Herefords Australia Magazine - Summer 2014

Most beef producers know leptospirosis can damage the performance of their herd, but many forget it can also make people extremely ill as well. If you pick up lepto when handling cattle, you could be out of action for months with severe flu-like symptoms that often develop into an ongoing chronic fatigue like illness. Who would look after your property if that happened?

Protect your herd, your family, employees and yourself. Vaccinate your cattle with Ultravac® 7in1.*

Protecting much more than cattle.

Chairman’s Message

2013 has been a year that most in the cattle industry will be pleased to

Poor seasonal conditions at the top of Australia’s production cycle have created an oversupply situation in which anything not meeting market specs has been heavily discounted.

Access to premium markets, such as the EU market, and long term relationships have helped some producers get through this downturn relatively unscathed. While the drought will break and cattle prices will improve, the underlying lack of profitability in the cattle industry will continue.

At the recent Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association (ARCBA) conference, Rob Banks, from the University of New England’s (UNE) Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU)

◄ CEO Comment

► By Steve Reid

challenged ALL cattle breeds to improve profitability or become irrelevant. If our cattle are marking time, with inflation at 2-3 per cent, we are actually losing 2-3 per cent in profitability per year.

Your Herefords Australia Board has taken this message seriously, and encourages all members to record more traits on their cattle.

The index system is the only objective measure of profitability, in fact it is how our breeds’ performance is gauged by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and we need to use it to improve our cattle.

The BIN project cattle are being put through a Net Feed Intake trial at Tullimba feedlot. This will highlight the most feed efficient sires in the project, a trait most important in the feedlot industry and one neglected by all breeds. Those entering bulls in the BIN will get extra value out of this trial and I encourage everyone to enter bulls in the next cohort. Relationships are what business is built on, and we as a breed and as individuals

► By John McKew

Over the next two years the key strategic imperatives facing the Hereford breed in Australia will not change dramatically, at least in my view. Of course one always has to be mindful that in any operating environment, new opportunities and threats rarely give you fair warning so I am also mindful that our capacity to be adaptable is almost more important than any other attribute when it comes to our survival and success.

Your organisation and Board have identified a number of very clear platforms or Strategic Imperatives that we need to continue to focus our resources upon. They include:

1. Establish and deliver programs to advance the commercial recognition and acceptance of the breed.

2. The launch of a Hereford branded

beef product(s) in both the domestic and selected export markets.

3 Participate in research and development (R&D) programs to further the genetic rate of progress of the breed.

While our Strategic Plan sets out ten Strategic Imperatives, these three are at the top of the list for very good reason – all of them are essential to deliver sustainability, productivity and profitability for our breed and for our Members long term.

We must continue to work to develop programs with other industry partners including commercial Hereford steer evaluation trials and crossbreeding programs. The establishment of a new Company and Board (Australian Hereford Beef Brands) underpins our commitment to launching a Hereford branded beef product(s) in the marketplace. Investing in R&D is an absolute necessity; compared to other breeds our rate of genetic progress is not good enough.

need to foster relationships across the industry. Our CEO, John McKew has been tireless in meeting with processors, exporters and the scientific community putting the Hereford case forward and has just returned from Russian & Kazakhstan where he’s been promoting Herefords into the live export market. We have seen for the first time our membership as a whole gain access to a Category 1 order to Kazakhstan and it was a very welcome market in a tough year.

The branding of our breed in the marketplace is our highest priority and we have commissioned branding agencies to help us with this task.

A widely available Hereford product is a must for our breed.

Enjoy this magazine and appreciate the efforts of our membership promoting Herefords around the countryside. There have been many great events this year, with Canberra feature show probably a stand out, and all of these events help “brand” our breed.

The commitment to a fourth cohort of the Progeny Test (Beef Information Nucleus) Project is a key R&D investment for Herefords Australia in improving this rate of genetic progress. As I have openly stated to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) and the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI), Herefords Australia is back at the R&D table and we want to work with these organisations to develop the full potential of the Hereford breed and that requires focussed R&D investment and effort.

The future of the Hereford breed in Australia will never be without its challenges and threats but as one of this country’s most recognised and highly regarded beef breeds, the opportunities are also great. It’s how we are prepared to work collaboratively, efficiently and effectively that will lead us to the successes that we all know the Hereford breed warrants.

◄ Herefords Launch New Website and Feature Video ►

A new website is helping Hereford producers and the wider beef industry to stay informed and up to date with the latest Hereford news and information.

The website was unveiled at the Herefords Australia Breed Development Conference in Albury, New South Wales on Monday July 30 by Marketing and Communications Manager Jamie O’Brien, in front of more than 90 Hereford producers and industry stakeholders.

The website includes a host of new features - including videos on its front page, a Stud Stock sales section in conjunction with Fairfax Media, as well as new opportunities to promote different issues and events taking place within the breed.

Herefords Australia CEO John McKew said the new website is evidence the industry means business and is prepared

to do what it takes to showcase the benefits of being a Hereford producer.

“As we move forward into the next generation of Hereford production – we need to ensure we are equipped with the right tools to deliver the necessary information,” Mr McKew said.

“Users of the website will be given a whole new taste of what it means to be a Hereford producer, and I hope they take that opportunity seriously,” he said.

Mr McKew went on to say that the new website is the key tool in delivering the latest R&D, news and information, technological advances and more.

“Particularly as we keep working towards fulfilling our mission of returning the breed to pre-eminence within the national herd,” he said.

“The new site delivers features such as separated media releases and news

items so that users of the website are able to more easily identify the latest information of the Hereford industry,” he said.

The launch of the website also included the release of a new feature video via YouTube that is aimed at attracting cattle producers to look into opportunities that the Hereford breed has to offer.

Herefords Australia members would have noticed that the e-newsletter underwent a facelift in early 2013.

The new design is part of the ongoing new marketing strategy being developed by Marketing and Communications Manager Jamie O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien said that the e-newsletter is an innovative and effective way for members to hear all the latest news and

information about the Hereford industry. Members should also note that the e-newsletter will now be published monthly.

If you know anyone who is interested in receiving a copy of the newsletter, please forward them a copy of the newsletter, or direct them to the Herefords Australia website.

“Users of the website will be given a whole new taste of what it means to be a Hereford producer, and I hope they take that opportunity seriously.” ► John McKew

Herefords home page snapshot

Herefords feature video

Herefords Australia members and industry stakeholders have received a social media boost over the past 12 months, following a revamp of the Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.

In 2013, the Herefords Australia Facebook page has increased by more than 500 users, Twitter by more than 100, and an additional 10 videos have been added to YouTube.

Social Media Expert and Director of Brisbane-based marketing company TwoCents, Simon Dell, emphasised that Hereford members should make every opportunity to engage with social media, because that’s where the most important client is - the consumer.

“Social media is used by almost half the Australian population and this is where they influence and are influenced,” Mr Dell said.

“If your brand and business isn’t using social media, it’s missing out on an opportunity to grow its influence,” he said.

Mr Dell went on to say that social media allows users to have a two-way conversation with their target market, suppliers, influencers and anyone else involved in their business.

