WA ANGUS NEWS DECEMBER 2020
“ Change is always happening”
GOOD LUCK PAM & JIM! THE WA ANGUS COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR...
WA ANGUS COMMITTEE Chairwoman Liz Sudlow 0427 362 025 Vice Chairman Mark Muir 0427 691 001 Treasurer Ken MacLeay 0438 926 363 Garry Cain 08 9757 4553
Kerry Cain 08 9757 4553
Bruce Campbell 08 9525 2361
Craig Davis 0428 366 052
S. Gibbs-Hooper 0409 025 099
Tony Golding 08 9725 4334
Andrew Kuss 0428 761 240
Alf Lorkiewicz 0427 424 455
Ken MacLeay 0438 926 363
Jim McGregor 08 9831 0401
Pam McGregor 08 9831 0401
Richard Metcalfe 08 9846 8001
Mark Muir 0427 691 001
Noel Stoney 0447 453 242
Robyn Stoney 0447 453 242
Henry Strating 0416 026 851
Liz Sudlow 0427 362 025
Tony Sudlow 0428 362 032
Harris Thompson 08 9767 1355
David Topham 08 9651 8015
Lindsay Wolrige 08 9755 1123
John Young 08 9884 5253
CONTENTS Chairwoman’s Update
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Changes for the McGregor's
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Heifer Competition Thanks
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Tags Program
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Changes to Animal ID
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Angus Youth News
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Sire Summary & Updated EBVs
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2020 Angus Bulls the Best Yet
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The Angus Influence
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From the Vet
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Coordinators Note Secretary
Society Head Office
08 6263 3100
02 6772 3011
Angus Australia Director Andrew Kuss
The WA Angus News... The Newsletter is a project of the WA Angus Committee sent to Society members in WA, Federal Councillors and senior staff of the society, people we know of in WA who have bought Angus cattle, stock agents & press - just over 1100 each issue! The mailing list is continually revised and updated, so you may be receiving the WA Angus News for the first time. If you are on the mailing list and you would rather not be or if we don’t have your correct address, please advise the Newsletter & Mailing List Coordinator on the contact details below Shezanne Gibbs-Hooper Phone - 08 9242 8894 or 0409 025 099 Email - waangusnews@yahoo.com.au Post - PO Box 94, Wembley, WA 6913
The WA Angus News is printed by A-Team Printing 81 Acton Avenue, Rivervale, WA, 6103 Ph: 08 9478 3188 WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
Hi Everyone, Welcome to the December 2020 edition of the WA Angus News. I hope this edition finds everyone well and you haven't been too badly impacted by the coronavirus throughout this crazy year. Thankyou to everyone for their contributions and advertising support - without this the WA Angus News would not exist. I would like to make special mention to the cover for this edition of the WA Angus News. It’s my little tribute to Pam and Jim McGregor and Ardcairnie Angus. I just wanted to highlight and in a small way commemorate the impact they have had with their involvement with Angus cattle and The WA Angus Society (and will continue to have) as they prepare to move on to the next exciting (and hopefully relaxing) chapter of their lives! They are wonderful people and don’t worry Pam I will still be annoying you for contributions to the WA Angus News!! I hope you all have a wonderful festive season and enjoy the read!
Shezanne 3
CHAIRWOMAN’S UPDATE 2020… what a year it has been!
amused by!
So much has changed since this time last year, it’s no wonder the world and its people are feeling a little disorientated and that the Christmas decorations have been put up early! We’ve had horrific bushfires, an unfathomable covid-19 virus, lockdowns, severe travel restrictions, Zoom parties, an American election like no other, China trade confusion, dry dams…. the list goes on. It’s inevitable it won’t just be 2020 which is tagged as the ‘disrupted and tumultuous year’, and that we will all have to learn to live in this weird new world. 2020 has certainly caused us all to re-assess our lives and values.
Covid has made most West Australians realise how lucky we are to live where we live. My heart goes out to those who have family members interstate or overseas.
