animals, that’s important and part of the efficiency, but it’s the given amount of grass they’ve got to go into the system whether it’s measured in DSE (Dry Sheep Equivalent) or AE (Animal Equivalent) 24

and how many kilos of beef are produced from that. This is something the better performers consistently do, converting that grass into beef more efficiently giving them more income per animal unit.” Mr McLean also highlighted that with the top performers, there was bettered targeted herd expenditure. When looking at their discretionary herd expenditure, which covered things like supplementation, animal health, mustering and selling expenses, the businesses that perform better spend less than the rest per animal unit. Therefore, the discretionary money that these businesses are spending is better targeted in finding ways so they spend money to make money, while understanding that if they do not get the return on investment, they will not spend this money. Genetics were also identified as a highly important area of investment for beef businesses. Mr McLean highlighted that when it comes to genetics, it is an area in which money well spent can provide excellent payback for producers, whereas money not well spent does the opposite. “When selecting genetics, producers need to ensure that their management systems allow for the chosen genetics to fully express themselves, and to ensure that when selecting genetics, they must be those that will improve the bottom line for your production system”. “You are able to select on different things and don’t forget to focus on the bulls because bulls have more than 20 times the genetic influence that females do in terms of calves produced.” “There is an increasing amount of data, which Angus have been on the forefront of for a while, available on genetics, so use the indexes for selection. Identify the index most applicable to your production system as it’s a great way to rank bulls’”. It was also highlighted that the top performers use labour more efficiently in their businesses. This means having production systems and the infrastructure set up to do what needs to be done while doing it with less staff.

A: Jen Peart, Angus Australia Northern Development Officer, Ian McLean, Bush AgriBusiness, Sam Crowther, Harrow Grazing, Ben McGlynn, Paraway Pastoral Company, Robert McKenzie, Macka’s Pastoral and Sam White, Angus Australia President and Seminar Master of Ceremonies, B: Ian McLean

Most importantly, Mr McLean identified greater operating scale as another key driver for top performances. “If you have operating efficiency and operating scale, you’ll have a good beef business. The abundance of one won’t make up for the lack of another.” In terms of metrics, Mr McLean identified herd productivity as the efficiency of production (North = kg beef/AE and South = kg/ha). The question posed to the audience by Mr McLean was “how efficient is your beef factory at turning grass into beef?”. He noted that there are a number of variables in efficiency of production including, reproductive rate, mortality rate and sale weight. These variables were established after research across a number of different data sets in northern and southern Australia of both small and large businesses. Some regional differences were established between northern and southern, based off data from the Australian Beef Report. What this research found was that in the southern areas of Australia, particularly the south east, the herds were found to be more productive based off more income per animal unit, due to the highly productive environment this data was pulled from, which results in generating more kilos of beef per animal unit comparatively to the more expansive, lower rainfall areas of the north. However, in terms of expenses per animal unit, of those with the highest income per animal unit, they also have the highest cost per animal unit, due to higher input systems and smaller operating scale compared to operations based in the north. “The south, as an average has lower profits then the north. That’s driven by scale because the average producer in southern Australia is a smaller scale than the average producer in northern Australia. Weight for weight, southern producers perform better in that the southern performer of scale will perform generally better than a northern producer of the same scale.” “What we shouldn’t interpret from this is that all of the south is less profitable. It’s just the south is more constrained by scale. What I think is more important than looking at the differences between regions is looking at the differences

within regions. Every region has its challenges, advantages and disadvantages, both generally.” In terms of primary bottlenecks discovered during this research, herd productivity in the north is at a disadvantage, however operating scale in the south hinders profitability. Secondary to these considerations for both producers in the north and south to assist profitability is targeting herd expenditure and labour efficiency.

Fertility is key Mr McLean discussed the QAAFI Project, a comprehensive study, drawing on the best available information on northern herd performance, business performance and genetics, undertaken to demonstrate the impact of genetic improvement of cow fertility on the bottom line of northern beef businesses. From this research, both fertility and growth improved profitability in the regions investigated, however fertility was found to have the greatest impact on the bottom line of each of the regions investigated. “The conclusions we came to from this study was that a balanced approach is best. Fertility should always be number one in selection for most production systems, and then in the more productive regions, the weighting on fertility can be turned down a bit and more emphasis given to other traits (eg carcase), however it still has to be at the top of the list. Know the profit drivers for your production system, your target market and your area and select for that.”

Planning is king The key message for the audience was, “To always know what you are working towards in your businesses and improving business performance through identifying an end goal, current strengths and areas of improvement within said business”. Developing and implementing a plan for your beef business, and then adjusting that plan in review if necessary is imperative to ensure that producers are continuing to develop and be viable. And finally, remaining accountable for the decisions within your business is also incredibly important.

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Beef Australia Throughout investigations into large pastoral companies, Mr McLean found one of big things that set those companies apart is the accountability that is inbuilt and how they are able to provide good quality information and remain accountable for their actions. “Producers comparing their decisions and actions against their business plans ensures they are achieving what they have planned to and are remaining accountable regarding what needs to be done in order to ensure they are abiding by set goals”. Seeking ‘grey heads’ or people knowledgeable in the industry is also an important avenue for invaluable advice or experience to assist in improving areas within businesses.

The Angus Influence

The second half of the seminar saw Angus Australia’s Northern Development Officer, Jen Peart sit down with Ben McGlynn, General Manager – Northern Region - of Paraway Pastoral Company, Sam Crowther, Harrow Grazing, Injune Qld and Robert McKenzie, Macka’s Pastoral, Gloucester NSW, to focus on producer experience with the utilisation of Angus genetics in both northern and southern beef operations.

Angus bulls on the barkley

Originating from the Riverina region in NSW, Mr McGlynn has spent his career working on and managing beef cattle properties in Northern Australia, most recently as the manager of ‘Rocklands’, Camooweal in Qld. Under his leadership, Paraway has been integrating the use of Angus bulls into their northern breeding operations, aiming to produce Angus Santa Gertrudis F1 progeny. Paraway’s Northern portfolio stretches over 4 million hectares running approximately 60,000 breeders, which are then transferred down into their growing operations further south. More specifically, Rocklands is a 1.8-million-acre breeding business that runs 32,000 joined females per annum. Within the wider operation there are two different breeding systems, being the original herd joined with Santa bulls, whose progeny are then joined to Angus bulls. The Angus progeny are then joined back to the Santa bulls. When asked about the breeding objectives and profit drivers for the company Mr McGlynn explained that Paraway remains key performance indicator driven. “The way we operate within the Paraway system is that each business is set up as its own enterprise and they operate 26

their own profit and loss and we do internal transfers, which are actual sales. Basically, each business will have a different core KPI but overarching it is kilos produced per AE with our breeding businesses focusing on kilos produced per retained breeder. We do delve into weaning and branding percentages a little bit.” When it comes to their female herd, the operation fully segregates this. All females are preg tested annually and are put into two- or three-month calving groups, (Oct, Nov, Dec drop and Jan, Feb, March, April drop). Calving in October is a logistical decision based on environmental factors such as annual rainfall and flooding faced in the north. Females are mated according to their rate of puberty and their average daily gain (ADG) performance at joining, with age at joining anywhere from 15 months to 2 years, cutting them off at the December joining period around 280kg weight. 70% of calves are branded back onto their mothers in the first round and then the cows are weaned and preg tested in those aforementioned alternate groups as the they grow the kilos on progeny, in which the key driver in that is the body condition of the cow. Considering that bulls are run in rangeland areas of the Barkley, strict management practices are adhered to prior to and during the joining period to ensure performance. Angus bulls are purchased by the end of May and are on farm going into June, to ensure they are entering into a cooler climate to get them developed to the native rangelands prior to the joining period later in the year. As it warms up the bulls are fed supplements prior to a December joining. “That acclimatisation period is imperative for those six months in that particular environment.” Post joining the bulls are kept with the cows until preg testing then are pulled to be put on a supplement program. Typically, Paraway sees four seasons out of their Angus bulls, with those no longer productive culled with the unproductive females out of the herd. The primary drivers behind the utilisation of Angus genetics within Paraway’s cross breeding operation comes down to the ability to accommodate different traits. “Obviously IMF is important, and we could really hit our core KPI’s in terms of growth and what we’re going to deliver to our customers and to get that 60 per cent Bos Taurus influence basically fed us into the Angus Santa cross. That F1 progeny is working really well for us. It’s so highly profitable. And then in terms of sustainability for the progeny being joined back into the breeding herd sees some great results in heifer productivity.” Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) play a crucial role in selection with some key metrics regarding where they select their Angus bulls from. They identify bulls from producers which are going to suit similar breeding environments including land type and nutritional values. “I think the first year was a bit of a learning experience and we have identified that we just needed to tighten that selection pressure up on those bulls, just in terms of coat scoring them because that’s very reflective through their progeny, I’m not a geneticist, but I’m sure it’s highly heritable. Then the complete structural soundness, as each bull is physically tested. The bulls are scrutinised to be able to operate in that in that environment.

C: Ben McGlynn, Paraway Pastoral Company, D: Sam Crowther, Harrow Grazing

And then focusing on the traits of carcase calving ease, mature cow weight, high fertility and good average growth.” When it comes to Angus genetics in the North, Mr McGlynn had a positive outlook on the utilisation going into the future. “In my experience, I was quite skeptical to see the performance of the Angus progeny in the north and how well or how much TLC the bulls would need. But it’s actually been a very positive result for our business in pretty trying circumstances, we’ve definitely put them to the test.”

“The biggest thing of feeding cattle grain is that they are getting that 12 or 13% protein and energy down their neck and if you give them that they will perform. If they don’t have that, you can’t meet those goals. So, my idea is to have those cattle going from when mum has given you a lovely sappy weaner to just keep him going and don’t let him have a setback.” “We’ve had too many dry years. This is one of the big reasons why we do it this way, because if you are getting a cash flow you are value adding a lot of benefits.” When asked why the Angus Santa cross works in their operation, Mr Crowther explained that it comes down to the suitability between the breeds. Mr Crowther highlighted that the breeds complement each other, “Joining with the Angus bulls, you end up creating a complete article, with fertility, calving ease, carcase, maturity patterns, weight gain and polledness”. “The greatest thing is that when you’re inducting cattle in the feedlot, you don’t have to use that drafting gate. You find that when you have that Angus content in them, they are just so uniform and consistent. They’re easy. They become easy for us.”

Providing a cosistent and uniform product

Sam Crowther is principal of ‘Harrow Grazing’, a family beef cattle operation based in the Arcadia Valley in Central Queensland. The Crowther’s run a breeding enterprise across two properties, covering approximately 7,000 hectares and running 1,500 breeders. Within their operation, the Crowther’s join Angus and Santa Gertrudis cross cattle, and run a 650 head lot fed finishing enterprise, supplying both the short fed and domestic trade markets. Mr Crowther estimates that 90% of all turn off cattle are finished through their feedlot. The goal for their operation is to turn their cattle off quickly, with good weight, at a very young age consistently through their feedlot. They also do some forage cropping when available in order to support their cattle coming through the feedlot. “We like to keep our weaners going. We end up with some pretty sappy weaners when we go to wean about this time of year. The leads of our weaners are about 330 to 380kg and my goal is to keep those cattle going. We have a bit of oats crop we can put them on for a couple of months and then we induct into the feedlot.” The cattle are going into the feedlot about 460-480kg for a 100-day program for turning off to processors at the end of each year at approximately 16 months of age, averaging around 350kg carcase weight (cwt). “We have been able to do this because these cattle are good cattle. They’re really good, crossbred cattle, as the Angus and Santa really work together very well.” For a number of years, the Crowthers have also supplied cattle to Woolworths, with the cattle supplied turned off at approximately 270kg following a 70 day grainfed program. When it comes to their grain program, consistency is a key driver for the Crowther’s in order to maintain the good quality product to fulfill their contracts.

“You certainly get the hybrid vigour with crossing Angus and Santa. When we send them to the abattoir I think they are at least 30kg heavier than a straight breed.” For the Crowther’s, utilising Angus genetics has delivered quick maturity and weight gain, and uniformity which is highly beneficial in the feedlot. When it comes to challenges to the Angus breed in his northern operation, Mr Crowther highlighted issues like ticks and heat tolerance are challenges they will always face, however parasite control and the utilisation of slight Bos Indicus content allows for management of these issues. When selecting Angus bulls, Mr Crowther highlights “confirmation and constitution’. “If you have their confirmation right, everything’s going to be right. There is nothing better than good constitution in cattle. If you can keep a beast in good order on minimum tucker it’s really valuable and it goes right through the whole chain. Then we look at the EBVs and the paper trails.” In terms of EBVs, Mr Crowther lists good growth traits, eye muscle, birth weight and calving ease as the key considerations. “We join all our maiden heifers to low-birth-weight Angus bulls, because we have a lot less problems. If you put the Angus bulls over them you get lots of calves, early calves.” When it comes to Angus influence on their profitability, Mr Crowther puts it down to production, meat quaility and money in the bank. “Angus are just good, if it’s dry you still have production and it’s keeping things moving. Every time you wake up in the morning you know you have a feedlot where the cattle are putting on 2-2.5kg a day.”

Innovation keeps you at the forefront

Adding to the group was Robert Mackenzie, Founder and Owner of Mackas Pastoral and Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef. Mr Mackenzie is the fourth generation of family owned Mackas Pastoral, a commercial Angus beef operation based in the NSW Hunter Valley. The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Beef Australia Recently, the family has taken their beef to the world across 11 countries, exporting Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef, a Verified Black Angus Beef brand, with their key markets being China and the Middle East. The Mackenzie’s breeding operations began in 1884, and in today’s age run their business over 8 properties in the Hunter region, spanning 14,000 acres running 3,500 Angus breeders. Their weaners are selected into two categories. The top group of steers, which are around 350kg at 8 months of age, are sold predominately through AuctionsPlus and the local sale yards. The remaining steers are put into their own backgrounding operations and then into a 150-day grain fed program for their branded beef operation. Innovation and technology have been key for the success at Macka’s Pastoral and allowed them to tell their story to the world and Mr McKenzie believes that producers need to continually adapt to the technology and programs available to them to stay at the forefront of beef production. Mr Mackenzie launched Mackas Australia Black Angus Beef in 2016 for a number of reasons, however at the forefront was the fact that as a producer they found they were disconnected once they sold their cattle. “Once we sold the cattle, we wanted to know, who was benefiting from that? Where are they going? Who’s getting the accolades for that hard work that we put in as a family operation? We felt disconnected to where our product was going to, and we wanted to learn more. So that was a driving factor in that we wanted to connect with the end consumer.” In terms of consumer perception, involvement in the Angus Brand Verification Program with the Mackas Australian Black Angus Beef brand, Mr Mackenzie believes that the verification gave their beef brand a marketing edge and a point of difference in terms of what the consumer wanted. “The consumer wanted to know that it was Verified Black Angus Beef, they wanted to know more about that and definitely on that world stage, those consumers want the best product. Food fraud is a massive issue. And I’m not saying that this solves a food fraud problem, but it actually gives that little bit more confidence to our resellers.” Mackas Pastoral was also the first members to sell Angus Verified steers as part of the newly launched Angus Verified program, achieving sale topping results. When speaking about the decision to be involved in Angus Verified, Mr Mackenzie highlighted value adding as their reasoning. “Angus Verified gives clarity to the breed, strengthens the breed, and it gave us a premium on that day. The buyer purchased those steers because they saw value knowing that they were pure bred. To feed animals in a feedlot is

costly. In Australia, where we’re pricing ourselves out of the markets, so we have to do everything we possibly can to be sustainable and provide a high-quality and competitive product on the world stage and within Australia.” Mr Mackenzie believes that their success comes down to their female herd, and during times of environmental pressure highlighted the importance their female herd had in ensuring their high-quality product. With this maternal emphasis in mind, fertility, milk production and carcase traits were the main traits focused on by Macka’s when it comes to selecting bulls. “We’re far from being an expert at selecting bulls or an expert of breeding cattle, but we believe that we’ve had continuous growth, where we do try to expand and purchase property and we need to strengthen our female herd. Our objective this year is to hopefully have five thousand breeding cows.” “Our selection last year was predominantly focused on maternal traits, milk production and growth. And that will be our focus on the next couple of years because we don’t put any of our females in our boxed beef program. We usually retain about 30 per cent of our females, this year retaining more because of our potential growth.” When it comes to challenges in their area for Angus cattle, the Mackenzie’s have found that when bringing cattle to the coastal areas from inland there can be up to 6 months needed for the cattle to adapt to the coastal climate. Furthermore, ticks can be an issue. As a commercial producer, Mr Mackenzie highlighted programs such as Angus Verified as well as the ability to market Angus cattle and Angus beef as a driving factor for his continued utilisation of the Angus breed within the Mackas operation. “Marketing is key, people like to surround themselves with success and the marketing and support that Angus Australia provides its members is second to none. Programs like Angus Verified give commercial producers a chance to be part of Angus Australia and the support it provides.”

E: Robert McKenzie, Macka’s Pastoral

Verified Black Angus Beef on show at Beef Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

Verified Black Angus Beef Brands were again given the chance to shine at Beef Australia with crowds afforded the opportunity to dine on ‘Australia’s Beef’ at the Beef Symposium and during the Celebrity Chef Restaurant. In partnership with Verified Black Angus Beef brand, Macka’s, to sponsor the Beef Symposium, guests at the event were treated to Pastrami Quiche, Roast Beef Rolls, Thai Beef Salad and Spiced Beef with cous cous. Angus Australia’s Commercial Supply Chain Manager, Liz Pearson explained to attendees that, ‘Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef, is a Verified Black Angus Beef brand, which validates the brands’ breed claims, meaning that if you think you are paying for Angus, then that is exactly what you are getting.’ Verified Black Angus Beef also featured as part of the Celebrity Chef Restaurant with Angus Reserve, a Verified Black Angus Beef brand from NH Foods featuring during a lunch time session. The celebrity chef restaurant was an opportunity to taste incredible food by some of Australia’s best chefs.

‘As far as I am concerned, every Australian deserves and should be trying Angus Reserve and getting it on to your table soon. It’s Verified Black Angus Beef and if you ask me, it’s the best that money can buy.’ Guests at this lunch were treated to a Terrine of Angus Reserve Oxtail.

The Angus Reserve dish was prepared by NH Foods Brand Ambassador, Fast Ed, Halmagyi, who takes great pride in his role and loves working with Angus beef and in particular Angus Reserve. ‘There aren’t many beautiful Australian cattle out there that will give you a result like this first time every time and it’s all about Angus beef,’ said Ed.

Would you try Fast Ed’s terrine recipe from the Beef Australia Celebrity Chef Restaurant?

Angus Reserve Oxtail Terrine Serves

Prep (Mins)

2 hours + 2 days chilling

Cook (Mins)

4 hours

· Angus Reserve oxtail, sliced* · 1 calf’s trotter, split · 125g ghee · 2 brown onions, chopped · 8 cloves garlic, chopped · 4 sprigs thyme · 2 bay leaves · 3L beef stock · 1L merlot · 1 tsp mountain pepperberry, crushed · Sea salt flakes 1. Fry the oxtail and calf’s trotter in ghee in a large saucepan over a high heat in batches until browned, then set aside. Add the onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaves and pepperberry and cook briefly. Transfer the meat and vegetables to a large saucepan with the wine and bring to simmer. Pour in the stock, then add water to cover. Simmer for 3 hours, until very tender. 2. Shred the meat off the bones, then discard the bones and remaining solids. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve, then a paper filter. Boil rapidly until reduced by three-quarters. Add half the meat, then serve the remainder as jus. 3. Season the meat with salt, then press into a 7cm cylindrical mould. Seal the ends, then refrigerate for 2 days to firm completely. *This quantity can vary as the meat yield from oxtail is unpredictable. This is designed for a 40% meat yield, and 130g portions.