“You can ask them questions and they can give you direct opinions, helping you shape your future decisions,” Mr Dell said.

“Social media also allows you to detect trends in your market so you can stay ahead of what consumers want.

“Whatever way you use it, or whatever platform you decide to use, it’s also important to remember that if you’re not using social media, chances are your competitors are,” he said.

Avid Facebook user and Hereford producer Anne Starr says getting updates via Facebook and Twitter have been a refreshing way to receive information about the Hereford industry.

“I check my social media sites on a daily basis, and this way I am able to get updates about a number of interests at the same time, particularly in regards to the national and international Hereford industry,” Ms Starr said.

“With Herefords now on the social media scene on a few different levels, I can get updates even hourly if I like,” she said.

◄ Jamaican-Jerk Hereford Beef Scotch Fillet with Cornbread and Roasted Capsicum Salad

With Ed Halmagyi

Celebrity Chef Ed Halmagyi, or “Fast Ed” will be providing exclusive Hereford Beef recipes for the Herefords Australia Magazine in 2014. For more information go to www.fast-ed.com.au

Preparation time: 15 minutes + 2 hours marinating

Cooking time: 40 minutes Serves 8

2 tsp ground all spice

2 tsp chilli flakes

1½ tsp dried thyme

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp grated ginger

1 tsp ground black pepper

½ tsp ground nutmeg

2kg Hereford scotch fillet

2 each red, green and yellow capsicums cooking oil spray

150g white maize meal*

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp fine salt

300ml buttermilk

75g feta, crumbled salt flakes and freshly-milled black pepper

1 baby fennel, finely shaved

½ red onion, finely shaved

1 bunch parsley leaves

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp red wine vinegar lime wedges, to serve

1. Preheat oven to 220°C. Combine the spices in a small bowl and rub onto the beef. Cover with cling film and refrigerate for 2 hours to marinate. Sprinkle the capsicums with cooking oil spray and arrange on an oven tray, then bake for 20 minutes, until blackened. Place in a bowl, cover with cling film, then set aside to cool completely. Once cool, peel and de-seed, then cut into strips and place on kitchen paper to dry.

2. Sift the maize meal, baking powder and fine salt into a bowl, then add the buttermilk and two-thirds of the olive oil. Mix well, add the feta, then press into a lined 20cm cake tin. Reduce the oven to 180°C and bake for 30 minutes, until deep-golden. Cool on a wire rack.

3. Season the beef with salt, sprinkle with cooking oil, then cook on a hot barbecue grill for 15 minutes, turning often, until medium. Set aside to rest for 10 minutes. Combine the capsicums, fennel, onion and parsley in a bowl, season lightly with salt and pepper, then drizzle with vinegar and the remaining oil.

4. Carve the beef, cut the cornbread into wedges, and serve with lime wedges.

*White maize meal is also called ‘harina’ and is made from pre-cooked corn that is coarsely ground to a rough flour. Popular

in South America and the Caribbean for making breads, tortillas and tamales, it is

Ed Halmagyi

The Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV) has recently released revised standards for minimum scrotal circumference to pass a Veterinary Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation (VBBSE). The revised standards have resulted from recent advances in understanding as to what constitutes normal scrotal size in the Australian herd based on the “Bull Power” project. This project involved analysis of ~260,000 scrotal circumference measurements that had been recorded with BREEDPLAN between 2000 and 2012 across 13 common breeds of Australian beef bulls, including Hereford. Scrotal circumference measurements were mostly taken when bulls were within 250–750 kg live weight and 300–750 days of age.

Why Measure Scrotal Circumference?

Measuring scrotal circumference can indicate the likelihood that a bull has reached puberty, and whether testicular development is within the normal range. Scrotal circumference assessment is an

important part of a VBBSE, which is used to assess whether bulls have normal reproductive function prior to making selection and management decisions. Scrotal circumference is:

► A good indicator of daily sperm production especially in young bulls, which is fairly constant per gram of testis

► A highly repeatable measure (with appropriate technique) and highly heritable (30-45%)

► Correlated with sperm motility and morphology. However, these are independently assessed as part of a routine VBBSE

► Genetically correlated with earlier age at puberty in female relatives

► Genetically correlated with earlier return to cyclicity after calving in female relatives within tropically adapted cattle, and especially Bos indicus cattle

VBBSE Standards for Scrotal Circumference

Previous VBBSE standards listed simple

minimum cut-off points for scrotal circumference based on breed and age. Historically, bulls with a scrotal circumference greater than the cut-off were scored with a tick for the scrotal circumference component of the VBBSE, and those below with a cross.

In recent times, the VBBSE has moved from a pass/fail model to a description of risk with a T (Tick), Q (Qualified) and X (Cross) system being used to acknowledge that there are shades of grey and that assessment of risk is not always absolute.

Findings from Bull Power Project

The main findings from the recent analyses include:

► Live weight appears to be a superior reference point in comparison to age as a measure for assessing acceptable scrotal circumference in young bulls. Age can also be used, but the variation at any age is higher because of nutrition effects on weight per day of age.

(Continued page 10)

► Scrotal circumference x weight relationships have the same pattern in most breeds. The range across breeds of average scrotal circumference at any weight between 250-750 kg is 5-7 cm. Temperate breeds tend to have larger scrotal circumference at the same weight than tropically-adapted breeds; some of this is related to the lower width to length ratio of Bos indicus testes.

► Across the 13 breeds included in the study, Australian beef bulls have been categorised into 5 groups that, at the same live weight, have similar average scrotal circumference. Hereford bulls have been grouped as having very similar live weight x scrotal size relationships to Brangus and Shorthorn bulls.

Recommendations

There is no clear point at which a scrotal circumference indicates an increased risk to fertility. Thus, scrotal circumference needs to be interpreted along with other elements of the physical examination, and with crush side semen and morphology results if available. Bulls with a scrotal circumference that is not within “normal limits” should be viewed with suspicion unless it can be shown by other means that this does not pose a risk.

Details of normal scrotal circumference in the Australian Hereford bull population are provided in Figure 1. As a general principle, it is recommended that the minimum acceptable scrotal circumference is the bottom 5% value at any weight. It should be noted that the minimum recommended is “bare minimum”. For example, bulls close to the minimum threshold are more likely to suffer from some of the problems associated with small scrotal circumference than bulls well above the threshold. Bull breeders may consider setting a higher scrotal circumference minimum for sale bulls than what is indicated by normal range.

Table 1 shows the data from Figure 1 in tabular form and provides a ready reckoner to the minimum acceptable scrotal circumference at a given live weight in Hereford bulls:

Table 1 – Minimum Acceptable Scrotal Circumference by Live Weight in Hereford Bulls

300 kg 400 kg 500 kg 600 kg 700 kg 800 kg 900 kg

25.5 cm 30.0 cm 32.5 cm 34.0 cm 35.5 cm 36.0 cm 36.5 cm

Acknowledging that it is not always possible to obtain live weights for bulls, Table 2 provides recommended minimum scrotal circumference thresholds for Hereford bulls in situations

where live weight is not available. Again, these are the “bare minimum”.