For my family, like many other farming families in WA, this year has been one of quiet gratitude. We have four adult children, none of whom lived at home at the start of 2020. One lived in Melbourne and decided very quickly in mid-March to return to WA, where luckily, he could work from home. Our younger two children are studying at Uni’s in Perth. We upgraded our previously archaic internet service on the farm - which may have been one of the reasons the kids were never keen to come home for too long! And low and behold, we seem to have had one or more of them at home with us continually since March. Apart from having to relearn how to have the pantry stocked to feed an army and constantly preparing food and changing bed-linen, it has been delightful to have them at home. Our eldest daughter, discovered she was pregnant with her first child at the start of the Covid lockdown. She is a physio and worked in a Perth hospital, so initially it was a very uncertain time for her, as little was known about the virus. However now, nine months on, we have just celebrated the arrival of our first grandchild Hamish Angus (and yes, we love that name ). I am as smitten and obsessed as all those other crazy grandparents I was previously WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
The circumstances meant our Angus State Committee meetings this year were held via Zoom. While this was a bit weird, at both meetings we had an outstanding attendance and we were also able to link up with Angus Australia staff and meet the new Federal President, Mr Sam White. It did mean we didn’t have a Spring Walk or a Royal Show and that the World Angus Forum is still on hold. It has meant that the RAS office has gone into hibernation and our hearts go out to those who have not had work, including our Secretary, Jack.
However, the drought in the east has broken and cattle prices both commercial and stud stock, have been steadily increasing to such an extent that most categories are now at record levels. Let’s hope the industry can sustain these levels into the future. In other news, we submitted to the Cattle Industry Funding Scheme on the Management of Johne’s Disease in WA, in favour of maintaining WA regulation of targeted surveillance to control JD (Cstrain). I invited WA Angus members to contribute their position so a consensus could be decided upon and sincere thanks to those who did. Also, in October a vote of members was won to amend the Constitution of Angus Australia. The most significant of these changes has removed the reference to State Committees in place of Affiliated Angus Breeder Groups which will now have altered terms of reference and governance. Hopefully this will mean little change in WA. I believe given our geographical distance from the Eastern states, it is important that in WA we maintain the one group: WA Angus, rather than numerous groups; and that we do in fact continue to exist and not fade into oblivion! 4
It is very pleasing that we have grown our committee over the last few years and we are always keen to welcome Angus breeders to the Committee. Our AGM will be held on January 22nd at the RAS office in Claremont.
With a value of approximately $11,000, it will form the other part of the first prize along with the ten pure-bred Angus heifers. This year the heifers are to be supplied by the Wishart family from Bremer Bay. I would like to sincerely thank Phil, Cathy and I would like to congratulate Jim and Pam McGregor Laura Wishart as well as the 36 Angus stud and commercial breeders who financially contribute to on the sale of Maybenup to a syndicate of 3 local the project. Your support of the Angus breed alfarmers and the sale of the Ardcairnie Stud to a lows the competition to generate fantastic publicity beef producer in the Moore River area. On each and positive interest in the leadup to the bull selling occasion that I’ve visited the property, I’ve been a season. In its 14th year, it really is an example of little awestruck by the beauty of the landscape dotted with much-loved cattle and the passion and good synergy and a genuine win/win. creative thinking of both Pam and Jim. I have no Finally, I hope amidst the bizarre antics of 2020, you doubt they will be experiencing a wide gamut of have found some time to slow down and that you emotion as they prepare for their final bull sale in are able to enjoy a safe, healthy and restful festive February. I’m sure all of the WA cattle industry will season with your loved ones. join me in wishing them well. Merry Christmas and Season’s Greetings. The 2020/21 Farm Weekly Heifer competition is about to be launched with a new sponsorship partner, Coerco, based in Dalwallinu. Recently Mark Hattingh and I, along with Trevor Emery and Wendy Gould met members of the Jackson family, who will supply a fire-fighting unit mounted onto a trailer.
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
Liz Sudlow (WA Angus Chairperson)
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Changes for the McGregors Change is always happening and 2020 with the impact of Covid 19 has certainly proved that. For us, April 2020 was when we decided that it was time for a change. We’d do one more calving, one more mating, one more bull sale and then move onto the next stage of our lives. By the time we talked to our banker and our accountant (our usual one six weeks before the end of the financial year, then another one a couple of weeks later to discuss selling implications!), it was pretty much the end of June. We then thought about who we’d ask to handle the sale of the land and the livestock, as one suggestion had been that we approach three different Real Estate firms and ask them to prepare a marketing plan for us. In the end, we didn’t do that as we are fairly keen on the KISS (Keep It Simpler Sunshine) concept and we’ve dealt with Elders as our stock firm ever since we came to Western Australia
in 1973. And we knew they had a good Real Estate section as well so that approach was made and plans developed. Our Ardcairnie Angus Stud was offered for sale with Expressions of Interest closing on 28th September 2020. From mid-September, the land was advertised with the auction to be held at Glenlossie on 23rd October. We knew that there could be several neighbours and close neighbours perhaps interested, and decided that the fairest way to give everyone a chance to buy was to go to auction. We were very pleased with the interest shown in the land and Adrian Corker from Elders Real Estate in Bunbury showed off Maybenup 28 times over the weeks leading up to the auction sale. He said he got to know our farm pretty well and was able to measure that the grass was growing by the feeling under his car! In the meantime, Deane Allen and Tim Spicer of Elders Stud Stock (in the middle of dealing with ram sales!) were handling inquiries about the stud, By 23rd October, there were two almost exactly the same dollar offers on the table for the stud with one conditional on buying the land so we made the difficult decision to not make a decision about the stud buyer until after the land sale was concluded that afternoon; we appreciated the co-operation of the two potential buyers of that decision. Lots of our friends were asking if we were worried/excited/concerned about the auction sale. Our answer was that we were quite relaxed about it – what would be would be and that Elders folks could do the worrying!
