The Australian Brangus Journal

The Australian

Spring 2016

Spring 2016.

Brangus integral at echo valley farms Randal and Juanita Breen and their children run Echo Valley Farms, a small family business in the Goomburra Valley in south east Queensland.

Autumn nindooinbah females to $8,000 Brangus females hit $8,000 to average $4,094 while their male counterparts peaked at $4,750 averaging $3,625 at the annual Nindooinbah Autumn Sale, Beaudesert, in early April.

COVER image

Redline 2/096

The spring bull sales are fast approaching.

Redline 2/096, is one of the many sires that have been purchased for stud duties and now have sons coming back through the sales.

Bred by the Dingle family, Redline Stud, Eidsvold his first sons will be offered this year for his new owners and fellow red breeders, Jack and Mim Walker, Jateebee Stud, Theodore.

Callide dawson carcase competition Bimbadeen Stud principals, Mark and Amanda Salisbury took away plenty when they entered their first cattle into a carcase competition.

Beefing up global food security Australia prides itself on its world-class beef exports and UQ researchers are committed to understanding our prime production system.

feature STORY

Inaugural Feedlot Trial

04

The breed’s first feedlot trial has been hailed a resounding success. Involving 146 100-day grainfed, trade weight, HGP free Brangus steers.

Publisher: The ABCA Promotion Committee Design & Production: Rural Design Studio ruraldesign.com.au Photography & Editorial: KB Consulting kentbward.com Printing: Rothfield Print Management Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure that all details are correct, the Australian Brangus Cattle Association, Rural Design Studio & KB Consulting cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy of information contained within the journal, nor for the consequences of any actions taken or not taken as a result of this information. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Australian Brangus Cattle Association, Rural Design Studio or KB Consulting.

bookham’s turn to black For the past two years Albert Bookham and his family have been the volume buyers at the annual Nindooinbah sales.

8th world brangus congress Luke and Chloe Keogh, recently attended the World Brangus Congress in South Africa.

18 28 30 40 46 78

Next Issue Bookings 3rd February 2017 Artwork 10th February 2017 Editorial 10th February 2017 Rural Design 0407 020 080 KB Consulting 0488 279 796 editor@theaustralianbrangus.com.au theaustralianbrangus.com.au 1

Peter Dingle, President, Australian Brangus Cattle Association Ltd

President’s Report Welcome to all Brangus enthusiasts to the 2016 Spring Edition of the Australian Brangus magazine.

Whilst writing this letter we are still wondering which political party will be leading us into the future. Hopefully we get some stability to keep the nation going forward as the beef industry is achieving record prices both in the fat and store market, with the southern beef index reaching record prices above $6.40.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Edward Quinn and his helpers for their work setting up the Brangus Feedlot Trial. A number of Brangus cattle were sourced from Brangus breeders across Queensland, so thanks to those participants. The results of the feedlot trial will be announced at Wilson’s on the River Restaurant - Brisbane on Thursday 4th August in conjunction with the Brisbane EKKA. If you would like to book tickets for this event please contact Natalie Herd at ABRI. We are hoping for good results, and the data collected from this trial will be used in promotional material.

Once again Ms Tammy Robinson and the Toogoolawah Show Committee have organized a fantastic Brangus Feature Show. A social event was arranged for Brangus breeders and enthusiasts on Friday night, with some anxious moments as heavy rain fell that night. Saturday – Brangus Stud Judging turned out to be a better day with only small amounts of rain. Congratulations to Ian and Anne Galloway – Duarran, winning Grand Champion Bull - Duarran Jarman and Jeff Frank – Punchagin winning Grand Champion Female – Punchagin Jemma. Congratulations to all the other winners and place getters and a special thanks to all Brangus cattle exhibitors who made the effort to show and promote Brangus, because you are the ones that promote our breed.

Bull and female nominations are up for the Rockhampton and Roma Society Sponsored Sales. With all the positive things happening in the beef industry and good rain falling on most parts of Australia, this should reflect in the selling ring. I would like to wish everyone all the best for the upcoming Brangus sales.

Kind Regards

2

Spring – 2016

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Edward Quinn and his helpers for their work setting up the Brangus Feedlot Trial. A number of Brangus cattle were sourced from Brangus breeders across Queensland, so thanks to those participants. The results of the feedlot trial will be announced at Wilsons on the River Restaurant - Brisbane on Thursday 4th August in conjunction with the Brisbane Ekka.”

OFFERING A LINE UP OF ELITE FEMALES & BULLS AT

ROCKHAMPTON 40th ABCA BRANGUS SALE • 10th & 11th October • CQLX GRACEMERE, QLD

POLLED • HEAT & HUMIDITY ADAPTED • SILAGE PREPARED • EBV RECORDED • SEMEN TESTED

The Roberts Family • South Yaamba, QLD David 0418 794 768

Christine 0409 068 237 Visit our website closer to sale date for lot details

alkoomiebrangus.com.au

Stephanie 0417 609 212

Images: KB Consulting, Meat Standards Australia

Inaugural Feedlot Trial.

Industry leading data and big results for the breed ...

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Spring – 2016

The breed’s first feedlot trial has been hailed a resounding success.

Involving 146 100-day grainfed, trade weight, HGP free Brangus steers supplied by eight breeders the trial steers gained an average 1.8kg/day (curfew weight) with the top individual gaining 2.75kg/day. One of the breeders that supported the concept was Brad Saunders, Pheasant Creek, Wowan (pictured). Brad is with his group of 42 steers at the conclusion of the trial in early June at the Nangur Feedlot, Tansey.

5

If the results, the attention and the raft of information coming out of the inaugural Brangus Feedlot Trial are any indication, the breed is headed for greater things. The 100 day feedlot trial involved eight breeders with 146 young steers of both genotypes fed at South Burnett regions, Waterfall Feedlot, Tansey. At the conclusion of their feed the public was invited to a viewing day was at nearby Nangur Feedlot, Tansey in early June.

The brainchild of Edward Quinn, Voewood, Calliope and Brad Hanson, Bullakeana, Moura the trial was conducted in partnership with the Maudsley family’s feedlots and the private processor, Nolan Meats, Gympie.

“I wanted members to get more access to data and feedback on our breed, ultimately to see the breed gain more acceptance, we all know there’s a real premium for Brangus and their composites in both saleyards and private sales, I wanted this trial to prove that we should be able to also receive that same premium in the processing sector and this (trial) is I think a vital way to achieve that,” said Edward Quinn.

Edward said he was happy with the response that breeders had shown toward the trial and the enthusiasm generated from it saying, “It was open to all breeders, the interest we received stretched from central Queensland right down to northern New South Wales, in the end it came down to the freight component.”

“There’s been some very good and positive results delivered from these trade weight, HGP free, 100 day grain steers,” said Edward. Across the board the entire group gained on average 1.8kg/day (curfew weight) that’s above the industry standard and average for trade description, HGP free steers. The top group of converters delivered a 6:1 ratio (consumed 6kgs/day dry feed for a gain of 1kg liveweight/day). Edward went onto say, “I can’t wait for the final results, the carcase data, MSA, and marbling results, as well as feedback on the steak on a plate, after they (the steers) are killed at Nolan Meats, Gympie.”

Taking the honours as the top weight gainer was a Voewood steer. The individual came from the 48 head supplied by the Quinn family and posted an average daily gain of 2.75kg/day. Second top in the gain section was a red entry from Tim and Rebekah Dwyer’s, Burrumbush Brangus, Coleyville. The Burrumbush’s top result was a gain of 2.58kg/day from a pen of seven head. This result just eased out a 2.57kg/day result achieved by an entry from Ron and Narelle Hanson’s, Bindaree Brangus, Murgon.

It’s important to note that weight gain is just one of the many sections and parameters of the trial as Edward pointed out “It’s no good to anyone having great weight gains if the end product is of an inferior quality and you end up with poor quality tasting beef, so this is just one of pieces to this jigsaw.”

Commenting on the trial and the graph (below), Matthew Nolan, Standards Team at Nolan Meats Pty Ltd said, “In terms of performance with regards to eating quality I have done some brief analysis of the MSA Index score for the carcases.

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Spring – 2016

The average MSA index score was 61.23, which based on the national data for the 2014/2015 financial year places this group of Brangus steers in the top 25% of carcases. What’s more outstanding is the fact that the highest MSA index score (63.93) is ranked in the top 5 percent in the country, while the lowest MSA Index score at 58.62 is still rated high enough that it’s inside the top 50 percent of carcases graded.”

“As for the meat colours obtained from the trial cattle, process and nutrition have a much more prominent impact on the meat colour than any breed influence that there may be. If the cattle receive the right feed to build the energy reserves needed to obtain the target ph of 5.7 to 5.3, and are handled using techniques that minimise the effect of stress on the animals. You will find that you have gone a long way towards controlling the impact of meat colour. So while there were no dark cutters in the trial, this can be replicated with any mob of animals if some simple and practical steps are taken during feeding and prior to slaughter. A true national standard for yield will not exist until fully objective measurements for the carcase make up of meat, bone and fat are implemented and used across the industry. This is one of the reasons that I used the MSA index for the analysis of the cattle in the Brangus Feedlot Trial, The MSA index is obtained by using objective measurements for eating quality collected at the time of MSA grading of carcases produced through a proven and approved pre-slaughter pathway . At this stage it is the best tool we have for benchmarking the performance of carcasses from across Australia. True objective yield indicators are a way off yet and the process of individually boning and recording yields is cost prohibitive,” Matthew Nolan said.

The full results of these assessments and awards were tabled and presented at the ‘Wine And Dine Awards’, Wilson’s On The River, Brisbane, August 4th. The night included the full presentation of results and awards from the trial, guest speakers and guests were treated to a menu featuring Brangus beef from the steers in the 2016 feedlot trial. The Brangus beef from the trial was also on the menu at the Bracken Ridge Tavern, Brisbane from the end of July for a month. This will be after the prime cuts will be cryovaced for six weeks before serving to the public under the ‘Brangus’ brand.

In conclusion this feedlot trial would not have been possible with the instigators, Edward Quinn and Brad Hanson along with the cattle donors, the Hanson family, Bindaree Stud, Murgon; the Quinn family, Voewood Brangus, Calliope; Brad Saunders, Pheasant Creek Stud, Wowan; Tony, Sharon and Bryce Fernie, Boombah Stud, Dingo; Gavin Klibbe, Kuraby Stud, Goomeri; Dick and Coral Baker, ANSDE, Goomeri along with Mark and Lynda Bauer, Elara Brangus, Laidley and Tim and Rebekah Dwyer’s, Burrumbush Brangus, Coleyville. We also take the opportunity to especially thank our partners in the trial, Terry Nolan and family, Nolan’s Meat, Gympie and Robert Maudsley’s, Nangur and Waterfall Feedlots, Tansey and Michael White, Bracken Ridge Tavern, Brisbane.

OPPOSING PAGE Gavin Klibbe, Kuraby Brangus, Goomeri consigned 15 head • Tim and Rebekah Dwyer’s entered seven Red Brangus • Ron Hanson, Bindaree Brangus, Murgon.

TOP Mark Bauer, Tim Dwyer, Brad Saunders, Brad Hanson, Gavin Klibbe, Ron Hanson, Edward Quinn, (front row) Rebekah Dwyer, Dick & Carol Baker and Denise Quinn in front of members of the 2016 Brangus feedlot trial.

BOTTOM Mark Bauer, Elara Brangus, Laidley with his five steers.

Turn to page 8 for more photos.

7

TOP Edward Quinn, Voewood Brangus, Calliope.

MIDDLE ROW Dick and Carol Baker, ANSDE, Goomeri supported the event with six steers • Michael White, Bracken Ridge Tavern, Brisbane (front) with Terry Nolan, Nolan Meats Pty Ltd., Gympie and Brad Hanson, Bullakeana Brangus, Moura.

BOTTOM Dan Jackson, Stutzview, Owanyilla along with Angela Jackson, Sandy Banks Stud, Tiaro and ABCA president, Peter Dingle, Redline Stud, Eidsvold at the 2016 Feedlot Trial Open Day at the Nangur Feedlot.

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Spring – 2016

Voewood Kelly (P) (ET) (IH Bar None 820Y8 - Elton AA Princess India 1111)

ih Bar none 820y8

ih rudder 504y2

Elton aa Princess india 1111

EldErs lEgacy of ladiEs salE l Monday 10 October 2016 - 7.30pm Gracemere Hotel offering Voewood Kelly (AI - Wat Lead Gun 33P6)

rocKhamPTon Brangus salE l Tuesday 11 October 2016 - CQLX offering 4 Bulls

sEmEn salEs l

offering ih Bar none 820y8 ih rudder 504y2 chief of indian hills 23p68 dcc mr Paladin 915u5 Wat lead gun 33p6

Edward & Kara Quinn 0418 716 442 quinnyvoewood@hotmail.com

Natalie Herd, Executive Officer, Australian Brangus Cattle Association Ltd

The Executive Paper I welcome Brangus breeders and enthusiasts to the 2016 Spring edition of the Australian Brangus Magazine.

This edition of the magazine will no doubt reflect the event packed and exciting year that the Brangus Association has seen so far.

In June 2016 the breed stages a Brangus Feature Show at Toogoolawah and I have been advised that the event was an outstanding success. Our thanks must go to Tammy Robinson, her committee and also the Toogoolawah Show society for their hard work on staging the event and also the dinner, the night previous to judging which we are told was also a great gathering.

The ABCA Sponsored Sales are fast approaching. On 10am Friday, September 2nd the 11th Annual Roma ABCA Sponsored Brangus Sale will be staged. This year offering comprises 127 lots composed of 100 registered bulls, 19 herd bulls and 8 registered females.

The Roma Sale catalogue is now available on the Brangus website.

This year the society will celebrate it’s 40th ABCA Rockhampton Brangus Sale. The sale will again be conducted over two days October 10th (Females) to October 11th (bulls) at CQLX, Gracemere Selling Complex.

On Monday October 10 the ABCA Annual General Meeting also be conducted. Keep a look out for the Rockhampton Sale catalogue and further AGM information in the coming weeks ahead. On the Monday evening of the 10th October, Elders will stage the ‘ Elders Legacy of Ladies Sale’ at the Gracemere Hotel.

Commencing at 7.30pm, the sale will be conducted as a live auction utilising AuctionsPlus with the aid of images and videos of sale lots.

In recent times the Brangus Committee has been busy looking at governance to streamline the Brangus breed for the future. The development of new marketing strategies including online and newspaper advertising has also been a major topic of discussion. The society will keep members informed and advise them of advertising opportunities that may arise throughout the year.

Looking to the future, the association aims to increase communication with it’s members. This increased membership involvement will ensure you the members are advised and informed of all the upcoming event dates, any regulation changes that may occur, fee schedules and animal registration procedures. A Brangus Bulletin in the form of a Newsletter will now be published after each board meeting highlighting the major discussion points raised at that meeting and any information relevant to the membership.

I look forward to meeting many of you at the upcoming ABCA sponsored sales in Roma and Rockhampton.

Registrar Franki Richardson (02) 6773 3373 brangus.registrar@abri.une.edu.au Breedplan Samantha Rawson (02) 6773 3032 brangus@breedplan.une.edu.au TBTS Technical Officer Paul Williams 0427 018 982 paul@tbts.une.edu.au

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Spring – –2016 Autumn 2016

President Peter Dingle ‘Mally Plain’ 1929 Wuruma Dam Road

Eidsvold Qld 4627 07 4167 5140 0427 849 390 redlinebrangus@activ8.net.au Vice President & Treasurer Luke Keogh

Directors

Executive Officer Natalie Herd (02) 6773 3373 brangus@abri.une.edu.au

Directors

S TA F F

Australian Brangus Cattle Association c/- Agricultural business Research Institute, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351 www.brangus.com.au Twitter: AusBrangus Facebook: AustralianBrangusCattleAssociation Zone 2 Mark Beckman ‘Glenoyra Downs’ 987 Oakey Pittsworth Road Aubigny Qld 4401

07 4691 5220 0429 915 220 glenoyrabrangus@gmail.com Zone 3 Barry Morgan

PO Box 194 Barham NSW 2732

603 Knights Road Doubtful Creek via Casino NSW 2470

03 5453 7137 0428 536 587 keoghcattle@activ8.net.au

02 6667 1140 0428 615 405 riverviewbrangus@gmail.com

Zone 1 Greg Magee

Zone 4 Luke Keogh

Federal management

Kind regards,

Peter Dingle ‘Mally Plain’ 1929 Wuruma Dam Road Eidsvold Qld 4627

07 4167 5140 0427 849 390 redlinebrangus@activ8.net.au Edward Quinn Voewood Calliope Qld 4680

07 4974 8924 0418 716 442 quinnyvoewood@hotmail.com Lindsay Barlow ‘Araluen’ Alsace Road Dingo Qld 4702

07 4935 8556 0407 760 079 barlow@triplebbrangus.com jarni Fearnley

PO Box 158 Capella Qld 4723

PO Box 194 Barham NSW 2732

‘West Tarawonga’ Donnelly’s Road Eumungerie NSW 2831

07 4984 9542 0409 631 652 alicia.magee@bigpond.com

03 5453 7137 0428 536 587 keoghcattle@activ8.net.au

02 6888 1274 0429 881 274 fearnleybrangus@bordernet.com.au

lot

lot

19 offspring

lot

20 othello

12

bulls

lot

15 osCar

16 offiCer

lot

17 ooline

ClassiC red brangus sale CQlX 20th september JaCk & MiM Walker “Fairholme” Theodore Q 4719 p. 07 4993 1666 m. 0429 630 224

“We were presented with around eight led steers, breeds like Charolais, Angus, Brangus and others, it was a hoof concept, similar to that format used in Australia.”

Image: GL Brangus

Col takes makes the ‘Top 10’ in an International Judging competition Col Goodwin of GL Brangus, Riverview, Baralaba, Queensland received a ‘Top 10 Award’ in a judging competition at the years annual International Texas Agri-Summit, Houston, Texas (US).

This is a huge achievement as Col competed in a field comprising over 400 international competitors.