Table 2 – Minimum Acceptable Scrotal Circumference by Age in Hereford Bulls (Where Live Weight is Unavailable)

12 months 15 months 18 months 21 months 24 months 27 months

23 cm 26 cm 29 cm 31 cm 32 cm 33 cm

The above standards do not indicate that either puberty or sexual maturity has been reached; rather, they indicate normal minimum levels of testicular development as reflected in scrotal circumference. Separate evaluation of crush-side semen and/ or sperm morphology are required to confirm attainment of puberty and sexual maturity, with most bulls reaching puberty in a narrow range of 27 – 30 cm.

Reference Australian Cattle Veterinarians, Veterinary Bull Breeding Soundness Evaluation, 2013

◄ Herefords Australia Progeny Test & Beef Information Nucleus - Cohort 1 Results

THerefords Australia Progeny Test & Beef Information Nucleus (BIN) Project has now been largely finalised and results are starting to become available.

The Herefords Australia Progeny Test & Beef Information Nucleus (BIN) Project has recently entered its fourth year of operation with approximately 50 Hereford & Poll Hereford bulls of high genetic merit being progeny tested across four different cohorts utilising the facilities of 12 cooperator herds with a geographic spread from the south east of South Australia to South Western Queensland.

Cohort 1 involved 685 Hereford cows being inseminated with semen from 15 sires across 8 co-operator herds.

Cows were joined in 2010 with the 392 resultant progeny being born across both an autumn and spring calving in 2011. Progeny were weaned in 2011/12 back-grounded in 2012/13 with the

in 2012/13 while heifer progeny have been retained in the co-operator herds where some are being used as breeders in Cohort 3.

Extensive data collection has been conducted on the progeny and has included birth weight, calving difficulty scores, gestation length, 200, 400 and 600 day weights (the latter from heifers only), structure soundness assessment, docility scores and net feed intake from a portion of the steers.

All steers and heifers were scanned for rib & rump fat, EMA and IMF and full MSA chiller assessment data was collected on all steer carcasses. All carcasses graded into MSA boning groups 1 to 5 with the vast majority falling into boning groups 2 & 3. Meat samples from all carcasses were analysed by the UNE Meat Science Lab for tenderness, IMF, cooking loss and meat colour.

In addition, tail hairs and blood samples have been collected on all progeny as

a source of DNA information for future development and validation of genomic based technologies. All calves have been DNA-sire verified by the Animal Genetics Lab at the University of Queensland. The performance data collected on the cohort 1 progeny has now been stored on the Herefords Australia database and analysed within the Hereford BREEDPLAN evaluation. Updated EBVs for all 15 sires are provided in the table on page 12. Herefords Australia is now working with staff at the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI) and the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) in Armidale, NSW to further compile and analyse the results from cohort 1 progeny. In particular, the use of least squares means methodology to present the average performance of the progeny for each trait is being investigated, as well as the possible calculation of EBVs for additional traits such as docility, structural soundness, net feed intake and tenderness. It is envisaged that further results will be available over coming months.

These cows are currently part of the Herefords Australia Progeny Test. The project is well into the data collection phase with progeny from three sire cohorts now being analysed.

+$ 87 -5.8 73 %

+$ 93 +8 6 95 % +2 6 97 % +1 .5 97 %

+$ 84 +3 .1 98 % +3 6 98 % +6 5 98 % +8 6 98 %

7 95 % +7 6 95 % +6 3 91 % +5 81 % +4 .1 94 % -4.6 64 % +5 6 89 % +4 .1 83 % +0 .7 84 % +2 .3 88 % +1 .0 77 % -0.7 87 % +$ 104 +$ 108 +$ 100 +$ 129

+$ 78 98 %

+$ 110 +$ 136 +$ 118 +4 7 85 %

-3.7 52 % +9

+7 3

+4 9 83 % Wir r un a Daff y D1 (P)

-0.7 92 % +$ 110

+7 .4 74 % Yarram Legion C091 (AI) (H)

+1 .7 77 % +1 .2 81 % +0 .9 71 % +0 .5 80 % Yarram Lottery X122 (H)

+$ 114 -2.2 42 %

.1 94 % +4 2 90 % +$ 120

.4 98 % +2 6 98 % +4 2 98 % +5 0 98 % +2 8 97 % +3 97 % +2 .6 97 % -3.9 80 % +5 2 94 % +11.2 91 % +1 .7 92 % +1 .7 94 % +2 .5 90 % +1 .2 94 % +$ 93 +$ 103 +$ 120 +$ 106 +6 6

+1 .7 57 % 0.0 91 % -0.3 93 % +2 .2 88 % -0.1 92 %

+1 .7 79 % +3 .7 84 % -0.2 70 % +2 .2 83 %

+7 .6 81 % +2 .7 87 % +2 6 84 % +5 1 85 % +7 4 86 %

+5 4 89 % -1.0 88 %

.0 54 % -2.1 89 % +$ 98

88 % -2.7 98 % +5 9

3 95 %

.9 97 %

95 %

-1.5 53 % -0.8 41 %

67 %

+2 +6 4 94 %

+2 .8 62 % +4 .5 48 % -2.5 92 % +4 .5 94 % +4 3 91 % +7 5 91 % +1 01 91 % +8 0 79 % +2 2 58 % +1 .3 74 % -1.8 41 % +8 0 86 % -3.7 76 % -1.5 78 % -3.2 83 % +0 .2 66 % -0.2 81 % +$ 98 +$ 84 +$ 96 +$ 109 +3 .5 77 %

77

.1 72 % +4 .4 62 % -1.5 93 % +0 .6 96 % +2 2 93 % +3 9 93 % +5 5 93 % +2 6 89 % +2 4 82 % +1 .5 91 % -3.9 60 % +3 2 88 % +4 .3 81 % +2 .9 82 % +5 .1 87 % -1.2 75 % +1 .2 86 % +$ 96 +$ 102 +$ 111 +$ 96

+8 0 84 % +2 8 84 % +3 .1 89 % +1 .0 54 %

.4 70 % +5 .2 90 %

64 % +$ 97

+3 .4 95 % +3 3 92 % +6 2 92 % +9 0 92 % +$ 108 +$ 113 +$ 133 Yavenvale Jester (AI) (H)

+7 .6 73 % -1.7 61 % +0 .2 97 % +2 .2 98 % +2 5 96 % +3 9 96 % +4 8 95 % +2 8 88 % +2 69 % +5 .6 96 % -6.4 53 % +5 5 89 % +9 .7 83 % +2 .3 83 % +2 .2 88 % +2 .5 76 % +1 .0 87 % +$ 96 +$ 111 +$ 126 +$ 117

-0.6 59 % -10.8 44 % -2.2 94 % +6 .6 95 % +4 0 92 % +6 1 92 % +9 5 92 % +7 2 80 % +8 59 % +2 .5 90 % +0 .1 42 % +5 9 84 % +5 .5 75 % +0 .2 77 % +0 .1 82 % +2 .3 70 % +0 .1 81 % +$ 91 +$ 82 +$ 93 +$ 102