We so much appreciated the many friends who came to support us that afternoon or by phone calls, emails and text messages before and after. The cattle industry we’ve been involved in since we came to Western Australia has brought us so very many wonderful friendships and we are sure they will continue in the years ahead. WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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Don Fry of Elders Real Estate, who handled the auction, had very clearly explained the process to us and how he planned to run the day. The silence after he called for that first opening bid was slightly nervewracking; the comment that it wasn’t a cattle auction, that he was in no hurry and hadn’t to be anywhere until 4pm the following afternoon (the AFL Grand Final opening bounce) brought some laughter and eventually the opening bid. As is now known fairly well through the reports in the Countryman and in the Farm Weekly, the eventual buyer of the land was a syndicate of three locals and the buyer of the stud the Dewar Family whose home base is in Guilderton north of Perth. The stud cows, their calves, the pregnant yearling heifers and the herd bulls will have moved north before Christmas. The Dewar Family will be keeping the stud registration and the Ardcairnie name as “they would like to continue breeding bulls that perform well in commercial conditions.” (Their words, not ours.)
That leaves the bulls for the last Ardcairnie Angus bull sale at Maybenup on Tuesday 2nd February and as we are not continuing a breeding operation, every bull that meets our criteria will be catalogued for sale that day. The three local buyers all do some cropping, one has some cattle (though a wee bit different colour) and they all have sheep. Although settlement of the land isn’t until the end of February, there will be some changes on Maybenup before then. But as said at the start, change is always happening and while our future plans are still being developed, we are downsizing, not retiring! Pam is fond of saying that the three most important things in her life – all equally important - are family, friends and health. We have very much valued the friendships we have made in the 23 years we will have been in the Kojonup district and those friendships, just like friendships made in the Mt Barker area and in Scotland, will continue.
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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HEIFER COMPETITION The WA Angus Committee would like to acknowledge and say THANK YOU to the following studs that have committed to supporting the 14th Farm Weekly/WA Angus Heifer Competition! Also a special THANK YOU to the Wishart family from Bremer Bay for the supply of heifers!
All of your support is much appreciated!
WA ANGUS NEWS December2020
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An Update from Harvey Beef... As 2020 draws to a close, we would like to take a moment to look back over this year and thank all our producers for their hard work in continuing to focus on growing excellent quality cattle in WA. There are very rarely easy years in agriculture, but 2020 has brought a different set of challenges for us all.
In 2021 our focus will remain on working closely with WA cattle farmers, particularly our Angus breeders, as we continue to invest in growing our business. Among other initiatives, 2021 will see an expansion to our Harvey plant to meet demand for both overseas and domestic markets and this investment underpins our commitment to WA agriculture. We wish you and your families a Merry Christmas & a prosperous 2021. To discuss supplying Harvey Beef please contact our livestock team on 08 9729 0000 or livestock@harveybeef.com.au
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
COMPLETION OF ANGUS ASSURED AND
ANGUS SIRED TAGS PROGRAM
The sale of Angus Assured and Angus Sired tags will cease from 1st December 2020. A new yellow Angus identifier tag will be made available in conjunction with a yet to be launched live animal verification program of commercial Angus animals, that validates the use of registered Angus sires and commercial pure Angus females.
