ABCA ANNOUNCES INDEPENDENT OFFICE AND PLANS FOR ULTRABLACKS

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 Australia. Mrs Pearson said those who weren’t online yet would not be left behind in the new office setup, with mail and phone communications continuing to

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. “Australian Brangus will still be recognised as 25% to 75% Brahman content, with Ultrablacks documented in the ABCA Herd Book as animals with 5% to 24% Brahman content,” he explained.

“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 He said the move reflected the number of Brangus breeders who already run Ultrablack cattle in their herds. A new section will be created within the ABCA database allowing a specific registration status for these animals, making it easier for those adding Ultrablacks to their registered breeding programs, or bringing Brangus across to their Ultrablack herd. 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 the generations before us,” “Australian Brangus is looking towards an exciting future.” said Mr Saunders. For further information on the above please contact: Brad Saunders, ABCA President on 0458 359 105 or ABCA CEO Tessa Pearson on 0437 986 081.

Image: KB Consulting, Bimbadeen Brangus

Bimbadeen tops $15,000 four times

Sale Summary

BIMBADEEN BRANGUS BULL SALE

37 Bulls

Average $8310 Top $15,000 (four times) Gross $307,500 Sale clearance 95%

Satisfaction came in many forms for the Salisbury family, Bimbadeen Stud, Monto at their fourth onproperty sale in August last year. Australia’s longest running Brangus operation, Bimbadeen principals, Mark and Amanda Salisbury made certain subtle changes to their sale. The entire catalogue was offered through the sale ring as opposed to previous sales where the offering was offered physically and via the Helmsman system.

Demand was evident early in the sale. The first 11 bulls set an $12,000 average in a market that witnessed a sale top of $15,000 reached on four separate occasions throughout the proceedings. The sale resulted in a clearance of 95 percent at auction with 11 repeat buyers returning to secure cattle from a sale that saw seven lots sell through the online platform, Elite Livestock Auctions. In a phenotype breakdown of the offering five red entries set an average $7600 to sell to $15,000 while their 32 black counterparts hit $15,000 on three occasions to end with a bottom line average of $8422. First to make the $15,000 mark was the sale opener, Bimbadeen Quatermain (Oaklands Ambassador (AI) (ET)) (23-months) (803kg) (12/9mm) (136EMA) (4.7IMF) selling to Ross and Heather Milner, Bushlands Stud, Yeppoon. The following lot, Quartz (MC Granite (US)) (24-months) (810kg) (12/8mm) (142EMA) (5.8IMF) sold to Bevan and Liz Radel, Burenda, Augathella. The next at the same level was the red entry, Queanbeyan (Tannyfoil Marcc) (23-months) (824kg) (15/10mm) (132EMA) (5.2IMF) selling to the Dingle family, Redline Stud, Monto. The last at $15,000 was Quality (Telpara Hills Maxx Force 541L51 (AI) (ET)) (23-months) (806kg) (9/6mm) (144EMA) (4.2IMF) selling to Ian Trigger, Hopewell, Biggenden. Brad and Nicole Saunders, Pheasant Creek Stud, Wowan outlaid $14,000 to secure Qez, (Telpara Hills Mundine 820J2 (AI)) (23-monhts) (754kg) (9/7mm) (140EMA) (4.8IMF) while the Leeson family, Maloneys, Moura selected the $13,500 Quell (Bimbadeen Kosciuszko) (23-months) (742kg) (10/7mm) (124EMA) (6.2IMF). Lachlan and Trudy Mace, Red Ridge Grazing Company, Kunwarara secured