Col, his wife Deb along with son Wesley, daughter and son-in-law Carly and Brian Gaukroger travelled to the Agribition from their 810ha (2000ac) property.

The competition was conducted on the George Ranch, Houston as part of one of the many tours connected to 12

Spring – 2016

the Livestock Show with competitors and on-lookers alike travelling to the Ranch on approximately 12 buses. It’s an annual competition that takes place on the ranch as does the presentation to the top awardees.

Col said that the majority of the competitors were from Latin American countries with the competition adjudicated over by three judges.

from other high profile shows such as Forth Worth and San Antonio, so they were top notch fellows, I’d say these steers were aged around that 18 to 20 month at most and would easily be between that 500 to 600 kg live weight. Steers of the same style and quality as you’d expect to see here in our top competitions, perhaps just a bit younger.”

Col gave us an insight into the competition. “We were presented with around eight led steers, breeds like Charolais, Angus, Brangus and others, it was a hoof concept, similar to that format used in Australia.”

Finally Col added, “It was a great surprise, to make it into the 10, especially with some many other competitors, such good cattle, separating the steers was equally difficult, so yes it was a great surprise and definitely added to the significance of our trip to Houston.”

“It certainly was a real challenge, some of these steers were the winners

Selling Agents for: The Brangus Commercial Female Sale - Monday 10th October

& The Brangus Society Female & Bull Sale - Monday 10th October & Tuesday 11th October

• •

•

L ivestock Marketing W eekly Commercial Sales at CQLX Gracemere P rivate & Paddock Sales

• S tud Stock Sales • Farm & Cattle Clearance Sales • Servicing Central Queensland

Contact: Gary Wendt 0427 184 875 gary.wendt@raywhite.com Morty Wilson 0448 184 879 morty.wilson@raywhite.com ®

Livestock

Rockhampton

13

Images: Weona Brangus

Brangus breeder units to $2,400 at Casino Quality Brangus cow and calf units topped $2400 while heifers made to $1700 at the annual Angus and Brangus Stud and Commercial Bull and Female Sale, Casino, New South Wales in May. Sale toppers were a pen of six cows and calves offered by George and Rhonda McKenna, Bentley, NSW selling to Margaret Beckett, Coffs Harbour. In all the 16 breeders and their progeny from the McKenna stable averaged $2191.

The McKenna draft also included the top sellers in the heifer section with their four hitting $1700 and selling to Jeff and Gloria Smith, Mungogarie, NSW. Their pen of Brangus composite heifers made $1750 selling to Robert Parks, Clunes, NSW. In all nine heifers averaged $1727 for the McKenna family.

John and Stan Allen and family, Old Bonalbo, NSW sold their 26 Brangus 14

Spring – 2016

and composite heifers for $1313 per head to Tony Grimston, Mallanganee, NSW. The draft included 24 purebred heifers that averaged $1320 topping at $1320 on four occasions.

Regular supporters and largest vendors, Warren and Robin Bulmer, Weona, Leeville sold 50 heifers to average $1070 topping at $1500 for a pen of seven selling to Geoff White and family, Tatham, NSW. Juanita Trustum, Leeville sold her pen of six heifers for $1010 per head to Darryl Gillespie, Tabulan, NSW, while the Young family, Old Bonalbo, NSW sold nine heifers topping at $800 per head to average $720.

John Burley averaged $636 for their entire draft of 25 topping at $800 per head for seven selling to Yvonne Scarrabelotti, Cedar Point, Kyogle,

NSW. Phillip and Gloria McCormack, Tunglebung, NSW sold both Angus and Brangus heifers at the sale with their Brangus heifers topping at $1200 per head and selling to Doug Walsh, Rappville, NSW. Joe Molyneaux, Tyalgum, NSW sold a trio of cross bred cows/calf units for an $1217 average to top at $325/unit while Ray and Jill Crompton, Bruton, Casino, NSW also marketed a trio of heifers for $1500 per head. The Hampson family, Stratheden, NSW took a $860 per head sale for their two heifers.

Agents: Ramsey and Bulmer and T & W McCormack.

TOP Weona Weaner heifers.

BOTTOM Weona PTIC heifers

Beef BOne Balance

Central Highlands Angus & Brangus Sale 12 September AgGrow Selling Complex Emerald 7 Bulls Rockhampton National Brangus Sale 10 - 11 OctOber CQLX Gracemere 1 Bull & 2 Heifers Elders Legacy of Ladies Sale 7.30pm 10 OctOber Gracemere Hotel Bullakeana Our Pretty lady (P)

Bullakeana Our Pretty lady (P)

28/09/2014 S: KAjARABiE 994 - D: BuLLAKEANA CAmEo’S LA-DE-DA (P)

The Hanson Family moura QLD Brad 0408 684 612

Images: KB Consulting, Charlevue, Telpara Hills

All eyes on the Rockhampton 40th anniversary sale As we go to print the numbers at this point of time catalogued for the 40th annual Australian Brangus Cattle Association Rockhampton Sale look like being 134 bulls, composed of 121 registered and 13 herd bulls together with 43 registered females.

The sale is spread over two days, the Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th of October with the Brangus Commercial Female sale kicking off preceedings at CQLX, Gracemere Saleyards.

Following the Commercial Female sale will be the offering of the 43 registered females and the following day witnesses the male offering.

It will be interesting to see how many vendors and buyers that were present at the inaugural sale are there to witness this breed milestone.

Apart from private sale negotiations, the ABCA sale in Rockhampton has produced every breed record established at auction for bulls to date.

top Telpara Hills Van Damme, current breed record holder $110,000 set in 2014.

Middle Charlevue Centre Time (P), the $46,000 top selling bull at the 2015 sale. bottom Telpara Hills Miss Final Cut 920J22 (P) (AI) (ET), the $28,000 auction breed record holder set at the 2015 Rockhampton Female sale.

“The Big Fat Surprise” In the New York Times bestselling book, investigative journalist, Nina Teicholz upends the conventional wisdom about fats with the groundbreaking claim that more, not less dietary, including saturated fat is what leads to better heath, wellness and fitness.

Following a nine year long investigation, Teicholz’s starling research demonstrates how nutrition science had got it so wrong: how over zealous researchers, through a combination of ego, bias and premature institutional consensus, have allowed dangerous misrepresentations to become dietary dogma.

The Big Fat Surprise was named a ‘Best Book of 2014’ by The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Kirkus Reviews and Library Journal. Website, Forbes.com hailed the book as the ‘most memorable health care book in 2014’. The Economist’s review of the book was the sixth most emailed story in all of 2014, a first for a book review in the magazine.

In the British Medical Journal a review said ‘ impressive … This book shook me.’ Mother Jones called The Big Fat Surprise “the most provocative and assumption shredding food book … in years,” with “exhaustive reporting and lucid science … All in all a must read.”

Visit www.thebigfatsurprise.com for more information or to order a copy.

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Spring – 2016

in celebration of the 40th Rockhampton Brangus Sale

Legacyof Ladies EldErs

salE

7.30pm Monday 10th OctOber 2016 GracEMErE HotEl

A meet & greet will be held before the commencement of the sale.

alkooMiE, Bonox, BullakEana, oaklands, tElpara Hills, VoEwood, yaraandoo

robert Murray 0419 644 813

colin campbell 0429 068 810

Images: Echo Valley Farms

Brangus integral at Echo Valley Farms Randal and Juanita Breen and their children run Echo Valley Farms, a small family based farm in the Goomburra Valley in south east Queensland. It’s not big by many standards, just 141ha or 350 acres, but it’s the place they call home.

Juanita takes up the story “Randal’s family have always been in farming, it’s always been a desire for Randall to establish a farm of his own. After completing his studies in agriculture, he came to Brisbane to complete his carpentry qualifications. We met and deciding we had a like-minded approach to the land and environment and as a young family we decided to take the next step. Our farming journey began in 2008 when we moved from 18

Spring – 2016

Brisbane to a small farm at Mutdapilly, outside of Brisbane and relocated in 2014 to our present location in the Goomburra Valley.”

The couples motivation for doing this was to further expand their Brangus stud and implement other on-farm enterprises, looking for innovations to make farming a viable industry choice.

Echo Valley is a mixed operation of irrigated cultivation, open grazing land

and forested grazing country, providing a perfect blend of environments.

“We’ve developed a mixed farming operation, each enterprise being strategically developed to complement each other and are committed to the establishment of enterprises that are not only financially viable, but also promote the ethical treatment of animals and sustainable and regenerative agriculture principles”, said Juanita.

The cattle are managed under holistic grazing principles, where they are mob stocked and rotationally cell grazed being moved anywhere from daily to weekly onto fresh pasture. This allows up to 160 days rest for each pasture cell.

“In establishing our stud, we chose Brangus because of its easy-doing nature, good temperament, hardiness and their ability to finish well on grass coupled with their strong parasite resistance”, said Randal. The stud is based on Tilka, Belview and Greendale bloodlines and the family’s first stud sire was sourced from Inavale prefix at Boonah. Randal added, “Our vision was to produce an animal that was early maturing, with the ability to finish on grass and that carried high meat quality yield. With this in mind, we breed a lower content Brangus to maximise the quality of the carcase. In addition to the production of high quality bulls and females our vision was always to market a grass fed and finished boxed beef product directly to the public, Echo Valley Grass Fed Beef which was launched this year.”

This year the prefix has catalogued two bulls for the annual Roma Brangus sale that are sons of homebred and introduced sires.

Working in tandem with the cattle is an organic, free-range, pasture fed poultry egg production unit. Echo Valley supports 2500 hens that roam freely on the pasture and lay in mobile poultry sheds. The free range egg unit follows behind the cattle, utilizing pasture for nutrition and assisting in on farm parasite reduction. Another vital benefit the poultry unit provides is an improvement to the soil health.

Randal added “Our hens produce approximately 650,000 eggs per year, which we direct market both through farmers markets in Brisbane and restaurants throughout the south east of the state.”

In addition to these enterprises the couple and their children are experimenting and exploring with grain and hay production, following pasture cropping and zero till principles.

Juanita summed up the holistic lifestyle and the breed of cattle that they love

“As a young family we’re excited to see where this farming journey takes us, exploring innovative approaches to agriculture and ensuring the viability for our farming operations.

We’ve never regretted the decision of selecting Brangus, it’s always been complementary to our farming systems, along with getting much enjoyment out of their gentle temperaments and playful dispositions.”

TOP Some of the 2,500 organic, free-range, pasture fed hens that the farm supports.

MIDDLE Brangus breeders and their progeny on the 141ha Echo Valley stud.

BOTTOM Echo Valley Kiaser, one of the

two bulls destined for the upcoming Roma Brangus Sale.

OPPosing page Randal, Juanita, Bridey (8) & Eli (11) Breen.

19

Image: KB Consulting

Jett females top $4700 Sale Summary 40 Females Average $2,230 Top $4,700 Clearance 73%

Pregnant Brangus heifers topped $4700 to average $2754 while their weaner counterparts made to $3050 on the way to setting a $1734 average at the Jett Brangus Female Sale, AuctionsPlus, June 22.

Jett principal, Mark Reid, Jett Stud, Emerald, cleared 73 percent of his offering that sold entirely into the central Queensland area. Statistically, 21 pregnant females set a $2754 medium while 19 wearer heifers averaged $1734 topping at $3500.

Top selling weaner heifer at $3050 was the seven-month-old, Jett Ms Fabio Mal and Sue Burston, Broadlea, Nebo 178L72 (P) (Gunnadoo Park Fabio) were the major supporters of the selling to the Ryan Holzwart and family, sale, accounting for 70 percent of the Western Force Stud, Emerald. The pair offering including the two top sellers. In of Holzwart purchases averaged $2700 all the 28 Burston purchases averaged including the $2350 Jett Ms Fabio $2266. Their top selection and sale 361L16 (Gunnadoo Park Fabio). topper was the 30-month-old, Jett Second top for weaner heifers was Ms Phantom 050J66 (P) (pictured) a the $2950 Jett Ms Fabio 46L2 (P) daughter of Jett Phantom 46 G20 (P) (ET) and PTIC to Washington of Brinks (Fabio) selling to the Tony, Sharon and Bryce Fernie, Boombah Stud, Dingo.

(US). She joins the second top, the Peter and Cathy Muscat and family, $4500, Jett Ms Phantom 064J70 (P) also a 30-month-old paternal half sister Habana Springs, Mackay selected six to average them $1692 topping at to the top seller that carried safely to $2500 on two occasions for daughters Suhn’s Next Step (US).

of US sires, Suhn’s Alydar and Griese Of Brinks in Jett Ms Alydar 46J42 and Jett Ms Griese 87J95. Both were PTIC to a Blanda of Brinks (US) son, Jett Owasso. Edward and Kara Quinn, Voewood Stud, Calliope selected a trio to average $2417 topping at $2600 for the weanling, Jett Ms Aztec 504L67, a granddaughter of TCB Catawba Warrior R532 (US).

Agents: Michael Maguire & Co and AuctionsPlus

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Core of my heart, my country!

Her pitiless blue sky, When sick at heart, around us, We see the cattle die But they the grey clouds gather, And we can bless again The drumming of an army, The steady, soaking rain.

(Extract from My Country, by Dorothea Mackellar)

8 Black Bulls

Rockhampton Brangus Sale 10th & 11th October 2016 Gracemere

2 Red Bulls

Classic Red Brangus Sale 10am 20th September 2016 Gracemere

Jane Geddes ‘Charlevue’ Dingo Qld 4702 07 4935 9105 0457 726 793 charlevue3@bigpond.com

Image: Telpara Hills

Records keep tumbling at Telpara Telpara Hills Real Deal 15K a 22-month-old heifer (pictured) has been sold for a new breed record of $45,000.

The stud recently sealed the deal with new owners, Greg, Pam and Michael McAlister and family, Green Acres Stud, Wallarobba, New South Wales.

The new record breaker is a daughter of MC Real Deal 451R3 (US) and is from Telpara Hills Miss Portfolio 468G21 (P) (AI) (ET) (SCC HBB Portfolio 916U) which is co-owned with the Dobe family’s, CPR Brangus, Bowen. Ranked in the top five percent or higher in all growth EBVs her new owners plan to exhibit her on the New South Wales and Queensland show circuits. The record breaker is a three quarter blood sister to SCC Dealmaker 468W40. Green Acres will also be the new home for the $25,000 Telpara Hills Miss Landau 541K66. Sired by Landau and out of the 541D10 donor (Lombardi Of Brinks) with progeny sales to date of over $150,000.

Stephen McBride, Kelly Anne Lucy from the Calliope based Roebuck Hill Stud have recently privately purchased the 24-month-old, Telpara Hills Explorer 209K12 for $20,000. A son of the US sire, CB Final Cut 924X and from a Blanda Of Brinks, daughter donor, Telpara Hills Miss Blanda 209D1 the bull joins the recently purchased heifers Telpara Hills Miss Real Deal

541K48 for $8000 and the $13,000 stablemate, Miss Csonka 801K. Miss Blanda 209D1 was a $25,000 acquisition by the CPR herd Bowen.

She has already produced sons to $40,000 and daughters to $16,000 on two occasions.

CPR Brangus and females to $19,000.

Three of her sons are retained by the parent stud. Watership Downs also took delivery of the $13,000 heifer, Telpara Hills Csonka 555L6 (Csonka/ New Frontier) for which they plan to show.

Tristram Davis and his daughter Isabelle, Watership Downs Stud, Stratheden, New South Wales recently purchased Telpara Hills Dealer Takes All 468J16 for $25,000. Another by MC Real Deal 541R3 out of Ms 4JR Amigo 468D2 U. This donor has already produced sons that have sold to $38,000 (Telpara Hills Cut Above) to

Mal and Sue Burston, Broadlea, Nebo have secured the rights to the $20,000 Telpara Hills Dealmaker 240K5 (SCC Dealmaker 468W40 - Miss TJM Black Hawk 240S3). He joins other notables such as the record breaking, Telpara Hills Van Damme 541H30 and the $32,500 Telpara Hills Ali 920J14.

Burnham Youth Award Junior Brangus breeders are encouraged to apply for the 2017 Burnham Youth Award.

This is one of the Association’s most prestigious awards and the successful applicants in the past have proven to be great ambassadors for the Brangus breed.

To apply, submit an application detailing your Brangus involvement, agricultural aspirations and details of your success in the beef industry.

The format of your application is one of your choice, with applications and a cover letter to be forwarded to the Brangus office before 1st September 2016.

22

Spring – 2016

BEEJAY

Brangus

Give us a call or visit ... paddock sales always welcome We just enjoyed a few days at the AgGrow Field Days in Emerald – hopefully catch you there next year!

Magee FaMily St Omer, Capella Central Queensland P – (07) 4984 9542 M – 0428 787 695 e – alicia.magee@bigpond.com Check us out on Facebook – St OMer – home to St Omer angus and BeeJay Brangus

Rockhampton

Rockhampton

Mark SCholES

TrEnT MCkinlay

mark.scholes@landmark.com.au

trent.mckinlay@landmark.com.au

0409 229 651

0429 004 737

Toowoomba

Colby EdE

0417 265 980

colby.ede@landmark.com.au

Next geNeratioN stud stock marketiNg Spring ClaSSiC all BreedS Sale 1st Sept Toowoomba Central BranguS ClaSSiC Bull Sale 7th Sept Gracemere Clermont Beef Bull Sale 20th Sept Clermont

landmark.com.au

duarran BranguS Bull Sale 22nd Sept roma triple B BranguS annual produCtion Sale 28th Sept dingo feBruary all BreedS Bull & female Sale 14th & 15th Feb 2017 Gracemere

Story: Beef Central Images: KB Consulting

MSA hump height issue raises hackles at Brahman congress THE relevance of hump height as an assessment of Bos Indicus content in Meat Standards Australia grading operations came under challenge at this year’s International Brahman Congress held in Rockhampton.

There’s plenty of history in the relationship between the Bos Indicus end of the Australian cattle industry and the MSA grading program.