This new program will provide assurance and integrity to producers Angus breed claims when marketing their Angus cattle, providing them a competitive edge in the marketplace. This new program will launch early 2021, so watch this space. *From Angus e-News October 14th, 2020
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Important Changes to Animal Identification Members are advised of two important changes that will apply to the identification of animals that are born from January 1st, 2021 onwards. 1. Change to Animal IDs The unique animal ID assigned to each animal recorded with Angus Australia consists of the breeder’s herd identifier, a breeding year letter and an animal number. e.g. ABCS1.While this animal ID format has served the Angus breed well for many years, it has a major shortcoming being the duplication of animal IDs every 24 years. For example, ABCS1 (birth year 1973), ABCS1 (birth year 1997) and ABCS1 (birth year 2021).This shortcoming requires Angus Australia to add a suffix to the animal ID for animals born greater than 24 years ago (e.g. ABCR1+72, ABCR1+96), which causes considerable problems in circumstances where the original animal ID has previously been recorded in other databases. For example, in herd recording software programs managed by individual members, or when animals have been recorded with overseas Breed Societies. To remove the duplication of animal IDs, the unique animal ID assigned to animals with a birth date of 1/1/2021 onwards will be changed to consist of the breeder’s herd identifier, a two character year of birth, a breeding year letter and an animal number. That is, rather than ABCS1, the animal ID assigned will be ABC21S1.The change will only apply to the ID of animals born from 1/1/2021 onwards. No change will be made retrospectively to the ID of animals already recorded with Angus Australia, or who are recorded in the future but are born prior to 1/1/2021.
Further, the change in format only applies to the animal ID assigned by Angus Australia, and does not require any change to the current practice of displaying only the year letter and number (e.g. R1) when tagging, tattooing or branding animals. The change to the animal ID format for animals born from 1/1/2021 onwards will ensure the animal ID assigned to animals is indeed unique, and will remove the current difficulties and inconvenience to Angus Australia, members and other organisations that result from the need to add a suffix to the IDs of historic animals that are born more than 24 years ago.
2. Requirement for NLIS ID The manner in which animals recorded on Angus Australia’s Herdbook Register (HBR), Angus Performance Register (APR), or Multibreed Register (MBR) need to be permanently identified are outlined in the Angus Australia Regulations. Specifically, at least one form of permanent identification must be applied to an animal prior to weaning, being either a tattoo, freeze or
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
fire brand, or a NLIS tag, followed by a requirement to apply a second form of permanent identification before the animal is 18 months of age. With NLIS now entrenched as Australia’s National Livestock Identification System, the Angus Australia Board has resolved to make it a requirement for NLIS to be used as one of the forms of permanent identification, with members able to elect whether they apply either a tattoo or freeze brand as the second form of permanent identification.
The revised Regulations will be applied to animals born from 1/1/2021 onwards, and now read: 6.33 PERMANENT IDENTIFICATION Every animal in the HBR, APR, or MBR shall have an approved National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS) tag applied to the right ear; and either: i. Be tattooed in the left ear with the registered tattoo mark of the Breeder; and, in either the left or right ear with a breeding year letter and animal number; or ii. Have a freeze or fire brand applied that includes the registered brand symbol, relevant year letter and animal number. 6.34 Every animal recorded in the HBR, APR or MBR shall have a minimum of one form of permanent identification applied by weaning, and two forms of permanent identification applied by 18 months of age. 6.35 Either the visual NLIS number or NLIS RFID of every animal recorded in the HBR, APR or MBR must be recorded with the Society before the animal is 12 months of age. If a NLIS tag is replaced for any reason, the Society must be notified of the new number or RFID within 30 days of application. The availability of NLIS identification for all animals on the Angus Australia database born after 1/1/2021 will make the process for confirming the Angus Australia ID for an animal easier, facilitating a more seamless process for confirming the ownership and registration details of Angus seedstock animals.
Questions and Further Information To further discuss these two important changes applying to the identification of animals born from January 1st, 2021 onwards, please contact staff at Angus Australia.
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2021 year letter is ‘S’
ANGUS WA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE
Members are reminded that the year letter for the 2021 calf registrations is ‘S’. For more information on registering your calves please feel free to contact the Member Services Team at Angus Australia on P: 02 6773 4600 F: 02 6772 3095 E: regos@angusaustralia.com.au www.angusaustralia.com.au
Although finer details are yet to be finalised, all Members of Angus WA are advised that the next Annual General Meeting is scheduled to be held at the RAS offices in Claremont on -
FRIDAY JANUARY 22ND 2021 If you have any queries please contact WA Angus Chairwoman Liz Sudlow on 0427 362 025
The Australian Angus Cookery Book This was first published in 1997 for the World Angus Forum in Australia with recipes from Angus folk all over Australia. It was reprinted in 2019 to help celebrate the Centenary of the Angus Society of Australia and there are still some available! They are only $13 each posted to your Australian address. Send a cheque made out to Pam McGregor and send to her at PO Box 301, Kojonup WA 6395 and she’ll post one (or more) to you OR ring her on 0417 942 326 for EFT details.