+1 .0 91 % +4 .7 85 % -5.8

-0.4 +0 .8 +0 .0 +4 .3 +2 7 +4 4 +6 3 +6 1 +1 3 +1 .4-1.8 +3 8 +2 .8 +0 .2 +0 .1 +0 .8 +0 .1

5 90 % +1 02 88 % +9 0 77 % +1 4 63 % +1 .8 79 % -4.0 44 % +7 0 79 % +3 .3 67 % +0 .1 68 % +0 .4 75 % +0 .8 63 % +0 .8 70 % +$ 112 +$ 108 +$ 122 +$ 126 +$ 94 Br eed Avg. Eb vs for 2011 Bo rn Calve s

92 % +6 5

◄ Maximising Genetic Improvement in a Beef Breeding Enterprise►

One of the key measures of the success of any beef breeding enterprise, whether it be seedstock or commercial, is the genetic improvement that is made within their breeding program from one year to another. In a climate of declining terms of trade, genetic improvement provides an important tool that can be used to facilitate an improvement in the phenotype, performance and ultimately profitability of animals in both seedstock and commercial beef herds.

Genetic improvement is achieved when the average genetic value of the progeny is higher than the average genetic value of the parents from which they were selected, with the rate or amount of genetic improvement achieved being determined by the degree of superiority of the progeny relative to their parents.

Having a good understanding of the factors that influence the rate of genetic improvement is consequently an important consideration for all beef breeding enterprises.

Factors Influencing the Rate of Genetic Improvement

Most producers running a beef breeding enterprise will have an understanding of the factors that influence the rate of genetic improvement (or response to selection) being achieved each year within their breeding program, however this can be more formally defined by the following equation. This equation equally applies to the genetic improvement that is made for an individual trait, selection index or the overall breeding objective.

R = i x r x σg L

Figure 1 – Selection intensity has a major influence on the genetic improvement that is achieved in a beef breeding enterprise

Where

R = Response to Selection

i = Selection Intensity

r = Accuracy of Selection

σg = Genetic Variation

L = Generation Length

Appreciating how these factors interact in the dynamics of a breeding herd is important if beef producers are to ensure that long term sustainable genetic improvement is achieved within their breeding program.

Selection Intensity (i)

The selection intensity is the difference in the average genetic value of the animals selected for breeding versus the average genetic value of all animals in the population from which they were selected (see Figure 1). The higher the selection intensity (or the degree of superiority), the higher the rate of genetic improvement that will be achieved.

The practices conducted within a beef breeding enterprise have a large influence on the selection intensity within a breeding program. When a large proportion of animals are selected as parents, as is normal for selecting replacement heifers, the resulting selection intensity will be small. Conversely, when a smaller proportion of animals are selected as parents, such as is normal when selecting bulls, the resulting selection intensity will potentially be quite large.

In general, the smaller the proportion of

animals selected, the higher will be their relative genetic superiority, therefore the higher the selection intensity.

In a practical sense, selection intensity is more difficult to influence in the female side of the breeding program than the male side, although use of reproductive technologies such as embryo transfer provide some opportunities to seedstock beef producers. Selection intensity is consequently more practically influenced through careful consideration being given to the genetic superiority of the bulls used within the breeding program. Reproductive tools such as artificial insemination provide powerful tools that can be used to increase selection intensity, particularly in seedstock beef enterprises.

Accuracy of Selection (r)

Accuracy of selection is determined by the magnitude of the correlation between the true breeding value of the animals available for selection as parents, and the information on which the selection decisions are based. The accuracy of selection will be influenced by such factors as the heritability of the individual trait, the quantity and quality of information available, the availability of selection tools, and the accuracy of these selection tools. The higher the accuracy of selection, the more informed and correct the selection decisions are that are made, and the more genetic improvement that is achieved.

In a modern beef breeding operation, accuracy of selection can be maximised by:

► Accurately performance recording and measuring all animals within a seedstock breeding program

► Accurately performance recording and measuring as many traits as possible within the breeding objective in a seedstock breeding program

► Utilising genetic tools such as BREEDPLAN EBVs and selection indexes when making selection decisions

► Selecting genetics from seedstock producers who record comprehensive performance information with BREEDPLAN

► Using proven sires as opposed to younger bulls

► Considering the use of DNA based technologies where available.

Genetic Variation (σg)

The amount of genetic variation that exists within the population of animals that are available for use within the breeding program influences the amount of genetic improvement that is possible, with greater genetic variation providing a greater potential to make genetic improvement.

The amount of genetic variation that exists is difficult for a beef breeding enterprise to influence. In practice, the degree of genetic variation can be increased by expanding the gene pool from which animals are selected, such as through sourcing genetics from herds or bloodlines not previously utilised or from overseas countries. Strategies such as crossbreeding can also be used to increase genetic variation, particularly in commercial operations.

Generation Length (L)

Generation length is defined as the average age of the parents in a population at the time that their progeny are born, with a shorter generation length resulting in greater genetic improvement being achieved. Beef animals are somewhat constrained by contrast to other livestock species (eg. poultry) due to an older age of puberty and longer length of gestation, however generation length can be reduced through use of younger animals within a beef breeding program. This includes strategies such as retaining a higher proportion of replacement heifers, ensuring heifers have their first calf at 2 years of age and the use of yearling sires.

The Trade Off

As with many of the economically important traits that exist within a breeding objective, an antagonistic relationship also exists between many of the factors which influence the rate of genetic improvement achieved in a beef breeding program. For example, shorter generation length may result in a lower accuracy of selection. Producers running a beef breeding enterprise need to carefully consider how these factors interact to ensure that overall genetic improvement is maximised.

Knowledge of the factors that influence the rate of genetic progress and how they interact is important for all beef seedstock producers.

By increasing selection intensity, increasing the accuracy of selection decisions, increasing the genetic variation and decreasing the generation length, a greater rate of genetic improvement can be achieved within both individual beef

breeding enterprises and across the Australian Hereford industry as a whole.

References

Applied Animal and Plant Breeding, School of Environmental and Rural Science, UNE, GENE 251/351 Course Notes and Reading Guide

Genetic Evaluation and Breeding Program Design, School of Environmental and Rural Science, UNE, GENE 422/522 Course Notes and Reading Guide

Performance recording of animals within the Hereford breed is now at an all time high with a considerable increase in the performance recording of Hereford animals observed in the past 5 years.

The increase is a result of several initiatives implemented by the Herefords Australia organisation over recent years and demonstrates a renewed commitment of the Hereford breed to performance recording and the adoption of the latest breeding technologies.

One such initiative that has contributed to the increase in the level of the performance recording within the Hereford breed has been the release of the “Completeness of Performance” product in March 2012.

The “Completeness of Performance” product assesses the quantity of pedigree and performance information that has been submitted to BREEDPLAN by each individual Hereford seedstock herd and forms one component in a suite of quality assurance products that have been developed by staff at the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI), in association with both Southern Beef Technology Services (SBTS) and Tropical Beef Technology Services (TBTS), in order to maintain the ongoing integrity of BREEDPLAN EBVs.