“If in fact there is a need for a change, that then goes through to the MSA R&D pathways committee, which makes a recommendation to the MSA task force committee, seeking a change to the model,” she explained.

MSA caused an outcry among northern beef producers when the program was first launched in 1998 when it was “At this stage, however, the hump height calculation is not announced that only cattle bearing less than 50pc bos changing.”

Indicus would qualify for the MSA grading, in its initial phase.

Nick Corbet from CQ University’s Precision Livestock MSA argued at the time that it was taking a conservative Management team said from all the data collected from approach to achieving consistency in eating quality 844 high Bos Indicus content steers from the ABBA outcomes, with intentions to ‘expand outwards’ over time. benchmarking project assessed for quality traits, there was MSA did ultimately ease its restrictions on Indicus content, no real relationship at all between hump height and sheer in stages, until the limitation disappeared altogether. force (a mechanical measurement of resistance/tenderness, using a Warner Braztler machine).

However Indicus content (gauged using the proxy measurement of hump height) remains as a fixture on all “I agree with you, Mr Corbet said. “I reckon there is enough cattle graded in the MSA pathways and index scoring. data there to take it to MSA to at least have a look at, to see if it should be incorporated into their thinking.”

A delegate at yesterday’s Brahman Congress technical forum raised the issue of hump height relevance in MSA Progeny testing showed about 40pc difference between grading with speaker, MSA operations manager Sarah Brahman sires for shear-force (tenderness) testing in Strachan. progeny lines, and earlier CRC work showed this trait was something like 40pc heritable – particularly in Bos Indicus She said in mobs of cattle where there was mixed levels genotypes, where calpain (good) and calpastatin (tougher) of Indicus content, hump height had been shown to muscle fibres were an issue. be a ‘relatively good indicator’ of Indicus content, and consequently the potential impact on eating quality.

Equally, intra-muscular fat (IMF) also produced considerable sire differences between tested Brahman sire lines, and “The hump height attribute is collected on every single is regarded as about 40pc heritable. It also aligned ‘quite carcase graded for MSA,” she said. “The bigger the hump, the nicely’ with subjective marbling scores carried out by MSA bigger the (negative) impact will be on that MSA result.” graders and AusMeat chiller assessors, the audience was She stressed, however, that hump height was quite told. interactive with carcase weight and condition, and carcase “From all the consumer testing, IMF percent and weight was taken into account in assessing MSA hump score. marbling have a big influence on eating quality in terms of Another delegate said that given the evidence now emerging acceptability. We certainly can select for these traits within through the Brahman Beef Improvement Nucleus (BIN) the Brahman breed. If you want to introduce marbling, you project demonstrating genetic variation in marbling and don’t have to go out and buy a jersey bull,” producers were other meat quality performance in Brahman cattle, were told. changes likely to the MSA grading system to account for this.

“All of us in this room object to the concept of hump height being a part of the MSA grading system,” he claimed. “How is MSA going to move forward in this area, and cut down on the discrimination based around hump height?”

His call attracted support from some conference delegates in the room, in the form of applause.

“Changes cannot be made to the MSA model until they have been validated through the MSA consumer sensory testing protocol,” Ms Strachan said.

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Is geographic/nutrition factor being confused with genetics?

Potential for confusing genetics with environmental impacts in terms of eating quality performance also came up during discussion.

ABBA technical committee chairman Brett Coombe said having been involved in the sire benchmarking project from the word go, it was important to understand that ‘Brahman cattle are located in northern Australia.’

“It was obvious from what was described to this conference earlier about optimising MSA pathways in northern Australia that our growth paths are some of the hardest around. The further south you get, those cattle will produce average daily gains of 0.8 to 0.9kg/day on pasture. In Northern Australia, we often struggle to get 0.5 or better.”

“That is one of the problems.

Within the MSA model that’s what happened: the more difficult the growth path due to the environment, the higher the degree of tropical adaptation in use of bos Indicus content.”

Brett Coombe Bindaree, Moura

Mr Coombe suggested that the only way the Brahman industry was going to get the MSA model changed was to clearly identify (and select from) those Brahman sires that had better eating quality traits.

“Five or six years ago, the GeneStar tenderness test came out, and we thought we may be able to incorporate that into the MSA pathways model. Down the track, perhaps we will still be able to use a genomic test like that, but it still comes back to the ability to identify those good performers for meat quality, that can produce a better quality, more consistent eating product.”

As part of the MSA long-term ‘vision’, there is a view that DNA gene markers for attributes like tenderness could be incorporated into the pathways model.

Negative correlation on hump-height Mr Coombe said at the last Brahman benchmarking project field day, the comment was made that hump height on the 800-odd project steer progeny was in fact negatively correlated with eating quality.

“The ones with the biggest humps ate better, based on MSA index score,” he said.

“As a Brahman breeder myself, I’m hearing you; I know what you’re saying,” Mr Coombe told the audience.

“But we have to identify, and use those better performing animals – and then we can talk with MSA about changes. But as I said, a big challenge we face is that our (Brahman) cattle do not have access to the growth path opportunity that cattle do in more southern parts of Australia.”

“The key point here is that in our recent trials and restaurant trials, the faster growing cattle and the cattle with access

Roger Jefferis Elrose, Cloncurry

with better nutrition totally usurped any influence from hump height. We need to be making that clearer to people like MSA.” “I see here in black and white that MSA still suggests that hump height has a big effect on tenderness. But until bos Indicus breeders realise that there’s other ways in there, they are still going to lose of lot of them (non-compliance) to MSA,” Mr Jefferis said.

Ms Strachan said there was no doubt that faster growing cattle produced less connective tissue, and improved tenderness outcomes.

“There are still lots of opportunities for Brahman cattle to grade for MSA,” she said. “But its important to remember that the consumer is key inside the MSA model – it’s the empty chair around the decision-making table.”

“If there is support and evidence, we will need to re-validate the hump-height issue, we’ll have to do that through the consumer sensory protocol – it’s the only way that any change to the MSA Model gets adopted.”

Another congress delegate said the hump height issue could also be confused with body condition.

“The cattle in better condition, which may be the best for eating quality, also tend to have the biggest hump,” he said.

Mr Coombe confirmed that the benchmark trial animals with the bigger hump tended to be the better finished animals.

“That’s why it was a negative correlation with toughness (MSA score),” he said.

“If you’ve got enough fat cover, and a big hump, it shouldn’t matter. That’s one of the things the BIN project is looking to try to illustrate.”

Article Continues pg 26

25

He said of the 800-plus Brahman steers in the trial, put on the same environment, 97 percent graded in MSA boning group 12 or less, and 37pc in boning group 8 or less.

MLA managing director Richard Norton told the conference that across Australia, across 3.2 million cattle graded for MSA last year, the price difference between MSA and nonMSA cattle was $91 a head, worth about $240 million to the “Our cattle can do it, but we just need to keep chugging away industry. at it,” Mr Coombe said.

One conference delegate claimed MSA premiums in An example of the consistent eating quality performance northern Australia for long periods each year were ‘lucky to that can be achieved with Brahman cattle was flagged during be 10c/kg,’ meaning they were ‘not worth chasing.’ a Congress industry business breakfast hosted earlier in the day yesterday by Elders and Elanco.

“If you take that claimed $91 advantage for MSA cattle, if you put that over a typical grassfed heavy carcase, its about Participants were shown results from a recent (December) a 23c/kg premium for MSA. On average, we’re lucky to get promotion at Brisbane’s 800-seat Norman Hotel 10c. The figures just don’t stack up,” he said. steakhouse, where Brahman beef produced out of JBS Australia’s Townsville plant was judged the best, in a fourBrett Coombe offered a counter view, saying in his way breed consumer trial. experience, targeting PCAS and MSA, he found that premiums of that size ‘were out there.’

Thousands of patrons during the busy pre-Christmas December period rated their steaks (four different breeds, “As northern producers, if you want to aim for that premium all MSA-graded YG, including Angus, Hereford, Charolais product, there are big amounts of money to be made. It’s and Brahman) on standard MSA criteria including flavour just a matter of where you want to aim in your production juiciness, tenderness and overall liking. system,” he said.

The ultimate winner? Brahman.

The historic and ever-popular Norman Hotel is Brisbane’s second largest hotel steakhouse, exceeded in size only by the 1000-seat Breakfast Creek.

Are MSA premiums worth chasing with high Indicus content cattle?

ABBA general manager John Croaker said premiums would always change, but in the case of the BIN project Brahman steers killed this year, the large lines of MSA boning group 6-8 steers had attracted a 45c/kg premium.

Cloncurry Brahman cattleman and former ABBA president Roger Jefferis (pictured above) said since the Brahman breed was originally banned from MSA all those years ago, the breed had done a lot of research to ‘find a lot out’ about eating performance.

Some Q&A discussion during yesterday’s Congress also centred on premiums paid for MSA cattle by brand owners, Panelists during yesterday’s Brahman Congress technical and whether they were in fact worth pursuing in northern areas where higher indicus content was required for tropical form included ABBA technical committee chair, Brett Coombe, left, MSA Operations Manager Sarah Strachan, and adaptation.

CQ University principal research scientist, Nick Corbet.

studstocksales.com @struanp

26

Spring – 2016

studstocksales.com

8th ANNUAL SALE Tues 20th Sept 2016 CQLX Gracemere 10:00am

Bull w Monday 1alk Sept at 9th 3:00pm

80 Quality Brangus Sires Redline Brangus 07 4167 5140 Tannyfoil Brangus 0429 827 182 Bimbadeen Brangus 07 4167 5141

Duff Red Brangus 0438 825 370 Doonside 07 4934 3150 GL Brangus 0429 829 143

Jateebee 07 4993 1666 Mawson Pastoral Co. 0429 636 877

Chadwick Downs Cattle Co. 02 6842 1033 Charlevue 07 4935 9105

ELDERS OFFICE 07 4927 6122 RAY WHITE OFFICE 07 4933 3309

27

Sale Summary nindooinbah Autumn sale 127 Females Average $3,034 Top $8,000 27 Bulls Average $3,472 Top $4,750 Sale clearance 99%

TOP Nindooinbah Stud manager Nick Cameron with the $8,000 female top seller.

MIDDLE Nindooinbah J6 (AI).

BOTTOM Nindooinbah K1.

Images: KB Consulting & Nindooinbah

Autumn Nindooinbah females to $8,000 Brangus females hit $8000 to average $4094 while their male counterparts peaked at $4750 averaging $3625 at the annual Nindooinbah Autumn Sale, Beaudesert, in early April.

Australia. This time they selected 42 females for on average $3161 topping at $4000 on at least nine occasions.

Their 23 from the previous sale averaged $2300. These two groups form the foundation of Albert’s newly formed prefix, Blackstorm.

The buyer sheet revealed a three state support base for the Angus, Ultrablack and Brangus offering that culminated in Taking all the Brangus females with the near total clearance for vendors, Euan exception of the top selling female were and Kaye Murdoch, Nindooinbah Stud. Nebo producers, Mal and Sue Burston.

Operating through AuctionsPlus, the Statistics revealed 70 Ultrablack Burston’s took 15 to average $3833 females averaged $3132 to top at topping at $4500 for daughters $4250; 41 Angus females averaged of US imports, Lambert Of Brinks, $2482 to sell to $3000; 16 Brangus Warrior, CB Final Cut 924X and the females averaged $4094 hitting $8000; 21 Ultrablack bulls set a $3429 retained, Nindooinbah F763. These for 10 Ultrablack females to average were daughters of Telpara Hills and medium to a high of $5750 and six $3225 while local producer Stuart Nindooinbah donors.

Brangus bulls topped at $4750 to Murray, Bromelton House, Beaudesert average $3625.

Taking the top seller in the Brangus secured 28 head for a $2688 average. male section and ending with 15 bulls Nindooinbah J6 (AI) a three -year -old Windulka Holdings, Bominda, Rosevale from the sale was Mark Morland, daughter of TCB Catawba Warrior R took with them nine for a $2306 532 (US) topped proceedings at $8000 Glenapp Pastoral Company, Running average while Scott Waldron, Waldoo Creek. Their purchases averaged selling to ARE Custodians, Eumundi Cattle Company, Millmerran signed off $3300 topping at $4750 for owned by Tim Elliott, Mary Valley on eight for a $2875 while the Edward Nindooinbah K1 (Nindooinbah F709) Ultrablacks, River Park, Kenilworth family, Rathgar, Beaudesert also picked (26-months). They also picked up a through AuctionsPlus. up eight to average $2875. New South $4000 Texas Star 9U8Y son aged Wales investors, the Holden family, Major buyers and adding to their 19-months. The other $4000 entry Oakbank, Old Bonalbo took a trio to 23 females purchased at the 2015 was snapped up by the Holden family, average $3367.

Nindooinbah Spring Sale were Albert, Oakbank, Old Bonalbo, NSW. Agents: Elders Graham and Marilyn Bookham, Calliope based Coky’s Contracting Redfields, New Norcia, Western operated by Jeffrey Cox accounted 28

Spring – 2016

SELLING 8 Bulls ABCA Roma Brangus Sale

Lot 82: Elara 447 DOB:28/09/09 Sire: Onyx X3 A1 Quiet, growthy, high content sire.

FRIDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 2016

John & Alison Bell 192 Behrendorff Road Bunjurgen Boonah 4310 Ph/fax 07 5463 0298 e-mail: jfacbell@bigpond.com

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L 24 e7 al av In

L 76 e6 al av In

L 02 e7 al av In

73 ot

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7 ot

L 93 e6 al av In

74 ot

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Images: Amanda Salisbury, www.bushbabeofoz.com

Callide Dawson Carcase Competition

Bimbadeen Stud principals, Mark and Amanda Salisbury took away plenty when they entered their first cattle into a carcase competition.

It was no ordinary competition. It was the annual Callide Dawson Carcase Competition, regarded as the nations largest competition of its type.

Coming up against the biggest field ever nominated in the history of this long running event. Bimbadeen collected a second in the Pen Of Three Grassfed Steers, against a record field of 28 other pens of steers. The trio of black Brangus steers was sourced from a regular line of Bimbadeen steers being prepared for the PCAS and EU markets.

This year the competition saw 525 head entered from 359 entries in both grainfed and grassfed categories.

Mark Salisbury said “Winter weather had arrived, feed was haying off and the last mob of our two-year-old steers had finished. As the deadline for the 2016 Callide Dawson Carcase Competition coincided with the planned sale of this mob, we decided to nominate a handful of these steers at the last minute.”

TOP Mark Salisbury with the mob of two year old steers that the four individuals where selected from.

Bimbadeen entered a single steer and one pen of three steers, all black, polled and evenly finished.

MIDDLE Bimbadeen’s pen of three grass fed steers & single steer that were entered in the 2016 Callide Dawson Carcase Competition.

Unfortunately, the single cut a tooth in the days between selection and arrival at Teys Brothers Biloela, which dented his chance in his respective class.

BOTTOM Mark Salisbury, Bimbadeen, Monto accepts his second place in the pen of three grass fed steers in which 28 teams where entered.

30

Spring – 2016

yearlIng bulls, for prIvate sale on property

come take your pIck

InspectIons welcome This year Belview has taken the decision to offer all of our 2016 draft of bulls at home via private treaty at our home base Delungra NSW. These are a group of oats prepared bulls ranging in age from 17-22mths and feature stud sire prospects as well as quality herd bulls.

Belview Elvis L032 (AI) (P) 11/02/2015 TEXAS STAR (P) / BELVIEW BRYONCE (P)

sIres Include texas star, coutI outI Quart pot & belvIew Zorro

Trevor & Colleen Jorgensen 02 6723 6454 belview@bordernet.com.au BULLS & FEMALES AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE SALE Inspections and visitors always welcome

Story & Images: Meat Standards Australia

Breeding for Improved MSA Compliance & Increased MSA Index Values

More than 3 million cattle were presented for MSA grading during the 2014-15 financial year. Source: MSA.

To be considered MSA compliant, carcases must meet the following specifications:

More than 3 million cattle were presented for MSA grading during the 2014-15 financial year. Source: MSA.

• AUSMEAT Meat Colour Score of 1B to 3 • Muscle pH of equal to or less than 5.70 • Minimum rib fat of 3mm • Adequate fat coverage over the entire carcase

The increase in cattle numbers is complemented by strong growth in MSA producer registrations, processor uptake and expansion, as well as an increase in consumer awareness of MSA. Over 40 processors are now grading MSA beef, with prices received for MSA yearling cattle being consistently higher than non-MSA cattle. During the 2014-15 financial year, the average premium for MSA yearling cattle in NSW and Queensland, across all weight ranges, was $0.33/kg, representing a valuable opportunity for producers supplying these markets.

Breeding for msa programs There are many factors which affect an individual carcase’s suitability for both MSA and company/brand programs.

Many of the factors that affect the eating quality of a carcase are heavily influenced by animal handling and management on-farm, during transport and at the abattoir. Many components are also influenced by the genetic makeup of the animal.

Opportunities consequently exist to improve the suitability of animals for marketing into MSA programs, through the adoption of suitable breeding and selection strategies.

Understanding MSA Compliance Cattle consigned to MSA must comply with a number of minimum grading specifications; otherwise they will be downgraded to non-MSA product and won’t receive a premium.

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Carcases graded during 2014-15 across Australia achieved 93% compliance to MSA specifications. Meat colour, and to a slightly lesser extent pH, were the greatest reasons for noncompliance. Only a small percentage of carcases did not meet the minimum MSA requirement of 3mm rib fat.

In addition to MSA specifications, some processors and brands impose further specifications based on their own market requirements. For example, processors may have specifications around carcase weight, dentition and fat colour. Throughout 2014-15, an additional 6% of MSA graded cattle did not meet company specifications.

slaughter, pH may not decline to the required level.

Maintaining glycogen levels preslaughter is consequently of utmost importance and can be achieved by minimising stress and/or activity both on-farm and in the lead up to slaughter.

Cattle with poor temperament have an adverse effect on the cattle around them, all of which results in higher pH carcases and a higher incidence of dark cutting.