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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“ANGUS YOUTH NEWS” 2021 Angus Youth National Roundup Cancelled Angus Australia regretfully advises that the 2021 Angus Youth National Roundup has been cancelled due to the uncertain circumstances and restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Roundup will be rescheduled for 13th – 16th January 2022 at Wodonga, Vic.
“Angus Australia and the Roundup Organising Committee wishes to thank sponsors and stakeholders for the 2021 event and look forward to working with them to ensure a successful event in 2022.” “We also encourage our members to keep up to date with the Angus Youth website location and social media channels for news in order to be across updates regarding the 2022 Angus Youth National Roundup,” said Ms Liddle.
This decision has been made on the basis Roundup 2021 Coordinator Annie Pumpa said the folof advice from State Governments with regards to inter- lowing in regards to the announcement. state travel and the running of events over the coming “Whilst it will be devastating to not be holding the 2021 months due to COVID-19. Round up in January next year, the postponement is the Angus Australia Youth Development Officer Candice Lid- best option as the health and safety of our competitors, dle said that the decision had not been easy, but it was our sponsors and our breeders is of highest priority. important that it was made now based on “I thank Angus Australia, Candice Liddle and the Roundthe uncertainty around interstate travel and regulations up committee for all of their diligent efforts to this point. around the conduct of group events. I look forward to moving into 2021 and working with “The 2020 Roundup held in Toowoomba Qld had repre- you all again for the 2022 Roundup.” sentatives from all states of Australia in attendance and Angus Youth members are also encouraged to ‘watch as a truly national event that relies heavily on sponsor- this space’, as the Angus Youth Program looks to bring ship and the supply of cattle to run a successful event.” some great opportunities that can be tackled in these “Attempting to host the Roundup in 2021 and adhere to unprecedented times. If you would like more information about all things COVID Safe practices, would not allow for a viable event ANGUS YOUTH please visit to be conducted.” www.angusaustralia.com.au/angusyouth
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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Angus Australia Sire (Summary Summer) 2020 and Updated EBVs (December 2020) Now Available The Angus Australia Sire Summary contains a summary of the Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for selected sires recorded in Angus Australia’s Herd Book Register (HBR) and Angus Performance Register (APR). Several different reports are provided within this publication, including:
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Sires With Most Progeny in the Last 2 Years Trait Leaders (by Selection Index) Trait Leaders (by Trait)
Sires in the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (by Cohort)
Angus Australia wishes to advise that the December 2020 TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation has been completed and updated EBVs are now available. The following reports are available to download from the “Files to Download” section of the Member Login area on the Angus Australia website. If you do not have access to the Member Login area or have forgotten your password please contact Angus Australia.
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Herd EBV Report Exclusions Report Genetic Benchmarking Report Angus DataCHECK Report
EBV_EXTENDED csv file Updated EBVs are also available from the Angus Database Search.
Did you miss Angus CONNECT? If you missed the Angus CONNECT Research & Development Update don’t worry, you can now watch the event in full on the Angus Australia YouTube Channel!!
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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MILNE FEEDS T: (+618) 9351 0700 F: (+618) 9351 0705 E: enquiries@milne.com.au W: www.milne.com.au
Angus Bulls Offered for Sale in 2020 the Best Yet The Angus bulls offered for sale across the 2020 spring bull selling season represented the best offering of Angus genetics to the Australian beef breeding sector and supply chain ever seen. That was the message from a recent study undertaken by Angus Australia that assessed the genetic merit of the Angus bulls offered for sale across the past five years. The study reviewed the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and associated selection index values of Angus bulls listed in an online sale catalogue on the Angus Australia website with a sale date between June 1st and October 31st each year. By comparison to the genetics of the bulls offered for sale in the 2016 spring bull selling season, the average Angus Breeding Index (ABI) value of the bulls offered in 2020 were $14 per female mated more profitable, representing an average improvement in the genetic merit of Angus bulls of $3.44 per female mated per year across the past 5 years. This indicates an increased return of $1,050 from an average bull purchased in 2020, by comparison to an average bull in 2016, assuming the same market conditions and that a bull is joined to 150 females in his working life. Most of the improved profitability was achieved through an increase in the genetics for growth while holding birth weight, resulting in improved calving ease coupled with heavier carcase weight at a given age. Improvements in the genetics for eating quality were also observed, illustrating the continued commitment of Angus breeders to improved marbling.
A more detailed overview of the change in average EBVs and selection index values of the Angus bulls offered for sale is presented in Table 1.
