Source & Image: Australian Brangus Cattle Association
ABCA announces independent office and plans for Ultrablacks The Australian Brangus Cattle Association President Brad Saunders recently announced that two important decisions had been made by the ABCA Board, at the recent meeting in Biloela. Mr Saunders said the ABCA will transition to an independent office and work towards introducing Ultrablack cattle onto the ABCA database. The transition to a more autonomous office arrangement will allow the ABCA to build on the growth and success achieved by the Brangus breed over recent years. This move takes place after almost 27 years with the Agricultural Business Research Institute’s Breed Secretariat Service, run at the University of New England in Armidale, NSW.
to members, with a ‘pop-up’ office operating at events such as Beef 2021, Field Days and ABCA Sale events.” Current ABCA EO, Tessa Pearson will remain with the Association, not only assisting in this transition, but also continuing her present duties in the new office arrangement. Mrs Pearson brings with her outstanding knowledge and experience with the ABCA Membership and management, along with a strong background with other breed associations. She is already well-recognised by ABCA members and has a passion for helping to foster the growth of Brangus in herds. A new section will be created Australia. within the ABCA database allowing a Mrs Pearson said those who weren’t specific registration status for these online yet would not be left behind animals, making it easier for those in the new office setup, with mail and adding Ultrablacks to their registered phone communications continuing to breeding programs, or bringing Brangus across to their Ultrablack herd.
“The decision to become more independent was made unanimously by the ABCA Board after noting strong sustained growth within ABCA membership, outstanding results in stud and commercial arenas, a move to mostly online activity by members, and the very effective operation of a ‘virtual’ office during the COVID-19 lockdowns last year,” Mr Saunders said. “Our affiliation with ABRI’s ‘secretariat service’ since 1994 has played an important role and has seen our Association through almost three decades of change and growth. Their support and guidance has been appreciated by the ABCA and our members, and we look forward to maintaining a strong ongoing relationship in other ABRI fields (including BREEDPLAN and TBTS). Mr Saunders assured ABCA members that there would be no real change in the service they receive, with the ABCA office already operating ‘virtually’ for many months. “This step is a natural one, and will ensure the ABCA office can respond better to new opportunities and challenges. We plan to make the ABCA office actually more available 36
Autumn – 2021
service these ABCA members. There will be a transition period to the new independent office of approximately three months (with all contact details available via the ABCA website: www. brangus.com.au Mr Saunders also welcomed the decision by the ABCA Board to work towards allowing Ultrablack cattle onto the Herd Book as a big step forward for the Association and its members.
The addition of the Ultrablack register/section to the ABCA Herd Book is expected to roll out later this year. These announcements came after the ABCA’s very successful second Annual Brangus Youth Camp held at the Biloela Showgrounds in mid January. This event saw 73 young beef enthusiasts gather from as far afield as Melbourne, Capella and Stanage Bay. The youngsters, aged between five and 17 years spent three days at the Biloela Showgrounds learning about Bovine structure, soundness, reproduction, care and showing.
“The enthusiasm and energy in our next generation of Brangus breeders is inspiring and we are proud to build on the outstanding foundations set by “Australian Brangus will still be the generations before us,” “Australian recognised as 25% to 75% Brahman content, with Ultrablacks documented Brangus is looking towards an exciting future.” said Mr Saunders. in the ABCA Herd Book as animals with 5% to 24% Brahman content,” he For further information on the above explained. please contact: He said the move reflected the Brad Saunders, ABCA President on number of Brangus breeders who 0458 359 105 or ABCA CEO already run Ultrablack cattle in their Tessa Pearson on 0437 986 081.