In association with the regular distribution of reports to each individual member of Hereford BREEDPLAN that provide a summary of the information that the seedstock herd has submitted to BREEDPLAN, the Completeness of Performance product calculates a “Completeness of Performance” star rating for each member of Hereford BREEDPLAN. The star rating for each member is calculated based on the proportion of calves within the herd born in a fixed 5 year period that have performance recorded for each trait, with each individual herd receiving a star rating on a 0 – 5 scale (including half stars) that summarises the “completeness” of their performance information. A description of the different star ratings is provided in Table 2. Table 1

Table 2 – Description of Hereford Completeness of Performance Star Ratings

Herds with a star rating of “5” are gold standard. They are considered to be recording “complete” performance information with BREEDPLAN for all animals across all traits for which EBVs are available.

Herds with a star rating of “4” or “4.5” are silver standard. They are considered to be recording comprehensive performance information with BREEDPLAN for most animals and traits, but are recording less performance than a 5 star herd.

Herds with a star rating of “3” or “3.5” are considered bronze standard. They are considered to be recording performance information with BREEDPLAN for a reasonable number of traits or animals, but are recording less performance information than a 4 or 5 star herd.

Herds with a rating of “2.5” or less are recording information with BREEDPLAN but not for all animals or traits. They are recording less performance information than a 3, 4 or 5 star herd.

In the 18 months since the release of the Completeness of Performance product, a considerable increase in the star ratings of Hereford seedstock members has been observed, as demonstrated in Table 3. Of particular note, there has been a 33% increase in the number of Hereford seedstock herds with a star rating of 4 stars or above (representing an additional 14 herds). The increase in star rating is a direct result of Herefords Australia members collecting additional performance information on their animals and submitting it to BREEDPLAN.

increase in

amount of performance information being recorded on Hereford seedstock animals is resulting in an increase in the accuracy of the EBVs being used to assist the selection decisions being made by both commercial

bull buyers and seedstock breeders, and is subsequently resulting in an increase in the rate of genetic improvement that is being achieved by the Hereford breed as a whole.

A recent analysis of the rate of genetic improvement within the Hereford breed demonstrated a 25% increase in the rate of the genetic improvement between 2007 and 2011, with the Hereford seedstock industry now delivering bulls that are $2.43 per cow mated more profitable than the year immediately beforehand due to improved genetics.

The increase that has been observed in the rate of genetic improvement clearly demonstrates the value of the increased performance recording that has being conducted by Herefords Australia members and highlights two main points:

► Hereford seedstock producers should continue to carefully review their performance recording program and identify any areas where additional performance information can be collected on their animals and submitted to BREEDPLAN. Recording information in these areas will improve the accuracy of the EBVs being calculated for their animals. Members of Hereford BREEDPLAN can access a copy

of their “Completeness of Performance” report from the Member Login area of the BREEDPLAN website.

► While ultimately EBV accuracy values provide an indication of the reliability of an animal’s EBVs, if EBVs are an important part of the selection of animals for use within a breeding program, then the Completeness of Performance star rating enables easy identification of the Hereford seedstock herds that are recording more complete performance information. Selecting animals from herds with a higher star rating enables producers to use the EBVs presented on their animals with confidence. The Completeness of Performance star rating for each Hereford seedstock member can be accessed from the Database Search facility available on the Herefords Australia website.

To further discuss the performance recording requirements in a seedstock herd, or the use of BREEDPLAN information when making selection decisions, contact Andrew Byrne at SBTS on (02) 6773 3357.

Hereford Conferences

Deliver the Latest for Producers

Breed promotion, the challenges facing Hereford breeders and bringing the Hereford family together were just some of the aims at the 2013 Herefords Australia Breed Development conferences. The two conferences, which took place

“Hereford producers are in an everchanging business and members need to keep up with these developments” Mr Reid said.

“They also needed to hear from the commercial sector and where it sits in their business,” he said.

“Provided Herefords can sustainably maintain breed improvements and steadily increase production, Hereford beef is very well positioned for the next 20 years,” Mr Thomas said.

“The emergence of markets like China, the Middle East and a number of other Southeast Asian countries continue to demand clean, safe and quality beef, to feed the growing populations and increasing middle class, and

in Armidale on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 April, and then again in Albury on Monday 29 July and Tuesday 30 July 2013 were each attended by more than 100 producers.

Herefords Australia Chairman Steve Reid said the Breed Development conferences were an excellent opportunity for breeders to come together and listen to what is happening on a broad scale within the industry.

“I believe it is vital in our role as cattle producers and most importantly as Hereford breeders, to go out of our way to stay informed,” he said.

Mr Reid went on to say those who attended responded well to the presentations.

“I believe members and producers that attended were very interested in what they heard; they found some of it challenging, but they also found some of it very educational and useful.”

Speakers at the Conference included Senior Beef Market Analyst, Ben Thomas, from Meat & Livestock Australia, who presented the latest facts and figures on where the Australian beef industry is in demand, with a sharp focus on how Hereford producers can hone in on that demand.

Herefords Australia Chairman Steve Reid opens the Conference in April

“Provided Herefords can sustainably maintain breed improvements and steadily increase production, Hereford beef is very well positioned for the next 20 years…” ► Ben Thomas, MLA

Herefords Australia members and producers at the Armidale Conference in April

University of Queensland Science Leader Animal Genetics, Dr Emily Piper also delivered her talk on the evolution of genetics and DNA testing.

Dr Piper said that DNA testing to predict economically important traits in cattle has evolved rapidly over the past few years.

“As genomic selection programs that augment traditional methods of selection are implemented, the way in which laboratories test for inherited disorders and selective traits has changed considerably,” Dr Piper said.

“New technology developed in the USA to test for multiple traits and disorders in one assay is now available in Australia and will form the basis of ongoing genomic selection programs in beef cattle,” she said.

The conference program also included two discussion panels from Herefords Australia Board Directors, which gave attendees the opportunity to provide comments and feedback to the Board on strategic and operational issues impacting the Hereford breed and the organisation.

“The discussion panels allowed conference attendees to ask pertinent questions that will influence the way they and other members of the industry do business,” Mr Reid said.

Tom Nixon, Qld, Geoff Birchnell and his father, David Birchnell, NSW.

From left, Amanda Burcher, Qld, Jane Leake, NSW, Debbie Reid, Qld and

John McKew, Herefords Australia

Rob Banks, AGBU

Andrew Byrne, SBTS

Geoff Taylor, Herefords Australia Progeny Test Project Co-ordinator

Hennings’ Herefords Take Out Top Prize ►

By Stephen Cooke

If your bank manager called you on a Saturday, would you answer?

This was the scenario facing Glenmorgan beef producer Andrew Henning one recent Saturday but his decision to answer was met with good news.

The familiar voice of his bank lender, Terry Pulsford, told Mr Henning one of his steers had won the Brisbane Royal Paddock to Palate Beef Taste Off. Billed as Australia’s most comprehensive beef supply chain competition, the Paddock to Palate Competition culminated in a Beef Taste Off at the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, August 10.