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Beef Australia

? How do you really know it’s angus

ANGUS BRAND VERIFICATION The Angus Society of Australia Limited 30

Angus & Angus Influenced Cattle rise to the top in National Carcase Competition Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

The ANZ National Beef Carcase Competition was again a happy hunting ground for cattle breeders utilising Angus genetics in their herds. Angus cattle outperformed the other competitors when it comes to carcase quality, with purebred Angus entries taking out both MSA Index Awards. The MSA Index Award for individual carcase with the highest MSA Index from classes 1-7, went to an Angus carcase exhibited by Barry Hollonds, Sale VIC with a 68.95 MSA Index. Going up against 3.5 million carcases that were graded, the winning carcase was from a 340kg Angus steer. Mr Hollonds also had a pen of three Angus steers place 6th in Class 2, Pasture fed - Pen of three Heavy Trade chiller steers or heifers - 260.1-340kg and another pen of Angus steers place 5th in Class 3, Pasture fed - Pen of three Export chiller bullocks - 300-420kg. The award for pen of 3 carcases with the highest total MSA Indexes from classes 1-7 went to Baringa Pastoral Company Pty Ltd, Walcha NSW for a pen of 3 Angus carcases. This result for Baringa was on top of winning first place for eating quality at the Beef Spectacular Awards night earlier in the year, with an MSA Index of 65.56. Waverley Station Pty Ktd, King Island Tas, placed 2nd in Class 3 with a pen pf Angus steers. The Bendotti Family from Pemberton WA, were awarded 1st place with a pen of three Angus steers in Class and also placed 3rd, 5th and 6th in this class. The first place team finished with a score of 278.10 out of 306. The Bendottis also received a 6th place in Class 1, Pasture fed - Pen of three Medium Trade chiller steers or heifers 180-260kg. The Beef Australia Highest Pen Award (Highest scoring pen of 3 from classes 1-7) went to the John Galatti Family Trust, Brunswick WA, whom had also won Class 4, Grain fed - Pen of three Medium Trade chiller steers or heifers 180 – 260kg, with a pen of three Angus Influenced steers (Limousin cross Angus)

The Galatti Family also placed 3rd and 6th in Class 5, Grain fed - Pen of three Heavy Trade chiller steers or heifers 260.1 – 340kg, with two pens of three Angus Influenced steers (Charolais cross Angus). The Campbell Family, AS & M Campbell continued their success in this competition , receiving 2nd in both Class, 1 and Class 2 with teams of three purebred Angus steers and 3rd and 5th in Class 1 with teams of three Angus Influenced steers (Charolais cross Angus). NJ & JM Southorn, Forbes NSW placed 4th Class 6, in Grain fed - Pen of three Export chiller bullocks – 300 – 420kg, with a pend of three Angus steers. NB – Beef Australia does not provide breed information with their results. This information has been sourced either from other media sources or from breeders. If you have results to add to this article, please contact marketing@ angusaustralia.com.au

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The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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51st Annual Bull Sale

Friday 17th September, on property ‘Glenview’ Walwa Offering 65

ANGUS BULLS, 7 Angus infused Grey Bulls.

Featuring drafts of bulls sired by: • Landfall New Ground N90 • Landfall Keystone K132 • The Glen Napoleon N374 • The Glen Keystone P21 • Baldridge Command C036 • G A R Inertia

GMJP21 The Glen Keystone P21. A moderate BWT, Frame 7 sire. In the top 1% for Growth and Carcase weight.

GMJN374 The Glen Napoleon N374. A moderate BWT, Frame 7+ sire, with outstanding structure, conformation and mobility.

TFAN90 Landfall New Ground N90. A low BWT sire in the top 5% for Growth and all Market Indexes.

ENQUIRIES & VISITORS WELCOME

BEEF WEEK OPEN DAY ly u

Monday 26th J

Mike & Joy Gadd 0427 371 347, 02 6037 1347

Ian Peake Cattle Breeding Program Manager, 0448 244 050

Mike & Joy Gadd - The Glen Pastoral Co Pty Ltd, ‘Glenview’, 3091 Shelley Rd (PO Box 3), Walwa VIC 3709 Ph: 02 6037 1347 | Mob: 0427 371 347 | E: mike@theglenpastoral.com.au | W: www.theglenpastoral.com.au

Steer and Carcase success for Angus at Sydney Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

The Angus breed continued to boost its reputation as the breed for carcase and taste quality with an outstanding performance at the 2021 Sydney Royal Easter Show in both the purebred and trade sections, with Angus steers featuring heavily amongst the major awards across all facets of the competition.

A: Champion Middleweight Carcase, Reserve Champion Middleweigh steer, B: Stan Hill Team 2021, C: Champion Lightweight carcase, D: Reserve Champion Lightweight Carcase

In the live judging of the purebred section, an Angus steer exhibited by Scotts All Saints College, Bathurst NSW and bred by Sunny Point Pastoral Company, Oberon, received reserve champion lightweight steer and then went on to receive a 2nd place in the Virtual Taste Test competition. The steer tipped the scales at 377kg with 12mm and 8mm rump and rib fats and was by Bongongo Reality K522 and out of a commercial Angus cow. He made 127c/kg at auction, and was picked up by Mr D’s Traditional Meats, Bossley Park. Angus dominated the live judging in the middleweight category with two purebred Angus steers receiving champion and reserve. Blue Gene Cattle Company, Parkville exhibited the champion middleweight steer that went on to sell for 1340c/kg to Alexander Downs, Merriwa. Bred by the George family of Willow Tree, the Angus steer was around 10 months of age and recorded a weight of 443kg with fats of 14mm and 9mm. The steer went on to receive a 3rd in the Virtual Taste test.

Images: Showcase by Branded Ag

Reserve champion middleweight steer was presented to BW. and MM. Brooker of Main Camp Angus, Upper Rouchelle with their 499kg Angus steer. Measuring 11mm and 7mm rump and rib fats he sold for 800c/kg to Craig Cook’s Prime Quality Meats. The same steer went one better in the carcase judging when he was crowned the champion middleweight carcase with 91 points. Champion virtual taste test carcase went to St Catherine’s Catholic College Singleton for its Angus steer with a Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Index of 61.93. It was bred by Bonny Brooke Angus, Yarrowitch and was sired by Booroomooka Regent J133. In the trade section the champion virtual taste test trade carcase went to an Angus cross steer exhibited by Pymble Ladies College’s, that recorded a MSA Index of 63.1. In the Stan Hill Trophy for 3 purebred steers, the Angus team made up of the lightweight champion from Blue Gene Cattle Co, champion middleweight carcase from BW & MM Brooker and another steer from BW & MM Brooker, placed 3rd. The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Champion titles for Angus & Angus cross at Wingham Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager

Bruce and Helen Scrivener, Bonny Brook Angus, Yarrowitch NSW, exhibiting through St Catherine’s College at Singleton, claimed Champion Carcase at this years’ Wingham Carcase competition. The Heavy Middleweight Angus steer had a 299.5 kilograms carcase weight, 8mm rib fat, an eating quality score of 47.43 and scored 20 out of 20 points for hitting market specifications, to record a total of 94.92 points. The Scrivener Family was as also awarded Champion pen of four for grass fed Angus cross Charolais steers on a combined total of 370.16pts, as well as Champion pen of two and Reserve pen of two as well as winning Heavyweight and Reserve Heavyweight. Champion light Middleweight carcase went to an Angus cross shorthorn steer exhibted by Wingham High School with 92.18 points. Wingham High School also exhibited Reserve Champion heavy middleweight, an Angus cross Murray Grey, that scored 94.09 points Allan Waldon, Bowman River, scored top MSA index score of 68.36pts with an eight tooth Angus cross, 451.5kg carcase weight, with 24mm p8 fat, Rib fat was perfect at 8mm, ossification was 140 with 16 out of 20 for market specification but the largest score of the draft for eating quality at 48.36 to deliver a total of 89.66pts.

34NEVADA BEEF AD MAY21 A5.indd

A: Champion Carcase steer an Angus steer, exhibited by the Scrivener Family, B: 4:10 Allan 31/5/21 pm Waldon scored top MSA index score with an Angus cross steer

Around the Shows A

F Beef Australia: A: Senior & Grand Champion Angus Bull: Hillview Quigley Q18# exhibited by Hillview Angus, B: Senior & Grand Champion Angus Female: K5X Wilcoola N106# exhibited by SB Hayward & Kl Smith, Sydney Royal Easter Show: C: Interbreed Champion Breeders Group - Pine Creek Angus, D: Interbreed Champion Bull & Senior & Grand Champion Angus Bull - Hillview Quigley Q18#, E: Grand Champion Female & Senior Champion Female - PC Miss Angus Conversion M205SV, F: Hordern Perpetual Trophy - PC Miss J260 Conversion M205SV exhibited by Pine Creek Angus, & Hillview Quigley Q18# exhibited by Hillview Angus Images: Showcase by Branded Ag

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Angus CONNECT

What went down at Angus CONNECT Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

The Angus CONNECT Research & Development Update - Autumn 2021 took place May 25th, with a number of presentations from Angus Australia staff and guest speakers. Presenting a number of interesting and timely conversations around the research and development coming out of Angus Australia from staff at Angus Australia, Angus CONNECT also provided an international perspective on the topics discussed with a presentation from guest speaker Dr Bob Weaber (Kansas State University). Streamed via the Angus Australia YouTube channel, the event has reached more than 400 views at the time of print, with viewers able to the watch the full event on the hosting platform after the conclusion of the live event. Access the full event here https://youtu.be/rKGFWIHBRdA

Genomic opportunities for commercial breeders

This presentation focused on the opportunities that are available to incorporate genomic based tools in commercial herds for the selection of Angus heifers and steers. Discussed were the options available through the use of Angus HeiferSELECT which sees the use of genomic technology, coupled with a highly effective reference population, and modern analytical models, resulting in a prediction of a commercial Angus heifer’s genetic make-up, for important beef production traits, based on a simple DNA sample. The presentation also provided information on the new opportunity for Angus commercial steers, based on the same genomic based system to Angus HeiferSELECT, Angus SteerSELECT. Angus SteerSELECT will include the 9 steer relevant traits covering growth, feed efficiency and gain, carcase attributes and disease resilience.

Return on investment for Angus HeiferSELECT

Angus CONNECT investigated the return on investment achieved when investing in new genomic selection tools for commercial heifers. The presentation, delivered by Zoetis Animal Genetics’ Genetics key account manager, Lachlan Ayoub, discussed the Angus HeiferSELECT selection tool that is offered by Angus Australia, in association with partners Zoetis Animal Genetics and Neogen Australasia. Mr Ayoub presented on the outcomes of a recent case study exploring the return on investment of Angus HeiferSELECT with the herd examined utilising Angus HeiferSELECT over 5 year drops of calves, since 2015.

Managing and selecting bulls for use in Northern Australia:

Selecting suitable bulls and managing their acclimatisation is vital for a bull to deliver reproductive and genetic impact to herds in northern environments. During this presentation, Jen Peart discussed the considerations that should be accounted for in finding, selecting and keeping Angus bulls in northern operations.

The Ideal Cow Size for Your Environment

During University of Kansas Professor and Head, Dr Bob Weaber, addressed the message ‘Find the optimum cow size that maximises profit on your farm’. Dr Weaber explained that over the last 30 years, seedstock breeders of every major U.S. beef breed had increased growth and lactation potential. Research has shown that big cows or high lactation cows have higher nutrient requirements and that often the difference in nutrient demand due to the animal’s weight is unappreciated. Dr Weaber broke down that to understand what the optimum cow size is for our environment, we need to understand both the nutrient availability or productivity of our farm and understand the mature weight and body condition of the herd. This information, combined with understanding the animals that are working or not working in our system, enables us to understand the suitability of our cows for their environment and ultimately, optimize cow size for the environment’ through the selection and breeding decisions we make.

Understanding Angus Australia’s Research Breeding Values

Breeders of Angus cattle now have access to research breeding values that predict genetic differences between animals for four new traits relating to mature cow body composition, immune competence and tropical adaption. The availability of the four research breeding values (RBVs) is part of Angus Australia’s commitment to ensuring that Angus breeders have access to the most accurate selection tools possible. In this presentation, Angus Australia Breed Development and Extension Manager Andrew Byrne breaks down each of the available RBVs, and their functions. The research breeding values for individual animals can be accessed via the Angus Database Search facility on the Angus Australia website, www.angusaustralia.com.au, with the RBVs for mature body condition and height, along with the RBVs for coat type now being updated as part of the routine, bi-monthly TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation. Seedstock breeders interested in having the new research breeding values calculated for their animals can also access collection guidelines for the research traits in the Angus Education Centre.

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Angus CONNECT

Genomic Opportunities for Commercial Angus Breeders Matt Reynolds, Breed Development Officer

Opportunities are available to incorporate genomic based tools in commercial herds for the selection of Angus heifers and steers. This was the focus of a session in the Autumn 2021 Angus CONNECT Research and Development event. “Genomics, in relation to livestock production, is an advanced field of science that essentially interrogates an animal’s DNA profile. DNA being the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of all known organisms.” said Angus Australia’s, Strategic Projects Manager, Christian Duff. “Genomic technology, coupled with a highly effective reference population, and modern analytical models, a prediction of a commercial Angus animal’s genetic makeup, for important beef production traits, based on a simple DNA sample, is possible and available now for Angus heifers.” Mr Duff added. The highly effective reference population, linking phenotypes with genotypes, stems from Angus Australia member data, coupled with a suite of hard-to-measure traits (e.g. direct carcase, feed efficiency, immune competence) recorded in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program. This is crucially formed from Australian Angus cattle run in Australia production systems. Genomic based selection is available for Angus heifers through the Angus HeiferSELECT product where genetic predictions are available for nine commercially relevant traits, along with a total breeding index and an associated star rating. The next generation of genomic tools for commercial Angus producers has been the focus of collaborative R&D over the past 12months with the CSIRO, being Australia’s national science agency. “As part of ongoing development and innovation, the Angus HeiferSELECT product will see the expansion from 9 to 13 traits, including genomic based predictions for two feedlot traits, being average daily gain and feed intake, and the disease resilience traits ImmuneDEX. Additionally, the carcase traits will see the transition from intramuscular fat to MSA marbling score and the inclusion of ossification.” Mr Duff highlighted An updated total breeding value has also been developed for the Angus HeiferSELECT product in collaboration with AbacusBio, who have global experience in developing selection indexes for a multitude of livestock species. “Angus SteerSELECT will present a new opportunity for Angus commercial producers. It is based on the same genomic based system to HeiferSELECT, and will include the 9 steer relevant traits covering growth, feed efficiency and gain, carcase attributes and disease resilience”. Said Mr Duff. “Importantly, Angus SteerSELECT in undergoing a thorough validation process, with initial work showing it to be an effective selection tool to draft steers for traits such as marbling and carcase weight particularly in mid-fed and long-fed feedlot production systems.” Mr Duff added. The next generation of Angus HeiferSELECT and the availability of Angus SteerSELECT has a target release for July 2021. 38

Mr Duff finished the Angus CONNECT session on what the future holds “Angus Australia plans, with CSIRO, to regularly update the genomic predictions that underpin both the Angus HeiferSELECT and SteerSELECT products. This will ensure the large but growing and most contemporary Australian Angus reference population data is utilised.” “Additionally, as a feedback loop for Angus SteerSELECT, a model to include effective commercial data from the feedlot or abattoir into the Australian Angus reference population is also being explored with our colleagues at CSIRO.” Further information on the genomic opportunities for commercial Angus breeders is available from the Angus Australia website, or by contacting staff at Angus Australia.

Angus HeiferSELECT

Angus SteerSELECT

Trait Group

Trait

Current

New

Cow-Calf/ On-farm

Calving Ease Direct

Yes

Weaning Weight

Yes

Milk

Yes

Yearling Weight

Yes

Mature Cow Weight

Yes

Average Daily Gain

Yes

Feed Intake

Yes

Carcase Weight

Yes

Eye Muscle Area

Yes

Rib Fat

Yes

IMF or MSA Marbling*

Yes

Ossification

Yes

ImmuneDEX

Yes

Feedlot

Carcase

Resilience

* Intramuscular (IMF) fat transitioned to MSA marbling score in next generation products Figure 1 – Angus HeiferSELECT will see the next generation product expand to 13 traits, while Angus SteerSELECT will be realised with 9 steer relevant traits.

Investing in Genomic Selection Tools for Commercial Heifers Makes Sense Matt Reynolds, Breed Development Officer

The return on investment achieved when investing in new genomic selection tools for commercial heifers was discussed in a presentation delivered at the Angus CONNECT Research and Development Update – Autumn 2021. The presentation, delivered by Zoetis Animal Genetics’ Genetics key account manager, Lachlan Ayoub, discussed the Angus HeiferSELECT selection tool that is offered by Angus Australia, in association with partners Zoetis Animal Genetics and Neogen Australasia. Angus HeiferSELECT is a genomic tool available for commercial Angus females and provides genetic predictions for nine important maternal, growth and carcase traits as well as an index, in the form of the Total breeding index, and a star rating. As part of the Autumn 2021 Angus CONNECT Research and Development Update, Mr Ayoub presented on the outcomes of a recent case study exploring the return on investment of Angus HeiferSELECT. Retailing at approximately $40 inc. GST per heifer Mr Ayoub highlighted that ‘a question that has often been asked by customers and commercial producers interested is, what is the potential return on investment?’. The case study herd examined had been utilising Angus HeiferSELECT over 5 year drops of calves, since 2015, as part of a program producing both purebred Angus and Terminal Wagyu F1’s. The case study focused on the benefits obtained in the herd from identifying the bottom performing animals and culling them from the breeding herd. Animals were assessed with the Total Breeding Value (TBV) which is an index incorporating the nine traits calculated as part of Angus HeiferSELECT with appropriate weightings assigned to reflect their relative importance. For the purpose of the study a single TBV point was assigned a dollar value of $1.44 to model the return on investment. The study assumed 60% of heifers would be retained with the bottom 40%, identified based on Angus HeiferSELECT, sold. The herd was also assumed to have an average 88% year on year weaning rate with a 10-year maximum cow life. In the case study, a total of 756 heifers were tested as part of the ‘2019 born’ heifers representing an initial ex GST investment of $29,312.18. The case study forecasted a potential total return of $63,029.19, over the 10 years, from the better genetics of the ‘2019’ selected group delivering a higher return through superior genetics.

Mr Ayoub concluded his presentation by stating that the results of the case study demonstrate that ‘Angus HeiferSELECT is an effective tool available to commercial producers to make objective genetic decisions on impossible to measure commercially important traits, with Angus HeiferSELECT delivering significant financial return over the lifespan of each heifer tested’. For further information contact staff at Angus Australia on (02) 6773 4600 or office@angusaustralia.com.au

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Angus CONNECT

Next Generation Selection with Research Breeding Values Breeders of Angus cattle now have access to research breeding values that predict genetic differences between animals for four new traits relating to mature cow body composition, immune competence and tropical adaption. Speaking at the Autumn 2021 Angus CONNECT R&D Update, Angus Australia’s Breed Development & Extension Manager, Mr Andrew Byrne said the availability of the research breeding values were the outcome of collaborative research projects that were in place between Angus Australia and both the University of New England (UNE), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). “EBVs are published routinely on Angus animals for 21 different traits in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation, but not all traits for which Angus breeders wish to select for are described by the current breeding values”, explained Mr Byrne. “The collaborative R&D projects that are in place with geneticists at UNE and CSIRO aim to fill some of this gap and fast track the availability of breeding values for these additional traits”, Mr Byrne said. The first two research breeding values, Mature Body Condition and Mature Cow Height, predict genetic differences in the body condition score and height of mature females at the time when they are weaning their calves respectively. “EBVs have been available for mature cow weight for some time, but feedback has indicated that breeders would like to be able to better differentiate between animals with similar genetics for mature weight, but who produce progeny with different mature body composition”, Mr Byrne said. The new RBVs for mature cow body condition and height can be considered alongside the mature cow weight EBVs for animals to aid in the selection of breeding animals that will produce progeny with the desired mature weight and body composition. The third research breeding value, Coat Type, predicts genetic differences in hair length, with animals with lower Coat Type EBVs being predicted to produce progeny with a shorter, slicker coat. “The availability of a breeding value for coat type was initially identified as a priority due to the anecdotal evidence that 40

animals with slicker coats are associated with improved heat tolerance and tick resistance, but increasingly the apparent association between slicker coats and reduced dagging in a feedlot environment been highlighted as being of importance”, Mr Byrne said. The fourth research breeding value, ImmuneDEX, provides predictions of genetic differences between animals in overall immune competence, and has been developed in response to an expectation that sustained selection for production traits like weight gain will in time, result in a decline in animal resilience. The immune system tailors how it responds to different infectious agents, with individuals identified as having a balanced ability to mount both an antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immune response being expected to exhibit a broad disease resistance against a wide range of pathogens. For this reason, ImmuneDEX considers phenotypic measurements taken on animals in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program for both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immune response, along with the genomic profile for these animals, to calculate a single research breeding value for immune competence. “The availability of the four research breeding values is part of Angus Australia’s commitment to ensuring that Angus breeders have access to the most accurate selection tools possible”, said Mr Byrne. The research breeding values for individual animals can be accessed via the Angus Database Search facility on the Angus Australia website, www.angusaustralia.com.au, with the RBVs for mature body condition and height, along with the RBVs for coat type now being updated as part of the routine, bi-monthly TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation. Seedstock breeders interested in having the new research breeding values calculated for their animals can also access collection guidelines for the new traits in the Angus Education Centre, also available via the Angus Australia website.

