President’s Report

Sam White, President and Board Chairperson

2021 has proven to be another very successful year for our members, with record prices for Angus bulls and cows seen all around Australia.

Thank you to the many bidders and underbidders for supporting this great breed, and the many impressive breeding programs being implemented in your herds. I would like to recognise the record sale prices for a HBR bull achieved firstly by Texas Angus for Texas Iceman R725, purchased by Macka’s Pastoral for $225,000; followed by Millah Murrah Angus with the sale of Millah Murrah Rocket Man R38 to Brooklana Angus for $280,000. Congratulations to Ben and Wendy Mayne, Texas Angus and to Ross and Dimity Thompson of Millah Murrah Angus for these outstanding results. Great prices have also been seen by many breeders of commercial cattle, with the EYCI reaching 1094.73 on the 19/11/21. While the records keep tumbling it is timely to remember that the reason for these prices is supply driven, as our herds rebuild after prolonged drought ending 2019/2020. The phrase “Make hay while the sun shines” always springs to mind. Our weather patterns are supporting great pasture recovery in many areas, while other areas are unfortunately affected by flooding. With the assistance of the recruitment firm Rimfire Resources, over the past 2 months the Board has gone through the challenging process of selecting a new CEO for Angus Australia. That appointment has now been made and we are proud to announce Mr Scott Wright as the Incoming CEO. Scott was previously the Member Services Manager at Angus Australia and is well known to many members. Scott is undergoing a transition period with Dr Peter Parnell who will retire at the end of February in 2021 after serving the Society in the CEO role for the past 12 years. The Board is truly grateful for the contribution that Peter has made to the Angus breed and to Angus Australia over this period. Following the comprehensive review and consultation process conducted throughout the year, the new Angus Selection Indexes have now been implemented. I would like to acknowledge the work of Andrew Byrne and the team at Angus Australia for their massive contribution in time, and effort in delivering the new Selection Indexes. I would like to also like to acknowledge the contributions of the team at the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) for their assistance in constructing the new indexes and in engaging in the associated communication and education process throughout the year. The new selection indexes represent Angus Australia’s continual commitment to providing access to the latest and most up to date technologies available to its members. Selection indexes remain part of the decision support toolbox to assist you in making better breeding decisions. The 2021 GenAngus Future Leaders Program has been successfully completed. Thank you to Jake Phillips (Breed Development Officer) for facilitating the exciting program, which included a wide range of exciting and informative speakers. I would once again like to acknowledge Achmea Australia for their partnership and thus enabling the conduct of this very valuable event for our youth. I would like to encourage our future leaders and young breeders to participate in this program in future years. I would like to acknowledge many of our members who continue to make contributions to our breed and our society, whether it be through our Consultative Committees, State Affiliated Breeder Groups, our shows all around the country, or regionally based breeder groups promoting the Angus breed, or those breeders simply selling Angus cattle. To every one of you, I say thank you. I personally value your time and commitment. I would like to acknowledge my fellow Directors for their time and commitment over the last year. We have conducted meeting after meeting via Zoom, with just some of us being able to participate in person at the Angus Australia office, COVID conditions permitting, well done and thank you. The business of Angus Australia goes well. I would like to thank the team at Angus Australia for all their hard work over the last year, and particularly how well they have performed despite the difficulties faced due to various COVID-19 restrictions. Thank you all for getting on with the job despite these challenges. Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Christmas and a very successful 2022. I would like to wish our members with bull sales early in the new year every success. I look forward to the NH Foods Australia Angus Youth National Round Up in January at Wodonga.

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