The Henning family – Andrew and Wendy, and Andrew’s father, John - decided to enter the competition for the first time, and placed seven steers with almost 500 other head into Mort & Co’s Grassdale Feedlot at Dalby in March for 100 days. Over four categories, the steers would be judged on weight gain, fat colour, meat colour, marbling and fat distribution, and

eating quality.

The final stage of the competition is the Beef Taste Off - a palate competition, where exhibitors choose one animal from their pen. A selected cut was then taken from each animal, cooked and tasted by a panel of judges.

It was the Hennings’ Hereford steer that claimed the Beef Taste Off prize, prompting the Saturday phone call.

“My daughter is at school on the coast so we weren’t in Brisbane and when my phone rang and I saw the number, I didn’t know whether I should answer it or not!”

Mr Henning said.

Two of his neighbours on his Glenmorgan property in southern Queensland had entered the competition before so the Hennings thought it would be a good opportunity to see how their cattle fared.

The Hennings run 890 Hereford cows on two properties covering 14,000 acres – the original 5000 acre property of Karingal, used for finishing, and Merchison Park, a breeding block which

was purchased 18 years ago.

Mr Henning, a fourth generation producer, said his father first purchased Hereford cows 40 years ago and the breed’s fertility, finishing ability and weight gain on this country has ensured their continued future.

When asked what the secret was to producing award-winning beef, he replied: “Herefords.”

Those entered in the competition put on 2.37kg a day in the feedlot. The single steer selected for the Beef Taste Off added 2.91kg a day.

“I picked him out for the taste test. I thought he’d be the biggest and softest and he came up trumps.”

The commercial herd has predominantly Merawah and Sevenbardot bloodlines, with the recent addition of Warabah bulls. The Hennings usually purchase seven bulls each year, with Mr Henning selecting on bone, muscle and a straight back.

Glenmorgan Hereford producer Andrew Henning, bottom left, with his wife Wendy, bottom right, and daughters Jane, (top left), Kate (top middle) and Peggy (top right).

Although their properties currently have a prevalence of dry feed, they have been distributing molasses and lick since August.

“We were lucky enough to receive seven inches (170mm) of rain as a result of that cyclone (Oswald) that came down the coast in February,” Mr Henning said “If we didn’t receive that, we would be in a whole world of pain.”

The Hennings traditionally receive 1820 inches (430-480mm) of rain each year but most of this year’s total fell in February and March, with no falls of more than an inch since.

The properties are covered in buffel and natural blue grass, with Gatton Panic

successfully in the past but an increased number of wild pigs have forced them to re-plant these paddocks to grass.

“I picked him out for the taste test. I thought he’d be the biggest and softest and he came up trumps.”

sown down in parts. Oats and forage crops are grown on Karingal for weaners, with grain – either cracked wheat or barley - fed in feeders in the paddock if needed to finish cattle in a poor season.

Bulls are run with the herd throughout the year and there are two weaning periods. The largest weaning occurs in June, with about 200 calves weaned just before Christmas. Calving rate is above 80 per cent.

Mr Henning said they originally tried to co-ordinate one weaning for the year but the current system works well, alleviating pressure on all concerned.

Weaners are sold at 8 months – milk to two teeth – either to Beef City in Toowoomba, or Mort & Co, out of Dalby.

Mr Henning said the Paddock to Palate results proved Herefords could match any breed in taste and weight gain, even in tough conditions like those experienced this year.

The results also showed the Hennings their breeding program is on the right track.

Wendy and Andrew Henning, with their daughter Annabelle.

In 1967, a recorded and commercially focused breeding program with commercial cattle was commenced by Kay Payne who now runs it on “Eulalia” at Gundy NSW.

Kay, who came from a farming background, choosing the Hereford breed because it was the predominant breed at that time.

Kay’s own reading and research revealed the power of genetic selection to improve animal performance and so increase returns from a given area. She later obtained an Honours Science Degree which enabled her to expand her understanding and seek out assistance to initiate a planned genetic improvement program for Elite Poll Herefords. Such assistance was readily available at the University of New England’s (UNE) Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) under the guidance of Dr Keith Hammond who invited breeders to seek his advice.

Kay has shown a growing concern for

the competiveness of the breed and would like to see all Hereford breeders become more involved in the genetic improvement of commercially relevant traits using the world class tools now available. She feels that this is the only way Herefords will ever regain their commercial relevance.

“Eulalia”, the home of Elite Poll Herefords, consists of 1,590 ha with the annual rainfall of 600mm and carries a herd of approx 360 breeders plus progeny, bulls, steers and replacement females.

The undulating country that makes up “Eulalia” consists of native pastures that Kay has oversown with sub clover. The whole area is now well fertilised with super-phosphate and is subject to an ongoing fertiliser program.

The herd is run under challenging conditions at all times. Careful monitoring is carried out for the continued improvement of structure, ease of calving, good growth, temperament, milk, muscle and IMF.

The successful selection for these commercial traits is tested through carcase competitions and feedlot trials. Success in these trials validates the selection program at Elite Poll Herefords and suggests where improvements can be made.

Kay adds, “The uppermost thought in my mind regarding our production goal is that we produce a strong vigorous calf that will grow into a valuable carcase.”

Elite Poll Herefords aim to supply several markets. Since the year 2000 they have supplied the EU market. The valuable MSA market plus the short-fed feedlot market are also targeted.

Kay also adds, “We are aware of the profit drivers needed for our business and also for our clients.”

There are several profit drivers which Kay divides into “on farm” and “market” profit drivers.

The “on-farm” profit drivers include, before all else, animal soundness then fertility, calving ease and last but not

◄ Kay focuses on Hereford Genetics ►

By David Schultz

“on-farm” and the “market” profit drivers. The use of performance recording and EBVs can optimise selected traits to meet the needs of seedstock clients and of commercial markets.

“We know what traits are required for our target markets and more importantly how to use these genetic selection tools to produce animals displaying those traits,” Kay said.

BREEDPLAN is one of the most valuable genetic tools that the commercial breeder can take advantage of.

The advice given at the recent Hereford conferences by Dr Rob Banks, Director of AGBU, is that the best place to buy bulls is from the breeders who have strong records with BREEDPLAN and ideally from herds that have made the most progress and shown the best results.

Elite Poll Herefords also uses BREEDPLAN to select for the higher returning MSA market. Genetics that are targeted are those that achieve higher growth for age and better muscling to improve, boning groups, yield, carcase weights and distribution of fat. Intramuscular fat to enhance eating quality is also vital for this market.

Through careful selection, Kay has increased carcase weight by the selection

which shows the herd is 10kg ahead of the overall breed average for carcase weight but only 5kg ahead of the average 600 day weight.

Kay only breeds from females that have a problem free regular calving record.

“Our heifers can successfully calve down 40kg+ progeny, demonstrating that our selection for genetic calving ease and attention to management is working,” Kay said.

with more calves, more weight to sell, so more profit.