Selection for improved temperament can be achieved by ensuring that all animals used in a breeding program have acceptable temperament, and when available, selecting animals with superior Docility EBVs. 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%.

Research has also demonstrated that animals with higher muscle content, as Selecting Genetics for Improved MSA defined by size of carcass eye muscle Compliance area (EMA) adjusted for hot standard carcass weight, is strongly associated The different components affecting with reduced incidence of dark cutting. whether carcases meet MSA A reduction in the incidence of dark compliance specifications are all cutting in high muscled cattle also influenced to some extent by genetics complements the other advantages of and can be improved through the muscular cattle, such as increased retail selection of animals with appropriate beef yield and processing efficiency. genetics.

1. Meat Colour & pH Dark meat colour (ie. over an AUSMEAT score of 3), commonly referred to as ‘dark cutting’, is associated with low muscle glycogen levels in the live animal prior to slaughter, thus resulting in an unappealing product for consumers.

Similarly, if there is only a small amount of muscle glycogen present pre-

Selection for increased muscle content in a standard weight carcase can be achieved by selection of animals with higher EMA EBVs. EMA EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in eye muscle area at the 12/13th rib site in a standard weight steer carcase, with higher EBVs associated with larger eye muscle area.

Article Continues pg 34

rockhampton brangus sale

10-11th october 2016

8 bulls & 6 heifers

elders legacy of ladies sale

7.30pm 10th october 2016

1 heifer

oaklandsbrangus.com nev & megan hansen 0437 347 787 0488 347 138 kalapa Qld 4702

For example, an animal with an EMA EBV of +4.4 mm would be expected to produce calves with larger eye muscle area than an animal with an EMA EBV of +1.0 mm, relative to carcase weight.

2. Rib Fat Thickness & Fat 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.

In addition to minimum fat levels, a key requirement for all beef markets is to have adequate cover over the highvalue cuts along the loin (back) and rump. MSA requires carcases to have adequate fat coverage over all major primals, with an area of inadequate fat distribution not being greater than 10cm x 10cm over each individual primal.

Breeding for increased msa index values In addition to MSA compliance, all animals meeting MSA grading specifications are now provided with MSA Index values, and increasingly processors are offering additional price premiums for animals with superior MSA Indexes.

Understanding MSA Index The Meat Standards Australia (MSA) Index, expressed as a single number ranging from 30 to 80, predicts the eating quality of an individual beef carcase. A higher MSA Index indicates that the carcase has a higher predicted eating quality.

The MSA Index value that a carcase receives is based on the eating

quality of 39 different cut by cook combinations, weighted to account for the differences in the percentage of the total carcase that each cut represents.

The MSA index is independent of any processing inputs and is calculated using only attributes influenced by preslaughter production.

The MSA Index provides beef producers with an opportunity to benchmark the impact of genetic and management changes on their herd’s predicted eating quality across time, even when they are processed in different locations, by different processors, or at different times. In situations where a premium is paid for carcases with superior eating quality, the MSA Index also provides a valuable opportunity to increase sale price.

Article Continues pg 36

Selection for adequate rib fat and fat distribution can be achieved by selection of animals with appropriate Rib and Rump Fat EBVs. Rib and Rump Fat EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the 12/13th rib and P8 rump site respectively in a standard weight steer carcase, with higher EBVs associated with greater fat depth.

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.

Table 1. The effect carcaseattributes attributes on on the the MSA and Livestock Australia – Table 1. The effect ofofcarcase MSAIndex.

Index.Source: Source:Meat Meat and Livestock Australia MSA Tips and Tools “Using the MSA Index to optimise beef eating quality” tip sheet.

– MSA Tips and Tools “Using the MSA Index to optimise beef eating quality” tip sheet.

BREEDING FOR INCREASED MSA INDEX VALUES

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Spring – 2016

In addition to MSA compliance, all animals meeting MSA grading specifications are now

The MSA Index value that a carcase receives is based on the eating quality of 39 different cut by cook combinations, weighted to account for the differences in the percentage of the total carcase

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Factors Underlying the MSA Index he key factors impacting on eating quality that are influenced by the producer include: • Tropical breed content, verified or determined by hump height measurement • MSA Marbling Score • Ossification • Hormonal Growth Promotant (HGP) Status • Milk Fed Vealer Category • Saleyard Status • Rib Fat • Hot Standard Carcase Weight (HSCW) • Sex The effect that each of the individual factors has on MSA Index varies.

Whether an animal has been treated with an HGP, whether an animal is a milk fed vealer and/or whether an animal has been sold directly to slaughter have a very high impact on the overall MSA Index value of a carcase, followed by MSA Marble Score, hump height, tropical breed content and ossification.

As MSA Marble Score increases by 10, the MSA Index has the potential to increase by 0.15 Index units, or rather 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. Intramuscular Fat 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%.

2. Ossification Ossification is the process whereby the cartilage present around the bones changes into bone as the

Rib fat, HSCW and Sex have relatively lower impacts on the overall MSA Index value.

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, or rather, a decrease in ossification score of 100 equates to an increase in MSA Index of 6 units.

Therefore, 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.

3. Rib Fat

Selecting Genetics to Improve MSA Index Score Whilst many of the factors that affect the MSA Index are heavily influenced by animal management and handling, there is also an opportunity to increase MSA Index values through genetic selection.

Whilst of utmost importance in determining whether carcases are compliant to MSA specifications, rib fat thickness also has an impact on MSA Index.

As Marbling Score increases by 10, the MSA Index increases by around 0.15 index units.

Photo: Australian Wagyu Association

1. Marbling MSA Marble Score is an assessment of the intramuscular fat deposits at the quartered site between the 5th and 13th ribs. MSA Marble Score provides an indication of the distribution and piece size, as well as the amount of marbling. MSA marble scores range from 100 to 1190 in increments of 10, with higher scores indicating greater marbling.

animal matures, and is a measure of the physiological maturity of the carcase. Although it can be roughly associated with the animal’s chronological age, ossification takes into account the entire developmental lifespan of the animal which may be affected by nutrition, sickness and/ or temperament. Ossification scores range from 100 to 590 in increments

A 1mm increase in rib fat corresponds to a potential n increase in the MSA Index of 0.1 Index units, or rather, an increase of 10mm in fat depth equates to an increase in MSA Index of 1 unit.

Selection for increased rib fat can be achieved by selection of animals with higher Rib Fat EBVs. Rib Fat EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences between animals in fat depth at the 12/13th rib site in a standard weight steer carcase, with higher EBVs associated with greater fat depth.

Article Continues pg 38

36

Spring – 2016

7 BULLS H ROCKHAMPTON BRANGUS SALE Australian and US bloodlines. Brangus and Ultra Black cattle

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400 Day Weight EBV of +20 kg.

3. Rib Fat Whilst of utmost importance in determining whether carcases are compliant to MSA specifications, rib fat thickness also has an impact on MSA Index.

programs are heavily influenced by animal handling and management, many factors are also influenced by the genetics of an animal.

Selection of animals with acceptable temperament, higher Docility EBVs, higher Eye Muscle Area EBVs and appropriate Rib & Rump Fat EBVs can improve MSA compliance, whilst A 1mm increase in rib fat corresponds to a selection of animals with higher IMF EBVs to potential n increase in the MSA Index of 0.1 Index increase marbling score, higher carcase Growthfatness EBVs to Fat EBVs to increase example, an animal with a Carcase Whilst a higher level of rib fat is or rather, an increaseWeight of 10mm in of fat+60 depth reduce ossification score, higher Rib Fat EBVs and higher Carcase Weight EBVs to to EBV kg would be favourable for units, superior eating quality to anneeds increase Index of unit. progeny with increase carcase and Carcase increasefatness HSCW at thehigher same maturity, expected to 1produce and MSA index,equates this benefit to in MSA will to increase MSAHSCW Index values thus heavier carcases than an animal with a EBVs be balanced with the negative effect Weight increase at theand same increase theMSA eating quality of your herd.

Carcase EBVbyof +30 kg.maturity, will that higher levels of rib fat have onrib fat Selection formay increased can beWeight achieved increase Index values and thus carcase yield. selection of animals with higher Rib Fat EBVs. Rib increase the eating quality of your herd.

Fat EBVs are estimates of the genetic differences TakeatHome Messages between animals in fat depth the 12/13th rib To improve: Select for larger: 4. Carcase Weight site in a standard weightWhilst steermany carcase, of thewith factors Meat Colour Docility and Eye Muscle higherspecification EBVs associated greater fatthe depth. affect eating Whilst an important in withthat Area EBVs quality of a carcase and most livestock grids, carcase weight Rib Fat Thickness & Rib and Rump Fat EBVs higher is favourable for suitability for MSA only has a smallWhilst impacta on MSA level Index,of ribitsfat Fat Distribution superior quality and MSA are index, this programs heavily with MSA calculating thateating as HSCW Marbling Intramuscular Fat (IMF) influenced by animal increases by 1kg, the MSA Index willbalanced benefit needs to be with the negative EBVs and management, potentially increase lesshigher than 0.01 effectbythat levels ofhandling rib fat may have on Ossification 200 Day, 400 Day and Index units. In other words, carcase yield.an increase many factors are also 600 Day Weight EBVs influenced by the genetics in HSCW of 100kg equates to an Carcase Weight Carcase Weight EBV of an animal. increase in MSA of 1Weight unit.

4. Index Carcase Whilstcarcasses an important specification in most Selection of animals with To select for heavier at the To further discuss breeding for MSA programs, grids,animals carcase weight only has a small higher acceptable temperament, same maturity livestock (ossification), please contact staff at SBTS and TBTS. More EBVs, higher with higher Carcase EBVs impactWeight on MSA Index, withDocility MSA calculating thatEye Muscle information about Meat Standards Australia is Area appropriate Rib & should be selected. as HSCW increases by 1kg, theEBVs MSAand Index will also available from the MLA website To further discuss breeding for MSA Rump Fat EBVs can improve MSA Carcase Weight EBVs are increase estimatesby less than 0.01 Index units. (www.mla.com.au). potentially compliance, whilst selection of animals programs, please contact staff at of the genetic differences between TBTS. More information about Meat with higher IMF EBVs to increase animals in hot standard carcase weight, Standards Australia is also available marbling score, higher Growth EBVs with higher Carcase Weight EBVs to reduce ossification score, higher Rib from the MLA website www.mla.com.au associated with heavier carcases. For

11th Roma Sale fields 127 lots The Australian Brangus Cattle Association (ABCA) Sponsored Sale will be conducted at the Roma Saleyards Queensland, Friday, September 2nd.

This year heralds a new decade in the history of the event which is now into it’s eleventh year.

In all a catalogue of 119 bulls (100 registered and 19 herd bulls) along with eight females drawn from twenty studs from across three states has been assembled by agents Grant Daniel and Lang and Elders. The vendor list this year has a geographical spread from as far south as Euroa in Victoria all the way to the Atherton Tableland in north Queensland and all areas in between.

On the day prior to the sale, (Thursday 1st September at 4pm) the sale organizers will stage a ‘Bull Walk’ where light refreshments will be available.

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Spring – 2016

Last year 81 bulls averaged $5,600 selling to a top of $19,000, while 20 females topped at $2,500 to average $1,697 per head for a total clearance of 98% at auction.

Top selling bull was the two year old Bonox 806 sold by Bruce and Leanne Woodard, Bonox stud, Taroom, selling to Hardy Woodard, Taloumbi stud, Eidsvold.

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TJM THREE D 302A Sire: Cb Final Cut 924X $66/Unit inc GST Sally North P: 07 4934 1964 M: 0428 332 913 rockyrepro.com.au

CRC GUARDIAN 9U8U5 (AI) (P) Sire: Csonka Of Brinks 30R4 $66/Unit AU inc GST Sally North P: 07 4934 1964 M: 0428 332 913 rockyrepro.com.au

SUHN’S CHISHOLM 331W45 (P) Sire: Ltd Of Brinks 415T28 $44/Unit AU inc GST Sally North P: 07 4934 1964 M: 0428 332 913 rockyrepro.com.au

SUHN’S FOUNDATION 331Z28 (P) Sire: Gr Swift 209W3 (Ai) $66 /Unit AU inc GST Sally North P: 07 4934 1964 M: 0428 332 913 rockyrepro.com.au 39

Story: Professor Stephen Moore (First published in The University of Queensland’s alumni & community magazine, Contact) Image: Lyle Radford, The University of Queensland

Beefing up global food security

Professor Stephen Moore with cattle at UQ Gatton.

Australia prides itself on its world-class beef exports and UQ researchers are committed to understanding our prime production systems to help the world’s starving communities become self-sufficient.

The world population is on track to exceed nine billion by 2050, and food production will need to increase by 77 per cent to meet this demand.

Australia will play a role in addressing the global food security issue, but our role is often misunderstood amongst the hype. Australia prides itself on the export of high-quality food. We rely on such export income as one of the mainstays of our foreign earnings.

Australian beef exports for 2015 were valued at $9.3 billion, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), a massive 84 per cent above the 10-year average. ABS figures also show that Australia exported beef to 94 countries in 2015, six fewer than in 2014.

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While there may already be enough cereal produced in the world to provide everyone on the planet with 2900 calories a day, often this food simply does not reach starving populations. Even the world Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) “is cautiously optimistic about the world’s potential to feed itself by 2050”, predicting that 75 per cent of the food demand could be met by increasing crop yields rather than expanding the area of production.

However, such production must occur where food is required as it cannot be sustainably met by importing food aid from countries like Australia or the United States.

The issue is not as simple as calorific requirements alone.

Requirements for protein, for example, will increase along with ensuring a proper balance of nutrients overall.

Therefore, the issue of food self-sufficiency within a growing population, largely in the tropics, has to be solved at the local level. We can’t possibly fix malnutrition internationally by giving away food. It works in an emergency but is not a sustainable, long-term solution for world hunger. We must enable people in areas who need food to grow the food and move beyond subsistence farming. That underpins the growing middle class and increases the Australian-targeted market. UQ, through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), is heavily committed in this area.

Certainly, Australia must continue to produce food with a large focus on exports but, using beef as an example, our current key export markets are in the Asian middle-class.

These markets are becoming increasingly sophisticated, demanding higher-quality product. It will be challenging to continue being competitive in more traditional commodity markets long term, due to high labour costs, fierce international competition and the increasing variability of climate. Thus, Australia may not feed the world but we do have a very important contribution to make in supplying highvalue, safe food – notwithstanding some ongoing challenges.

At UQ, our focus is on the Australian production systems, particularly the northern beef production systems. UQ has about 100 researchers and staff working in this area, from business, nutrition, health, and genetics and reproduction.

I use the word “systems” as the varied systems we have in northern Australia are not always appreciated. We do it an injustice calling it the northern beef industry because there are multiple production systems in the north. If you lump them all together you are not addressing particular issues for those producers in any one system.

In the harsher environments, a harvest system may be in place where animals are rounded up once a year for monitoring, care and drafting for market or live export. By the very nature of the system it is difficult for producers to capture data on these animals, such as birth date or growth rate of calves, or reproductive traits such as calving interval in cows. Such measurements are required to gain maximal improvements to the system.

In central Queensland, the system is different. The feed base is much better when not in drought, and the producers tend to see the animals more often. So how these producers improve production is different to how producers of cattle in harsher environments achieve improvements. Producers in Central Queensland can better control the breeding cycle, and can achieve improvements similar to southern producers.

Then you have the impacts of the wet and dry season.

There are pressures from parasites, heat, and poor winter pastures, which all impact the animal and increase the need of a cross-bred or pure Brahman herd. The parameters we have around genetic improvement of cross-bred animals, such as Droughtmasters and Santa Gertrudis or even pure Brahman, are much less developed than those temperate breeds, such as Angus. In addition, solutions like genetic evaluation, nutrition or health management are not yet economically viable for producers, even in the better beef cattle producing areas.

There are some common issues. Tropically adapted cattle have lower reproductive rates than temperate animals, due to their adaptation to harsh environments. But some

animals within that population are more fertile. The genetics underlying this discovery are just beginning to be understood. Higher reproductive rates and lower calf loss will lead to an increase in productivity, but will the value of the product increase as well? This has to happen to make everything work. Researchers at UQ work across all of these issues, but funding opportunities mean the effort is often piecemeal rather than integrated. The current funding situation for northern beef has been impacted by the long drought in western Queensland, which may continue through a fourth year.

So, where should we focus? Rather than dealing with one issue at a time, we need to work across disciplines to address the overall sustainability of the system. This means first looking at economic sustainability. If we cannot produce beef at a profit, then we should seriously reconsider the business model. The production system needs to be put in the context of environmental sustainability, because not considering this means the business model will again fail due to run-down of pastures or even external intervention, to protect the reef for example. Animals need to be matched to the environment for peak performance, and productivity needs to increase in order to improve the bottom line for producers – even meeting requirements of things like methane production limits. Product quality also needs to improve consistently over time to keep pace with changing market demands for high-value product. All these things are impacted by interacting components such as pastures, genetics, animal management and health. To capture the value of this will require appropriate value chains in which everyone within the system can benefit from improvements.

Meat Standards Australia (MSA) and, more recently, the Pasturefed Cattle Assurance System (PCAS), which provide an objective, market-driven meat quality assurance target with premiums paid for compliance, are a good start towards meeting this objective.

Can we do this? Yes, if we can have an industry-wide approach while acknowledging differences across regions.

We should be optimistic despite the sometimes reticence of the system to change. Market forces will be the ultimate driver and the industry will profit if it can lead – rather than follow – market forces.

For more information about the QAAFI Centre for Animal Science, please visit qaafi.uq.edu.au/cas.

About the Author Professor Stephen Moore is a highly regarded research scientist who, prior to his appointment with the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), worked for the cattle industry in Alberta, Canada. He has more than 20 years experience in bovine genomics, including his role as Chair in Bovine Genomics at the University of Alberta from 1999 to 2011. In his role as Chief Executive Officer of Livestock Gentec at the University of Alberta, Professor Moore led many successful projects to identify genes that underlie production and quality traits in cattle. The expertise he brings to QAAFI’s Centre for Animal Science reflects the centre’s capacity to embark on research to help Australian and international livestock industries flourish now and into the future.