The Ideal Cow Size for Your Environment Matt Reynolds, Breed Development Officer

‘Find the optimum cow size that maximises profit on your farm’ was the message delivered during a recent Angus CONNECT presentation from University of Kansas Professor and Head, Dr Bob Weaber, who brought an interesting U.S. perspective to the topic of mature cow size. As part of the Angus CONNECT Research and Development Update – Autumn 2021, Dr Weaber explained that over the last 30 years, seedstock breeders of every major U.S. beef breed had increased growth and lactation potential. This increased focus on growth has seen a substantial increase in mature cow size in the U.S.since the 1970’s across all the major beef breeds. This is due partly to the underlying relationship between growth and mature cow size. Dr Weaber explained ‘The relationship between mature weight and yearling weight is about 0.6, so roughly about a third of the variation in mature weight is described by change in weaning weight and selection criteria.’ Dr Weaber went on to say ‘So, if we don’t put downward pressure on mature weight to maintain it at a specific level, as we continue to select for increase growth potential in animals we see an increase in mature weight’. Research has shown that big cows or high lactation cows have higher nutrient requirements and that often the difference in nutrient demand due to the animal’s weight is unappreciated. Due to most cow-calf operations running within a ‘fixed resource’ system, that is a system without significant supplementary feeding, the increase in nutrient requirement means that the cow requirements may exceed the nutrient availability of the environment within which they live and subsequently cause a reduction in body condition. It has been well demonstrated that lower body condition effects fertility, a critical feature for success within cow-calf systems. ‘Having cows ideal in terms of nutrient requirement or nutrient demand in their production system is critical for profitability’ Dr Weaber said. Dr Weaber explained that ‘often an increase in mature cow weight is tolerated’, due to a perceived increase in the weaning weight of the calf, however research from the U.S. has demonstrated that this isn’t the case. The work found that for every 100lb (or 45kg) increase in mature cow weight, the calf weight increased by 10lb (or 4.5kg). This increase in potential revenue from the calf, in most cases, doesn’t offset the significant increase in feed requirements of the cow.

Acceptable ranges for cow size will increase as the nutrient availability and productivity of the environment increases. Therefore, to understand what the optimum cow size is for our environment, we need to understand both the nutrient availability or productivity of our farm and understand the mature weight and body condition of the herd. This information, combined with an understand the animals that are working or not working in our system, enables us to understand the suitability of our cows for their environment and ultimately, optimize cow size for the environment’ through the selection and breeding decisions we make. For further information contact staff at Angus Australia on (02) 6773 4600 or office@angusaustralia.com.au

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Breed Development

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Managing & Selecting Bulls for Northern Australia Jen Peart, Northern Development Officer

Selecting suitable bulls and managing their acclimatisation is vital for a bull to deliver reproductive and genetic impact to herds in northern environments. This was the key message from Northern Development Officer, Jen Peart at Angus Australia’s Autumn Angus CONNECT Research and Development Update that premiered on the 25th of May. During her presentation, Ms Peart discussed the considerations that should be accounted for in finding, selecting and keeping Angus bulls in northern operations. “Given the magnitude of a bull’s impact on a herd and burgeoning bull prices, it is vital that producers in the North get results and longevity from Angus bulls they are investing in. The initial step in finding suitable Angus bulls is defining what you are looking for” says Ms Peart. “Having a defined breeding objective, three to five traits that you choose to prioritise in your breeding operation, that takes into account your environment, profit drivers and target market is vital to identifying suitable bulls to your operation. Regardless of the traits your operations focuses on for your breeding objective it is important you know what traits you want to improve with the bull selection decisions you are making.” says Ms Peart. Once a breeding objective is defined, tools such as SaleSELECT (available through angus.tech) enables users to sort and filter bulls offered for sale by Angus Australia members by information such as EBVs, location and animal age and can form the basis of a shortlist. Understanding the production environment that a bull is coming from is vital to managing its acclimatisation. Ms Peart encourages contacting the seedstock producer to discuss their operation and the breeding objectives they have for their herd. “Seedstock producers have a wealth of knowledge and experience that it is worth leveraging. Conversations should include understanding a bull’s pre-sale diet as well as health treatments to date and vet assessments results.” says Ms Peart. Ms Peart states that from this point it is all about managing the bull’s physical acclimatisation, including; · planning their relocation in the cooler months (i.e. avoid the hotter periods) · provide time and the appropriate nutritional supplement while making the transition to new feed and, · confirming that they have all the appropriate health treatments

“A minimum of 14 days is recommended to allow a bull and the rumen microbiome to adjust to pastures in a new environment, but it may take 4-6 weeks for a bull’s rumen to fully adjust to a change in feed. With appropriate management, there is also a growing preference to select bulls at an age of 12-18 months old as they have been found to acclimatise more quickly leading to greater longevity in northern environments.” states Ms Peart. Ms Peart went on to discuss managing a bull once he is at work in a herd. “Due to their strong libidos, Angus bulls are best suited to controlled mating situations and work best when grouped with bulls of a similar age. Ideally, they should be observed regularly during joining and it is also recommended that mustering Angus bulls during periods of extreme heat should be avoided.” says Ms Peart. Post joining should see the bull removed from the breeding herd to regain body condition, be provided any treatments necessary such as booster vaccinations and for an annual BullCHECK evaluation to be done. “Identifying suitable Angus bulls and managing their aclimatisation, particularly in Northern Australia is vital for a bull you have invested in to deliver reproductive and genetic impact to your herd.” says Ms Peart. The information presented in the session was largely based on the Northern Bull Protocols, available on the Northern Focus section of the Angus Australia website. Through Angus Australia and the Northern Development program there is a vast array of resources that have been developed to assist producers in finding, getting and keeping Angus bulls into Northern operation.

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Northern Focus

Taking Angus to the next level at Golden Arrow Jen Peart, Northern Development Officer

‘Golden Arrow’, Hannaford has been in the Wells family since its development in 1932 and is currently owned and operated by David and Anna Wells, the third generation.

Golden Arrow Location “Golden Arrow”, Hannaford 10,000 acres (4,000 ha) “Totara”, Talwood 10,000 acres, (4,000 ha) Annual Rainfall 600mm pa

use for paddy rearing just to get them used to their new surroundings. It keeps them quiet, lets them adjust before we add them to the bull herd, limits the fighting etc, for the three months before we join” says David. Between joining seasons, the bull herd is run on a leucaena crop of around 150 acres to regain and maintain body condition. Drought has played a significant role in shaping David and Anna’s business. Five years ago, the Wells’ were joining 1,000 breeders – 80% of which were Angus, the balance composites – over their two properties, ‘Totara’, Talwood and ‘Golden Arrow’, Hannaford. The successive dry years of 2017-2019 saw both properties completely destocked, the composite portion of the herd sold, and the remainder relocated to agistment near Windorah. Now, with a good season behind them, ‘Totara’ leased, and 600 head of pure-bred Angus breeders left, David describes the restocking process at Golden Arrow as an opportunity

“

I love the fertility of Angus, I haven’t had a lot to do with other breeds of cattle but from what I understand, we are just miles in front

“

David and Anna run a breeding operation, currently joining 600 pure bred Angus breeders and turn off roughly 250 weaner steers each year. Fertility is a key focus at Golden Arrow, with PTIC rates consistently between 94 and 96%. Joining is a three-month window from December 1st, and any female that returns empty at preg-testing is culled. Maiden heifers are first joined at 15 months of age – either to leased Wagyu bulls, with all F1 progeny supplied to a local feedlot operator as weaners, or to calving ease focussed Angus bulls. “We like to value add to our heifer side of things by either joining them to Wagyu bulls for calving ease in our F1 program, or to low birth weight Angus Bulls and have the option to keep them or sell them as PTIC heifers” says David. All pure-bred Angus progeny from the core breeding herd are weaned and the steers sold on AuctionsPlus at around 250kg liveweight while their heifer counterparts enter the breeding program. David attributes part of the success of this program to the saleability of Angus. “This year we are selling weaners for more money that we have ever have, but even back in 2018-2019, every time we went to sell our weaners on AuctionsPlus, we sold them every time, we have never had them passed in. We have always sold them at, or above, the market. They are just a saleable commodity, it doesn’t matter if you are in a dry season or a good season. There seems to be a concept that anything that is sold that’s 100% Angus, put extra cents and dollars on top of it.” he explains. Approximately 80% of the bull herd on “Golden Arrow” are registered sires purchased externally, while the balance are bulls the Wells’ have bred themselves. When selecting a bull for purchase, David explained visual assessment is a must, but his initial step is to look at a bull’s EBVs. He prioritises genetic condition free bulls with low birth weight and high early growth (200 day weight), followed by carcase traits such as intramuscular fat. When inducting a purchased bull, he allows for three months where, on delivery, the group of bulls purchased together are run with his small herd of five dairy cows. “We keep them in the group of bulls they came with and put them in with our little herd of five dairy cows we

to focus on their Angus genetics, particularly the selection of replacement heifers. “What we want to achieve by coming back and focussing on just what we have got here at Golden Arrow is to do a lot more work with our replacement heifers” explains David. “In the past we’ve chosen our replacement heifers at an age that hasn’t really given them all an opportunity to come back into the cycle. Because we have a three-month joining window, we were culling heifers for simply being three months younger. It interests me a lot, to have some extra tools to use when choosing those heifers and now that we have a season behind us, our program is to sell all the steers at weaning, we’re looking at doing more with those heifers by using HeiferSELECT with Angus Australia.” says David. As a result of family succession, David and Anna inherited their pure bred Angus herd from David’s great uncle who started breeding Angus in the 60’s on a neighbouring property. When asked why they continued to use Angus, David lists fertility and saleability as the driving factors. “I love the fertility of Angus, I haven’t had a lot to do with other breeds of cattle but from what I understand, we are just miles in front. Also, it’s being able to sell what you want to sell, when you want to sell it, and know you’re going to get the money for it.” says David. “That was another big reason to go 100% Angus. When we had composites, every year we have had to 900 calves, we had 50-60 composite that stood out – they weren’t apart of the line, they weren’t as easy to sell, they took away our ability to say that everything else was 100% and it was costing us dollars” explains David. David identified three limitations with running Angus at Golden Arrow; the lack of hybrid vigour in a pure bred herd, pink eye and buffalo fly.

“When we used to have a composite herd, our crossbred cattle would always be heavier, but the dollars you got for them were less than the 100% Angus, which offset the difference.” says David. “Eyes are probably one of the biggest frustrations we face, it’s a cost. Some way to combat this would be fantastic” he says. When it comes to buffalo fly, the Wells’ have experimented with a combination of drenches, ear tags and back rubbers to control them but are yet to find the perfect solution. Overall, David and Anna’s strong focus on genetics aims to not only improve the fertility in their herd, but to gain insight into how what they are selecting for is performing in the supply chain. “It’s not only about the heifer you are choosing, but it’s also to see how your genetics are performing. Despite that we have repeat clients, because we sell our steers on AuctionsPlus we don’t receive a lot of feedback in relation to how our cattle do in feedlots or elsewhere in the supply chain, we just don’t have that data. That’s where we’re trying to get to and to have HeiferSELECT, it’s an important tool that we’re hoping we can use.” says David. Note: HeiferSELECT is a genomic selection tool, offered by Angus Australia, in partnership with Zoetis and Neogen. It is designed to inform the selection of Angus replacement females in commercial beef breeding operations that are 87.5% Angus breed content or greater. It provides genomic predictions for nine important maternal, growth and carcase traits. For more information, visit www.anguaustralia.com.au

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Northern Focus

Behind The Beef – Angus in the North Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

Angus Australia’s Northern Development Officer Jen Peart joined the Behind the Beef podcast to discuss her role within Angus Australia and the work being done in the development of Angus and Angus influenced genetics in the northern Australia. Jen works to support producers with her passion about producer profitability and delivering research and extension of value. During the episode Jen breaks down the Northern Development Program, the recent research and development and where Angus producers can find further information that can assist them in integrating Angus into their northern herds. What is your role within Angus Australia? My role is Northern Development Officer, as part of the Strategic Projects area headed up by Christian Duff. In my field we’re doing a lot of work around predominantly research and development to support those using Angus in northern Australia and looking at opportunities that we can take advantage of to provide genetics to northern Australia. Can you give a little snapshot into the northern beef production system and the role Angus cattle play in the supply chain in the north? Northern beef production is really the powerhouse of the Australian beef industry. Queensland has the largest population of cattle in Australia and we’re seeing more and more Angus influenced cattle within that. Obviously, there’s a lot more crossbreeding in northern production systems, however based off a recent study Angus Australia conducted, there’s about 1.8 million head of Angus influenced animals in Queensland only, therefore it’s a sizeable population in the north. Angus cattle have a somewhat negative perception in terms of utilisation within northern Australia due to traits, such as coat colour. What is the aim of the Northern Development Program with regards to its work in supporting the utilisation of Angus genetics in the north? Some areas within the northern production system present challenges to the Angus breed and there are parts of Australia that aren’t suitable to Angus, however there are vast tracts of the north that can capitalise on some of the benefits of Angus, like the maternal traits such as fertility that are sought after in the Angus breed. Angus Australia is continuing a lot of work regarding heat tolerance and looking at heat tolerance in feedlots and its impact on fertility. We are also investigating tick resistance, as there is a lot of opportunity to do work there given the challenges that areas of Queensland and the Northern Territory present to Bos Taurus breeds, and specifically Angus. You are assisted by the support of the Northern Development Consultative Committee, what is the role of the committee? The Northern Development Consultative Committee is a group of producers with experience in the north, either based in the north or selling bulls to the north. They offer a range of experiences and are invaluable to the program because they give us a source of ground truth 46

and information around what they’re seeing on ground, what their experience is with a lot of the projects we have implemented or are planning to implement. They are very good at providing advice and identifying the priorities for producers on the ground. It’s a very effective committee and very engaged. We are very fortunate to have them on board. When it comes to common misconceptions of the Angus breed in the Northern Australia, what traits do Angus feature that is a driving factor for producers in the North? The thing that really attracts people to Angus is the marketability of them. There’s a lot of avenues that are open to people considering that there’s quite a demand for Angus. You see a lot of people breeding them as they can sell them as weaners, as feeders, they can finish them and they perform very well in a meat quality sense. It incentivises producers to try Angus and breed Angus because they can sell them. A survey was conducted by Angus Australia in a co funded project with Meat and Livestock Australia from May to June last year of Aussie beef producers. What was the primary purpose of the Australian Beef Breeding Insights survey? The survey was conducted to achieve a number of objectives, one of which was to quantify the number of Angus cattle there are in Australia. The survey gives the research that Angus Australia does weight when you consider the amplifying factor of the number of Angus in the Australian production system. Additionally, where the cattle are distributed gives us reasonable information to go off when we are setting research priorities, looking at what we want to achieve and where it’s going to benefit producers the most.

The survey identified a number of attitudes and opinions around Angus, what producers believe their problems are and what their benefits are, which again feeds back into setting research priorities and identifying where there is opportunity to do further work. What was the sample size and group for the survey and how was it scrutinised? Overall 1023 producers were interviewed across all states and territories of Australia. There were a lot more people than the 1023 interviewed, however parameters were set around the number of head of cattle that person had, whether they still intended to be a part of their Australian beef breeding businesses in five years’ time, whether they were planning to continue to produce beef and a number of other criteria that had to be met before they were able to take part in the survey. Can we break down a couple of the key findings that have been found from the survey? There are some great findings from the survey however probably the best figure based on the survey data is that is 48% of the Australian beef breeding herd is actually influenced in some way by Angus. This totals an estimated population of 5.6 million females with 2.4 million of those females being purebred Angus, accounting for approximately 20% of the national female herd. From the data we are seeing a lot more Angus bulls are selected by producers. 46% in terms of management are predominantly using control period paddock joining and then in terms of their bull selection criteria, temperament came out as number one. Another thing that we investigated was the knowledge of genetics and areas where we might be able to provide some extension. People surveyed in New South Wales and Victoria rated their knowledge of genetics much more highly than other states.

How is the penetration of Angus genetics gauged within the survey? Penetrance was calculated two ways in the survey. One was breed influence where we looked at the proportion of cattle that are influenced by Angus genetics. This ranges from being pure bred Angus to cross-bred Angus of varying degrees of percentage of Angus. The second way was the genetic composition of the Australian herd, therefore the proportion of the gene pool that is comprised of Angus genes. On a national basis, Angus accounts for 48% in terms of the number of cattle that are influenced. But if you talk about purely composition, the proportion of the gene pool that consists of Angus genetics is around 33%. What conclusions can we draw from the results found in the survey regarding the use of Angus genetics in the northern Australia? This survey is our original benchmark and will be conducted every five years so we can track change as people and their businesses progress, whether that includes Angus, or not. Some of the conclusions that we can draw around this is that it really identified and quantified the size of particularly the northern Angus herd and the huge opportunity that we have to provide very relevant and topical research, as well as extension and support to people breeding Angus. We also learnt a lot about producer’s management styles, how they receive information and how they like to receive information. In an overview of those reached in the survey can we break down a couple of key target markets that were found through the results? It was interesting to see the breakdown between people who used Angus and their target market and people who use other breeds and their target market. Angus users were more likely to target the feeder market, with just over 35% of Angus breeders targeting this market while other breeds, were around 30%. Additionally, other breeds tended to favour markets like the butcher trade. Angus users were also targeting the backgrounder market, and it just really illustrates that in marketability of Angus, producers are being incentivised to introduce Angus into their herds. Considering the amount of work going into developing breeding indexes from the TransTasman Cattle Evaluation (TACE), it is interesting to see that those markets have been well and truly catered for by providing information at the breeding point to allow producers to achieve their breeding objectives when it comes to marketing those cattle. The survey showed there was a lot of movement from yearround mating to control period paddock joining, which probably reflects a number of factors with improvement of infrastructure definitely one of them. Most of the year-round paddock mating was based in northern Australia just because of those expansive management areas, and it was particularly evident in places The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Northern Focus like the Northern Territory where around 71% of those surveyed were utilising year-round paddock mating. What did the survey gauge in terms of trait selection for bulls being utilised in breeding operations? Temperament is king and we saw that across the board, apart from the Northern Territory which really valued BullCheck and South Australia which valued polledness the same as what they had valued temperament. Realistically, my takeaway from people’s attitudes to bull selection criteria is that they want a bull that will go out and get cows in calf and the genetics that they deliver is a second consideration. The producers are more concerned about calves hitting the ground and then as that becomes more of a managed surety, then they take a deep dive into things like EBVs, pedigree and raw data. When it comes to the results within the Beef Breeding Insights survey, what are some areas of development noted for the breed in terms of reasoning why they are not utilising Angus genetics? There is a big three here. One is that producers believe that Angus is not suited to local conditions, meaning heat tolerance, which is why so much of my job is focussed on research and development in this space. The other is around tick and fly resistance which is why there will be continued work here. A small group of producers listed temperament as a concern, however considering that temperament is such a high priority in terms of selection criteria, it’s no surprise that some producers were and want information on it. In terms of resources, what does Angus Australia have to support producers wanting to utilise Angus genetics in northern Australia? First and foremost, there is me. A fair bit of my job is around supporting producers and providing information and extension on the research and development that we’re doing. That’s a part of my job that I really love and it’s really important to me that producers continue to be productive and profitable. There is an absolute plethora of resources on the Angus Australia website with new research being conducted frequently. We have the Education Centre with informative modules where you are provided the information and tools that you can utilise to achieve your breeding objectives. We have a module on bull management, in terms of acclimatising bulls to get the very best results out of them, particularly for northern Australia, which really illustrates management and prior preparation required to make sure you’re getting the best out of your investment. Angus Australia has provided the Northern Protocols, which are guidelines for utilising Angus bulls. Considering the content, how are these resources beneficial to producers currently or looking to integrate Angus bulls into the north? They cover off on all aspects of management required to get a bull on the ground and working, particularly if they’re being bought from southern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. A lot of the people and again, this is where the Northern Development Consultative Committee comes in, have experience selling bulls to the north, it’s about getting that relationship between the purchaser and the vendor to work 48