the $12,000 for Quine (Telpara Hills Jackman 541H17 (AI) (ET)) (23-months) (718kg) (13/8mm) (124EMA) (6.4IMF). Telpara Hills Jackman 541H17 was the most prolific sire represented in the offering with six sons selling to $12,000 to average $7250. Three red sons of the ‘first season sire’, the top selling $20,000 2017 Classic Red Sale graduate acquisition, Tannyfoil Marcc (Tarramba Sir Marco 2663 (S)) topped $15,000 to average $9333. Peter and Nancy Warren, Spring Hills Stud, Booyal accounted for four bulls at a $9000 average. The Spring Hill haul included a $12,000 son of Oaklands Ambassador (AI) (ET) and an $11,000 Telpara Hills Jackman 541H17 (AI) (ET) son. The Warren’s purchases included a $7000 red by Tannyfoil Marcc. Kyle and Jodie Cormack, Mackland Grazing, Wavering Downs, Clermont took five head to average them $7400. These topped at $12,500 for the 24-month-old, Quid (Mr New Blood 50H (US)) (740kg) (16/10mm) (125EMA) (5.8IMF). Rob and Sarah Cook, Rosa Cattle Company, Bucca were active operating through Elite Livestock Auctions signing off on three. The Rosa Cattle Company herd is founded on Bimbadeen females with the couple purchasing the top selling bull at the inaugural Bimbadeen Sale in the form of the $6,500, Bimbadeen M133. Upon returning they secured their trio for an average $9000 topping at $10,000 on two occasions for the only sons of Greendale Zeus in the offering and one of the Telpara Hills Maxx Force 541L51 (AI) (ET) offspring. Rob and Annie Donoghue, Baradoo, Bauhinia took with them a pair for a $5750 average while Richard and Diane Pender, Boonderoo Brangus, Tansey took the $6000 Quamby (Bimbadeen Litchfield L12 (AI) (ET)) (23-months) (732kg) (10/6mm) (133EMA) (5.7IMF). Taking an Oaklands Ambassador son for $7000 was Phil and Beth Lord, Mt Stanley Stud, Mt Stanley. Mt Stanley ended with a pair to average $6000. Harvey and Delphine Campbell, Gin Gin secured their only purchase late in the catalogue in the form of the $10,500 23-month-old, Qaltaqa an AI son of Oaklands Geronimo (AI) (ET) (676kg) (11/7mm) (128EMA) (4.8IMF). Russell and Trish McIntosh, Jagera, Goomeri selected a $7000 Bimbadeen Manly son while Winter Hamon, Clifton Station, Boyne Valley took with him an $8000 son by MC Granite 834B (US). Commenting after the sale Amanda Salisbury said, “We’re delighted with result, it’s our fourth on-property sale and the first time we have had a complete live auction setup. With such an uncertain year with COVID-19 and clients unable to travel from interstate it was gratifying to see so many repeat buyers from both stud and commercial operations.”

Agents: Monto Cattle & Country, Elders and Elite Livestock Auctions.

OPPOSING PAGE FROM TOP

Bimbadeen Q Queanbeyan equal top selling bull at $15,000 with Mark (left) and Amanda (right) Salisbury and buyers Peter and Arnie Dingle, Redline stud, Monto; Bimbadeen Q Quartz (AI) (ET) for$15,000.

RIGHT FROM TOP

Bimbadeen Q Quatermain for$15,000; Bimbadeen Q Quality Q045 for$15,000; Bimbadeen Q Quez for $14,000; Bimbadeen Q Quell for $13,500.

Image: The Land

$3000 Brangus heifers top Casino market

The recent Annual Feature Breeder Sale, Casino, New South Wales and hosted by agents, Ramsey and Bulmer along with T and W McCormack saw future Brangus breeders in demand.

In a yarding of 1450 head composed of 400 PTIC heifers, 300 heifers and offspring and 500 cow/calf units, agent reports stated that breeder units averaged $2634 to top at $3040 while cows averaged $1780 per head topping at $2280. Heifers averaged $2034 and hit highs of $3000 per head. Lachlan Trustum (pictured), Leeville outside Casino sold a pen of 16 foundation Brangus heifers, PTIC to Gunnadoo Park Longreach 2489. Longreach (Gunnadoo Park Hector) was the top selling bull of the 2019 Casino All Breeds Sale. These females sold for a market topping $3000/head to Michael Johnston, Bentley. Lachlan also sold another pen of 10 PTIC heifers for $2900/head to Jason Kay, Tucki Downs Brangus, Tucki Tucki, New South Wales. Jason Kay intends to register the resultant progeny. Taking the opportunity to secure breeders, Lachlan purchased two pens of Brangus 18-month-old maiden heifers bred by Barry Morgan and family, Riverview, Mummulgum and Mondoro heifers bred by the Morgan family, Mummulgum for $1820/head. Lachlan intends to offer these females next year as PTIC females. Maggie Maloney, Bentley sold her pen of five Brangus heifers PTIC for $1860 per head to RC Sweeney while the Morgan family, Riverview, Mummulgum received $2776 per head for their 10 breeder units on their second and third calves selling to EC Thorsby and George and Fuhrmann Casino. John Fitzhenry, Lismore took $1400 per head for his nine Brangus heifers. Paul Savins, Shannon Brook sold five cows and calves for $2520 per unit and took $1780 per head for his pen of nine Brangus cross PTIC heifers selling to Dave Collins, Tunglebung, New South Wales.