Professor Moore took up his appointment as the Director of the Centre for Animal Science at QAAFI in September 2011.

41

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- Wayne Dobe, DeSalis Station “The best Brangus we’ve seen in the past 6 weeks was at Telpara Hills... and we’ve just toured the USA.” - John Colless, Wetherby Station “We have been using TH Brangus bulls to breed us a superior Brangus female and then cross these females to our Full Blood Wagyu sires.

TH focus on American genetics and these bloodlines compliment our F1 programme for marbling and enhances large eye muscle area. We also retain softness in our carcasses and achieve heavier weights at slaughter.” - Mal and Sue Burston, Brookston Waygu/ Broadlea Station

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“In the meat business you never hear from customers unless it is a complaint, so I started getting worried when I had calls from several of my customers. To my surprise they were actually calling to tell me they were happy and to keep doing whatever I was doing. The only different thing we had done was buy a big line of Telpara sired steers.”

-Chris Greenwood, Morganbury Meats “We’ve been Brangus breeders for over 20 years and had never seen cattle like the ones at Telpara Hills. It made us excited about breeding Brangus again.” -Robin Garrett, Swan Bay Brangus

Images: Belview Brangus

Belview’s Northern Beef Week Open Day A steady stream of visitors flowed through the from gates of the Belview Stud, Delungra, New South Wales as part of the recent, 2016 Ausmectin Northern Beef Week Open Day. Principals, Trevor and Colleen Jorgensen mounted an impressive display for the visitors including bulls, yearling heifers and cows.

The females on display were a cross section of the herd featuring the progeny of their AI and ET programmes. Sires of the females included CRC Guardian, Hombre, Singletary, Csonka, Couti Outi Quart Pot, New Vision, and Belview Zorro.

Sons of Texas Star, New Vision, Couti Outi Quart Pot and Belview Zorro featured in the displays.

top Tyson Will, Delungra at the Belview Open Day as a part of the Northern Beef Week. middle James Hayden, Gragin looks over some of the cattle on display. left Barry Morley, Narrabri talks with Belview principal Trevor Jorgensen.

Southwell herd sold Gracemere breeders Alex and Emma Dodson recently sold their entire Southwell Stud to Nebo producers, Mal and Sue Burston, Broadlea Station.

In a privately negotiated transaction the deal involves 24 Registered breeders and their calves, 17 dry cows, and the recently purchased $16,000 Palgrove Jetstream J102.

Commenting on the sale of his operation Alex said ‘Emma and I haven’t given up on Brangus, we’ve retained the Southwell prefix and are just stepping back from the business at present, focusing on other avenues.

44

Autumn– –2016 Spring 2016

Southwell will have the four bulls on offer at the 40th Annual ABCA Rockhampton Sale.

Our genetics avaliable at CLASSIC RED BRANGUS SALE - 20th septemeber Gracemere Selling Complex

MONTO ALL BREED SALE - 10th september FITZROY CROSSING SALE WA - 19th august PADDOCK BULLS & FEMALES ALSO AVAILABLE

Peter & Kristine Dingle P. 07 4167 5140 M. 0427 849 390 Kris & Donna Dingle P. 07 4167 5145 M. 0419 620 150 E. redlinebrangus@activ8.net.au

Image: KB Consulting

Bookham’s turn to black

Albert Bookham is a young man with a vision and passion for cattle.

Black cattle. Ultrablack and Brangus cattle.

Young Western Australian breeder Albert Bookham, Blackstorm stud, New Norica and his father Graham (left) at the Nindooinbah Autumn sale with some of their 42 female purchases.

bulls for the live export markets. From this base Albert also operates his newly established Blackstorm Stud, in the north west corner of the Wongan In that time Albert has assembled and Balidu shire. With the advice and laid the foundation of his herd putting assistance from Graham and Marilyn together 69 head including 42 mainly the fledgling prefix rests on the 3000ha Ultrablack females for a $3160 average (7400 acres) property. at the 2016 Autumn Nindooinbah Sale.

These females were added to the 27 The Blackstorm stud runs on country head purchased the year prior at the that would be best described as river Nindooinbah Spring Sale. flats running up into hills with red loam soil. “At present I have assembled a He and his parents, Graham and herd of 69 Ultrablack females and 12 Marilyn Bookham trade as L W Angus females. I’m pretty keen to get Bookham and Company at their base, a hold of some Brangus breeders later Redfields, New Norcia some 200km this year.” north of Perth, Western Australia. It’s Albert makes his selections for the next here that the Bookham family operate a commercial trading operation turning generation and registered purposes when cattle are yearlings. All his cattle over some 5000 store conditioned For the past two years he and his family have been the volume female buyers at the annual Nindooinbah sales.

46

Spring – 2016

are registered and his goal is to develop an operation that totals around 2000 females composed of around 750 purebred Brangus, 1000 Ultrablacks with the remaining 250 females being Angus. “My eventual target market would be to go some way to meeting the needs of the Western Australian pastoral sector for the Ultrablack and Brangus bulls either to be sold privately and or at auction”, said Albert.

Like most business decisions there can be a lot at stake. But for Albert the move into Ultrablacks and Brangus cattle he believes is a little less risky, adding, “There’s not been a lot of these cattle marketed over here, in saying that anything derived from Angus is worth more and we’re quite well aware and know first hand that Angus

Did you know ... ... that MARSHMALLOWS are among the many cattle byproducts used by consumers every day? Yep, it’s true.

And marshmallows are one just of hundreds of cattle byproducts about which we’re educating consumers.

cast for age after eight years in age and he joins females as yearlings to calve at around the 21 months mark.

In the search for genetics Albert has been a regular at the annual Nindooinbah sales, “To this point I’ve sourced all of my genetics from Nindooinbah and to accompany these I’m presently acquiring some semen from Canada and I am also looking into purchasing embryos from the US.”

can’t handle the heat or the ticks, but Brangus and the Ultrablack can.” Even in it’s infancy Albert is sure he’s on the right track adding, “I’m not to the stage of selling bulls yet, but the research I’ve done allows me to believe that the demand for these type of cattle and bulls is there, they want numbers, number like 50 bulls at a time.”

“When I was graduating school and deciding what I wanted to breed I knew it would be something Bos indicus, I’m big fan of these cattle, I knew I wanted to breed Black cattle as they’re worth more, but with so many people breeding Angus which aren’t really suited to our country I decided to go down the path that I’m presently on, most British/Euro breeds can’t handle our pastoral areas and it was around that time that I saw what Nindooinbah has achieved with their herd by buying the top genetics, I saw this as a good starting basis for a new stud.”

“We couldn’t be happier with the Nindooinbah Ultrablacks and the way they handle our country,” said Albert Bull calves that don’t meet Albert’s Bookham. He added “Our first females selection criteria are either castrated, were purchased in October of last year then sold for slaughter or sold as entire and they’ve acclimatized very quickly, to the live export trade. “I’d like to have they came over and into a summer my bulls to a liveweight of around where we had a week of 40c plus 500kg at sale time, if they don’t get sold temperatures, all the other cattle were then we will either arrange for them to under trees, we’ve got cattle from all be sold privately or kept on until around across WA here and the Ultrablacks 18 to 24 months.” where off grazing in the middle of the day. I’ve been really impressed with the When selecting cattle Albert looks for resultant calves and how the females the simple but time proven attributes have handled themselves” said Albert. like good sound confirmation, calving ease and weight gain. All females are

In fact, cattle provide us with some of the most essential items in our day-to-day lives. If you own a car, take a bus or ride a bike, you’re using cattle byproducts in the tires on your vehicle and the asphalt on the road.

Here are a few more ...

-- Cattle organs and glands are used in producing medicine, insulation, antifreeze, shampoos/ conditioners and instrument strings.

-- Bones and horns of cattle are used to produce film, vitamin capsules, charcoal and glass.

-- Inedible beef fat provides us with airplane lubricants, hydraulic brake fluid, biodiesel and medicines.

-- Many foods, other than beef, use the products of slaughter – besides marshmallows, there’s ice cream, chewing gum and some candies.

-- Hides from cattle are tanned into leather becoming shoes, purses and wallets, and the like.

SHARE the story about the value of the cattle industry in consumers’ everyday lives worldwide!

47

fun FACTS

Story & Images: Capella High School, Capella, Queensland

Capella High Cattle Club

The first cow to fly in an aeroplane was Elm Farm Ollie in February 1930. Incidentally she also was the first cow to be milked on an aeroplane.

Source: care2.com

Like humans, cows (cattle) form close friendships and choose to spend much of their time with 2-4 preferred individuals. They also hold grudges for years and may dislike particular individuals.

Source: onekind.org

More than 100 medicines, including insulin and oestrogen, come from cattle.

Source: heelstoboots.wordpress.com

One cowhide can produce enough leather to make 20 footballs or 18 soccer balls or 18 volleyballs or 12 basketballs.

Source: heelstoboots.wordpress.com

Cattle have an excellent sense of smell. They can detect odours up to five miles away. They can also hear both low and high frequency sounds beyond human capability.

Source: heelstoboots.wordpress.com

In 2009, a team of researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of agriculture announced that they’d successfully mapped the bovine genome. The results? Cattle have about 22,000 genes, and a whopping 80% of those are shared with humans.

Another 10% are shared with dogs and rodents.

Source: care2.com 48

Spring – 2016

The Cattle Club is a program where students learn the necessary skills to present, parade and judge Cattle during the local show circuit. This year the students were involved in the preparation of 3 steers: Nando, Napolean and Neon.

Lunchtimes are always busy down at the yards with students participating in a daily roster to keep the steers feed, watered, groomed and their surrounding areas clean and tidy. As well as feeding at lunch times during the Friday lessons students have been learning how to parade and judge stud cattle.

This year Meg Grogan was the runner up in the finals of the Central Queensland Junior Parader competition.

In 2016 a group of students travelled to Rockhampton to exhibit the school steers in the Central Queensland Carcass Classic. While at Rockhampton Show the student also participated in the Junior Heifer Competition. The students exhibited BeeJay Lace owned by the Magee Family who received 1st in her class, BeeJay Lollypop who received 3rd in her class and Coolabah Diva owned

by Paul and Denise Studt who received 1st in her class and Junior Champion Heifer.

Visit our website for sale updates

On Property Bull & Female Sale Thursday 13th October, 1:00pm 50 Ultrablack Bulls | 40 Brangus Bulls 50 PTIC Ultrablack and Brangus Females Interfaced with Auctions Plus * Elders are the appointed agent For further updates visit www.nindooinbah.com.au & www.facebook.com/nindooinbah

HYBRID VIGOUR HEADQUARTERS

Story: Matthew Bekker MAgr PAS, Novus International Regional Manager, Northern Australia Image: KB Consulting

Girl Power Managing your breeding females to second conception What is you end goal? Whether you are targeting a large framed female delivering a high growth calf every year from 3 y.o. or a moderate framed early maturing female that will deliver a calf every year from 2y.o. It’s important to remember that decisions you make now will be reflected in you bull customers bottom line in 3 to 5 years and for a decade after that.

From the moment you join a bull and cow, or introduce a straw of semen you have dictated a large percentage of how the female calf will respond to your management practices, what conditions they will thrive in and their likelihood of success. Genetics will determine the potential, and phenotype reflects how you have enabled the animal to express those genetics.

Within the womb, your heifer calf should have enough nutrients to begin to express the genetic potential you paid for and planned. The science of Epigenetic (foetal) programming is in its infancy, but we know some key rules of thumb for managing the dams diet. Even when an animal has 15 months to grow and recover from any lack in nutrition, the damage is done. In research conducted by Funston at the University of Nebraska, heifer calves born to dams that received no supplementation had 13% lower conception rates at sexual maturity than those whose dams received 500 grams of a balanced supplement per day. Further, 30% more of the heifers from the supplemented dams conceived at first cycle.

The environment upon calving is also critical. In the first minutes to first weeks of life, bacteria colonise the small intestine and then the rumen. This is the second great input of genetic material and potential, as dominant rumen and intestinal microflora will set the young animal up for a lifetime of efficient grazing, or a lifetime of suboptimal health and ill thrift. Certainly maintain calving animals in a comfortable environment, but keep this inoculation of environmental bacteria in mind. The dam should be healthy with clean teats and the calving area clean. A cold clean paddock will be better than a warm shed with accumulated faeces.

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Once the calf hits the ground she is reliant on her dam to provide adequate nutrition and once Matthew and Sally Bekker again it’s the dam that requires the support. Up until now, the rumen of the dam has been shrinking as the calf and placenta grow out to around 70 litres of space. Consider that for a moment and think about what to feed the dam.

She needs a large amount of adequate quality feed of lower density that drives appetite and requires a reasonable stomach fill to ensure she feels full. The sooner you can get that rumen back to optimal turnover, the sooner she can maximise her milking potential. Calves learn all of their grazing behaviour by watching mum, so grazing management after 3-4 weeks should mimic the pastures you expect the heifer to breed on in future years.

Weaning provides an opportunity to introduce young heifers to many management practices and novel feeds you are likely to introduce later in their development. Yard weaning is critical in ensuring you reduce stress on both stockmen and the animals in the future, but you can do a lot in that 7-10 day period. Gentle introduction of machinery past the yard, a small amount of any novel feeds that you may use when they mature, and several dry runs through the race and crush.

Weaned heifers are often neglected as they grow quite well on average quality pasture. It is a delicate balancing act of enough without overdoing it. Mineralisation of bones and building vital organs happens during this phase so some

Images: Alison Bell

Inavale takes Toogoolawah title

mineral supplementation is often warranted.

Energy is important to monitor and can be overdone. One common example is fatty udder syndrome in heifers, where cellular development in the udder may partition in two directions. If there is too much energy available and the heifer is becoming fat, those cells will programme for fat and never develop into working mammary tissue, reducing her potential milk producing capacity.

The same thing is happening around critical organs such as reproductive organs choking their tone and elasticity.

Remember a heifer needs to be 60% of mature weight before she begins to cycle and this should be carried comfortably with adequate fat and skeletal structure. You need to ensure that a high percentage of animals in a particular management group will at least reach this goal before you join a bull or begin your AI programme. The fat an animal carries at her first cycle will generally dictate what condition score she needs to reach before she cycles again post calving.

Once your heifer is PTIC, you are probably heading into the second trimester and feeding for two by now. A growing womb and a shrinking area available for the rumen to work become important to keep front of mind. In this situation a nutrient rich, fibrous feed that can ensure the available rumen space is filled to capacity is important.

John and Alison Bell, Inavale Stud, Boonah recently took home the top selling steer at the Toogoolawah Show. The annual show played host to the Brangus Feature Show and Alison’s steer placed second in his respective class he latter realized $2320 at auction. Inavale also won the special class at the show, that of a Pen Replacement Heifers – Grassfed (Milk Tooth) and also gained two placings with their grass fed heifers in the milk and 2 tooth class. Both heifers were milk tooth.

Their grassfed steer placed third.

At Boonah Show they also tasted success winning the Grassfed Heifer class with their Pen 3 Heifers (Milk to 6 teeth) and second in the Single Grassfed Heifer (Milk to 6 teeth).

The Inavale entries were all milk tooth with the winners selling for $1680. Another prize taken out by the prefix was a second place in the Milk Tooth Steer Carcase class.

The $2,320 top selling steer at the Toogoolawah Show.

2016 Toogoolawah Brangus Feature Show results Seven studs exhibited a total of 38 head at the recent Brangus Feature Show, Toogoolawah, Saturday 4th June. The Association would like to express their appreciation and thanks to all organisers of the event. Special thanks to Tammy Robinson for all her efforts in making judging day and the evening function such a success.

Grand Champion Bull Duarran Jarman, Galloway Cattle Co Senior Champion Bull Duarran Jarman, Galloway Cattle Co

Exercise is probably the least considered aspect of pre-calving management with the greatest benefit to the heifer. Both Magnesium and Calcium are required for muscle signalling and contraction. Together with exercise and adequate energy supply, this can reduce your overall calving difficulties to nearly nil assists in some cases.

Reserve senior Champion Bull Weona Dallas, Weona Brangus

The feed in the last month pre-calving and the first 2 months post calving will be the most important of the young breeders life. If the available feed is not optimal, be prepared to invest in this period above any other because this is when you can ensure a heifer has the ability to remain a fertile breeding unit or fail to cycle in time. In this case you lose your most valuable resource because she is the most advanced genetic package you have bred and created another 2 years delay in which to breed another.

Reserve Senior Champion cow Punchagin Lucy 10th, Jeff Frank

Junior champion bull Glenheart Brando, Robinson Family Reserve junior bull Duarran Laredo, Galloway Cattle Co Grand Champion Cow Punchagin Jemma, Jeff Frank Senior Champion Cow Punchagin Jemma, Jeff Frank Junior Champion heifer Glenheart Beatrice, Robinson Family Reserve Junior Heifer Glenheart Brinley, Robinson Family Pair of bulls Glenheart Pair of females Punchagin Exhibitors Group Glenheart Judge Scott Dunlop, Jingeri, Proston Sponsors PBA Feeds, Allflex, Elders Stud Stock, ABCA. 51

2016 Toogoolawah Brangus Feature Show

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1. Grand champion female Punchagin Jemma with Jeff Frank, Alison Bell and judge Scott Dunlop.

2. Grand champion bull Duarran Jarman with Miss Showgirl Petrina Tuite, Toogoolawah, Rural Ambassador Megan Vetta and owner Ian Galloway.

3. Junior champion bull Glen Heart Brando with Tammie Robinson and Petrina Tuite.

4. Tammy Robinson and Ian Galloway enjoy the rain.

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5. John Bell and Mark Bauer.

6. Lucy Roche and Petrina Tuite.

DON’T MISS THE LAST FROM SOUTHWELL! Featuring the last offering by Doonside Trademark

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Alex & Emma Dodson EMEX PASTORAL CO Alex 0437 837 520 Emma 0427 516 742 southwellbrangus@bigpond.com

08 2016 Toogoolawah Brangus Feature Show

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9. Duarran Jarman.