together and achieve the best possible outcomes when the bull is delivered on farm that he will perform when it comes time for joining. The protocols illustrate the timings and conversations that you should be having with the person you’re purchasing a bull from, the considerations around animal health, such as the vaccinations and just general acclimatisation, as well as the feed considerations. An integral part of Jen’s work is getting out on the road, compiling case studies featuring producers that utilise Angus genetics in their northern herds. In December 2020. Jen caught up with Jeremy and Julie Shaw from JS Grazing, a family enterprise located across a number of properties in the Injune area in central Queensland. In their chat the Shaw’s let Jen know the background of their operation and why they use Angus. Can you elaborate on where you are situated, what sort of country you’re running and a bit about your enterprise here at Double J? Jeremy: We operate JS Grazing, across four properties in the Injune district and it’s roughly 23,000 acres. It is a mix of country from lighter country through to heavier Brigalow and scrub soils. In terms of your enterprise, what are you mainly running? Jeremy: We are a straight Angus herd. Across the whole operation we run about 1,300 cows and up until this year we’ve sold the majority of progeny as weaners as we have an annual weaner sale in Roma in early July. However, we’ve just taken the step of revamping our feedlot, so it’s big change for us this year where we will feed most of our own cattle. With regards to the change into feeding your cattle, is that a reaction to conditions such as drought? Julie: Yes, pretty much that’s what drove it. Last year (2019), it took us a lot in both money and effort, to get the weaners to sale in the way that we were accustomed to having them presented. Jeremy’s a bit of a stickler with that, where near enough isn’t really good enough. That just made us think year in, year out, what was going to be the smartest thing for us to do. We were thinking along the lines that like everyone else around 12 months ago, we were feeding cattle and we were really at the mercy of trying to get feed here. There were a few sleepless nights, and while we weren’t the only ones in that situation, it just got us thinking that we can’t control the weather, but how we can be better situated when, and it’s not if it’s when, that situation comes around again. We already a feedlot here which wasn’t operational, so we could just improve and revamp the infrastructure. Jeremy: We have invested a fair bit of money in a commodity shed which is both for the dry times as well as the feedlot side of things. It’ll put us in good stead in the future as we just wanted to be ahead of things and be able to have some on-farm storage and lessen the impact. And I understand that was sort of a vertical integration component to this decision as well. Jeremy: Yes, we’ve done very well out of our weaners in the past, but the people who bought them were obviously making money, especially on those steers. We figured we

Jeremy: They have to be a soft animal with depth of rib and depth of flank. Up here because we did go through some tough times, if you have those high flanked cattle it really shows when the weight comes off. A deep, long, soft animals is what I guess we’re chasing. would take a bit of that in taking the next step as well and taking them right from birth to slaughter. Are you still intending to sell some of them as weaners considering that you’ve got such a following? Jeremy: We will still sell the lead of the heifer portion, that is two to three hundred heifers each year. We’ve got a really good following and interest in our heifers as replacement females, so we’ll definitely keep that that side of things going. We invest a lot of money in high end genetics so I think we’re reaping the benefits of that with our females so it could be a shame for some of that to be lost. On the genetics side of things, can you walk me through your breeding program? Jeremy: We join the heifers at around 12 months old and they are definitely self-replacing. We’ve got a three-month joining period, mid-October through mid-January. We also do an AI program most years, weather dependent. What’s the breakdown between what you are paddock joining and what you’re AI’ing? Julie: We’ve tried in the past to do an AI program with cows as well however it’s more difficult than heifers for us logistically here as we’re very dependent on the seasons. Jeremy: If we’ve got feed, we can do the cows but, at the moment we’re just doing our replacement heifers which is anywhere from one to two hundred heifers each year. So what traits are you trying to breed for specifically? What are you breeding objectives and what are you trying to achieve? Jeremy: On the female side she’s got to be feminine, a softer, easy doing female that will get in calf each year. They’ve got to have eye appeal in a way and it’s the same with bulls. You have got to like the look of a bull, and we will check the figures afterwards. Julie: I know when I first started going to sales with Jeremy down south I’d have written an essay in each bull catalogue and I’d have three different coloured highlighter pens and we would have a shortlist of bulls that you would go in to see. But in the last few years, we’ve probably turned that on its head where we will really walk into the yard and you just see what catches your eye first and then you start looking at everything else. Image: The Shaw Family in 2018. Image: Kelly Butterworth

When you select a bull on eye appeal do you then revert back to looking at some of their EBVs to make the final decisions? Julie: It depends on what we’re looking for. We don’t buy a heifer bull every year where that would come into play, so we don’t really have any hard and fast rules. We do look at rib and rump fat. Jeremy: We like positive fat however is not a deal breaker. We like him above average if we can in all the traits, which I think you have to go that way if you want to be breeding above the average. However, we are definitely based on a type and that’s the main focus for us. Is easy calving a priority with so much fertility pressure? Jeremy: Yes, the days to calving and calving ease direct all come into play, and that comes down a lot of the type of bulls we are selecting. We do not select extremely low birth weight or anything like that, so it comes down a lot to body type. So where do you source most of your bulls? Are you attending sales or are you buying semen predominately for your two different breeding programs? Julie: We have bought our bulls from Bathurst for quite a number of years now, but in saying that it is important that Jeremy does try and get around and have a look at other sales, as you don’t want to get closed off and not look at what’s happening elsewhere. It’s easy to go to a sale and in every sale there is a stand out bull but when you like the herd as a whole, I think that’s important. It’s important to have similar objectives and views on cattle. We’ve developed a relationship and it’s more than just where we go to buy our bulls, being able to talk things through if we want a bit of a change of direction or something that we’re trying to do, it’s important in the relationship to be able to talk through those things. With your bulls coming from Bathurst, are there any steps you take in acclimatising them to the conditions in Injune? Jeremy: You’ve got to look after them, but in saying that they get treated like everything else. We do buy some yearling bulls and we like to look after them as much as possible. They mightn’t get a full joining the first year and you’ll pull them out early and then look after them.

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Northern Focus You have just got to look at their calves is what I tell people, because the bulls are going to do it tough, that’s a given in those first couple of years and is just natural coming up here. But you just look at their progeny, and the bulls pick up after a couple of years and are just like any other bull. Julie: When the bulls first arrive here, they will just stay in the yards or a feedlot pen. Normally they are up here before the end of September so they’re not coming up into ridiculous heat, which is probably a good thing. They stay on hay in the feedlot for a few weeks and then then they might just go out into a little paddock, not into the general population. When did you start using Angus and why did you start using Angus? Jeremy: We started cross-breeding originally, but about 20 years ago when we had our feedlot going and found the Angus ate well, didn’t get sick and were good fertile cows. We gradually just went straight Angus and haven’t looked back and haven’t wanted to change.

I think the society does such a great job of promoting them and are a very progressive society. We are happy and although I wouldn’t like to go a lot further north with a straight black, they are good foragers and do well in this country for us. Can you think of any challenges or limitations that you’ve had with using Angus? Like you said, you wouldn’t like to use straight Angus much further north, but other things like buffalo fly etc? Jeremy: No, I don’t think there’s anything in what we do that is a limitation because of the Angus. Obviously, things like buffalo fly and what not is a drama, but that’s just a management thing that you have to manage accordingly. I don’t think there’s any limitations to having Angus cattle here that I can see and there are quite a few herds getting straight Angus animals around here. Julie: The heat is the only limitation I can think of however like Jeremy said, those things you just manage; you wouldn’t go out in the middle of the day or lunchtime and start mustering a mob of cows and expect to get the calves to the yards. Every breed has their limitations. Moving back to the feedlot I was concerned about the heat. But the shade you see when you’re driving up the road, that was non-negotiable for me with the country that we have here, feeding black cattle through the hottest months of the year purely because of when the weaners come off. So that consideration will just be part of feedlot management and we’ll do everything that we can to make sure that that doesn’t cause too many problems for us.

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Breed Development

Welcome Jake Phillips Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

Angus Australia is pleased to welcome Jake Phillips in his new appointment in the role of Breed Development Officer. Jake grew up in South Australia and has spent considerable time working across the beef supply chain in various positions throughout Eastern Australia. After completing a Bachelor of Agriculture through the University of Adelaide he went on to join ABRI as a BREEDPLAN Consultant followed by four years with Meat Standards Australia based in Queensland in the areas of the integrity and adoption of the MSA program across industry. More recently Jake has spent the past seven years working for Teys Australia at Naracoorte in South Australia in a variety of roles including livestock procurement, branded beef, QA management and livestock strategic operations. Some members may have met Jake previously through his involvement in the Angus Youth program including the Angus Roundup, as well as being a previous Angus Ambassador and Angus Youth Trans Tasman Award recipient. Jake and his wife run a small seedstock operation in Naracoorte and have recently added Angus genetics to their herd. In his role with Angus Australia, Jake will work alongside existing Breed Development Officer, Matt Reynolds, in the delivery of education and extension programs that assist Angus breeders with the utilisation of genetic improvement

technologies to enhance the profitability of Angus cattle and beef across the beef supply chain. Jake will also be responsible for coordinating the Angus Youth program, focussing on increasing skill development and capability among young Angus breeders in the key principles of commercial beef production and genetic improvement. Jake will be regionally based, working from Naracoorte in South Australia. To contact Jake, please email jake.phillips@angusaustralia. com.au or phone 0401 261 217.

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Angus Australia Introduces Nationwide Breed Development Officer Program Angus Australia has announced the introduction of a regionally based, nationwide team of Breed Development Officers to assist Angus seedstock and commercial breeders achieve genetic improvement within their breeding program. The three person team will be responsible for providing support and education to seedstock and commercial Angus Australia members in the key principles of cattle breeding and genetics, and the application of genetic improvement technologies. Angus Australia’s Breed Development & Extension Manager, Mr Andrew Byrne, explained the new initiative was part of a renewed focus on face-to-face engagement between Angus Australia and Angus breeders across Australia. “The genetic improvement technologies that are available to Angus breeders are expanding rapidly and the introduction of a nationwide Breed Development Officer team will ensure members of Angus Australia are well placed to make optimal use of these technologies”, Mr Byrne said. The Breed Development Officer team will be based regionally, with existing staff members, Matt Reynolds and Jen Peart based out of Armidale, NSW and Injune, QLD respectively, and joined by Angus Australia’s newest Breed Development Officer, Jake Phillips, based out of Naracoorte, SA. Each Breed Development Officer will be responsible for providing ongoing support and assistance to Angus breeders in particular regions across Australia. “Matt Reynolds will be the Breed Development Officer responsible for providing support to Angus Australia members in central NSW, southern NSW and Tasmania, Jake Phillips will be the Breed Development Officer responsible for Victoria, South Australia and the southern half of Western Australia, while Jen Peart, in her role as Northern Development Officer will be responsible for northern NSW, Queensland, the Northern Territory and the northern half of Western Australia”, said Mr Byrne.

With a number of Angus breeders recently joining Angus Australia from across the Tasman, the program will also be extended to members located in New Zealand. The introduction of the Breed Development Officer team follows the launch of a number of other programs and services recently focussing on increasing the value obtained from membership with Angus Australia. In addition to the introduction of improvements to traditional seedstock services like animal registration and the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation, Angus Australia is now offering an expanded range of services for commercial Angus breeders, such as the Angus SELECT range of decision support tools, the genomic based heifer selection tool, Angus HeiferSELECT, and the Angus Verified breed verification program. For further information on the products and services offered by Angus Australia, visit www.angusaustralia.com.au.

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Breed Development

The Role of Genetics in Optimising MSA Carcase Compliance and Improving MSA Eating Quality Jake Phillips, Breed Development Officer

Approximately 3.8 million cattle were MSA graded through 39 Australian beef processors, representing 46% of the national adult cattle slaughter in 2019-20. This is an increase of 3% on the previous year. Historically Grainfed cattle have achieved the best carcase compliance to MSA minimum specifications which include having a pH of less than 5.71 and more Rib Fat than 3mm at the assessment site. During the 2019-20 year, Grainfed cattle achieved a 98% compliance rate to these specifications. The Grassfed cattle presented for MSA grading in 2019-20 improved their compliance rates from the previous year by 1% however still recorded only a 90% compliance rate to the MSA minimum specifications, indicating opportunity for improvement across industry ( Fig1).

Figure 1. The average MSA Non- Compliance to pH and Rib fat for all feed types: Source MSA AO Report 2019-20

MSA Price Premiums

Over the past decade the demand for beef that has passed MSA standards has grown exponentially to the stage now that many processing companies and indeed brands of beef offer not only a price premium for these cattle but also a premium for animals with a superior MSA Index eating quality outcome. As reported in the 2019-20 MSA Annual Outcomes Report, an average of $0.27/kg ( Fig2) or $75/ head premium could be achieved over a 279kg carcase, however a recent study of current processing grids suggest a larger price difference with a Southern Australia processor offering $0.30/kg - $.80kg across its MSA compliant grades of cattle and a central NSW processor offering premiums between $0.70/kg - $1.10/kg.

These recent premiums from April price grid offerings suggest the per head premium is more likely to be between $200/head and $300/head for over the hooks consigned MSA compliant carcases also meeting the company specific requirements. The 279kg average carcase weight for MSA consigned cattle reported by MLA in 2020 has also recently been projected to be 3% higher during 2021 in their recent industry projections due mainly to improved seasonal conditions and also a reduced turnoff of cattle. The price premiums on offer for cattle producers consigning MSA eligible cattle during 2021 have arguably never been so attractive and consequently the difference between compliance and noncompliance is sparse.

Figure 2. The average price premium for MSA compliant cattle in 2019-20 Source: MSA AO Report 2019-20

MSA Index underpins Branding

Key parameters regarding cattle management have long been known and continue to be validated by industry regarding the contributing factors to a carcase complying to MSA minimum specifications. More recently there has also been significant research and extension as individual brands create a point of difference around premium eating quality outcomes for their customers. These on farm management strategies have seen widespread adoption of nutrition management, preparing cattle for slaughter techniques and low stress stock handling to maximise the amount of Glycogen stored in the carcase, a critical factor in how the carcase will grade to MSA standards.

A significant factor in achieving improved compliance rates and increased MSA eating quality measured through the MSA index is the use of appropriate genetics and selection within your breeding program. Of the many traits that can impact compliance and eating quality , docility, Rib fat depth and distribution, IMF, Growth and Carcase Weight have the ability to influence the outcome and can be selected for within a breeding program to improve overall profitability for a carcase.

Using Genetics to Optimize MSA Carcase Compliance Docility Docility EBVs are estimates of genetic differences in the percentage of an animal’s progeny that will be scored with acceptable temperament, with higher EBVs associated with superior temperament. · For example, an animal with an EBV of +20 would be expected to on average produce a greater percentage of progeny that have acceptable temperament than a bull with an EBV of –2. Rib fat and distribution · Rib fat thickness is the measured depth of subcutaneous fat over the quartered rib site between the 5th and 13th ribs. A covering of fat is needed to protect the high value primal cuts from rapid chilling, which can cause toughening, and to enhance eating quality and appearance. · Selection for adequate rib fat and fat distribution can be achieved by selection of animals with appropriate Rib and Rump Fat EBVs · For example, an animal with a Rib Fat EBV of +0.4 mm would be expected to produce calves with more fat than? an animal with a Rib Fat EBV of -0.6 mm, relative to carcase weight

Using Genetics to Improve your MSA Eating Quality Index IMF · Marbling has the largest genetic impact on the MSA Index outcome · As MSA Marble Score increases by 10, the MSA Index has the potential to increase by 0.15 Index units · E.g. an increase in MSA Marble Score of 100 (roughly equivalent to a 1 unit increase in AUSMEAT marble score) equates to a 1.5 unit increase in MSA Index. · Selection for improved MSA marble score can be achieved by selecting animals with higher Intramuscular Fat (IMF) EBVs · EBVs are estimates of genetic differences between animals in intramuscular fat at the 12/13th rib site in a standard weight steer carcase, with higher IMF EBVs associated with greater marbling in the carcase

· For example, an animal with an IMF EBV of +2.9 would be expected to produce progeny with more marbling in a standard carcase than the progeny of an animal with an IMF EBV of +0.2. Ossification · Physiological maturity of the carcase. · Influenced by nutrition, sickness and/or temperament Ossification scores range from 100 to 590 in increments of 10, with lower scores indicating less physiological maturity. · As ossification score decreases by 10, the MSA Index potentially increases by 0.6 Index units · E.g. A decrease in ossification score of 100 equates to an increase in MSA Index of 6 units. · Younger animals with lower levels of ossification tend to have a higher MSA index values than older animals with higher ossification values. · Selection for lower ossification scores can be achieved by selecting animals with higher 200 Day Growth, 400 Day Weight and 600 Day Weight EBVs, as calves which grow more quickly will reach target live weights at a younger age with lower ossification score. · 200 Day Growth EBV, 400 Day Weight EBV and 600 Day Weight EBV estimate the genetic differences between animals in live weight at 200, 400 and 600 days respectively due to an animal’s growth genetics. In all three cases, higher EBVs are associated with heavier weights at the respective age. · For example, an animal with a 400 Day Weight EBV of +60 kg would be expected to produce heavier progeny at 400 days of age than an animal with a 400 Day Weight EBV of +20 kg Carcase weight · Whilst an important specification in most livestock grids, carcase weight only has a small impact on MSA Index, with MSA calculating that as HSCW increases by 1kg, the MSA Index will potentially increase by less than 0.01 Index units. In other words, an increase in HSCW of 100kg equates to an increase in MSA Index of 1 unit. · To select for heavier carcasses at the same maturity (ossification), animals with higher Carcase Weight EBVs should be selected. · Carcase Weight EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in hot standard carcase weight, with higher Carcase Weight EBVs associated with heavier carcases. · For example, an animal with a Carcase Weight EBV of +60 kg would be expected to produce progeny with heavier carcases than an animal with a Carcase Weight EBV of +30 kg. The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Breed Development

Are There Opportunities to Improve Through Genetic Selection?

A study revealed a $695 per carcase difference in carcase revenue (Graph1.) based on carcase data collected in Cohort 5 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP). · The study compared carcase values, on a progeny average basis, between the highest and lowest ranked sires · The parameters are based on a general long-fed production system (200+ days) with the aim of producing and selling high quality Angus beef products. The specific parameters applied were: $/kg HSCW

$/kg HSCW

P8 Fat

Marble Score 3+

Marble Score 3

Marble Score 0-3

25mm 30mm

30mm+

$8.40

$8.00

$7.20

-$0.10

-$0.15

Table 1. Specific parameters applied to the carcase revenue Study from ASBV Cohort 5

Graph 1. Difference in carcase revenue based on carcase data collected in Cohort 5 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program

Summary

MSA offers significant price premium opportunities for producers able to consign cattle to markets that are underpinned by MSA. Within the various factors that effect the compliance of each carcase and the eating quality of the cuts are a range on non-genetic factors and as well as genetic variation of traits of significance that help to explain the differences in carcase value. Placing selection pressure on your breeding program and the genetics being utilised with relation to Docility, Rib and Rump fat, IMF, Carcase Weight and Growth will all provide benefits to your compliance and carcase quality performance. A careful and balanced approach will ensure an optimum outcome for your production system and should include a balanced selection of these traits as well as other production traits important to other aspects of your business such as fertility.