“A lot of time is spent reviewing the genetic improvement that is occurring within the Angus seedstock industry, but this study is the first to confirm that similar genetic improvement is also being realised in the commercial industry�, said Mr Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager at Angus Australia. The improvements in the genetics of the Angus bulls being offered for sale mirror the annual rate of genetic improvement in the Angus seedstock sector which now exceeds the rate observed in the early to mid 2000s� (see figure 1). WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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“The genetic improvement in the Angus breed is the result of the commitment of Angus seedstock breeders to the utilisation of technology within their breeding programs” Mr Byrne said. Renowned for being early adopters of technology, use of the tools available to the modern cattle breeder continues to be high amongst the Angus seedstock sector. Approximately 40,000 Angus seedstock calves are bred using either artificial insemination or embryo transfer each year, representing over 50% of the calves bred by Angus seedstock breeders (see figure 2). “The high use of reproductive technologies is not only enabling the Australian Angus industry to widely disseminate the genetics of superior animals, but also to tap into the vast gene pool of Angus genetics available internationally”, Mr Byrne said. Coupled with the utilisation of the latest reproductive technologies, Angus breeders remain committed to performance recording, and in recent time the adoption of genomic technologies. “The considerable investment of Angus seedstock breeders in performance recording and genomics is improving the accuracy with which the genetics of Angus breeding animals are described, which in turn, facilitates the identification of animals with superior genetics for use in Angus breeding programs”, Mr Byrne said. The TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation reached a significant milestone in September 2020 with the inclusion of 100,000 genotypes in the TransTasman Angus Cattle Evaluation for Australian Angus animals (see figure 3). “Over 32,000 Angus animals have been genomically tested with either the HD50K for Angus or Angus GS products in the past 12 months, which coupled with the availability of a large, well recorded genomic reference population, is considerably increasing the accuracy of the breeding values available for Angus seedstock animals”, Mr Byrne said. The annual investment of ~$1.65 million in genomic technology builds on the long term commitment of Angus breeders to performance recording. While the level of recording traditional traits like birth weight, 200, 400 and 600 day weight, scrotal circumference and live animal ultrasound measurements remains high, recent years has seen an increase in the recording of traits like docility and mature body composition. Cattlemen using Angus genetics within their beef enterprise can rest easy knowing that the Angus seedstock industry is, and will continue to utilise the latest breeding and genetic technologies that are available, and in turn, deliver more and more profitable Angus genetics to the Australian beef supply chain each year. WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
*From Angus e-News, September 30th 2020
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48pc of Australian breeding females Angus influenced A recent survey of cattle producers found that 48 percent of all breeding females in Australia are Angusinfluenced, including a ‘substantial penetration’ in Northern Australia.
third most utilised breed. However, in terms of herd proportion, Angus influence was most significant in South Australia and New South Wales (78pc) and Victoria (77pc).
The survey was conducted last year by an independent market research group as part of an MLA Donor Company and Angus Australia co-funded project, and was primarily focused on collecting baseline data on producer’s breeding preferences, genetic technology adoption and to quantify the level of Angus penetration in the Australian beef industry.
In commenting on the survey findings, Angus Australia chief executive officer Peter Parnell said while the survey had successfully provided essential baseline data to enable future evaluation of the impact of Angus Australia’s research and adoption initiatives, it also clearly showed that the influence Angus genetics was such that the benefits of these initiatives would have a significant impact on a large segment of the Australia beef industry.
The data represented a sample of more than 1000 Australian beef producers, 406,000 head of beef cattle and 108 different breeds and their crosses. The results identified that about 5.6 million breeding females in the national beef herd are influenced by Angus genetics, accounting for 48pc of the beef breeder population. In another key component of the survey, participants were asked to rate the importance of a range of traits and information that are available to select bulls. The survey highlighted that for those whom participated, temperament is considered the most important bull selection criteria by cattle producers.