European Union Cattle Accreditation scheme (EUCAS)

Since the year 2000, Elite Poll

Herefords have been supplying the European meat market and encourages Hereford breeders to study the requirements to obtain accreditation. “For the correct product, it is an excellent and

Hereford Youth have made some progressive inroads this year; and now is a better time than ever for emerging youth from across the Hereford industry to become involved

This year, we had two very successful semen auctions at the Herefords Australia National Show & Sales at Wodonga in May and then again at Dubbo in June. The auction at Wodonga made, more than $9000 while some $6000 was raised at Dubbo, with a total of $15,000. This tremendous support shows the positive mindset of the Hereford industry towards the youth and their activities, and we hope it will continue into 2014. In July, we had the National Youth Heifer Show in Cootamundra, which was attended by more than 70 youth from four states. The Youth Show allowed

attendees to hear a number of seminars from industry leaders of the feedlot sector, the ruminant nutrition sectors, research and development, and the media. Our thanks to those who gave their time and experience.

Attendees at Cootamundra also participated in and learnt some important lessons about fitting competitions, parading and junior judging, which were all very valuable tools of what we do. The event was also an opportunity to hand out more than $4000 worth of prizes.

The youth that attended are to be commended, with each one of them showing promising commitment and enthusiasm and with time I am sure the industry can and will further develop that.

Our thanks also go to the Southern NSW Regional Breed Development Group for hosting and supporting the event. In 2014 our National Youth Heifer Show will be held in Victoria; and I would encourage all Hereford youth to keep a lookout for more details that will be promoted shortly.

◄ Youth the Way for the Future ► By Tom Green ◄ Tom Gains New Insights on Herefords in NZ ►

before returning to run the family farm.

“I really enjoy breeding Herefords, and because I’ve previously travelled to the US and Canada, New Zealand was the next step. I was keen to see the differences in their breeding and farming operations,” he said.

In 2013, I have been very proud to be part of the committee that was responsible for the development of our Youth Ambassador Program.

This program is designed to attract young people to become actively involved in the Hereford breed while also providing these ambassadors with the opportunity to expand their networks, skills and experience in the Hereford industry.

Our youth are the future of the Hereford industry and it is important we do everything we can to nurture their skills and talent.

And while nurturing these skills and talents will take time – but what better way to do that than to learn from those who have worked tirelessly before us. Congratulations and thank you to all the youth that have participated in the various forms at all the shows and sales around the country. Your involvement is a vital part of the future of the Hereford breed, and shows great maturity and pride towards the breed.

grass and how they manage their grass production,” Tom said.

Australian Hereford producers could really gain some positive perspective from these methods, and a number of studs impressed me quite a bit,” he said.

Commercial and stud Hereford operator Tom Nixon from Queensland was this year chosen as the recipient of the inaugural Herefords Australia New Zealand Youth Exchange Program.

The 29-year-old principal of Devon Court Herefords and former President of the Queensland Regional Breed Development Group toured New Zealand for two weeks in April where he received a healthy taste of the international Hereford market.

Tom has been breeding Herefords since the age of 17 and after completing Year 10 at Scots College Warwick, he went onto a Certificate 3 in Animal Husbandry at Longreach Pastoral College, Queensland,

Tom added that having seen a number of Australian studs using NZ genetics, it made sense to investigate how this could be of benefit to his breeding programme.

Tom also reported that while a number of NZ breeding objectives are very different, a lot of bulls bred in NZ are specifically designed for the dairy industry where low birth-weight and short gestation length are paramount. However, bulls bred to produce grass fed beef cattle are doing very well overseas and suit the Southern Australian markets.

“There are a number of different programs which also gave me a new insight; such as low birth weight and weight for age off

“The experience definitely lived up to my expectations, and I hope that over time I will be able to put some of these methods I learnt into practise myself.”

Herefords Youth Committee Chairman Scott Hann said Tom was an excellent representative of the Australian Hereford industry.

“I am certain Tom will be able to use this experience as a positive insight not only for his personal knowledge but also for the benefit of the whole Australia Hereford industry.

“The involvement of youth such as Tom is vital for the future of our industry and I believe we will continue to reap the benefits for years to come,” Scott said.

Tom Green Tom Nixon with NZ Herefords Association Youth Committee Representative, Paul Scott.

◄ An Advanced Approach: Sundown Pastoral Company

► By Anna Tickle

General Manager Matthew Monk and Procurement Manager

Rob Walker of renowned Sundown Pastoral Company have a story of innovation and advancement to divulge to the Hereford breeder sphere.

Sundown Pastoral Company was founded by current Chairman Neil Statham in 1964 and remains a family business, owning several fruitful properties throughout northern New South Wales. Today, the company continues to focus on the highest quality beef production possible in its integrated pastoral operations.

Sundown Pastoral Company (SPC) supplies in excess of 50,000 cattle annually to both domestic and export processors, making it a mover and shaker in terms of the Australian beef industry.

For Herefords, SPC opens doors of improvement by trial, and holds the capacity to show breeders exactly what it is about Hereford cattle that can be enhanced to make them the profitable breed of choice for many.

“There is a huge contribution to be made by superior Hereford blood in crossbreeding programs. Hereford animals do add a high level of quality into other breeds by using this practice,” Matthew Monk commented.

SPC has an annual turnover of 38,000 through Gunnee feedlot, and it has been running at full capacity of 9,500 for the past 18 months.

It is an innovative and forward moving company, with an obvious passion to satisfy a high-pressure market with an exceptional product. SPC is making good traction with its wider surrounds, having conducted a number of research projects within the feedlot to assist with industry progress.

Specifically, SPC favours a Bos Taurus animal that has the ability to perform, perform, perform.

“We are paid for a high degree of quality, and as a result we are extremely conscious of providing only the best

results,” Rob Walker stated.

The Sundown team sources and purchases crossbred and purebred weaners and yearlings with a strong standing point on weaning; all animals in the feedlot must have been weaned prior to entry and will not be accepted unless this criterion has been satisfied.

“We know that unweaned cattle do not fetch the true dollars they should be getting,” Rob commented.

“The pure Herefords that we buy must satisfy three factors: they are to be yard weaned, treated under SPC protocols, and preconditioned on Sundown properties,” Matthew commented.

Cattle enter SPC farms at 280-340 kilograms and are backgrounded for 100 days. They are then moved through to the

and processing plants to ensure stress and injury levels are at their lowest.

Following these processes, cattle will go on to satisfy the domestic and export markets.

“When people work with us in alliance within a structured trial, we are more than happy to provide feedback to the breeder,” Rob commented. “That transparent relationship between breeder and feedlot is invaluable and mutually beneficial.”

For many years, using Herefords for crossbreeding has provided superior results within the Australian and export beef industry, and it is evident that many of their characteristics are in fact improving the performance of other breeds.

feedlots where they are monitored closely by highly competent stockpersons.

“We place a large emphasis on the handling techniques used in all aspects of the supply chain to minimise stress, and to make the animal’s time on the farms and feedlot as smooth-running and comfortable as possible,” Matthew added.

The care doesn’t stop there. Cattle are also closely monitored on transport to and from purchase points, farms, feedlots

In order to continue in this forward thinking fashion, Hereford breeders are urged to reflect on the importance of weaning and preconditioning as contributing factors to the performance outcomes of these particular animals in a feedlot facet.