10. Senior champion female Punchagin Jemma with Jeff Frank and Martin Rowlands.

7. Mark Beckman and Bill Brown.

8. Reserve champion heifer Glen Heart Brinley with Reg Robinson and Martin Rowlands.

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11. Judge Scott Dunlop and most successful exhibitor Reg Robinson, Glen Heart Brangus.

12. Junior champion bull class.

COOLABAH

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Exciting young teams Central Brangus Classic Sale 7 Sept 2016 • CQLX

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Recipe: Amanda Salisbury

Bimbadeen Sausage Rolls It’s not gourmet or complicated, but it smells awesome, tastes amazing & kids love it!

Prep time 20 minutes

Cook time Approx 20 minutes

Serves 12-15

Ingredients 1 kg beef sausage mince (from butcher or ‘skin’ already-made beef sausages) 2 eggs, lightly beaten (reserve about 1/4 for later) 2-3 carrot (grated) 2 zucchini (grated) 4-6 sheets puff pastry

Instructions 1. Preheat over to 180ºC (fan-forced preferably) and line trays with baking paper.

2. Place pastry sheets out on bench to thaw slightly.

3. Put all ingredients (except pastry) into a bowl.

4. Mix bowl ingredients with clean hands until combined and sticky.

5. Slice each sheet of pastry into quarters with a sharp knife.

6. Take filling mix and roll a palm full into each quarter of pastry.

7. Dole all mix out before rolling each pastry section firmly over the mixture to form a sausage roll.

8. Press at each end to seal.

9. Place on tray and then brush over with remaining egg mix.

10. Bake for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.

11. Serve hot with sauce of choice!

Can be frozen or used immediately.

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There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.

our 2016 offering

Roma

8 Bulls / 6 Females / 2 septemBer 2016

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Story: MLA Images: KB Consulting & MLA

Cattle genetics Key actions • Set the breeding objectives for your enterprise.

• Assess the merits of within-breed selection, changing breeds or crossbreeding • Use BreedObject™ or a similar procedure to develop an index, or refer to breed societies’ marketbased indexes.

• Select bulls or semen based on an appropriate $Index.

• Bring genetically unrelated bulls into the herd to avoid inbreeding.

for more efficient feed utilisation and growth rate. Genetics can also determine whether you can achieve a particular production target, like a higher level of marbling or a particular muscle score.

• Review your breeding program and tailor it to your requirements, In other situations, genetics can considering traits that are individually change the way you manage the herd important to your program. (eg reduced need for supervision at calving) and reduce operational costs • Ensure your breeding program matches your production system and (eg easier management resulting from selection for better temperament). the market being supplied.

Why is genetic improvement important?

Genetics sets the potential for upper or lower production limits that animals can achieve. This can impact on the goals for your beef enterprise, including your market options. Important beef enterprise profit drivers related to animal performance – including weaning rate, cow survival rate, cow weight, calving ease, sale weight, retail beef yield, P8 fat depth and marbling score – are influenced by the genetic make-up of the herd. Using the best cattle genetics allows you to improve the animals’ contribution to enterprise profit.

Use best cattle genetics to boost profitability Although animal genetics cannot improve non-animal production factors, such as pasture and grazing management, it can complement aspects of enterprise management, for example through greater capacity 58

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Genetic improvement is about producing the best genotypes of cattle to suit a specific beef enterprises, and genetic gain is cumulative, permanent and relatively cheap.

What is genetic improvement?

Genetic improvement is the use of genetically superior animals as parents of the next generation. The definition of genetic superiority will be a function of many variables, including the production environment and the market being supplied. Most measures of genetic superiority will be based on potential profitability of the genotype for the given production environment and market being supplied. Not all genetic superiority needs to be based on profit but in commercial cattle enterprises, profitability is likely to be most important.

Genetic improvement should be continuous, and the most important variable that will limit continuous improvement is inbreeding. A

sustainable genetic improvement program must manage inbreeding.

Other important considerations A genetic improvement program must be designed in conjunction with culling decisions that influence the current herd and the existing herd management, and with consideration of markets being supplied.

How does this module assist you?

This module assumes that you have made the tactical decision to run a commercial breeding herd. Therefore, you need to select a bull to breed calves. Given that decision, this module will help you buy a bull that is value for money because it improves the genetics that are related to profit in your herd. If you are still undecided about running a commercial breeding herd, then you need to look at Module 1: Setting directions.

This module will assist the discerning commercial breeder whose main avenue for ongoing genetic improvement is through buying-in bulls or semen. It is not specifically designed for seedstock or stud breeders but the principles of setting a breeding objective are still the same. It takes you through the steps of establishing the breeding program to achieve animal production targets that contribute to enterprise profit. It also considers the implications of changing breeds or crossbreeding, and provides a guide to selecting the best bulls for your enterprise and setting up a mating program.

Linkages to other modules

Procedure 1

The target markets and proposed herd structure for the beef enterprise are identified in Module 1: Setting directions, in relation to the pattern of pasture growth, long-term market prices, availability of finance and owner/manager goals and constraints.

Module 1 also provides guidelines for determining the current performance of the herd. There is a clear linkage to Module 7: Meeting market specifications and Module 5: Weaner throughput.

Use BreedObject to develop an appropriate breeding objective for the herd and calculate a selection index

Principles of cattle genetics Some traits of cattle are under genetic control (heritable) and can be exploited to increase herd profitability. Traits that are economically important and are heritable should be included in the breeding objective of beef herds.

Variation for economically important traits occurs within breeds and between breeds, and some variation can be created by crossbreeds. All sources of genetic variation should be considered when planning a breeding program.

Bulls have a major influence on commercial breeding programs because of the number of calves they sire. Selection of sires is a critical control point in the operation of an effective breeding program.

Genetic improvement should be considered in conjunction with non-genetic means of improving performance (eg current herd selection, improved nutrition or changes to market procedures), which may be more cost-effective.

Procedures for using best cattle genetics • Procedure 1 – Use BreedObject • Procedure 2 – Select breed • Procedure 3 – Buy the right bulls • Procedure 4 – Trait emphasis • Procedure 5 – Culling policies

This procedure covers: • guidelines for setting the breeding objective • breeding objective • BreedObject™

Guidelines for setting the breeding objective Correctly setting the breeding objective for the production system and target market is critical. It defines the target for genetic improvement that maximises profit for the beef enterprise. If the breeding objective is inappropriate, the wrong emphasis may be placed on important traits (eg carcase weight or mature weight versus weaning rate).

The breeding objective lists the animal traits that affect enterprise profitability, and gives an estimate of the relative economic importance of each trait.

The economic value of changing each important animal trait is calculated from financial and production data, preferably when setting the enterprises direction (see Module 1: Setting directions), but other approaches can be taken, such as using BreedObject.

The breeding objective is based on the ‘ideal’ animal for a particular enterprise To initiate calculation of a breeding objective, the dollar value of one unit of change in each trait in the objective (eg 1kg of sale weight) is calculated while holding all other trait values constant.

This calculation is the economic value for the trait. BreedObject software performs this calculation using costs, returns and current performance levels (eg sale weight 400kg or weaning 85%) for the enterprise recorded using a questionnaire.

The outcome of developing a breeding objective should be a list of traits with their relative importance to your herd profit. BreedObject is the most precise way to calculate the economic values of desirable traits, but other methods can be used. You can still use the procedures in this module if you have determined the breeding objective without using BreedObject.

The economic values may be informative when choosing between breeds as an indicator of what traits to look for in a potential new breed, but knowledge of the genetic merit of breeds is essential to make informed decisions. Changing breeds will make quantum changes in some traits and the relativity between traits will be quite different. If deciding to change breeds or switch to a crossbreeding program, you may need to recalculate the breeding objective because the average performance levels of the cattle will change.

BreedObject calculates a dollar index ($Index) for animals specific to the breeding objective Once the economic value is calculated, BreedObject uses known relationships between objective traits and estimated breeding values (EBVs) to calculate an appropriate weighting for each EBV that will optimise progress towards the defined objective. Multiplying EBVs for individual animals by the weightings, then summing these values gives the $Index value. The $Index value is a measure of the genetic merit of the individual animal for the breeding objective; it describes how well an individual animal suits its intended purpose.

A number of breed societies have generic, market-based breeding objectives and selection indexes available on their websites, allowing commercial breeders to search for bulls that fit within their target index specifications (see Tool 4.1). These indexes are a very good guide as the objectives for many enterprises will be similar, and will rank animals similarly.

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The breed-based indexes have been calculated from very good industry feedback on the costs, returns and trait performance levels of the production system and target market.

Most commercial producers would be well advised to start with one of the standard breed society indexes and modify their selection procedures using a process described in Procedure 4.

A breeding objective The breeding objective is the ‘ideal’ animal the producer aims to breed.

included. Negative values can occur (eg for cow weight), meaning that a 1kg increase will reduce profit.

In this case, the extra costs of feeding the cow due to an increase in weight are greater than the extra value of the carcase when the cow is finally culled from the herd.

Table 1 also provides the relative economic values, which indicate the importance of each trait for breeding for intended market, taking into account the scope for genetic improvement (ie heritability). In this

It is a genetic description that includes all the animal traits affecting profit (eg sale weight and weaning Trait rate), as well as the importance Sale liveweight – direct effects of each trait to achieve a Sale liveweight – maternal effects change in profit (economic value). The breeding objective Dressing percentage is specific to the intended Saleable meat percentage market, the production system, Fat depth (rump) management environment and the current level of herd Cow weaning rate performance (eg current sale Marbling score weight and current weaning Cow survival rate percentage).

Economic considerations need to include all the factors affecting returns and costs.

Returns are affected by the weight and price per unit of beef product sold, and premiums and discounts applying to particular traits.

Cost of supplying extra feed, time taken to manage calving heifers and the cost of labour are examples of cost factors.

example, for a Bos taurus breed supplying a high quality export market, marble score is most important, then weaning rate, calving ease and sale weight. Trait importance can change for different production systems and market endpoints. It can also differ among breeds addressing similar markets. These relative values are often depicted graphically (Figure 1).

These graphical representations of trait importance for all breed indexes are available on the BreedObject website: www.breedobject.com Article Continues pg 62

Economic values

Relative economic values

0.614 $/kg

14.7 $

0.421 $/kg

3.0 $

9.568 $/%

9.9 $

7.808 $/%

11.6 $

0.000 $/mm

0.0 $

2.239 $/%

17.9 $

50.913 $/score

22.2 $

2.880 $/%

5.0 $

–0.203 $/kg

–6.1 $

Calving ease – direct effects

2.778 $/%

15.9 $

Calving ease – maternal effects

2.778 $/%

6.4 $

Cow weight

Table 1: Example of trait values for a Bos taurus breed supplying the Japanese market.

Long Fed / CAAB Index - Profit Drivers Sale Liveweight Dir. Sale Liveweight Mat. Dressing %

17% 3% 12%

Using this economic data, the Saleable Meat % 14% value of one unit of change in each trait (eg 1kg of carcase Fat Depth (Rump) 0% weight) of the breeding Cow Weaning Rate 5% objective is assessed. Table 1 shows an example of the Marbling Score 24% traits included in the objective Cow Survival Rate 7% and the economic values of traits. Economic values allow Cow Weight -3% for the time taken until traits Calving Ease Dir. 10% are expressed (eg carcase Calving Ease Mat. 4% weight of steer progeny occurs sooner than lifetime reproduction occurs in female progeny). The benefits passed Figure 1: Example of the relative importance of objective traits at the genetic level for a on to later generations are also specific breeding objective 60

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All this information can be combined into one figure, the $Index, to rank and compare bulls on their combined genetic worth for the production system and intended market. Use this as the primary ranking for bulls being considered as sires, after which you should consider the underlying component traits in any bulls of interest to the breeding program.

What is an EBV? An animal’s breeding value can be defined as its genetic merit for each trait.

While it is not possible to determine an animal’s true breeding value, we can estimate it. These estimates of an animal’s true breeding value are called estimated breeding values, or EBVs. EBVs are expressed as the difference between an individual animal’s genetics and the genetic base to which the animal is compared. EBVs are reported in the units in which the measurements are taken (eg kilograms for weight EBVs). A value of +12kg for 40-day weight means the animal is genetically superior by 12kg at 400 days compared with the genetic base of the relevant cattle population.

On average, half of this difference will be passed on to the animal’s progeny.

need from animals for a given market production system, and it helps you identify seedstock that will be best suited to this. BreedObject $Indexes are intended for use by stud and commercial beef producers.

BreedObject collates the BREEDPLAN EBVs on bulls into a single EBV, the $Index, which describes how well a bulls suits a particular purpose. If you are interested in more than one type of commercial production purpose, you will be interested in more than one $Index.

Some other points to consider:

BreedObject is customisable to any • Bull breeders – focus on the commercial herd market production commercial market production system. For any given system, the first system/s of your main clients. step is to complete a trait-level analysis • Bull buyers – focus on the of which factors affect profit. In a commercial market production to be second step, use BreedObject to assess addressed by your main class of sale what emphasis is justified (to address animal (eg steers). the target) on the different EBVs that • Focus on the whole production are available for the animals. These system, in general; from cow–calf differing emphases are reflected in the production to finishing. $Index value calculated for each animal.

Differences in the $Index values calculated describe how animals are expected to benefit production system profitability when production is for the described purpose. The $Index is an EBV for profit for this production purpose. Ranking seedstock on their $Index sorts them for their progeny’s BREEDPLAN considers all the pedigree expected profitability for the targeted production system. and performance information that is available on an animal and its relatives BreedObject $Indexes assess genetic to produce an estimate of potential for progeny performance. an animal’s breeding value (ie an EBV).

BREEDPLAN is a similar technology to that which has been used by the pig, poultry and dairy industries to make such dramatic production changes over the past few decades. It has worked wonderfully well for those industries, and works just as well for the genetic evaluation of beef cattle.

BreedObject™ BreedObject is a tool for formalising breeding objectives and $Indexes that can help you breed more profitable cattle. It uses BREEDPLAN EBVs. It helps you target the type of commercial herd performance you 62

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This is the most important step. Your knowledge and ability to describe this system is the key to customising your index. Think about how animals will be used, over what type of cows and in which environment, and the likely levels of production, costs and prices.

Then complete the short, multiplechoice questionnaire online. Aim to use estimates and levels that apply under good management that you think will be relevant into the future.

• Consider making separate cases where it is difficult to decide between competing systems or views of the future. It can be helpful to see how animals rank for several purposes.

2. Assess trait importance

The information you provide through the questionnaire is used to assess the impacts that trait changes will have on profit. These are examined using a detailed herd model. All traits that directly affect costs or returns are They tell you what to expect from considered. The assessment for each progeny on average. They don’t describe trait assumes levels of the other traits how bulls themselves will perform, remain unchanged. for example during joining. Issues of The results on trait importance take structural and reproductive soundness into account the assessed effect on need to be considered in the usual way. profit and the amount of genetic BreedObject on the web provides easy access to all vendors so you can discuss variation available for change in a trait.

These results are illustrated graphically these and other matters. and are automatically available for your Developing your own $Index is breeding objective. achieved in two stages. First, use your 3. Construct the best $Index knowledge to assess trait importance for the market production system you Once the trait importance has been visualise. Then, determine the $Index determined, the $Index of available of EBVs that best targets the identified EBVs that best correlates with this is trait importance. automatically constructed.

1. Identify the commercial market production system 1. to be targeted

Article Continues pg 64

This $Index takes account of the assessed economic importance of traits, of the genetic variation for – and associations among – traits, and of any other herd-specific information you provided.

Results on the percentage emphasis being applied on each EBV are illustrated graphically, and are automatically available for your $Index.

4. Using your $Index Your $Index is immediately and automatically available for use online.

The applications are the same as those available to any other $Index. It can be applied to the EBVs of animals in your own herd to help with selection, to the EBVs of published sires, or to the EBVs of animals in sale or semen catalogue listings to help with bull or semen purchase.

Any $Index you derive is automatically added to the list of $Indexes that are available to you. These $Indexes are easily selected or de-selected for display, and your $Indexes can be edited or deleted at any time.

BreedObject is a commercial software available at www.breedobject.com The software allows calculation of tailored breeding objectives using a simple questionnaire, or more sophisticated calculation of a breeding objective and an index by using a consultant. Once developed on a password-secured site, the personalised index can be applied to any animals listed on the BREEDPLAN system.

What to measure and when Annually, review any changes that have been made to your production environment or target market. If significant changes have occurred, you may need to reset your breeding objective.

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Procedure 2 Select the most profitable breed or crossbreeding system to achieve genetic progress Guidelines for selecting the breeding system Consider selection of the best genotype for your enterprise as part of setting the enterprise direction (refer to Procedure 1 of Module 1: Setting directions).

Assess merits of a change in breed or crossbreeding compared to withinbreed selection only Evaluate the merits of changing breeds, crossbreeding or within-breed selection alone. In general, the genetic variation within breeds is large and will allow many breeds to compete in a range of markets. So the decision about whether to move to an alternative breed or cross will be based on an assessment of whether the size of the changes needed in the traits of your current herd is so great that it will take too long to achieve by simply selecting better bulls within your existing breed or source of bulls. It is important to calculate the costs, time and effort required to implement a new breeding system to ensure that the advantages outweigh the difficulties.

• Build up to the desired breed or combination by crossing with bulls from the chosen breeds. This option is slower, but is generally less costly and brings with it the complementary hybrid vigour that comes from crossing genotypes during the transition to the new breed or breed combination.

• Decide what the ongoing breeding program will be: a designed crossbreeding program or a straight breeding program using the new breed.

Although ongoing advantages can be achieved by implementing a planned crossbreeding program, some of the potential disadvantages include: • additional herd management associated with crossbreeding • potential discounting of crossbred animals, particularly for some breeds when sold through the saleyard system or to specialised markets that specify breed composition • time and cost required to bring the herd into ‘equilibrium’ • suitability of crossbreeding to larger herds that have more bulls and larger lines of sale animals.