Take Home Messages: · Carcase Quality and Carcase Compliance have multiple contributing factors. · Compliance and Eating quality have significant price premiums available. · Management continues to be important, however genetics also needs focus for an optimum overall result. · Selecting for traits of importance contribute positively towards overall profitability by increasing compliance rates and eating quality to meet commercial specifications. · Tools available for use in breeding programs, such as EBVs, help to explain some of the variation seen in the actual carcase results. · Ensure Angus bulls your selecting are fit for purpose by reviewing modules in the Angus Education centre including: https://www.angusaustralia.com.au/ education/breeding-and-genetics/selecting-bulls

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D S K 28

Breed Development

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Collaboration for the advancement of beef production in Australia Research and Development (R&D) collaborations involving Angus Australia has led to the availability of world-leading innovative genetic improvement methods and tools for the Australian beef industry. Angus Australia is committed to leading and participating in ongoing R&D which is vital for the future advancement of beef production in Australia.

Current priority areas of R&D for enhanced understanding and application Breeding Female Productivity Including:

Fertility

Longevity

Health, Welfare and Immune Competence

Body Composition

Methane Emissions

Eating Quality

Climate Resilience and Adaptation

Angus Australia and our members highly value collaboration with many leading research organisations, particularly in the development and improvement of genetic knowledge, tools and technologies. This collaborative research is largely focussed on the utilisation of Angus Australia’s comprehensive phenotype, pedigree and genotype database, harnessing additional benefit from the collective investment of Angus Australia members over time, and specific projects such as Angus Sire Benchmarking program. Angus Australia’s Strategic Projects Manager, Christian Duff says that Angus Australia is proud to collaborate with many world leading R&D organisations, particularly in the field of livestock genetics. “While Angus Australia has many resources and skills, we rely on collaboration with our R&D partners to deliver innovative genetic selection methods and solutions for Angus Australia members and the wider industry” “R&D collaboration is a two way street, and Angus Australia knows from experience the process works best for applied outcomes when Angus Australia personnel, with members interests front of mind, are interacting closely with the R&D provider, rather than being kept at arm’s length.”

Structural Soundness

Optimal Use of Genomic Technology

Global Benchmarking of Angus Genetics Across Countries

enhanced genetic evaluation, collaborative research and innovative development.” The program commenced in 2010 with the resulting data underpinning much of the collaborative R&D undertaken by Angus Australia. The program aims to join between 30 and 40 Angus sires a year to approximately 2,000 Angus cows using fixed time artificial insemination. The Angus cows are located across several commercial focussed cooperator herds spanning Northern to Southern New South Wales and Victoria. The Angus sires that enter the program are nominated by Angus breeders and selected based on estimated breeding values, genetic diversity and influence on the Australian Angus population. Their progeny are genotyped and comprehensively phenotyped from birth to slaughter in the steer progeny and birth to first parity in the heifer progeny. The phenotypes cover the areas of calving ease, growth, temperament, immune competence, heifer reproduction, structure, coat type, feed efficiency, abattoir carcase and beef quality attributes.

Australian Angus Reference Population Program

The Australian Angus Reference Population Program, also referred to as the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP), is the major research initiative of Angus Australia. The objective of the program is to: “Grow the comprehensive phenotype and genotype reference population on contemporary Australian Angus animals, particularly for hard-to-measure traits, for The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Breed Development

Scientific Publications Angus Australia encourages collaborative research, where appropriate, to be presented at relevant conferences and submitted to prestigious scientific publications, which importantly includes rigorous peer review processes. Following are references to recently published papers based on collaborative R&D with Angus Australia. C J Duff, J H J van der Werf, P F Parnell, S A Clark, Comparison of two live-animal ultrasound systems for genetic evaluation of carcass traits in Angus cattle, Translational Animal Science, Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2021, txab011, https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txab011

Torres Vázquez, JA, Duijvesteijn, N, van der Werf, JHJ, Clark, SA. Longitudinal analysis of body weight and average daily feed intake during the feedlot test period in Angus cattle. J Anim Breed Genet. 2020; 137: 281– 291. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12439

Brad C Hine, Amy M Bell, Dominic D O Niemeyer, Christian J Duff, Nick M Butcher, Sonja Dominik, Aaron B Ingham, Ian G Colditz, Immune competence traits assessed during the stress of weaning are heritable and favorably genetically correlated with temperament traits in Angus cattle, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 97, Issue 10, October 2019, Pages 4053–4065, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz260

José Antonio Torres-Vázquez, Julius H J van der Werf, Samuel A Clark, Genetic and phenotypic associations of feed efficiency with growth and carcass traits in Australian Angus cattle, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 96, Issue 11, November 2018, Pages 4521–4531, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky325

Brad C Hine, Amy M Bell, Dominic D O Niemeyer, Christian J Duff, Nick M Butcher, Sonja Dominik, Laercio R Porto-Neto, Yutao Li, Antonio Reverter, Aaron B Ingham, Ian G Colditz, Associations between immune competence phenotype and feedlot health and productivity in Angus cattle, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 99, Issue 2, February 2021, skab016, https:// doi.org/10.1093/jas/skab016 Antonio Reverter, Brad C Hine, Laercio Porto-Neto, Yutao Li, Christian J Duff, Sonja Dominik, Aaron B Ingham, ImmuneDEX: a strategy for the genetic improvement of immune competence in Australian Angus cattle, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 99, Issue 3, March 2021, skaa384, https://doi.org/10.1093/ jas/skaa384

Herd R. M., Arthur P. F., Hegarty R. S., Bird-Gardiner T., Donoghue K. A., Velazco J. I. (2020) Predicting metabolisable energy intake by free-ranging cattle using multiple short-term breath samples and applied to a pasture case-study. Animal Production Science 61, 381-389. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN20162 Alvarenga F. A. P., Bansi H., Dobos R. C., Austin K. L., Donaldson A. J., Woodgate R. T., Greenwood P. L. (2020) Performance of Angus weaner heifers varying in residual feed intake-feedlot estimated breeding values grazing severely drought-affected pasture. Animal Production Science 61, 337-343. https://doi. org/10.1071/AN20152 Hebart M. L., Lee S. J., Pitchford W. S. (2020) The benefits of carcass estimated breeding values for pasture-finished cattle are not as great as for long-fed cattle. Animal Production Science 61, 326-332. https:// doi.org/10.1071/AN20153

R&D co-funding and in-kind contributions Angus Australia acknowledges much of the R&D would not be possible without co-funding and/or in-kind contributions provided by various collaborating R&D organisations or industry bodies. Examples include the co-funding provided through the Meat and Livestock Australia Donor Company (MDC) for the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (P.PSH.0528 and P.PSH.1172), And the Enhancing Technology Adoption Through the Angus Genetic Improvement Pipeline (P.PSH.1063) project which includes education resource and tool development for enhanced genetic gain. Angus Australia also acknowledges the significant contributions from Angus breeders particularly for the provision of data that is included in many of the research projects.

Research and Development Collaborators

Animal Genetics & Breeding Unit (AGBU)

Following is a list of current R&D collaborators and their areas of research.

· Trans-Tasman Beef Cow Profitability Project · The genetic improvement of eating quality and yield through Advanced Livestock Measurement Technologies (ALMTech) · Calculation of SNP Allele Frequencies for Use in “Breed Composition” QA Checks · Testing Improved Single Step Genetic Evaluation Models · Transition to Single Step Methodology for Threshold Traits · Testing dam effects for gestation length in the BREEDPLAN evaluation · Testing Improvements to Genomic Quality Control Software · Developing a New Reproductive Model by Incorporating AI Conception Rate · Investigation into optimum polygenic and genomic weights and associated variance components in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation · Re-estimating genetic parameters for the Trans-Tasman Angus Cattle Evaluation

AbacusBio · Development of selection Indexes for Angus commercial heifer and steer selection tools

Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) · Genome wide association study of carcase quality traits in Australian Angus beef cattle

American Angus Association (AAA) · Development of Angus Beef Tenderness Genetic Evaluation · Development of Combined Genetic Evaluation of Foot Score for Angus Cattle in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand · Development of International Genetic Evaluation of Growth and Carcase Traits for Angus Cattle in America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand

Charles Sturt University (CSU) · Evaluating ‘days to conception’ as an indicator of fertility in beef cattle for genetic improvement. · Investigating the relationship between marbling score, muscling and meat yield in Angus cattle. · Investigating factors influencing health, performance and welfare of Australian beef cattle, and application of faecal microbiome profiling in production systems.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) Phenotypic and genetic relationships between retail beef yield, live animal and carcase traits.

University of New England (UNE) · Understanding and Improving Genetics for Meat Quality in Beef Cattle · Micro-environmental sensitivity in extensive beef systems · Development of Mature Body Condition and Mature Cow Height Research Breeding Values · Development of Coat Type Research Breeding Values. · Development of Female Longevity Research Breeding Values. · Development of efficient genomic imputation pipelines.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) · Immune Competence Definition, Genetic Parameters and Research Breeding Values for Australian Angus Cattle · Cost effective DNA pooling strategies to drive genetic gain in the livestock industries · ImmuneDEX: Update GEBVs with Cohort 7 Carcase Data and Cohort 8 and 9 Immune Competence Data · Genomic based Decision Support Tool for feeder cattle drafting, selection and management involving Immune Competence, Growth and Carcase Traits · Development of SteerSELECT and HeiferSELECT Genomic Products · Development of an ultra-small SNP panel for unique genotype profile · Development of Angus breed verification genomic tool · Methods to include commercial data in the Angus Australia genomics reference population

University of Adelaide Addressing key issues affecting compliance rates of pasture fed cattle in Southern Australia.

University of Queensland (UQ) Assessing Angus Fertility Genetics in Northern Australian Environments.

If you are interested to know more about Angus collaborative R&D programs, including opportunities to partner in R&D initiatives, please contact: Christian Duff, Strategic Project Manager P: 02 6773 4620 M: 0457 457 141 E: christian@angusaustralia.com.au

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Sire Benchmarking

Angus Australia commits to future of Angus Sire Benchmarking Program Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager

Angus Australia has furthered its commitment to applied research and development for Angus producers and the beef supply chain. At its meeting in May 2021, the Angus Australia Board approved a $3 million investment in growing the Angus genotype and phenotype reference population, particularly for hard-to-measure traits, through an additional five cohorts of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP). “The extension of the ASBP shows Angus Australia is committed to R&D that provides applied outcomes for members and the broader beef industry. With the growing importance of genomics in Angus breeding programs, it is imperative that Angus Australia is directly involved in resourcing, managing and growing an effective reference population” said Mr Angus Australia’s Board Chairman, Mr Sam White. “With the additional cohorts, the data the ASBP contributes to the overall Angus Australian reference population will grow to over 530 influential, contemporary Angus sires and more than 15,000 progeny that are comprehensively phenotype and genotyped.” advised Mr White. Angus Australia’s Strategic Projects Manager, Christian Duff, who oversees the ASBP, stated that “Commencing in 2010, the production of 16 cohorts of ASBP progeny and associated phenotyping will span a significant 20-year period for this flagship R&D program”. “For the first 11 cohorts of the ASBP, Angus Australia has greatly valued the industry co-funding support through the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Donor Company. While this co-funding is not available for upcoming cohorts, we look forward to discussing add-on R&D opportunities in partnership with MLA and other industry organisations.” added Mr Duff. The ASBP is the major research and development initiative undertaken by Angus Australia with the objective to grow the comprehensive phenotype and genotype

reference population on contemporary Australian Angus animals, particularly for hard-to-measure traits, for enhanced genetic evaluation, collaborative research and innovative development. To meet the project objectives Angus Australia aims to join an average of 30 to 35 sires a year to approximately 1,800 Angus cows using the fixed time AI program supported by Vetoquinol. The Angus cows are located across several commercial focussed co-operator herds spanning Northern to Southern New South Wales and Victoria. The Angus sires that enter the ASBP are nominated by Angus Australia or New Zealand Angus members. A list of all bulls that have entered the ASBP can be viewed in the catalogues listing page on the Angus Australia website. Their progeny are genotyped, sire verified and comprehensively performance recorded for calving ease, growth, temperament, heifer reproduction, structure, immune competence, abattoir carcase and beef quality attributes. For all ASBP related questions contact Christian Duff, Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager M: 0457 457 141 or email: christian@angusaustralia.com.au

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Tomorrow’s Bovine Genetics Delivered Today

Benchmark your Bull through the ASBP Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager

Bull nominations for the next round of the Angus Sire Benchmarking program (ASBP) to produce the Cohort 12 progeny remain open. However, with strong early interest seeing 25 bulls already nominated, members are encouraged to submit their nominations soon. The joining program will commence in late August 2021, and will involve around 1,800 Angus cows across several co-operator herds. The benefits of bulls entering the ASBP include: · Close genetic linkage to the Angus Australia genomics reference population ensures research outcomes will be highly relevance to your herd. · Be involved in world leading research in areas such as development of genomic tools, new meat quality traits such as fatty acid profiles and testing for immune competence. · Receive high accuracy EBVs, particularly for hard to measure traits such as abattoir carcase data and female reproduction. · Receive progeny average values and sire rankings from within the ASBP, including traits such as MSA Index and MSA Marble Score. · Involvement in Australia’s most comprehensive beef cattle progeny test program including large contemporary groups.

30 to 35 bulls will be selected for the 2021 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. Bull nominations are required before Monday August 2nd, 2021, however with the high number of early nominations, nominations are recommended as soon as possible. For further details on the ASBP and to nominate bulls for Cohort 12 visit the Angus Australia website www. angusaustralia.com.au 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

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1800 300 593 | performancefeeds.com.au The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Advertorial

Building Better Cows

Producer Demonstration Site highlights the value of integrating FTAI in Angus commercial heifer mating programs Vetoquinol Australia Esperance producer group ASHEEP and local veterinary clinic Swans Veterinary Services successfully co-applied for funding from Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) to administer a Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) within their local area targeting producers that had not implemented fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) within their commercial heifer mating programs previously. The final report from the now concluded project, catalogued as L.PDS.1711: Improving Heifer Productivity by Integrating FTAI into Commercial Cow Enterprises, can be accessed via MLA. As the name would suggest, the goal of the PDS was to demonstrate the value of integrating FTAI into commercial heifer mating programs, utilising sires of both high genetic merit and accuracy with emphasis on both calving ease and growth characteristics. It was recognised, by project lead and veterinarian Dr Enoch Bergman, that synchronising heifers in order to mate them to FTAI at the beginning of a producer’s chosen breeding season would provide the enrolled heifers more breeding opportunities within a controlled breeding season, potentially improving pregnancy rates as well as their eventual calving distribution. Heifers that calve early within their scheduled calving season and with less need for calving assistance would be more likely to wean more and heavier calves and have improved rebreeding outcomes when rejoined for their second mating and beyond. Fixed time AI can also provide access to bulls with both higher accuracy BREEDPLAN Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for improved calving ease, shortened gestation lengths, lower birth weights and better growth compared to the EBVs of most of the bulls traditionally sourced within the area from bull sales. Lastly it was postulated that due to the AI sires’ superior EBVs and the inherent and obvious advantage conferred by synchronisation, the proportion of heifers that conceive to AI would be expected to not only enjoy a reduction in dystocia, calf mortality and heifer mortality, but also calve earlier and produce heavier calves for their age than the calves sired from most of the bulls used for natural service within both groups enrolled in the PDS. The setup of the PDS was fairly simple, involving 10 producers, 15 sites, and 2,447 heifers. The researchers randomly hijacked approximately half of the heifers from each enrolled producer per year, synchronised them, and inseminated them on their traditional mating start date at the same time their siblings were introduced to bulls. The heifers that were enrolled in the AI program then joined their naturally mated siblings 10 days later for roughly an additional six weeks at the discretion of each enrolled producer. Enrolled producers were then asked to collect pregnancy data, dystocia rates, calf and heifer mortality rates, weaning weights of calves, and measure the rebreeding success for each enrolled animal. Using the results from the PDS, each pregnancy within the FTAI integrated group compared to their traditionally mated 64

siblings was shown to return nearly an additional $90, after costs, per pregnancy to the producer, before factoring in genetic improvement or cow performance beyond her second pregnancy. An absolutely phenomenal result which probably contributed to the observation that most of the enrolled producers either pulled out early from the PDS to integrate FTAI across their entire heifer mating program or vowed to continue integrating FTAI in their heifer mating programs once the PDS concluded. The mating costs for each producer enrolled in the trial were subsidised by MLA, through the support of Vetoquinol in the form of subsidised Cue Mate intravaginal progesterone releasing devices, and Angus semen from five ABS sires and one from Performance Genetics. When the economic analysis was performed, all subsidies were reversed. Having accounted for all costs to each producer for semen, pharmaceuticals, technician time, and travel, the average mating cost to each producer would have been $22.66 more to AI and back up at 2% bulls than to naturally join at 3% for their individual heifer populations. Producer labour was estimated at 40 hours at $30 per hour per 100 heifers AI’d over the course of the AI program, bringing the total additional mating cost of integrating FTAI to nearly $35. The results of the trial were expressed both as an average farm affect and as a combined data set. The results of the trial showed an improvement in pregnancy rate of 3.1% on the

Table 1. Modelled return on investment calculation Measured parameter

FTAI Integrated

Naturally Mated

Difference

Potential Value

Cost

Average mating cost

$148.29

$125.63

($22.66)

$22.66

Labour costs in man hours per 100 head AI’d

40 hours

0.00

($40.00)

$30.00/hr

$12.00

Heifer empty rate

17.30%

18.10%

0.80%

$100.00

$0.80

Dystocia events

5.80%

7.42%

1.62%

$200.00

$3.24

Calf mortality

2.80%

5.54%

2.70%

$500.00

$13.50

Heifer mortality

0.30%

1.30%

0.96%

$2,000.00

$19.20

Weaning weights of calves (average over 2 years)

310.90

295.90

15.0 kg

$4.00

$60.00

Rebreeding empty rate (1st calvers)

9.90%

12.60%

2.70%

$1,000.00

$27.00

Estimated costs and returns per pregnant heifer in FTAI group not including genetic improvement

$34.66

Potential profit returned per pregnant heifer due to integrating FTAI

average property with a more modest 0.8% improvement over the combined dataset. The measurable dystocia rate was halved on the average property, with a reduction of 5.1% rendering again a more modest 1.62% reduction in the combined data set. Calf mortality was reduced by 60% on the average property and halved within the combined dataset demonstrating a reduction of 2.7% overall. Heifer mortality, while low at close to 1% overall, was reduced by over 90% on the average property and by approximately 75% over the entire dataset. The average weaning weights of the calves born from the FTAI integrated groups were 21.5kg heavier on the average property or a 15kg advantage within the combined dataset from the seven sites able to confirm the parentage of the calves enrolled within the program. In consultation with a group of Esperance producers, enabling an economic analysis of the findings of the PDS, pregnant heifers were valued at an additional $100 per animal compared to empty heifers. Dystocia events were estimated to average $200 in labour and/or veterinary costs per case. Deceased calves were valued at $500 and deceased heifers at $2,000. Weaned calves were valued at $4 per kg. Lastly, empty second calvers were devalued by $1,000 per animal should they be empty at their second pregnancy test. The table below summarises the findings from the combined data sets from the two groups, their differences,

Return

$123.74 $89.08

an estimate of the potential value of those differences, and a potential defensible cost or benefit for each component of the PDS.

Table 1. Modelled return on investment calculation

Across the entire southern agricultural region of Australia, and indeed anywhere in Australia where beef cattle are control mated, the results of this trial could stand to significantly benefit producers who haven’t previously integrated FTAI into their heifer mating programs. The PDS has demonstrated that integrating FTAI and utilising sires with appropriate EBVs into heifer mating programs has the potential to improve heifer pregnancy rates, improve dystocia parameters, improve subsequent pregnancy rates, and wean more kilograms of calf per mated heifer. Perhaps most importantly, and not measured in the trial, integrating fixed time AI has the ability to set a producer’s heifers up to succeed, setting them on a path to enhanced future profitability, potentially paying dividends for several subsequent joinings. Simultaneously, the process allows producers to invest in the best possible genetics for their heifers. Artificial insemination has long been considered an expense by most beef producers, but this trial should conclusively demonstrate that integrating FTAI into commercial heifer mating programs is a sound investment capable of generating solid returns financially, while simultaneously able to improve both the herd’s structure and genetics.