“The results strongly demonstrated the influence of Angus genetics in northern Australia and endorsed the importance of Angus Australia’s Northern Development Program being led by Jen Peart (Northern Development Officer) based in central Queensland,” Dr Parnell said. Temperament priority
In another key component of the survey, participants were asked to rate the importance of a range of traits and information that are available to select bulls. The survey highlighted that for those who participated, temThe survey was primarily undertaken to produce baseperament was considered the most important bull selecline values on which to gauge practice and attitude tion criteria by cattle producers. Producers in all states change over a five-year period to 2023, when a second listed temperament as the most important of bull selecquantitative survey will be undertaken. Of the 5.6 miltion criteria, except for those in South Australia which lion breeding females in the national beef herd that are prioritised polledness and Northern Territory which valinfluenced by Angus genetics, about 2.4 million (43pc) ued BullCheck, which on a national basis came in as secare purebred Angus. Based on their influence, Angus was ond and third, respectively. the most utilized breed in all states and territories exGiven the known implications that poor temperament cept Queensland and the Northern Territory. poses, to both individual bulls and to the wider herd Due to the sheer number of cattle in the state, the larg- through its progeny – the importance producers gave est populations of Angus influenced females resided in this trait was well placed, Angus Australia said. The benQueensland (1.8 million head) – despite Angus being the efits of good temperament are widely documented and acknowledged within industry. These include lower production costs, easy handling and reduced damage, injury and OH&S risk. Performance is also expected to be superior in environments such as feedlots, during situations such as trucking and result in better eating quality with decreased risk of dark cutting at slaughter. The Australian Beef Breeding Insight report can be accessed on the Angus Australia website. (Cont>>>) WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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*Thanks to Pam McGregor for bringing this article to my attention to include in this issue. Credit: Beef Central, October 6, 2020
WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
Visit www.angusaustralia.com.au For more information on the survey!
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From the Vet Demonstrating the value of integrating Fixed Time AI (FTAI) into commercial heifer mating programs. Case Study: Katanka Farms Katanka Farms is owned by South African farmer, Mr. Alfie Wagner. Alfie agreed to participate in the ASHEEP/ Swans Veterinary Services, Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) Producer Demonstration Site (PDS) focused on demonstrating the value of integrating FTAI into commercial heifer mating programs. The goal of the PDS was to demonstrate the ability of integrating FTAI in heifer mating programs to improve conception rates, reduce dystocia, reduce calf mortality, reduce heifer mortality, improve calf weaning weights and improve heifer rebreeding rates. The project was secondarily designed to emphasize the value of both ensuring adequate heifer premating weights and of condensing the calving pattern of first-time calving heifers. Alfie’s Australian holdings were managed by Ryan Willing and his wife Elisha until December 2019. Ryan is a current board member of ASHEEP and a member of the cattle subcommittee involved in the project. Alfie farms 2100 hectares in the Condingup region, predominately running 700 breeders. Katanka participated in all three years of the trial. Ryan didn’t hesitate to participate in the PDS on Alfie’s behalf. “I was very excited to be involved with this PDS, I’ve long thought that artificially inseminating heifers was the next step forward in commercial beef cattle enterprises so this way a great opportunity to prove that.” Ryan said. “Heifers represent your farm’s best genetics so lets get the best calf out of them we can and set them up to improve their rebreeding rate,” he added. The setup of the PDS was fairly simple. Ryan randomly hi-jacked approximately half of Alfie’s replacement heifers, synchronized them, and Dr. Enoch Bergman of Swans Veterinary Services inseminated them on the first day of their traditional mating season. The remaining half of the heifers were put straight out with appropriate bulls on the same date. The heifers which were enrolled in the AI program joined their naturally mated siblings ten days later for the remainder of the planned heifer mating period. The conception rate, calving success, rebreeding rates, and the weaning weights of calves from the two groups of heifers were measured in order to estimate the potential value of integrating FTAI into Alfie’s commercial heifer mating programs. Heifers from 10 other Esperance properties were involved in the trial. Some properties, like Alfie’s, participated for all three years. Under Ryan’s management, Alfie’s FTAI integrated heifers had a lower conception rate than their naturally mated siblings in the first year of the program, but enjoyed a superior conception rate in the second and third years. One of the objectives of the PDS was to highlight the importance of achieving adequate premating weight and recognition of the need to ensure a positive plane of nutrition through the mating program. Ryan said. “To ensure the best return on investment when integrating FTAI in your heifer mating program, nutrition is essential. Having all heifers at 55- 60% of mature cow weight and on a rising plain is the best way to get a higher conception to AI in my experience.” Overall, the conception rate was 0.4% better for the heifers which were naturally mated. From the 15 replicates over the entire PDS the conception rate was 0.8% better on average for the heifers enrolled in the FTAI program. The statistics are summarized below.
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Once calving commenced, the heifers which conceived to the AI program calved well in advance of most of the naturally mated heifers. In fact, over the complete PDS data set, 63.8% of the heifers in the FTAI Integrated group had calved by the scheduled calving start date vs. 21.6% among the naturally mated heifers, mostly due to the inherent value of synchronization but also due to selection of AI sires with short gestational lengths, coupled with calving ease and sold growth EBV’s. The advantages afforded by a higher proportion of the pregnancies being sired from proven bulls was relatively evident once the dystocia (or calving trouble) statistics were compiled, demonstrating a reduction of 33% in dystocia, 56% in calf mortalities, and 100% in heifer mortalities associated with calving averaged over the three years. The statistics, including those from all of the producer demonstration sites over the three years are summarized below.