Sources of information for breed and crossbreed averages for important traits are presented in Tool 4.2 and Tool 4.3. Tool 4.2 provides information about multibreed EBVs that allow valid comparisons of bulls across a selection Economic values calculated in of breeds for a range of traits. The Procedure 1 can help identify the most comparison is limited by the lack of data beneficial traits for improvement. required for head-to-head comparisons But changing breeds may cause large of breeds, and is currently restricted changes in some traits, and may change to the Angus, Hereford, Limousin and the relativity between traits, such that Simmental breeds. Unfortunately, little a decision to change breeds will require extra data has been generated and no an iteration of Procedure 1 to calculate new multibreed comparisons have been a new index. published.

Options to change herd genetics After deciding on breed and whether • Replace the existing herd by buying in an alternative breed. This is the quickest method, but also the most costly. Embryo transfer is also an option, although this may too expensive for most commercial operations.

to crossbreed, further genetic progress relies on selection of replacement bulls within the available genotypes (see Procedure 3).

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What to measure and when Consider a change in genotype when: • potential genetic improvement (for economically important traits) within breed isn’t adequate to make the required changes for your program • potential for marginal return on investment for an alternative breed is greater than for other investment options • cash flow during the transition period to the new breed or cross is maintained at acceptable levels.

This is a strategic decision. The measures that are needed for an economic evaluation of options are described in Module 1: Setting directions.

Procedure 3 Buy the right bulls (or semen) to maximise progress toward enterprise profit (the breeding objective) and avoid inbreeding.

Guidelines for buying the right bulls The purchased bulls, or semen for an artificial insemination program, need to provide the best value for the financial outlay. Regardless of the breeding program, the genetic value of a bull to an enterprise is based on how well its individual attributes fit the herd’s breeding objective.

EBVs are always the best estimate of the genetic potential for a trait.

Accuracies that accompany the EBV value indicate how much information has been recorded for a particular animal for the reported trait. The accuracies improve with the more information collected (see Tool 4.4).

Relate the price you can ‘afford’ for a bull to the bull’s potential earning capacity. The most profitable bulls for your herd will be those with the greatest difference between predicted earning capacity and purchase price.

These bulls may not always be those with the highest genetic merit.

means that trait hasn’t been recorded.)

Use this information to select the bull with the highest genetic value for your herd’s breeding objective from those with the greatest difference between estimated earning capacity and purchase price. Tool 4.5 will assist you to avoid two common pitfalls when buying bulls:

Predict the value of bulls for improving enterprise profitability

• paying too much for the apparent ‘super bull’ when the second best bull is better value

• estimate the earning capacity of bulls based on the index value and the projected pattern of use (number of cows per year × number of years used) (see Tool 4.5)

Choosing a bull is the decision point at which inbreeding should be considered.

In commercial herds, a rule of thumb is to avoid successive bull purchases that have a common parent. Inbreeding is a major impediment to the genetic progress of bull breeders, and mostly Use the $Index value for all bulls you they try to change genetic lines on a are considering to compare their prices. regular basis.

The index value is in dollars per cow Check bulls for structural soundness mated. As a guide to a bull’s value, at purchase and annually before multiply the index value by the likely mating number of cows he will be mated to Remember that the physical ability of in his working life. For example, the bulls to sire many calves is a primary bull will be used for four years over consideration. The selection of bulls for 50 cows per year (200 cows). This maximum fertility based on structural value is a good guide for comparing soundness and libido are discussed bulls. A bull with an index value of 100 in Procedure 1 of Module 5: Weaner compared to a bull with an index of 50 throughput. Management can also play is worth $5,000 extra (ie 200 cows x $50 index points x 0.5). Multiply by 0.5 a large role in bull fertility. Prevention of infectious reproductive diseases is because only half of the value comes outlined in Procedure 1 of Module 6: from the bull. This calculation doesn’t set the price, because it depends on the Herd health and welfare. average for the sale, which depends on many other factors (see Tool 4.5 for a guide to valuing your bull purchase).

What to measure and when

• paying too much for the worst bull in a sale catalogue because he was less expensive.

Ensure that your bull supplier is accurately recording all possible traits associated with traits that are economically important to your breeding program. If a bull breeder is recording all important traits, it will be reflected in the accuracies of the Use EBVs related to the traits identified EBVs presented (see Tool 4.4). As a in Procedure 1 to select the best bulls guide, young bulls should have all EBVs for the breeding program, as they are displayed with accuracies between 50– important to the breeding objective 60% for weight traits. Traits of lower Measure the value of a bull by its ‘fit’ heritability will have lower accuracies.

(If EBVs aren’t displayed, it generally with your breeding objective 66

Spring – 2016

When a new bull purchase is being considered, and before mating each year: • assess the genetic merit of prospective bull purchases

• assess structural soundness of the bull battery • assess the accuracy of information given to you by your bull breeder (see Tool 4.4 to find information that is recorded on sale bulls and the subsequent accuracies associated with the EBVs).

Article Continues pg 68

Castle Brangus EST. 1990

67

Procedure 4

cut-off on individual traits will only marginally reduce progress towards a profit objective. For example, Table 1 shows that bulls selected with high indexes can have quite varying birth weight EBVs.

Modify trait emphasis in line with individual herd requirements The process of developing a breeding objective is an essential and very sound genetic improvement principle. Even taking the easiest and most practical approach of using an index developed by a breed society – and thus using the objective developed during the development of that index – will be a sound first step in designing a breeding program. But in all breeding programs, individual requirements will be brought about by differences in the production environment and markets, and personal preferences.

Breeders may require modification of trait emphasis to: • minimise calving difficulty because of inability (extensive enterprise or difficult topography) or disinclination to handle calving difficulties

Some traits that are important to the breeding enterprise do not have EBVs, and therefore those traits aren’t included in the index. There is little option other than imposing independent culling on these traits, which include the structural traits (eg teats and udders).

What to measure and when

• Calving ease EBV for bulls allocated to weaner heifers, or birth weight EBVs when calving ease EBVs are not available.

When allocating bulls to mating groups, reduce the risk of inbreeding and • Male parentage of all cows in dystocia and match traits, if required: the herd. (Do this in age groups if individual identification is not • Mate bulls with the highest EBV for recorded.) calving ease to heifers, but remember that half of the genetics for calving ease comes from the maternal grand sire, so reducing calving ease may take more than one generation. Even older cows shouldn’t be mated to extremely high birthweight bulls because if you keep heifers resulting from that mating, they will carry genes for high birthweight.

• meet market specifications of higher yield or different maturity types

Special requirements can easily be catered for within the bulls that are high ranking on an index. Bulls may achieve high index values for different reasons, so applying an independent

• Minimise inbreeding by preventing the mating of bulls with daughters or with cows that have a common parent (half-brothers and halfsisters).

Another decision point for control of the individual traits and for inbreeding is when allocating bulls to the mating groups.

• improve temperament due to inability to handle flighty cattle

• meet personal estimations of future market requirements (ie bulls selected today won’t produce sale progeny for at least 18 months, and 2–3 years in most cases).

• Match strengths and weaknesses of cow groups by allocating different sires. An example may be earlier maturing (low frame size) cows may be mated to later maturing bulls, or vice versa, if maturity type is important to your objective.

• Monitor growth rates, turn-off age and turn-off fatness (see Module 7: Meeting market specifications).

• Monitor feedback from kill sheets and note any unwarranted trends that may need correction (see Module 7: Meeting market specifications).

• If possible, mate bulls from a breed with a lower mature size to heifers.

(This is especially effective in a crossbreeding program where differences in mature size and hybrid vigour can cause increased birthweights, and therefore increased calving difficulties.)

Article Continues pg 70

Name/ID

Calving Ease Dir (%)

Calving Ease Dtrs (%)

Gestation Length (days)

Birth Wt. (KG)

200 Day Wt. (kg)

400 Day Wt. (kg)

600 Day Wt. (kg)

Mat. Cow Wt. (kg)

Scrotal Size (cm)

Days to Calving (days)

Eye Muscle Area (sq.cm)

Rump Fat (mm)

Retail Beef Yield (%)

IMF (%)

Long Fed CAAB Index

Bull A

2.4

1.7

-5

1.9

40

86

112

85

1.2

-4.3

9.4

1.2

0.4

3.3

159

Bull B

-3.6

0.8

-0.5

6.3

45

79

104

73

0.4

-1.8

12.9

0.8

1.6

3.5

158

Bull C

2.7

0.8

-3.5

3.6

42

90

107

71

1.8

-3.2

9.6

0.5

0.6

3.3

158

Bull D

0.3

1

-1.4

3.2

40

80

101

73

1.7

-3.4

11.4

2.2

0.7

3.6

158

Bull E

-2.6

0.6

-2.8

7.3

52

94

115

91

1.2

-2.8

11.2

0.3

1.3

3.3

157

Bull F

2.5

0.9

-3.2

1.7

34

88

105

76

2.3

-4.2

9.9

0.4

1

3.3

157

Breed Avg.

0

0.4

-2.6

4.5

37

69

88

81

1.3

-2.6

3

-01

0.2

0.9

90

Table 1: Five young Angus bulls with similar index values show variation in production traits 68

Spring – 2016

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Rural Supplements have carefully assessed all innovations in the feed industry over the last several decades and when they haven’t been happy with what they found, have gone hunting for novel ingredients. The result of this is new science that delivers more effective, safer, more economical and reliable feed options.

We commenced using Rural Supplements Multi Lik and Maxi Lik in January 2014 when the season didn’t break. At the same time we experienced a massive heat wave that severely affected our 2000 plus breeding cows. The turnaround in the strength and energy in the cows and calves was almost immediate, added to this is the fact that there was no risk of urea poisoning if the product got rain on it which is a major consideration at all times in this area.

The ability to easily vary the mix of the product to control intake is also a good feature.

The Rural Supplement products our company use are very economical. Steers on the Multi Lik always hold condition even when the grass deteriates and move ahead quickly when the season breaks. The older cattle on the Turbo Power will gain weight even when the fodder disappears, which enables us to have prime cattle to sell all the time. The team at Rural Supplements are easy to deal with and are always on time with the product.

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We’ve used Rural Supplements feed for the past five years for all our sale bull preparation we find the products consistent and reliable our bulls are presented very well. We use yearling developer early in our preparation and stud conditioner for the final six to eight weeks of sale preparation and find the coats and level of finish we get are consistently very good. We’ve also used the Turbo Power and Multi Lik for drought supplement also with great results.

Sue’s family property is in the coastal wallum country and the breeders are better than they have ever been using Multi Lik.

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Procedure 5 Implement sound culling, management and marketing policies to complement the genetic improvement program For some traits, it may be more cost-effective to make improvement by culling non-performers or by management. Repeatability can be as important as heritability for traits that are repeated annually, such as calving success and weaning weight of the calf. Fertility traits tend to have lower heritability but are economically important in most breeding programs.

In some enterprises, it is more efficient to improve fertility by culling nonperformers, or by improving nutrition or management.

Management influences – especially nutrition – can overcome some genetic deficiencies. For example, lower fattening ability is not a problem if nutrition is adequate, such as in feedlot finishing.

One of the most important nutritional considerations is the time of calving.

In principle, timing for mating should coincide with timing for reliable high quality feed (see Module 3: Pasture utilisation).

The chosen market should also be considered as a variable in the enterprise mix. Strategic decisions about which market to target should 70

Spring – 2016

be made based on sound economic considerations. Chasing a high priced market may be a false economy if major changes to the breeding program are required.

Commonly used genetics terms

the trait is very complex. A singlepronged approach will be unlikely to result in large changes, but multiple approaches including genetics, culling and nutrition can be very rewarding.

BreedObject™ A software package that can calculate a dollar index ($Index) value for animals specific to the breeding objective for your herd.

Estimated breeding value (EBV) An estimate of an animal’s genetic worth for a particular trait. The estimation can be based on the animal’s For example, herds with high calving own phenotypes or its’ relatives, for rates (greater than 85%) and a the same or different traits to the breeding program of selecting heifers trait of interest. This is made possible by short joining (6 weeks) at a young by knowing the genetic relationships age (15 months) will select for heifers between animals and the genetic with early age at puberty. If empty cows correlations between the heritabilities are culled after pregnancy testing for of traits. The bull and cow each the second calf, the remaining cows in contribute a random sample of their the herd will have short post-partum genes to their offspring, half from anoestrus. Both early age at puberty each, meaning that half of the EBV of and short post-partum anoestrus are each parent is the contribution to their associated with improved lifetime progeny. reproductive performance. A culling Breeding objective procedure based on these principles Relates the goal of the breeding will make only a small genetic program to the traits that need to be improvement but it will improve the improved to contribute to the overall repeatability of these traits. Selecting enterprise objective (presumably for repeatability of a trait (ie selecting economic gain, for the most part). young animals for traits that will be repeated at older ages) is likely to Selection index improve profit more than just selecting A single EBV that describes how well for sires with higher fertility EBVs (ie animals suit a particular purpose days to calving, scrotal size). (objective). It is a weighted combination of all available EBVs into a single dollar Calving ease may be used as a second index value ($EBV). example. Again, heritability is low and

Maximum returns will result from integrating genetic improvement programs, culling and management.

What to measure and when • Performance level of economically important traits • calving rate • calves born in first cycle • compliance to market specifications (weight, fat, marbling) • Nutrition and climatic conditions • decisions to change should not be made in extremes, such as droughts or extremely good seasons • Age and weight at sale.

Find the full Cattle Genetics module on the Meat & Livestock Australia website http://mbfp.mla.com.au/cattle-genetics

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Images: Telpara Hills

Telpara beef on the menu The prestige of Brangus beef is continuing to rise as Telpara Hills branded beef is offered at Cairn’s new steakhouse, Tenderhooks at Yorkey’s Knob Boatclub.

In a bid to create a market premium for their bull clients and integrate more into the retail beef industry, the Pearce family, Telpara Hills, Atherton, Tenderhooks Bar and Grill and Atherton Tablelands meat wholesaler, Morganbury Meats have joined forces to offer customers a new dining experience.

In late February of this year, the new million dollar, Tenderhooks Bar and Grill threw open it’s doors. Located at the Yorkeys Knob Boating Club, Cairns the new steakhouse and menu is finding favour with customers as table bookings are above and beyond expectations.

Telpara Hills beef is being highlighted on the menu along with other local produce which is placed with pride next to premium products brought in from further afield. Their grassfed beef has become a favourite, often outselling world-renown Cabassi Waygu, Trevor, Maureen, Fiona, Stephen and Brittany Pearce formed the alliance by sourcing quality grass fed Brangus beef sired by Telpara Hills genetics to the new outlet that boasts an address of national and international importance, high tourist traffic and views of the Coral Sea. Brokering the partnership between Telpara Hills and Tenderhooks was Morganbury Meats owner, Chris Greenwood adding “I see weight range and salvage (fat cover) as paramount in a bid to achieve the level of consistency required for a outlet such as this. In our business it’s imperative that you have consistency, the only way we could guarantee eating quality coupled with these carcase traits needed to deliver a consistent quality portion size was to 72

Spring – 2016

source the best, which lead us to this partnership with the Pearce family.”

Stuart Vella, General Manager, Yorkeys Knob Boating Club also commented on the partnership saying, “There is I believe, a serious lack of good quality beef being served where the other ingredients really speak up. Luckily we’ve got some of the best grass-fed product in Australia.”

It’s the end product that the Telpara prefix is most connected with and it’s that potential that has the Pearce family excited about the future with Stephen saying “We’re all about improving this industry, we’ve instigated a buy back programme on the progeny sired by our bulls provided they meet the

specifications, in the end it’s potentially getting more value for our clientele, after all, the reason we’re all here is that people eat beef.” He went onto say “This is great news for beef producers who are using our genetics, an additional premium may be available for your steers and heifers. With Chris Greenwood we’re seeking cattle that suit the Telpara Hills branded line of beef for Tenderhooks, it’s a great opportunity for producers to capture ‘value add’ for breeding outstanding cattle, it’s also a huge opportunity to demonstrate to restaurant patrons what the combination of good cattle and great farming can produce.” Stephen reiterated the conditions under which beef can be

Tenderhooks – the new dining experience Handcrafted knives, innovative table setting and accompaniments, photography, tablet ordering, information and stories behind the dishes and a ‘state of the art’ US made broiler used in the cooking process add to the ambience, the new dining experience called Tenderhooks.

Steaks are cooked in the broiler via infrared ceramic tiles retaining all the natural juices and flavour of the meat. At a temperature of 873°C the meat is sealed instantly producing a consistent product and meal every time.

There are thought to be only two such devises in Australia as opposed to the more common method of char grilling that can lose heat when fully loaded leading to a less consistent product.

used at the establishment, adding “There’s a limited availability and specifications, including breeding, size, condition, feeding & animal welfare.”

In summation Stephen said “We’re seedstock producers, we supply genetic material in a bid to improve the industry, in the past and up until this point we weren’t directly involved in the delivery of a quality end product. There’s huge potential for the equivalent of say, a King Island type product for the region, we’ve just to assemble all these types of quality cattle to create value for all connected.”

top Pearce family at the Tenderhooks launch. middle row Cryovac Telpara Hills branded beef • Quality Brangus beef served on the opening night. bottom Steaks cooking in the broiler via infrared ceramic tiles. This machine is one of only two in use in Australia.

OPPosing page The broiler operates at 873°C, sealing the meat instantly thus producing a consistent product every time.

73

Images: Glenoyra Brangus

Breed display wins Farmfest award The ABCA display recently took out the Wesfarmers Federation Insurance Livestock Perpetual Beef Cattle Champion Display at this years Farmfest Field Days, Toowoomba, June 7th to 9th.

Accepting the award on behalf of the ABCA was Mark Beckman who took the opportunity to thank all who assisted in the donation of materials and their time to upgrade the site, making it more visitor friendly and enabling the society to more effectively showcase the breed.

Brangus where well represented in the ring in both the ‘Battle Of The Bulls and Females’ with the Glen Heart stud entries taking out both the Champion Tropical Bull and Female.