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Advertorial All heifers were synchronised for fixed time AI using Vetoquinol Cue-Mate intravaginal progesterone releasing devices. Angus AI sires used: · Ayrvale General G18 · Landfall Leonardo L24 · KM Broken Bow · Landfall Keystone K132 · Baldridge Command C036 · Murdeduke Kicking K428 Each enrolled producer monitored their trial heifers through the calving season and attempted to record the exact calving date for each enrolled heifer. The calving distributions from each property involved in the trial over the three years were

combined and the total number of calves that were born in reference to the expected calving start date (calculated as 283 days after the mating start date) on each property were plotted. As expected, the benefits of synchronisation and the use of AI sires with EBVs for short gestational lengths was evident. 63.8% of the calves born in the FTAI integrated groups were born on or prior to the calculated calving start date versus only 21.6% of the calves from the syndicate mated groups. The proportion of calves born were statistically significant (p < 0.01) until day 28 of the expected calving season between the two groups. Overall, the recorded heifers from the FTAI integrated groups calved a statistically significant (p < 0.01) average 8.1 days ahead of their recorded siblings. Fig. 1. Calving Distribution

Fig. 2. Calving Distribution “Survival Curve”

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C D

Out and About A: Norman Lethbridge Award Presentation: Mark Lucas, Norman Lethbridge Award Committee chairman and Reiland Angus Stud; Yvonne Gregory representing Booroomooka Angus Stud; Hannah Wetzel, Tuggerah Lakes Secondary School; Sara Pace, Chevalier College; Micquella Grima, Caroline Chisholm College (winner); Lani Fuller, Marian College; Thomas McGregor, Elders Goulburn; Ciaran Dyson, Northholm Grammar; and NSW Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall. Photo by Showcase by Branded Ag, B: Angus Australia’s Commercial Supply Chain Manager, Liz Pearson with Tony Fitzgerald, General Manager Whyalla Beef at Beef Australia 2021, C: Thomas Duddy, pictured with Alastair Rayner and Hannah Powe won Champion Youth Show Parader at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Image: The Land newspaper, D: Karoo Angus, sold the best presented pen of steers which were weaner market top of $1995 a head at the CTLX Carcoar Classic Autumn Weaner and Store Sale NSW, 9/4/21. Pictured: Dan and John Reen and Annie and Tony Scott, E: Weaning of the ASBP Cohort 10 Calves at Talooby, Holbrook with Nick Butcher (ASBP Project Officer), Simon Hartwich (Talooby), Professor Bruce Allworth (Talooby) and Dom Niemeyer (CSIRO). The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Commercial Supply Chain

Black hided cattle are NOT always Angus Angus Verified stops Angus imposters from eroding your profits and your breed

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Access genuine Angus premiums and get rewarded for your quality Angus cattle by displaying the Angus Verified endorsement in the marketplace. Validate your use of registered Angus sires and their presence on your PIC at the time of joining to authenticate your purebred commercial Angus calves.

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Sire ID or Sire Group

www.angusaustralia.com.au

Contact Liz Pearson: 0488 758 360 · liz.pearson@angusaustralia.com.au

First Angus Verified Steers Hit the Market Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

Angus Australia made a trip out to Woko Station, Macka’s Pastoral, Gloucester, in mid April to review, draft, and tag the first Angus Verified steers from the recently launched Angus Verified program. The top 84 of the Macka’s Pastoral 2020 drop weaner steers were drafted out for the Gloucester Weaner Sale, on Thursday April 15th. This was a multi agent sale with a strong yarding of approximately 1,500 head with good lines of Angus cattle on offer. This run of 84 represented the first Angus Verified steers hitting the marketplace since the launch of the program. The sale was well supported by local commercial producers as well as Angus seedstock members. The laneways were teeming with producers, agents and buyers congregating around the Angus Verified steers to see how they fared in their first run on the market. A number of representatives from Meat & Livestock Australia and the high-end restaurant food sector in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne were also in attendance and taking a positive interest in the Angus Verified program. The results for the Angus Verified steers were: 22 head, avg weight 365kg - $1,950/head or $5.34/kg 22 head, avg weight 340kg - $1,900/head or $5.59/kg 40 head, avg weight 329kg - $1,750 or $5.32/kg Competition for these Angus Verified steers was strong with heavy bidding from backgrounders and lot feeders. Half of the steers offed were secured by Chris Paterson from Chris Paterson Stock & Station Agency as trade steers for a grass fed, antibiotic free program, with the remaining steers heading to a background operation and then on to Killara Feedlot for a 150 day grainfed program. Along with Robert Mackenzie, Macka’s Pastoral, Angus Australia was delighted with the results for these Angus Verified steers, securing the top price of the sale of $1,950 a head for 365kg, which was a whopping $150 more than the second highest price paid for weaners at the sale.

Macka’s Pastoral has been a strong supporter throughout the development and launch of Angus Verified and couldn’t wait to get their cattle into the program and promote their Angus Verified cattle for sale. Angus Australia’s Commercial Supply Chain Manager, Liz Pearson, said, “I was extremely pleased to see such strong interest displayed by producers and buyers for the Angus Verified steers and program with plenty of people asking lots of questions and citing their interest to join Angus Verified, and with a premium of $150/head over the next best priced weaner, why wouldn’t you”. Macka’s Pastoral also put together a run of 402 Angus Verified steers on AuctionsPlus, the following Friday, 16th April. The steers were also the first Angus Verified cattle offered on AuctionsPlus with extremely positive results, with the bulk of these cattle going to Killara Feedlot and the remaining to backgrounding operations at Gloucester and Armidale. The results for the Angus Verified steers on Auctions Plus were: 265 head, avg weight 320kg - $1,755/head or $5.48/kg 71 head, avg weight 252kg - $1,600/head or $6.35/kg 66 head, avg weight 309kg - $1,700 or $5.50/kg If you’d like to know more about Angus Verified and how to secure these kinds of premiums for your cattle, contact Liz Pearson at Angus Australia or check out the Angus Verified section at www.angusaustralia.com.au

Watch the story of the first Angus Verified steers hitting the market

First Angus Verified steers sold topped the market at $1,950/head for 356 kg avg. L – R Rodney McDonald – Bowe & Lidbury Agents, Liz Pearson – Angus Australia, Alexandra Lynch, Jack Mackenzie and Robert Mackenzie – Macka’s Pastoral, Chris Paterson – Chris Paterson Stock & Station Agencies The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Commercial Supply Chain

Stand out from the crowd with exclusive Angus Verified Tags Liz Pearson, Commercial Supply Chain Manager

Angus Australia’s latest integrity program, Angus Verified, supports commercial Angus producers to build better supply chain relationships by adding credibility to a producer’s business and their reputation in the marketplace.

Angus Verified ensures that black hided Angus imposters are not sold as Angus, leading to greater integrity, confidence, and trust throughout the supply chain. Angus Verified records the use of registered Angus sires, declares the breeders and their calves are purebred Angus and validates that sires, identified by their NLIS ID, are on the PIC in the NLIS Database at the time of joining to authenticate a purebred Angus breeding program. This program has the added benefit of exclusive Angus Verified tags. These tags clearly identify Angus Verified cattle to possible buyers and sends a clear message to the market that your cattle are purebred Angus giving them the confidence that they are going to get what they pay for. Buyers can have confidence purchasing cattle that carry Angus Verified tags as all their RFIDs can be simply checked and validated in the Angus Australia database by the purchaser. To join Angus Verified complete the following steps in this order: 1. Become a member of Angus Australia 2. Subscribe to Angus Verified 3. Download the Aglive mobile App 4. Set up your Angus Verified account. Once setup, you can do everything in the mobile App, or if you prefer, login to the Aglive Web Portal with a QR code on your mobile App and do bulk data entries with a csv upload. Once your animals are verified, you can request an order form to purchase Angus Verified tags. You can only order as many tags as animals that you have verified. 70

You will receive your order form via email from Angus Australia. You then take this form to your preferred rural reseller and order your tags. Angus Verified tags are Allflex tags. All tags are Female Maxi size and come in 2 formats. Unfortunately, no amendments to the design of the Angus Verified tags is accepted. For further details on Angus Verified, contact Liz Pearson, Commercial Supply Chain Manager at Angus Australia 0488 758 360 liz.pearson@angusaustralia.com.au Scan this QR code to find out more information

Keep warm this winter with

Angus Merchandise

23 4 56 Shop online at www.angusaustralia.com.au The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Cooking with Verified Black Angus Beef Southern Style Verified Black Angus Tri Tip Served with grilled corn salad and grilled tortilla

Serves

Prep (Mins)

Cook (Mins)

Difficulty

MEDIUM

THE RUB

THE SALAD

METHOD.

2 tablespoons paprika 1 tablespoon smoked paprika 1 tablespoon ground black pepper 1 ½ tablespoon ground black pepper 1 ½ tablespoon chilli powder ½ tablespoon celery seeds 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon sumac powder 1 tablespoon cayenne powder 2 tablespoon garlic powder 1 tablespoon mustard powder 2 table spoons brown sugar. 1 tablespoon cumin powder 1 tablespoon fennel powder

8 blanch and charred corn kernels 2 red radish 20 leaves coriander (fine slice) 1/3 bunch parsley (fine slice) 4 fine sliced eschalot 1 bunch watercress 100ml evoo 60ml lime juice 2gr salt 2gr white pepper

Toast all spices and grind to fine powder, mix all spices together and coat the verified black angus tri tip and allow to sit for 1 hour before cooking.

80gr sour cream / cream fraiche 2 limes 1 bunch coriander

Sear the tri tip in a pan with tallow until caramelised colour, then roast in oven at 210 degrees c, (15mins per 500gr) approximately for 20 to 30mins, rest for 10mins in a warm place, or turn oven down to (60 degrees c) and leave in the oven for 20 minutes before slicing.

TO MAKE THE SALAD

Blanch whole corn in skin for 6 minutes, peel and char grill till different colours of char, golden, dark and yellow, cut the kernels off and place in a bowl, fine slice eschalots & radish, pick coriander and italian parsley place in the same bowl, season, add olive oil and lemon juice and mix, fold through watercress, add seasoning, lemon juice, evoo, should resemble chunky salsa, or rustic salad.

TO SERVE

Slice roasted tri tip against the grain on to a plate, serve bowl of rustic corn salad. Grill some tortilla and place on the side with sour cream, lime wedges and coriander stems.

For more great recipes visit https://www.angusreserve.com.au/recipes/

NVDs – Accepted Breed Descriptions Liz Pearson, Commercial Supply Chain Manager

The National Vendor Declaration (NVD) is a key control point for the verification of any black Angus programs by Angus Australia. For cattle to be eligible and meet market requirements of beef supplied into any Verified Black Angus Beef program, their breed description and physical attributes must comply with all requirements of the Black Angus Cattle Assessment Guidelines.

BLACK ANGUS CATTLE ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES NVD Breed Description options Angus x Angus · AA x AA

Compliance with all below standards required Straight black and representing Angus phenotype Small amount of white underline (underline defined as no white visible from the front of the animal) No white legs and feet · No horns Scurs are acceptable, however they must not be fixed to the skull No bos indicus or dairy characteristics such as loose sheath, bos indicus ears or hump

Angus x Angus AA x AA

Example of ACCEPTABLE Breed Description

These brands are included in the Verified Black Angus Beef program and more information can be found on the Angus Australia website.

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Commercial Supply Chain

Angus an ideal all-rounder for border-based business Alan Welburn, Stock Journal

When Colin and Karen Henke, of Lakala Pastoral Company in Mumbannar, Victoria, ponder the origins of their beef enterprise, they are reminded of its purpose. When the couple started the business 22 years ago they wanted to produce an article capable of exhibiting numerous traits with broad market appeal. That was, effectively, an animal with looks and that was quick to mature - and popular. They found that - and more - in Angus cattle and nowadays run a cow breeding enterprise of 1000 head on 1000 hectares of undulating country near the border of Victoria and South Australia. Pushed to describe Lakala Pastoral, one could mention its sandy loam flats interspersed with sandy rises where a temperate climate prevails and average rainfall is north of 700 millimetres. It is also right to say it’s 30 kilometres to the east of Mt Gambier and 20km from the coast - as the crow flies.

“We could be considered as a breeding and backgrounding business using our own young cattle.” Lakala Pastoral females are joined over a short period from late October until the final days of December, allowing them to calve from mid-August to October. Cows and heifers are joined for two cycles and there is a tight calving period of seven weeks. First calvers are joined for three cycles. Conception rates in the herd range from 83-86 per cent for heifers in two cycles; 90-94 per cent for cows; and last year - first calvers returned a rate of 96 per cent in three cycles. “With those conception rates, and joining 85 per cent of heifers bred to hasten the rate of genetic gain, a surplus of pregnant cattle results,” Mr Henke said. So, the Henkes offer the surplus for sale each March.

In short, Lakala Pastoral is the right spot and Angus is the right breed. “There is a wide enough variation of production traits within one breed without cross breeding and we can keep it simple,” Mr Henke said. “We have now been using Angus for 22 years, with the initial attraction of being able to supply all beef market specifications with one breed, which incorporates some versatility in the business if needed, or if markets change. “Ours is a pure Angus herd and the business is wholly and solely cattle.

Lakala Pastoral uses bulls with sound feet and legs and moderate birthweight Estimated Breeding Vales (EBVs) that later exhibit high growth, while not “blowing out” in the mature cow weight EBVs. Carcase traits, such as marbling and eye muscle area, are considered along with scrotal circumference. Eye appeal is also important, with muscling and body length in balance to complement the figures. Lakala Pastoral steers are targeted at the feedlot market with entry specifications of 400-500kg. Its steers have been successfully prepared for the long-fed, high quality beef market and medium-fed European Union market at weights of 460-500kg at 13-15 months-old. The target for heifers is the EU feeder heifer market - at weights of 400-500kg; a pasture-fed domestic carcase - at weights of 240-320kg; or PTIC females for the Te Mania sale. According to Mr Henke, the feedlot entry specifications are a “perfect fit” for a spring calving cow herd - with a maximum number of mouths and, by matching pasture growth rates to peak animal requirements, they can maintain a 480kg liveweight turn-off of beef per hectare. That’s all worth pondering.

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Graphic Design with

by Angus Australia

Contact: design@angusaustralia.com.au | 02 6773 4600 | www.angusaustralia.com.au

Colin Henke, who runs Lakala Pastoral Company with wife Karen in Mumbannar in Victoria, believes Angus cattle are best. PHOTO: Kate Pearce

Flexibility boosts beef producer’s bottom line Hayley Warden, The Land

A shift to Angus over the last eight years has seen Cleary Bros’ cattle enterprise go from strength to strength. The construction company runs about 200 Angus breeders on their 720 hectare property at Berry on the NSW South Coast. Ash Mathie joined the company in 2000 and has managed the farm for 12 years, during which time he has rebuilt the herd after downsizing in the years prior. He has witnessed many changes during that time, with regards to both the marketing of cattle and the way the business operates. “A lot has changed with the market and the way we do things now,” Mr Mathie said. “We made the shift due to market demand for black Angus cattle, we started off with Poll Herefords primarily then worked our way into Angus. “Now we have about 98 per cent Angus and 2pc Hereford cattle.” Cleary Bros sell weaners when they are eight to nine months of age, either via the South Eastern Livestock Exchange (SELX) at Yass or on AuctionsPlus. “I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t be happy with the current market,” Mr Mathie said. “We did really well last year. “We usually sell our weaners at Yass and use that market as a bit of a benchmark, focusing on their weaner sales from September to November. “Sometimes we go down the AuctionsPlus avenue, we just assess what is going on at the time and work out the best option for us.” At other times, if the market isn’t as strong for their description of cattle, they will grow them out to feeder weight and sell directly to the feedlot. “We like to keep our options open. If we can maintain and hold onto them through a bit of a lull in the market, then we will,” Mr Mathie said. “We are in a position to be able to hold the calves we wean depending on the market conditions.

“We have put ourselves in a position where we have enough pasture, hay and silage to maintain them for another 12 months if need be.” They have made the decision to retain their weaner heifers, due to the cost involved in buying replacements. “This year we will probably maintain 80-90pc of our heifer calves and grow them out as future breeding females,”Mr Mathie said. This year Cleary Bros opted to sell 164 head (82 steers and 82 heifers) at the Braidwood Weaner Sale on May 27th, that they would normally sell in October, early, at seven to eight months old, given the market and to avoid carrying them through winter. The decision paid off, with a pen of 24 Angus steers, 233kg, selling for $1560, 670c/kg. A second pen of 24 weighing 224kg made $1535, 685c/kg. While, a third pen of 24, weighing 194kg, sold for $1410, returning 727c/kg.

Ash Mathie with some of their Angus Cattle at the Braidwood weaner sale

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Education

Understanding RBVs Module Added to the Angus Education Centre Matt Reynolds, Breed Development Officer

The introduction of research breeding values into the suite of tools available to Angus breeders when making breeding decisions, marks an exciting time for the breed. RBVs can be utilised in exactly the same manner as EBVs and are best thought of as EBVs in development. Four research breeding values are currently published as part of the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation and the new module “Understanding RBVs” ensures breeders looking to utilise them within their program are supported by some great educational information. The new module provides summary information on each of the RBVs currently calculated as part of the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation and supports the “Collection Guidelines for Angus Research” module which covers the performance recording of the traits for which RBVs are available. The ability for members to collect the performance information for the ‘new’ trait and have the RBV calculated, ensures that programs wanting to be on the cutting edge of better describing mature cow body composition, immune competence or adaptation to more tropical environments can inform their breeding and selection decisions with breeding values.

Supported by interactive educational activities the new module is well worth checking out if you or your clients have questions around Research Breeding Values. For further information contact staff at Angus Australia on (02) 6773 4600 or office@angusaustralia.com.au

CARCASE QUALITY SALE GUNNEDAH NSW, 8 JULY 2021 R IFELL E H U B

ANY

Q47 - LOT 14: HERD BULL

- 30 Bulls, 15 Females (HBR, APR, MBR) -

O P TI

Choose a Wallawong Sire if you want · Carcase, structural, temperament & coat score EBVs · Vaccinated for 3 Germ, Vibriosis, 3 day sickness · Semen tested and 2 yr fertility guarantee · An honest business relationship · Generous freight subsidies · Pestivirus PI free · JBas 8

2018, 2021 National Carcase Competition Class Winners Lachlan and Kate James: 0402 839 373 | Gunnedah NSW www.wallawong.com.au or find us on LEJQ166 - LOT 16

CONSISTENT · CARCASE · PERFORMANCE

Marketing with Angus Australia With Angus Australia’s extensive audience reach we offer several advertising opportunities to promote the sale of Angus cattle and associated events, products and services. Angus Australia’s print and digital advertising opportunities ensures you reach your target market, those interested in the Angus breed, as well as the overall cattle and agricultural industries. More information on how you can make the most of Angus Australia’s marketing services on pages 78 & 79.

Bulletins

eNews editions

41,000

Avg. Website visits per/month

300

Website Posts in '20

SUGARLOAF ANGUS

ANNUAL BULL SALE · SATURDAY 7TH AUGUST 1PM OPEN DAY 17TH JULY FROM 10.30AM

50 registered, performance recorded, heavy made easy doing bulls Jim Tickle - 0439 518 113 or AH: 02 4992 1980 · On property, Sugarloaf Creek, Dungog NSW · www.sugarloafangus.com.au

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

| 77

Marketing

Digital Advertising The Angus Australia website receives on average 41,000 visits per month and eNews is distibuted weekly to over 7,000 addresses

Website Advertising Standard Cost $165 per week Discount Cost* $132 per week Size: MREC - 300px wide by 250px high *Including 20% sale catalogue discount and GST

eNews Advertising $110 300px wide by 250px high

$330 600px wide by 174px high

$110 Link to Youtube video

Discounts and Bundles Website advertising & sale catalogues:

receive a 20% discount on web site advertising when using the Angus Australia sale catalogue services. Discounted rate, $132 per week.