The rebreeding statistics were collected from each farm in the PDS. Alfie’s heifers, which had been enrolled in the FTAI program as heifers, enjoyed a significant improvement in subsequent conception rate after delivering their first calves. Those from within the group which had been AI’d had 56% fewer empties at rebreeding. A similar advantage was observed in 8 of the 10 sites over the first two years of the program. Data is still being collected from the animals enrolled in the third year. The apparent advantage is believed to primarily be driven by the higher proportion of heifers calving earlier in the calving season within the FTAI Integrated groups. It is well established that in most instances, heifers which calve early tend to have higher subsequent conception rates. Combining the value of synchrony and the use of short gestational AI sires, the heifers enrolled in the FTAI Integrated groups calved over 8 days earlier on average than their siblings. Alfie’s rebreeding data, is summarized below.
The value of synchrony extended beyond rebreeding, as the weaners from the FTAI Integrated heifers were consistently heavier than those from the naturally mated group at Katanka. The calves born from the FTAI Integrated group from the first year of the program were only 6 kilograms heavier, however, they were a whopping 20.6 kilograms heavier in the second year, for an average of 13.3 kilograms. Ryan commented, “Katanka’s heifer calves already typically weaned 10kg heavier than the rest of the farm but to improve that by another 13kg was huge.” The findings at Katanka aligned well with the average from all other farms reporting weaning weight data, which averaged out to a 13.1 kilogram advantage. In consultation with Esperance producers both participating and observing the PDS, some economics were applied to the findings of the PDS. Having accounted for all of the AI mating costs to each cooperating producer for semen, pharmaceuticals, technician time, and travel, the average cost to each producer would have been $24.99 more to AI and back up at 2% bulls than to naturally join all of their heifers to bulls at 3%. Alfie’s calculated FTAI integration costs, due to his distance from town, were $31.44 extra per pregnancy to integrate AI over his entire budgeted heifer population. At full cost, Alfie’s AI program cost him $56.27 per head AI’d. Producer labour was estimated at 40 hours at $30 per hour per 100 heifers AI’d over the course of the average AI program. (Continued Pg 22>>>) WA ANGUS NEWS December 2020
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From the Vet (continued) However, Ryan noted, “The other major cost saving was the labour saved calving the AI group. Whilst constant checking is still required, having tighter calving windows turned a 7 week job into a 4-5 week job plus with less heifer intervention required from the calves conceived to AI.” Pregnant heifers were valued at an additional $100 per animal compared to empty heifers diagnosed at preg test. Dystocia events were estimated to average $200 in labour and/or veterinary costs per case. Deceased calves were valued at $500 and deceased heifers at the point of calving at $2000. Kilograms of calf weaned were valued at $4.00 per kilogram live weight. Lastly, empty 2nd calvers were devalued by $1000 per animal should they be empty at their second pregnancy test. The mathematics for Alfie stack up quite neatly as can be seen from the worksheet below which shows the financial benefits captured within one year of the intervention, primarily driven by heavier weaners and better pregnancy rates at the heifers’ second mating opportunity.
“I also noticed that a higher percentage of the heifer’s heifer calves were ending up selected as replacements from the FTAI integrated group which would rapidly decrease the time taken for genetic improvement within the herd.” Ryan said, adding “After participating in the trial and proving the benefits of FTAI in heifers, Katanka now AI all their heifers even under new management. I also continue to do the same with my own heifers and will never look back.” Enoch Bergman is a senior veterinarian at Swans Veterinary Services and past president of the Australian Cattle Vets. He is a member of Trilogy Genetics a group of veterinary practices providing export accredited reproductive services across Western Australia. He can be reached for further questions at enoch@swansvet.com or at 0427 716 907.
*Thanks to Enoch for this informative contribution it is greatly appreciated!
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PLEASE REMEMBER if you need some advice about Covid-19, drought, fires or your mental health...There are some great resources available through not only the Angus Australia website but also the ones below!!
www.cattlecouncil.com.au
farmhub.org.au
www.mla.com.au
AND...MAKE SURE YOU CHECK OUT
“BEHIND THE BEEF!” THE BRAND NEW ANGUS AUSTRALIA PODCAST!
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