This year saw the largest number of visitors flow through the Brangus site to find out the benefits of breeding Brangus. Participating studs where Glenoyra, Rockyview, Kurrajong and Glen Heart.

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74

Spring – 2016

GET THE RESULTS YOU DESERVE!

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Upcoming sales Central Brangus Classic In all 120 registered and purebred herd bulls will be offered at the annual Central Brangus Classic Sale, CQLX, Gracemere, Wednesday, September 7th commencing at 10am.

Major sponsor, Merial will stage a ‘Bull Walk’ where light refreshments will be served at 4pm on the day previous (September 6).

Selling agents are Landmark and Elders.

Palgrove This years annual Palgrove Sale features a new date, Friday September 9 at Strathgarve, Dalveen via Warwick.

Principals, David and Prue Bonfield and family have drawn a catalogue composed of 165 bulls that includes 45 Ultrablack bulls.

The 2016 offering involves progeny by many ‘first release’ sires. Interfaced with AuctionsPlus their 2016 sale will be include the electronic medium’s new audio and video facility.

Prospective buyers who may not be able to physically attend the sale will have the option of utilizing this new innovative area of AuctionsPlus.

Central Queensland Angus and Brangus Sale A new sale will appear on this years 2016 Spring Sale calendar in central Queensland with the formation of the Central Queensland Angus Brangus Sale.

Five vendors have lent their support to the sale that will field a team of 80 bulls at the AgGrow Field Day site, 10am Monday, September 12.

Vendors supporting the sale are Brad and Vicki Hanson, Bullakeana Stud, Moura (7 bulls), Brad Saunders, Pheasant Creek Stud, Wowan (10 bulls), Gavin McKenzie, Tannyfoil Stud, Blackwater (5 bulls), Glen McKinlay, Springsure (15 head) and the Chappell family, Dulverton Angus, Glenn Innes, NSW have 45 bulls in the sale.

Duarran Sale Roma prefix, Duarran operated by Ian and Anne Galloway will conduct their annual on-property sale, 12 noon, September 22nd.

On offer will be about 70 red and black Brangus bulls and 30 Red Brangus heifers.

The bulls are by 15 leading homebred sires while the heifers on offer will be recently mated to the prefixes leading sires and will in age range from 18 to 20 months of age. Ian Galloway believes that the 2016 lineup is the most consistent line of bulls that the prefix has taken to auction, with all exhibiting plenty of muscle and bone. Condition wise, Ian report that the bulls are looking very good after a late oats planting.

Triple B Sale Lindsay and Fiona Barlow and family will conduct their annual Triple B Brangus Production Sale, on property, Araluen, Dingo, September 28 at 11am.

On offer this year will be 80 bulls, 12 ‘Elite’ registered heifers and 200 purebred heifers. The bulls (av 24 mths of age) and 12 Elite females (av 13 mths of age) boast above breed averages for all BreedPlan figures.

First sons of international sires Southern Dealmaker 468W40, IH Bar None 820Y8 and WAT Led Gun 33P6 and the Australian bred Bonox 660 are included in the draft. Sons of impact sires Csonka of Brinks 30R4, Brinks Bright Side 607L11 and Suhn’s Next Step 331R7 are also represented along with first release AI Sires Bragg of RRR795W11, CB Final Cut 924X, SF Dependence 535U24 and 101 Ranger 99W11.

Elders Legacy Of Ladies Female Sale Seven leading females will be offered at the ‘Elders Legacy Of Ladies Female Sale’ at the Gracemere Hotel, Monday 10th October.

As part of the 40th anniversary sale celebrations, sale proceedings kick off at between 6 and 6.30pm in the form of ‘meet and greet’ in the Beer Garden at the Hotel with the sale to commence at 7.30 that evening. Sole selling agents, Elders have also enlisted the support of AuctionsPlus for the sale.

The entire group of females will be able to be viewed at the Gracemere Saleyards from Sunday afternoon, October 9th.

Vendors supporting the event are the Voewood, Bonox, Telpara Hills, Oaklands, Bullakeana, Alkoomie and Yarrandoo prefixes.

Classic Red Brangus Sale Eighty red Brangus bulls have been catalogued for the forthcoming eight annual Classic Red Brangus Sale, Tuesday, 20th September at 10am at CQLX, Gracemere.

In all ten vendors from two states have supported the offering of both Registered and purebred herd bulls.

Vendors include Redline, Tannyfoil, Bimbadeen, Duff, Doonside, GL Brangus, Jateebee, Mawson Pastoral Company, Chadwick Downs and Charlevue.

Agents for the sale are Elders and Ray White Livestock.

76

Spring – 2016

Nindooinbah The annual Nindooinbah Spring Bull and Female Sale will be conducted at Nindooinbah, Beaudesert, 1pm Thursday 13th October. On offer will be 90 bull and 50 females.

Fifty Ultrablack bulls along with 40 Brangus bulls, accompany a female section of the sale comprises 50 Ultrablack and Brangus females.

Sole selling agents Elders will also be assisted by the sale being interfaced on AuctionsPlus.

Brangus. Buy with confidence.

2016 ABCA Sponsored Sales

Roma 2nd September 2016

Rockhampton 10 & 11 October 2016

02 6773 3373 brangus@abri.edu.au brangus.com.au

77

Images: Luke Keogh

8th World Brangus Congress

South Africa

Luke and Chloe Keogh, Cobwell Stud, Barham, New South Wales recently attended the 8th World Brangus Congress held in South Africa in May. The couple spent three weeks touring the country and visiting attractions including the Congress.

For Luke and Chloe it’s their fourth World Congress, they’ve attended the Mexican, Australian, Uruguayan and South African events.

Here’s just a sample of the photo essay from their South African adventure. Full and detailed report along with more pictures in the Autumn 2017 edition of The Australian Brangus.

02

04

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Spring – 2016

05

03

06

08

07

09

10

01

11

12

13 1. Bringing in the cattle at Harmony Red Brangus owned by Alan and Carol Green.

2. Show and judging ring at the 2016 World Brangus Congress South Africa.

14 inspecting Red Brangus cows at Harmony Farm, Ladysmith, KwaZulu Natal.

9. A bull in paddock condition at Hylton Green’s farm; the oldest Brangus stud in South Africa

3. Three Brangus bulls on dispal at Mount Olive Stud owned by Christopher Sparks, KwaZulu Natal.

10. Luke Keogh, Cobwell Brangus, NSW and John Rafferty, Breed Director of Brangus South Africa, at Mount Olive standing in front of a herd of red and black Brangus.

4. Brangus cows, showing the effects of the drought that South Africa was experiencing which broke during the Congress.

11. Red and black Brangus bulls at Harmony Red Brangus owned by Alan and Carol Green.

5. Workers at Le Roc Brangus.

12. Chloe Keogh, Cobwell Brangus, NSW traveling around Free State.

6. Warning sign on gate at Lion Farm, Kroonstadt, Free State.

7. Armed guard at Rhinoceros farm.

13. Red Brangus at Helgard Truter’s farm pictured during drought breaking rain.

8. South Americans (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay & Brazil)

14. One of South Africa’s many Lion Farms.

02 01

03 04

05

06

07

08

80

Spring – 2016

09

10

11

12

14

13

15 1. Adisyn & Jaxon Dodson chatting about the muster.

2. Coolabah David, 15 months, the baby bull of the Coolabah team for 2016.

3. The Dodson family, Southwell pictured heading out to muster.

4. Matthew Sirett, Diamond Valley Stud, Gatton at the Autumn Nindooinbah Sale.

5. Euan Murdoch, principal Nindooinbah stud, Beaudesert pictured during their Autumn Sale.

16

6. Greg Harris buying for the Canford Property Group, Dagworth.

7. Stuart Murray, Bromelton House, Beaudesert at the 2016 Nindooinbah Autumn Sale.

8. Arabella Renwick & Grace Hansen at the Nindooinbah Autumn Sale.

12. Jane Geddes, Charlevue mustering sale bulls.

9. Sarah Salisbury, Bimbadeen couldn’t wipe the smile of her face during her trick riding performance at the inaugural Eidsvold Charity Cattle Drive.

13. Denise & Paul Studt, Coolabah Brangus, Capella pictured with their broad ribbon winner Coolabah Diva, Rockhampton Show.

10. Breanna Cook from Karingal Brangus and BJ Horsemanship performing the ‘suicide drag’.

11. Sarah Salisbury, Bimbadeen (left) spent the last school holidays practicing her trick riding in preparation for her first public performance along with her friend Emily Dingle, Eidsvold (right) and Breanna Cook, Karingal Brangus at the inaugural Eidsvold Charity Cattle Drive.

Images 9, 10 & 11 © Amanda Salisbury, bushbabeofoz.com

14. Alkoomie Cassius 468L2, Supreme champion at The Caves Show earlier this year with Stephanie Roberts, Bill Geddes and judges Alex Dodson and Anastasia Fanning.

15. Alkoomie Brangus, South Yaamba, received a massive eight and a half inches of rain recently.

16. Judge Mark Howard, Duaringa Station, Duaringa commenting on Bill Geddes’ Supreme Champion All Other Breeds, Doonside Rocky, at 81 the Rockhampton Show.

Image: KB Consulting

Commercial confidence Across the nation the Brangus breed is selling for above average rates in all sectors of the prime and store markets.

Emerald Show Special Feeder and Weaner Sale 31 April 2016 Andrew and Juanita Angel, Mooramin, Clermont sold Brangus weaner steers for 351c/kg weighing 217kg to realise $764 per head.

Lloyd Stranks, Sunnyvale, Willows sold Brangus steers to 356c/kg with a top return of $923/head with the heifer portion selling to 308c/kg and returning a top of $979/ head.

Springsure producers, the Travers family, Boongulla, sold their Brangus heifers to reach 292c/kg to weigh 246 kgs and return $719/head.

Taroom Show 2-3 May 2016 Harry and Erica Perrett, Cattle Downs, Taroom, exhibited the Champion Pen Of Store Cattle at this years Taroom Show.

Aged 18-months the grass fed Santa/ Brangus cross steers were bred at the owners Morven district aggregation and were then depastured for the last 100 days on pasture at Cattle Downs, Taroom.

Biggenden Weaner Sale 04 May 2016

Gracemere 24 June 2016

The Best Pen of Brangus or Brangus Infused Weaners wen to ED Jensen, Wallaville.

K. Ball, Goovigen sold Red Brangus cross weaner steers for 350c/kg returning $1170/head. Alf Walker and family, Raglan sold Brangus weaner steers to top at 358c/ kg weighing 259kg to return $928/head.

QATC (Narayen), Mundubbera sold a line of Brangus steers for a top of 320c/kg to return $865/head. Myola Grazing, Miriam Vale sold Brangus steers for 326c/kg or $937/head. The Duncan family, Gayndah sold Brangus steers for 314c/kg to came back at $879/head while ED Jensen, Wallaville sold Brangus steers for 325c/kg to average $980/head.

Gigoomgan Pastoral, Brooweena sold their Brangus weaner heifers for 289c/kg coming in at $827/head while the Turner family, Agfin Rural Pty Ltd, Woolooga sold Brangus heifers for 278c/kg or $655/head.

Cattle were drawn from Monto, Eidsvold, Mundubbera, Goomeri, Nanango, Tansey, Gympie, Miriam Vale, Yandaran, Hervey Bay and all local areas.

Gracemere 17 June 2016 Cooee Cattle Company, Baralaba sold Brangus weaner steers to top at 350c/kg weighing 333kg returning $1166/head.

Their Brangus weaner heifers topped at $3/ kg with an average weight 336kg to come back at $1009/head. Brenton and Lacey Bradford, Dingo sold their Brangus weaner steers to a high of 380c/kg. Weighing on average 242kg/kg they sold for $920/head.

Glenlee Cattle Company, Rocky View marketed No.5 Brangus heifers for 325c/ kg weighing 306kg to return $995/head.

Selling a run of Brangus cross steers was A and S Wilson, Dululu. These topped out at 378.2c/kg to average 213kg to return $788/head.

Gracemere 03 July 2016 Gordon and Colin Kime and family, Amaroo, Nebo sold prime Brangus heifers to 263c/kg weighing 490kg to return $1290/head.

Lindsay and Fiona Barlow and family, Araluen, Dingo marketed 124 weaner steers (pictured) to a top of 358c setting an average 349.9c with an average weight of 212.9kg they averaged $744/head.

Emerald 08 July 2016 Cameron and Louisa Backus, Nardoo, Emerald, sold 202 EU registered and PCAS eligible Brangus weaner steers to a rewarding top of 377c/kg. The steers averaged 368c/kg for 272kg to return $999/head.

Roma 12 July 2016 Ian and Joy Macallister and their grandson Ben Whip, Roma Downs, Roma sold a line of 313 Angus and Angus/Brangus cross steers to top at at 366c/kg. With an average weight of 367kg/head and averaging 354c/kg they returned $1296/head.

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Spring – 2016

Sales & Events. We wish all vendors and exhibitors all the best with their sales and events in 2016.

08

4th Brangus Judging (RNA) 4th Wine & Dine Awards 6pm (Wilsons on the River) 5th Brangus Group Breedplan Data Cut Off 5th - 14th Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) 6th Grafton Angus & Brangus Bull & Female Sale 19th Fitzroy Crossing Sale (WA)

09

2nd 11th ABCA Roma Brangus Sale 10am / 127 Lots (119 Bulls / 8 Females) 5th Brangus Group Breedplan Data Cut Off 7th CBC Sale 10am / 120 Bulls (CQLX, Gracemere) 9th Palgrove Annual Bull Sale 12noon / 45 Ultrablack Bulls (Strathgarve, Dalveen) 10th Monto All Breeds (Monto Saleyards) 12th Central Highlands Angus & Brangus Sale 10am / 80 Bulls (AgGrow site, Emerald) 20th Brangus Red Classic Sale 80 Bulls (CQLX, Gracemere) 22nd Clermont Beef Bull Sale (Clermont Saleyards) 22nd Duarran Brangus Sale (Duarran, Roma) 28th Triple B Annual Production Sale 80 Bulls / 12 Registered Females / 200 Purebred Heifers (Araluen, Dingo)

10

5th Brangus Group Breedplan Data Cut Off 10th Annual Brangus Commercial Female Sale (CQLX, Gracemere) 10th Elders Legacy of Ladies Sale 7.30pm (Gracemere Hotel) 10th - 11th 40th ABCA Rockhampton Brangus Sale 13th Nindooinbah Spring Bull & Female Sale 1pm / 100 Bulls / 50 Females (Nindooinbah, Beaudesert) 5th Brangus Group Breedplan Data Cut Off

5th Brangus Group Breedplan Data Cut Off

11 12 83

BEEJAY Keeping our eye on the future

chadwick downs cattle company

Brangus

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83

ABCA Sales & Events

77

ABCA Sponsored Sales

3 Alkoomie

55

Beef Breeding Services

23 Beejay Magee FaMily gregory Highway, Capella Central Qld P – (07) 4984 9542 M – 0428 787 695 e – alicia.magee@bigpond.com

31 Belview

Semen & embryoS available

IFC Bimbadeen

chadwickdowns.com.au

15 Bullakeana

02 6842 1033 • cattle@chadwickdowns.com.au

61 Boonderoo 67 Castle

JATEEBEE

65

CBC Sale

21 Charlevue

27

Classic Red Sale

55 Coolabah

71

Dalkeith Downs

35 Duarran IBC Elara at ing CLASSIC RED BRANGUS SALE Tuesday 20th September 2016

Sell

Quality Red Bulls & Semen For Private Sale

JACK & MIM WALKER “Fairholme” Theodore Q 4719 p. 07 4993 1666

Wayne & Kellie Dobe ‘‘DeSaliS Station’’ Strathalbyn roaD bogie Q 4805

0747 8534 80 0739 7373 44 cprcattleco@activ8.net.au

37 Elders

17

Elders Legacy of Ladies Sale

57 Fearnley

13

GL Brangus

29 Inavale 11 Jateebee

Cobwell

37 Jett 23 Landmark

Brangus

49 Nindooinbah 33 Oaklands

13

Ray White

45 Redline

Keogh Cattle Company • Barham, NSW 2732 03 5453 7137 • 0428 536 587 keoghcattle@activ8.net.au

20

Rocky Repro

69

Rural Supplements

75

SBB Rural Co

53 Southwell

26

Stud Stock Sales

63 Telemon

Proudly produced by

42-43

Telpara Hills

Triple B

BC

9 Voewood

Next Issue Bookings 3rd February 2017 Artwork 10th February 2017 Editorial 10th February 2017 Rural Design 0407 020 080 KB Consulting 0488 279 796 editor@theaustralianbrangus.com.au theaustralianbrangus.com.au 84

Spring – 2016

ELARA RONALD 677 ~ DOB 19/07/14

Sire: Valley View 643 ~ Dam: Elara Janice 491 Quiet, long, well-muscled, active bull. Excellent structure & sheath, out of a top performing young cow.

ELARA EO 712 ~ DOB 08/08/14

Sire: Elara Officer 466 ~ Dam: Elara Doris 298 Quiet, deep, well-muscled bull descended from a top line of females.

~ 3 BULLS ~

Roma Brangus ABCA

SALE

FRIDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2016 All bulls fully vaccinated, vet checked and semen tested.

MARK & LYNDA BAUER 7 Boundary Road, Laidley 4341 Q 07 5465 2064 mark.bauer8@bigpond.com

ELARABRANGUS.COM.AU ELARA BENDER 701 ~ DOB 19/08/14

Sire: Bendalong 259 ~ Dam: Elara CE Siesta 598 AI calf out of a heifer, sired by an influential old Brangus sire. Quiet, with good structure & muscling.

FERTILE, FUNCTIONAL, EFFICIENT

At days end and when the dust settles.

Annual Production Sale Wednesday 28th September 2016 “Araluen” Dingo Queensland 80 Brangus Bulls 12 Elite Young Females 200 Purebred Females

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Spring – 2016

Lindsay & Fiona Barlow 07 4935 8556 0407 760 079 barlow@triplebbrangus.com www.triplebbrangus.com