Website & Bulletin advertising:

receive a 10% discount on print advertising if purchasing both Angus Australia website and Angus Australia Bulletin advertising within the same 6 months.

Bulletin advertising:

receive a 10% discount if booking and paying for 4 issues in advance.

Print Advertising

Angus Bulletin Size

Width x Height

Cost

Business Card

96mm x 65mm

Quarter page

192mm x 70mm

Third page

192mm x 89mm

Half page (horizontal)

192mm x 135mm

Half page (vertical)

96mm x 270mm

Full page

210mm w x 297mm with 4mm bleed

Inside front cover

210mm w x 297mm with 4mm bleed

Inside back cover

210mm w x 297mm with 4mm bleed

Back cover

210mm w x 297mm with 4mm bleed

$165.00 $330.00 $440.00 $660.00 $660.00 $1,000.00 $1,200.00 $1,100.00 $1,300.00

Mailed to over 4,500 people

Print & Digital versions for maxium reach

Seasonal editions

Angus and Industry related articles

Graphic Design Services

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Graphic Design by Angus Australia

Angus Australia offeres a full range of graphic design services to members. For $99 an hour we can design your advert, logo or anything else you need. Contact the Marketing team for more information on our services. 78

Catalogue Services The Angus Australia website and AngusSELECT is online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, meaning that your bulls, females, semen and embryos for sale, can be searched for and seen at any time. Angus Australia provides a range of catalogue options to suit your individual needs. These catalogues contain the latest registration and performance data downloaded directly from our database.

Catalogue Services and Pricing Semen or Embryo $22.00 per animal/lot

What’s included in the Semen or Embryo service? · Lots added to AngusSELECT and Catalogue section on the website · Animal photo and YouTube links on Angus.Tech · Online catalogue promoted on Angus Australia social media · 12 month catalogue listing

Standard Catalogue (includes Private Treaty) $6.60 per animal/lot

What’s included in the Standard Catalogue service? · Lots added to AngusSELECT and Catalogue section on the website · Animal photo and YouTube links on Angus.Tech

Customised Catalogue $6.60 per animal/lot + $99 per/hr processing

What’s included in the Customised Catalogue service? · Lots added to AngusSELECT and Catalogue section on the website · Animal photo and YouTube links on Angus.Tech · Online catalogue promoted on Angus Australia social media · Ability to include Semen and Embryo lots · Customised templates i.e. EBV removal, change to 2 or 3 gen pedigree, shading of EBVs, specific colour etc. · Customised Quick Summary EBV Table (inc. reference sires)

Full Catalogue Design $6.60 per animal/lot + $99 per/hr processing

What’s included in the Full Catalogue Design service?

· · · · ·

· · · · · · · · ·

Online catalogue promoted on Angus Australia social media CSV data extract (inc. reference sires) Choice of Standard Templates Downloadable Sale Catalogue PDF (incl. Reference Sires) for print Standard Quick Summary EBV Table (inc. reference sires)

Lots added to AngusSELECT and Catalogue section on the website Animal photo and YouTube links on Angus.Tech Online catalogue promoted on Angus Australia social media Ability to include Semen and Embryo lots Individual lot design Cover to cover desgin Published on ISSUU including emailed electronic version Organise printing if required Customised Quick Summary EBV Table (inc. reference sires)

· Engagement statistics

Miscellaneous Catalogue Charges $2.20 per animal/lot (additional)

When is Miscellaneous Catalogue Charges applied? · For manual entry of sale lots and lot comments into Excel Spreadsheet · For re-extraction of CSV data extract (inc. reference sires)

All prices outlined in this document are GST inclusive. For full terms and conditions of advertising with Angus Australia, visit www.angusaustralia.com.au

The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

| 79

Member Services

Member Services Matters Scott Wright, Member Services Manager

The Angus Australia Member Services staff are responsible for enabling Members to conduct all transactions with Angus Australia in a manner that is as streamlined and as efficient as possible.

Positive IT

Sometimes the smallest changes give you a result out of proportion to the energy that you invest in that change? Angus Australia’s IT team has spent years developing our Angus.TECH software modules and yet…

“Sometimes a small change is much more significant than a great change.” At the start of 2021 we implemented a relatively unnoticed module which was the Angus.TECH job system. We’ve now run that successfully for five months across most of the Member Services area. In effect what the jobs system allows us to do is log every job that is submitted to the regos email, allocate a staff member and track turnaround times. Going back, members were concerned that jobs could be lost. I’m very pleased to be able to report that every job now submitted by a member to the Member Services team is now tracked and assigned through Angus.TECH. The software allows our staff to be able to view the complete job history of a particular member easily and without fuss. Also, it means that when members make an inquiry to any of the team that those jobs can be easily reviewed. For the current quarter, the job turnaround time for all Member Services Jobs is 0.48 days. Member Services have a service standard that requires all jobs to be completed within 3 business days. It’s very pleasing that our team has been able to achieve a much higher standard. It has been very helpful to myself, Peter Parnell and makes accountability and reporting to the Board of Directors transparent and very easy. Our thanks go to our IT department who quietly go about software development and often without praise or fanfare. This has been one of the most helpful modules developed in assisting the Member Services team deliver improved services.

Spring Inventory

Just a reminder to our members that Spring Inventory Fates are due 16th July and the billing will occur on the 26th July 2021. It is highly important to have spring fates completed by that date to ensure that members are not incorrectly charged. 80

Calving Books

This year no Calving Books were sent to members due to Inventory Forms being sent by email. If members require Calving Books, please email regos@angusaustralia.com.au including your Herd ID and number of Calving Books that you require and one of our Member Services Officers will post them out straight away.

Recording Embryo Transfer Calves – Information for members

With higher levels of ET calves being registered with Angus Australia members should be aware of a regulation that may cause issue in the registration of calves that fail parent verification. Often members will downgrade a HBR or APR dam to Recipient status to be used as a surrogate dam. Surrogate dams are often backed up to a natural joining in case the embryo transfer fails. Periodically an Embryo Transfer calf will fail DNA Parent Verification (PV) and the member will seek to change the parents of the calf to that of the recipient dam and naturally joined bull. The issue arises when the embryo transfer fails, and the recipient dam calves to a natural pregnancy. The following regulation is then applied: 6.40 The dam of an animal recorded in the HBR, APR, ACR or MBR can only be amended if it is accompanied by a full DNA parent verification (i.e. both sire and dam). In theory this is a straightforward process however often the recipient dam will not have a DNA profile meaning that the calf parentage cannot be changed until the recipient dam has been DNA tested. In practice this can be inconvenient and incurs additional costs. There are several solutions for members in this position: 1. Ensure that recipient dams have a DNA profile; 2. In the case that a recipient dam does not have a DNA profile be prepared to DNA test the dam to Parent Verify the calve to the natural parents; or 3. Record the calf without a Dam (ie record the calf with a sire only). The calf will then be recorded as a pending animal. Then conduct parent verification to the donor dam and sire(s) after recording the calf – in this case if the calf qualifies to the donor dam and sire the parentage can easily be amended. If it does not qualify to the donor, the calf is able to be recorded with the recipient dam and correct sire. The third method of recording calves to the natural joining and later conducting parent verification would be most suitable for members who do not wish to conduct DNA testing on recipient females.

Genomic and DNA Services

We include this section each time: Angus Australia provides a range of Genomic products available to both seedstock and commercial producers. In addition, Angus Australia offers a comprehensive range of DNA Parentage

Image: Christopher de Crespigny, Information Systems Manager, with Member Services Officer, Adam Allingham

and Genetic Condition tests. If any members are seeking any guidance with regards to which test or service is required, please do not hesitate to contact the Member Services team. To make sure the process is as smooth as possible there’s a couple of helpful things to be aware of: · Firstly, before sending DNA samples please make sure the animal is registered – even if it is just pending. If we don’t have an animal ID, we can’t submit a sample for testing; and · Secondly, please use the correct Order Form and complete the form to the best of your ability - if you’re unsure please call. You can find the form on our website or call and ask an MSO to email or post it to you. If there is no Order Form, we can’t process the DNA test;

Contact

If you have an issue regarding anything affecting your Membership, Registrations, Transfers, Performance Recording, DNA or any other Member Services matter please call and speak to one of our Member Service Officers or myself. If you have any particularly difficult matters or grievances please don’t hesitate to contact me directly, either by email of phone 02 6773 4636. Scott Wright, Member Services Manager Would you like any aspect of Member Services covered in more detail in future bulletins? Please email scott.wright@angustralia.com.au.

ALL ROADS LEAD TO

DULVERTON ANGUS BULL SALE MONDAY 26 JULY 2021, 1PM

90 BULLS

INCLUDING 10 YEARLINGS ON OFFER

Greg Chappell 0427 298 527 Shannon Vale Station, Glen Innes

www.dulvertonangus.com The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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angus.tech

Changes make Angus.Tech even more User focused Matt Reynolds, Breed Development Officer

The release of a number of new features to Angus.Tech are set to address the most commonly requested improvements to the database.

Upload Animal IDs in Angus Database Search

Registered users of Angus.Tech are now able to upload lists of Animal IDs into Angus Database Search. This new feature, combined with the removal of the previous cap on the number of IDs that can be entered in the animal ID field, means users can now bring up full lists of animals simply and quickly. Users will notice a new button ‘Upload Animal IDs’ now located beside the Animal ID field within Angus Database Search. Users simply click this button and select the .csv document they wish to upload IDs from. Importantly, the animal IDs will need to be listed within a single column with the title ‘Animal ID’. This is case sensitive and an error will appear, preventing the uploading of the IDs, if this column heading is not used.

Remembering selections across multiple pages

When displaying the results of a search across Angus.Tech, users can display results on pages of either 20 or 100 results. Users are able to utilise the check box feature to display only certain animals within the search and with the recent release, individuals can now be selected and remembered across multiple pages. The ability to remember across multiple pages is a powerful feature for anyone looking to shortlist individuals from within larger groups of animals, such as donor lists or replacement females. To utilise the feature, users simply click the check box in the first column of the animals they wish to remain in the search. Users can move between the pages of the search results to identify all the required animals.

Once all animals have been selected, users click the lightning bolt in the column heading and select ‘Show only selected animals’. 82

Transfer Animals from Angus Database Search to the Angus Mating Predictor

The addition of the ability for Users to transfer their Angus Database Search results directly into the Angus Mating Predictor will mean the mating predictor will be easier than ever to use. Once the animals have been brought up within Angus Database Search, using any of the search functions or features, users are able to transfer the animals into the mating predictor using the lighting bolt in the far-right header column. By selecting ‘Transfer animals to mating predictor’ users will be redirected to the mating predictor, where all the animals in the previous search results will be assigned to either the sire identifier(s) if they are a male and dam identifier(s) if they are female.

It is important to note that there is still a limit of the number of sire-dam combinations that can be run in the mating predictor at one time so take care when transferring large numbers of animals to the mating predictor.

Genotype density included on Genetic Results tab Progeny details now included on the Single Animal Page

Progeny information will now be included on the single animal page in instances, where the animal has progeny recorded on the Angus Australia database. Users of Angus.Tech will be able to seamlessly explore animals within Angus.Tech, through animals that share pedigree or progeny links to other animals within the database. The inclusion of progeny performance information on the single animal page removes the need to start a ‘new’ search when viewing animals through the pedigree tool, where users are taken to the select animal’s single animal page. Progeny information will be displayed on the single animal page in the same way as it appears on an animal’s progeny tab. Users can view all registered progeny or select from registered progeny from specific herds. Users simply select either the ‘Show all’ or ‘Show’ beside the group of progeny they wish to view.

On the genetic results tab, users of Angus.Tech will now be able to view the density of the genotype that is stored for a particular animal. Users simply navigate to the animal’s Genetic results tab, where beside DNA Profile Stored will be listed the type of DNA profile and in the case of SNP profiles, the number of SNPs that are represented within the genotype.

For further information on utilising any of the new features contact staff at Angus Australia on (02) 6773 4600 or office@angusaustralia.com.au

“A small but outstanding range of sires available in Australia” Semen available from leading studs including Musgrave Angus - WMR Angus - Matauri Angus & more.... Genetic Choice Australia

0417 748 231

www.geneticchoice.com.au The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Sire Benchmarking

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Where are they now? Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

Featured in this edition of “Where are they Now” is Jeremy Cooper.

Jeremy Cooper What is your earliest memory participating in Angus Youth activities? My first Roundup was 1994 in Holbrook, NSW. My ute broke down on the way home! What activity/event stands out to you the most (eg Roundup, scholarships etc)? I was part of a group that reinvented the wheel for Angus Youth Development, laying the foundations for where the youth movement find themselves today. Being involved in that process with Graham Truscott the CEO at the time, gave my first real insight to corporate governance. Graham has remained a close friend and mentor to me in his life after Angus, I have worked with him on other projects in his role as a consultant.

Above: Jeremy Cooper, 1996. Below: Carmen & Jeremy

In terms of opportunities that you received for being part of Angus Youth, how did your involvement positively influence your development in the beef cattle industry? Absolutely Angus Youth has had an enormous role in my career. Michigan State University (MSU) has been a huge part of my life. It was here I was introduced to Dr Harlan Ritchie who had a very strong influence on my direction. I worked with Harlan on projects both here and in the USA post my time at MSU. Harlan has been one of my biggest influencers. What were the key learnings you developed as a member of Angus Youth, through the program? There is no I in team! How are you involved in the beef cattle industry now/ where are you now? I operate Circle8bulls with my wife. We breed Angus bulls and F1 terminal Wagyu bulls, located in Southern NSW. I also have a consultancy role in several supply chains, which are FB Wagyu and F1 Wagyu specific.

Why would you encourage others to become involved in the Angus Youth Program? Likeminded people should engage with likeminded people. So, if you’re a rural kid who has an interest in livestock and forming lifelong associations, give it a crack! It’s the entry point to a plethora of opportunities.

TANDARA ANGUS STUD On Property Sale - 3 September 2021 rd

26 YEARLING BULLS Aug/Sept drop by D.V. All In, Bartel, Keystone, Phoenix, Traction, PowerPoint & NFS M17. Gillwingah, 31 Paddys Plains Road, Dorrigo, NSW 2453 All details visit website tandara.info · Contact: Godfrey Darling 0427 701 887 · gillwingah@gmail.com

Tandara R Bulls aged 8-9months

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Angus Youth

Back in action for the Angus Youth scholarship program Jake Phillips, Breed Development Officer

With beef industry events back on the radar in 2021, Angus Australia is pleased to be able to continue to offer the Angus Youth Scholarship program to aspiring beef industry enthusiasts. Supported by the Angus Foundation, there are ample experiences up for grabs for Angus Australia members for the rest of 2021, after the success of the Beef Australia scholarships.

Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment School, Tocal NSW APPLICATIONS OPEN! The Angus Foundation is excited to be supplying five scholarships for Angus Australia members to attend. Taking place on 27-29 September 2021 and organised by the Angus NSW Committee, the Tocal Beef Cattle Assessment Course is widely recognised as the most practical and hands on beef cattle selection course of its kind. Applications are now open for Angus Australia members aged 16 to 30 years allowing for the opportunity to attend the course, where they will be educated on all aspects of the beef industry and work to increase their knowledge and skills in judging and selecting beef cattle. The course will cover a wide range of topics ranging from using EBV’s, structural conformation and selection of market utilising Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus breeds and their crosses and will help participants through developing practical skills and information, presenting networking opportunities. Each scholarship recipient will have their entry fees covered (Valued at more than $500) which includes all accommodation, food and course fees.

SmartBeef 2021 – Dalby QLD APPLICATIONS OPEN! The Angus Foundation will once again award two scholarships to give Angus Australia members the opportunity to participate in the Australian Lot Feeder’s Association’s (ALFA) SmartBeef Conference. SmartBeef is the grain fed beef industry’s technical run each alternate year to BeefEx. The event this year will be on 19-21 October, Dalby QLD and will draw together feedlot operators and their staff, nutritionists, veterinarians, regulators, service providers and others involved in the grain fed beef supply chain.

SmartBeef attracts delegates from around the country for a celebration and showcase of the sector. Delegates walk away from this event informed, inspired, motivated and even better connected with their industry peers. With a theme of ‘Smarter, Richer Beef’, a diverse cohort of leading speakers from across the whole supply chain will present to participants. Each scholarship recipient will be provided with $1500 to assist in covering costs associate with attending the event, (for example; flights, accommodation and the event registration fee).

LIVEXchange 21 – Darwin NT APPLICATIONS OPENING SOON! LIVEXchange 21 is coming and the Angus Foundation, with the support of the Australian Livestock Export Corporation (LiveCorp) the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC) ,will award two scholarships to give Angus Australia members the opportunity to participate in this Conference. This conference is the major event for Australia’s livestock export industry, held every two years as a joint venture between LiveCorp and the Australian Livestock Exporters’ Council (ALEC). LIVEXchange is heading to Darwin NT on the 11-12 November 2021. The theme for 2021 is ‘From here to there together: strengthening our foundations and creating connections’, with presentations to centre on the capabilities of the live export industry, strength of markets and the values shared by everyone in the supply chain. Angus Australia members aged between 18 and 30 with a commitment to the Australian beef industry and the Angus breed are encouraged to apply. Each scholarship recipient will be provided with $1500 to assist in covering costs associate with attending the event (for example: flights, accommodation and social functions), while LiveCorp kindly provide the scholarship recipients with Conference only passes and membership rates to the Stockpersons accreditation course.

A: Sam Finlayson and Abbey Mallise at the 2019 LIVEXchange Conference, B: Participants at the 2019 GenAngus Future Leaders Workshop, C: Hannah Cargill and Ruby Canning at the 2018 BeefEX conference

Achmea GenAngus Future Leaders Program APPLICATIONS OPENING SOON! GenAngus and Achmea Australia are pleased to announce the 2021 GenAngus Future Leaders Program will take place later in 2 Adelaide, SA from 2 - 4 November. We are pleased to also confirm successful applicants from the cancelled 2020 event will also be awarded their position during the 2021 event. This is in addition to the 2021 event applications opening soon for applicants that have not previously attended the event. The GenAngus Program will provide up to 10 Angus Australia members and 2 Angus New Zealand members aged 18 – 40 with the opportunity to participate in a customised program to aid them in increasing their knowledge and confidence to launch a new or existing beef enterprise. Participants will attend an intimate and intensive 3 day workshop with industry leading professionals, before embarking on a 12 month program with access to personalised support. The program is targeted at people looking to start up their own business in the beef industry or take that next step in their existing business. Topics covered: · Mindset and Strengthening Belief · Financial Fundamentals · Risk Management and Insurance · Your Beef Market - The Top Five Impacts · Marketing now and into the future · Improving your herd with Genetics · Resilience and Succession · Media and Communications · Case Study: Auctions Plus - The Business Each scholarship recipient will have costs associated with the event over the 3 days covered including meals, accommodation and the program.

WHO is eligible for Angus Australia Scholarships and Bursaries?

You must also be a current Angus Youth or Angus Australia financial member. Membership forms are available on the Angus Australia website. Stay tuned to Angus E-News and the Angus Australia website and the Angus Australia and Angus Youth Social Media Pages for more information including how to apply! For more information please contact Jake Phillips, Breed Development Officer, Angus Australia on 0401 261 217 or youth@angusaustralia.com.au or visit www.angusaustralia. com.au

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Angus Youth

Roundup to reconvene in Wodonga Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

The Angus Youth National Roundup is back in 2022, heading to Wodonga, Victoria January 13th- 16th. Angus Youth is excited to announce the formation of the Roundup Organising Committee, who will assist the Roundup Event Manager in running the national event. Chairing the newly formed committee will be Annie Pumpa. Annie resides in Tabletop, NSW where she works for ABS Australia as a sales representative for both beef and dairy. Annie comes with a long history in the beef industry, having grown up in Culcairn NSW in the Riverina on a family run mixed enterprise operation and being actively involved in the seedstock sector over the last 10 years. Joining Annie will be the following committee members: · Zoe Cargill, Braidwood NSW · Lochie McLauchlan, Glenormiston North Vic · Lilli Stewart, Birregurra Vic · Jack Laurie, Moppy NSW · Monique McKinnon, Scone NSW · Aimee Bolton, Congupna Vic · Kaiti Mcgregor, Bell Qld The Angus Youth Roundup Organising Committee provides guidance and assistance to the Angus Youth Roundup Event Manager in planning, promoting and conducting the 2022 Angus Youth National Roundup. Toni Nugent will take on the role of Roundup Event Manager and will be at the helm of running the Roundup with the Organising Committee. Toni comes to the event with a wealth of experience in the field of event management, stakeholder engagement and communications across the agricultural industry. Toni has a Bachelor of Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne and a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) from Charles Sturt University. Toni worked in research and extension in animal nutrition with the Victorian Department of Agriculture, before commencing in the position of Communications Officer with the Weeds Cooperative Research Centre. Toni was then employed for 11 years with the Kondinin Group as Research Coordinator, heading up their research team and has written articles and research reports on a range of agricultural issues. In 2011, Toni joined the Graham Centre for Agricultural Innovation, taking up the position of Partnerships and Engagement Manager. In this role, Toni engaged with industry stakeholders across the value chain, developing innovative research programs with a focus

Toni Nugent 88

Annie Pumpa

Zoe Cargill

on delivering solutions for crop and livestock systems. In September 2020, Toni started her own business toninugent, specialising in project management, communications and event management. Toni is no stranger to Roundup, with her daughter Charlotte having competed in the event on multiple occasions. “It is great to be part of the team as we plan for Roundup 2022. I look forward to working with Annie, the committee and Jake to bring the event to life,” Toni said. “We want to provide opportunities for the next generation to learn not only about cattle preparation and showing, but also build their understanding and knowledge of the beef industry across areas including nutrition, breeding, marketing and meat quality.” “Long lasting connections and partnerships are forged at events such as Roundup. Never underestimate the power of conversations and creating networks, you never know when opportunities present and how your networks can ‘open doors’ throughout your life,” said Toni. Angus Australia Breed Development Officer Jake Phillips will also be on hand to assist Toni, Annie and the committee in hosting a successful Roundup. Some members may have met Jake previously through his involvement in the Angus Youth program including the Angus Roundup, as well as being a previous Angus Ambassador and Angus Youth Trans-Tasman Award recipient. In his role with Angus Australia, Jake is responsible for coordinating the Angus Youth program, focusing on increasing skill development and capability among young Angus breeders in the key principles of commercial beef production and genetic improvement. “I am excited to help Toni and the committee bring back one of Australia’s best youth shows for 2022 after a year off due to COVID-19 restrictions. I know first-hand the opportunities these types of events can create for young people in the industry, I owe much of my career to similar programs I was part of growing up. I believe the people that have put forward their name for the committee this year will be a great combination of experience and passion to deliver an industry leading program under Toni’s guidance”, said Jake. Members are encouraged to keep up to date via the Angus Australia website and Angus Youth social media channels for information and updates regarding entries and any news relating to Roundup 2022.

Lochie McLauchlan

Lilli Stewart

Jack Laurie

Monique McKinnon

Sponsorship opportunities are now available for Roundup 2022, see page 90 - 91. Roundup would not be possible without the support of generous partners, so if you would like to be part of this exceptional event as a sponsor, please contact Toni Nugent, M: 0418 974 775 or E: toninugent20@gmail.com

Aimee Bolton

Kaiti McGregor

Jake Phillips

Images: Emily H Photography

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Angus Youth

What’s in a week at Beef Australia? Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer

The Angus Foundation recently provided three young members of the beef industry the opportunity to attend Beef Australia 2021 at the beginning of May. Angus Australia members Georgia Laurie, Damien Thomson and Jock McGregor were each selected for the Angus Australia Beef Australia scholarships, which saw them take on and take in the multitude of seminars, trade stands and beef cattle on display during the event. The scholarships aim to increase the recipient’s knowledge of the beef industry, expose the recipients to different agricultural production systems, develop their personal skills and strengthen relationships between the World’s beef industries. Kicking off the Beef experience, as a requirement of their scholarship the recipients each had several events they had to attend, which began with the Rabobank Industry Awards dinner. Georgia, Jock and Damien joined the Angus Australia team at the dinner, which featured the presentation of numerous awards to industry leaders across the supply chain and featured speeches from industry leaders and guests including the Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison. “The Rabobank Industry Awards dinner on Monday night set the scene for the rest of the week,” said Damien. “It highlighted the changes the beef industry has undergone and how the industry has innovated to generate value along the supply chain. Ultimately producing a high-quality eating experience for consumers.” Jock also expressed his enjoyment of the evening and the opportunity to ease into the week with an excellent networking opportunity. “The highlight of the first day was attending the Rabobank Industry Awards Dinner that was included in the scholarship. The night allowed me to network with the other scholarship receivers and the Angus Australia staff over dinner whilst listening to Scott Morrison and his thoughts on the beef industry.” Tuesday saw the Angus stud cattle judging, which as part of their scholarship requirements, the scholarship recipients assisted with the judging as stewards for the event, which was a new experience for some of the recipients. Georgia, Damien and Jock were also in attendance at the Angus Australia seminar, “The Angus Influence – From Performance to Profit”, which hosted a number of industry consultants, producers and branded beef owners sharing their experience with Angus and Angus influenced cattle in both northern and southern beef production systems and the key profit drivers for beef businesses. Tuesday was wrapped up with a networking opportunity for Georgia, Jock and Damien with Angus Australia and Achmea Australia hosting a drinks session with industry partners, sponsors and fellow producers. Outside of the required events, the scholarship recipients also had a plethora of opportunities to take in the latest that the industry had to offer. 92

Jock highlighted the magnitude of the event itself, and how much opportunity to develop there was during the week. “Upon arrival I couldn’t comprehend the number of people, marquees and hats that were present at Beef. The raw scale of the event was much to my surprise which excited me to get into the week and explore all of the opportunities that were on show,” he said. “I used the first day to soak it all in with an intent to note down the tents, talks and people that I would like to investigate further and get to know more about later in the week.” Damien utilised the week to visit a range of different locations around the event to take in as much as he could during his time in Rockhampton. “I split my time between listening to seminars, tech talks and product launches, watching the cattle showing, walking around and visiting each stand, chatting with industry contacts and having a good time catching up with mates each night,” said Damien. “It was wonderful to reconnect with so many people after a year of very little contact.” The diversity of what attendees could enjoy and learn from during the event was a standout for Georgia. “I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the week and I’m very grateful for the experience. The cattle judging was an amazing spectacle to watch, I especially enjoyed the judging of the larger Bos Indicus breeds,” she said. “It was great to attend seminars from industry leaders, including Angus Australia and the Meat and Livestock Australia: Linking Innovation with reproductive performance seminars. Beef provided a great opportunity to network and to catch up with new and old friends.” “The Tech Yards at Beef featured a range of new and innovative technology, aimed to aid producers throughout all stages of production. This is where I learnt the most and took away ideas to implement into our own operation.” There were a number of key take homes for each of the recipients and they expressed that they were looking

Left to Right: Damien Thomson, Georgia Laurie, Jock McGregor. Bottom Image: Damien, Georgia, Jock catch up during Beef Australia cattle judging.

forward to how they can utilise them within their own systems back home. “The key takeaway for me from the week was the technology focus throughout the beef supply chain and in a broader sense the hope and prosperity of the beef community. I believe the technology focus has stemmed from the ability to increase efficiency in operations, ultimately leading to enhanced profitability,” said Jock. “The highlight for me within the technology space was the Truck Tracker app and I will definitely look to implement this into my own farming enterprise. Further, I noticed that there was a real sense of community at Beef as everyone was there with common interests and to support the beef industry. With the current beef climate proving to be very successful, many stakeholders of the beef industry are excited for the future.” Georgia also highlighted the emphasis on the developing technologies available to the industry as a key message from the event.

“Optiweigh was a technology that stood out to me, due to its complete mobility and its simplicity. I believe this will aid producers to make timely and effective management decisions to ensure that setbacks are avoided,” she said. “The vitality of accountability was a take home message, whereby software programs such as AgriWebb pose as a simplistic and effective management recording tool. This is a program I wish to implement at home, to increase traceability and accountability.” Damien echoed these sentiments and added that the promise for the future of the industry was evident during the week. “The biggest take home for me is the confidence and positivity in the beef industry at the moment. Record high prices certainly go a long way to contributing to that, but it really comes down the community and collective effort of so many people doing great things,” said Damien. “The most exciting innovations and technologies for me were FutureFeed, Optiweigh and Ceres tag. I think the pursuit of carbon neutrality is going to be critically important in the near future and the beef industry has the opportunity to lead the way.” Angus Australia Breed Development Officer Jake Reynolds, who heads up the Angus Youth Program within his role, believes that the industry is in good stead with young members like Georgia, Jock and Damien actively contributing to it. “A personal highlight for me is just how much of a good place the Australian beef industry is in with people like Georgia, Jock and Damien coming into it in the best part of their careers and their lives. And I think that the skills that our young people have in this industry are going to be needed in jobs that probably aren’t even created yet.”

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“Agriculture is moving at such a rapid pace now in terms of data sharing technology and being able to work around climate variability, labour resourcing, making genetic gains, and all of these types of things are going to be really important for the next couple of decades. I think Georgia, Damien and Jock are really well placed in terms of their personalities, but certainly their attitude towards learning and being able to network and share those thoughts and ideas.” “These three guys are really just so passionate and are going to be a really good representation of their family businesses, but also of the Angus breed and the industry going forward.” Each recipient encouraged other young Angus Australia members to apply for the scholarships in 2024 due to the invaluable experience that it offers. “Attending an event like Beef Australia exposes you to those opportunities and connects you with industry leaders. It has something for everyone, there is so much to see and learn and you can have a lot of fun while you’re at it,” said Damien. “I have gained a number of contacts, a head full of ideas and built on some existing connections and collaborations. I would not have made it all the way from Yass to Rockhampton without this scholarship. Theses scholarships are the best way to make that first step, helping you get involved, start meeting people and learning and developing your own skills and knowledge.” “I strongly recommend young people apply for this scholarship as it provided me with an opportunity that I

am extremely grateful for. The scholarship provides a base platform for developing relationships with people involved with the Angus breed along with other industry leaders,” said Georgia. “I left Beef 2021 feeling excited and enthused about my future in the Australian agriculture industry. The passion of the people at the event was contagious, reiterating the strength of both the beef industry today and its future.” “I would recommend young people to apply for the scholarship as it allows you to get out of your comfort zone and explore the beef industry on another level. The endless opportunities through networking, learning and development and just experiencing the beef industry as a whole in one place was an atmosphere that I will never forget,” said Jock. “The scholarship provided a very good opportunity to learn through involvement in cattle showing and seminars which allowed me to increase my knowledge of the beef industry.”

Pedigrees with a Difference with Performance on the Hook Spring Celebration Sale Two Sales – One Day… Monday 23rd August

100 Black Beef Bulls Sell at DRILLHAM, Queensland

30 Elite Stud Females & 1 Stud Sire Sell at WALWA, Victoria

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· Spring calvers sell PTIC – some with bull calves at foot

· Semen Tested & Breeding Soundness Examined

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· Ear notch tested free of Pestivirus

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Inspections welcome by prior arrangement

Inspection - DAY 1 Southern Beef Week Monday 26th July

Stud founders David and Jill Raff no longer reside on farm having moved to Toowoomba, Queensland earlier this year following 56 years of dedicated breeding of Angus Seedstock cattle. Along with the bulls, this Spring Celebration Sale will see the very best of Raff Angus females sell - showcasing our pick females from each year. Never before have we offered a complete sale line-up of top end females like this offering a unique opportunity to invest in the very best Raff Angus maternal lines. The Females sell first at Walwa 12 midday auctioned by Brian Leslie – the bulls follow at Drillham 1pm auctioned by Michael Glasser. Both sell open cry and through the ring interfaced with Elite Livestock and Auctions Plus. ‘This unique sale not only celebrates my parent’s retirement but showcases their breeding direction since establishment in 1965 and their amazing dedication to the Angus breed for the Australian Beef Industry. We welcome and encourage your attendance to join with us to celebrate their remarkable journey’ – Andrew Raff. To be sure you get a catalogue in the mail please request for one via email andrew@raffangus.com.au or phone Andrew - 0429 69 1975

www.raffangus.com.au 94

Andrew Raff 0429 691 975

andrew@raffangus.com.au

Staff Directory Chief Executive Officer

Human Resources

Peter Parnell, Chief Executive Officer M: 0428 918 632 · P: 02 6773 4600 E: peter@angusaustralia.com.au

Ron Bower, Human Resource Manager P: 02 6773 4607 · E: ron@angusaustralia.com.au

Strategic Projects Christian Duff, Strategic Projects Manager P: 02 6773 4620 · M: 0457 457 141 E: christian@angusaustralia.com.au

Nick Butcher, Project Officer, ASBP P: 02 6773 4638 · M: 0427 701 236 E: nick@angusaustralia.com.au

Jen Peart, Northern Development Officer P: 02 6773 4644 · M: 0417 219 405 E: jen.peart@angusaustralia.com.au

Marketing, Communications and Youth Diana Wood, Marketing & Communications Manager P: 02 6773 4601 · M: 0411 242 001 E: diana@angusaustralia.com.au

Robyn Brazier, Marketing Assistant P: 02 6773 4609 · E: marketing@angusaustralia.com.au

Samantha Hamilton, Marketing Officer – Sale Catalogues P: 02 6773 4613 · E: sam@angusuaustralia.com.au

Ebonie Jones, Graphics & Multimedia Officer P: 02 6773 4610 · E: ebonie@angusaustralia.com.au

Kate Reynolds, Graphics & Multimedia Officer P: 02 6773 4645 · E: design@angusaustralia.com.au

Cheyne Twist, Communications Officer P: 02 6773 4635 · E: communications@angusaustralia.com.au

Commercial Supply Chain Liz Pearson, Commercial Supply Chain Manager P: 02 6773 4608 · M: 0488 758 360 E: liz.pearson@angusaustralia.com.au The Angus Bulletin - Winter 2021

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Staff Directory Breed Development and Extension Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager P: 02 6773 4618 · M: 0418 412 042 E: andrew@angusaustralia.com.au

Jake Phillips, Breed Development Officer P: 02 6773 4625 · M: 0401 261 217 E: jake.phillips@angusaustralia.com.au

Matt Reynolds, Breed Development Officer P: 02 6773 4626 · M: 0433 532 453 E: matthew.reynolds@angusaustralia.com.au

Member Services Scott Wright, Member Services Manager P: 02 6773 4636 · E: scott.wright@angusaustralia.com.au

Adam Allingham, Member Services Officer P: 02 6773 4602 · E: adam.allingham@angusaustralia.com.au

Robyn Kelly, Member Services Officer P: 02 6773 4615 · E: robyn@angusaustralia.com.au

Tammy McLeod, Member Services Officer P: 02 6773 4604 · E: tammy.mcleod@angusaustralia.com.au

Heather Rocks, Member Services Officer P: 02 6773 4621 · E: heather.rocks@angusaustralia.com.au

Sarah Scott, Member Services Officer P: 02 6773 4611 · E: sarah.scott@angusaustralia.com.au

Nicky Wallace, Senior Member Services Officer P: 02 6773 4616 · E: nicky.carey@angusaustralia.com.au

Lou Wood, Member Services Officer P: 02 6773 4617 · E: office@angusuaustralia.com.au

Software Development Christopher de Crespigny, Information Systems Manager P: 02 6773 4619 · E: christopher@angusaustralia.com.au

Dale Curtis, Computer Programmer E: dale.curtis@angusaustralia.com.au

David Edgar, Computer Programmer E: david.edgar@angusaustralia.com.au

Gerard Hammond, Computer Programmer E: gerard.hammond@angusaustralia.com.au

Lei Qian, Computer Programmer E: lei.qian@angusaustralia.com.au

Finance & Administration David Cameron Administration Manager/ Financial Controller P: 02 6773 4624 · E: david.cameron@angusaustralia.com.au

Joy Howe, Accounts Officer P: 02 6773 4612 · E: joy.howe@angusaustralia.com.au

Carole Johns, Accounts Officer P: 02 6773 4628 · E: carole.johns@angusaustralia.com.au

Sue Webeck, Accounts Officer P: 02 6773 4606 · E: sue@angusaustralia.com.a

Amanda Wolfe, Administration Officer P: 02 6773 4650 · E: amanda@angusaustralia.com.au

Angus Australia Locked Bag 11, Armidale NSW 2350 P: 02966773 4600 | F: 02 6772 3095 | E: office@angusaustralia.com.au www.angusaustralia.com.au

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KILLAIN MADAME PRIDE 3 M9

DOB: 06-07-18 | TATTOO: KILP1

AT THE 2021 SYDNEY ROYAL EASTER SHOW KILLAIN RAINMAN P1 WEIGHED 1171KGS WITH A P8 AND RIB FAT OF 18/10 RESPECTIVELY TOGETHER WITH AN EMA OF 138 AND AN IMF 6.7! INTRODUCING OUR NEW SEMEN SIRE SAV Bloodline 9578 WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE HAVE SECURED A SEMEN INTEREST IN SAV BLOODLINE 9578. HE TOPPED THE 2020 SAV SALE AT $322,000 AUS. HIS DAM SAV EMBLYNETTE 2369 HAS PRODUCED THREE SIRES RETAINED IN THE SAV HERD AND IS THE NUMBER ONE MARBLING FEMALE IN THE SAV HERD RATIOING 135. BLOODLINE’S FIRST PROGENY WILL BE BORN AT KILLAIN ANGUS IN 2021.

All welcome to our Open Day

NORTHERN BEEF WEEK ON WEDNESDAY 23RD JUNE, 2021.

‘KILLAIN’ 13553 NEW ENGLAND HIGHWAY - TAMWORTH NSW 2340 RICHARD: 0408 471 603 | RDUDDY@BIGPOND.COM | WWW.KILLAINANGUS.COM.AU

33RD ANNUAL BULL SALE

1PM, THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 2ND 2021 MAJOR SIRE GROUPS

⋅ MM Paratrooper P15 - 40 ⋅ MM Nectar N334 – 10 ⋅ Landfall Nobleman N106 – 10 ⋅ MM Milestone M308 – 10 ⋅ MM Loch Up L133

- BATHURST NSW -

⋅ MM Nugget N266 - 15 ⋅ Spickler Power Point – 10 ⋅ MM Marlon Brando – 10 ⋅ MM Kruse Time K400 ⋅ Spickler Chisum 255

Scan the QR Code to see the Millah Murrah story

CONTACT: Ross & Dimity Thompson Phone: Email:

0439 179 269

info@millahmurrah.com

120 BULLS SELL

2021 Winter Angus Bulletin

Articles inside

Raff Angus

What’s in a week at Beef Australia?

Roundup to reconvene in Wodonga

Flexibility boosts beef producer’s bottom line

Genetic Choice

Pentire Angus

Member Services Matters

Changes make Angus.Tech even more User focused

Back in action for the Angus Youth scholarship program

NVDs – Accepted Breed Descriptions

Collaboration for the advancement of beef production in Australia

Sara Park Angus

The Role of Genetics in Optimising MSA Carcase Compliance and Improving MSA Eating Quality

Stand out from the crowd with exclusive Angus Verified Tags

Bald Blair Angus

Building Better Cows

First Angus Verified Steers Hit the Market

Behind The Beef – Angus in the North

Taking Angus to the next level at Golden Arrow

Managing & Selecting Bulls for Northern Australia

Next Generation Selection with Research Breeding Values

Queensland Machinery Agency

The Ideal Cow Size for Your Environment

Investing in Genomic Selection Tools for Commercial Heifers Makes Sense

Genomic Opportunities for Commercial Angus Breeders

What went down at Angus CONNECT

The Angus Influence – from Performance to profit

Review of Angus Selection Indexes

The #AngusPremium in action

Verified Black Angus Beef on show at Beef

Beef Australia Out and About

The Angus Influence strong at Beef Australia 2021

Around the Shows

Steer and Carcase success for Angus at Sydney