There is an entity to be explored, and in order to further perfect the superior Hereford beef that is being produced, the words of firsthand experience are to be considered.

Sundown Pastoral Procurement Manager Rob Walker. Photo Courtesy of The Weekly Times.

◄ Sundown Pastoral Company: Hereford Steer Evaluation Trial

► By Anna Tickle

320 kilograms at the commencement of the backgrounding phase for a price based on the EYCI (Eastern Young Cattle Indicator).

This is an exciting prospect for the stud and commercial Hereford community, who can submit any amount of entries, with each entry consisting of five to 20 steers by a known sire or group of sires.

The trial will be conducted under normal commercial conditions and will provide an outstanding insight into favourable sire lines and weaner performance data. Steers will be backgrounded for approximately 100 days on good quality pasture to reach a feedlot entry weight of 400-450 kilograms, before undergoing the feedlot phase at SPC’s Gunnee Feedlot at Delungra, New South Wales. Participants will receive a rare

during backgrounding and feedlotting phases and viewing carcases at the processing works.

Breeders will also receive full MSA chiller assessment feedback and the opportunity to become part of the Sundown Alliance Program.

Hereford breeders will then be able to use this valuable feedback to benchmark their genetics against target market specifications, thus providing them with the capacity to improve their own herd’s overall performance.

“We will be providing the facilities for Hereford breeders to receive data directly related to their own genetics,” Rob Walker commented. “This will allow them to monitor whether they have attained their stud or commercial goals, or whether there is further progress to be made.”

“In essence, they have the potential to improve the profitability and marketability

General Manager Matthew Monk

◄ Youth Ambassadors - the Light for the Future ►

By Jamie O’Brien

The Australian Hereford industry will now benefit from the support of six new Youth Ambassadors, following the announcement in October last year.

Herefords Australia Youth Committee President Tom Green said the program was designed to attract young people to become actively involved in the Hereford breed.

“Our youth are the future of the Hereford industry and it is important we do everything we can to nurture their skills and talent,” Mr Green said.

from Allora, Queensland; Jemma WelshRobertson from Goulburn, NSW; Sam Bush from Cootamundra, NSW and James Forsyth from Wallabadah, NSW, have been selected for a 12 month term by the Herefords Australia Youth Committee and the Herefords Australia Board.

because they are enthusiastic about the future of the breed and wider beef industry,” Mr Hann said.

“Furthermore, nurturing these skills and talents will take time and the Hereford industry is very keen and prepared to give that,” he said.

The six Ambassadors, Brandon Sykes from Longford, Victoria, Kate Reid from Millmerran, Queensland; Katelyn Shooter

“They will be given the task of assisting with Hereford shows and sales in their region, including the 2014 Herefords Australia Youth National Heifer Show, promoting the breed within their region and producing news articles relating to the Ambassador Program and Hereford Breed,” Mr Green said.

Herefords Australia Board Director and representative for Youth, Scott Hann, said the Ambassadors have an enormous task ahead of them in promoting the benefits of the breed.

“These Ambassadors have been selected

“This program aims to equip these young Hereford Ambassadors with the right tools to make a difference in all aspects of their lives, including on-farm, off-farm, in family, personal and business related areas,” he said.

The successful young ambassadors each receive an embroidered Herefords jacket and $500 towards costs associated with their role, including travel and accommodation as well as the opportunity to develop their marketing and communication skills.

At the end of their 12 month term, one of the ambassadors will be selected as the Ambassador of the Year and will be awarded $1000 to spend on further education or expenses incurred through future involvement with the Hereford breeds.

Articles on each of the Ambassadors will feature in the following editions of the Herefords Australia Magazine.

Brandon Sykes

18 years old from Longford, Victoria

Undertaking a Diploma in Agriculture Business Management in 2014 Third generation in the family business “Mawarra Herefords” and owner of Mawarra B Herefords “I am looking forward to sharing my passion by promoting the Hereford breed to youth in Victoria and have many plans over the next year.”

Kate Reid 18 years old, from Millmerran, Queensland

Currently studying Animal Science at the University of New England, Armidale Aiming to major in livestock production in future study to become more involved in the cattle industry Treasurer for the Queensland Hereford Youth Group “My family have been breeding stud Hereford cattle for sixty years as our main business and this has contributed to my passion for livestock.”

“This program aims to equip these young Hereford Ambassadors with the right tools to make a difference in all aspects of their lives…”

Scott Hann

Katelyn Shooter

18, from Allora, Queensland

Currently studying a Bachelor of Rural Science at the University of New England, Armidale

Secretary of Herefords Queensland Junior Association

“I have always been interested in the cattle industry and became involved in showing through my school. Since then I have started my own Hereford stud and hope to expand it when I am older.

“I feel strongly about keeping young people in the breed and as Secretary of Herefords Queensland Junior Association I enjoy helping run an annual heifer show.”

18, from Cootamundra, NSW.

Currently studying a Bachelor of Agriculture and Laws at the University of New England, Armidale Helps to manage family farm Glenholme and Kirraweena Hereford and Glenholme Poll Hereford Studs

Herefords Youth member and competed at youth events for Hereford breeders since the age of 5.

“I will take every opportunity to promote the Hereford Breed by discussing the advantages of Herefords, including their temperament, doing ability, fertility and all round hardiness, to Hereford breeders and particularly to people involved in the cattle industry who are not currently Hereford breeders.”

James Forsyth

19, from “Glenora” Wallabadah NSW

Currently studying a Bachelor of Teaching at the University of New England, Armidale

Active member of Herefords Australia Northern NSW Youth (2nd year as President)

“I became increasingly involved in Hereford Youth events with the encouragement and support of Hereford breeders in Northern NSW.”

Jemma Welsh-Robertson

22 years old from Goulburn NSW

Became involved in the Hereford breed through her family’s stud Wynella Herefords

Established her own Stud in 2005 which currently consists of approx. 40 head Awarded the 2011 Australian Champion Beef Cattle Parader “The Youth Ambassador program is a fantastic opportunity for youth to become advocates for the breed and to help put Herefords back into the

◄ Forming Valuable Relationships With Kazakhstan ►

By John McKew

Man experience providing beneficial insights and new relationships for our trade of live Hereford breeding cattle into that market.

My principal purpose was to attend the three-day KazAgro Agricultural Exhibition

as bedding for the cattle.

An idea I had prior to visiting Kazakhstan, was to look at how we could add value to the trade in live breeding cattle into this market and this concept developed into a Kazakhstan / Australia Hereford Cattleman’s Scholarship.

An idea I had prior to visiting Kazakhstan was to look at how we could add value to the trade in live breeding cattle into this market and this concept developed into a Kazakhstan / Australia Hereford Cattleman’s Scholarship.

in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. While this proved to be a valuable opportunity, it was the meetings and the discussions with a number of key players in this market where I believe the real value of the visit will be realised. I had the unique occasion to visit the farm in the east of Kazakhstan taking the current consignments of Herefords. The farm is in its infancy! It is currently 45,000 hectares but will expand to 100,000 hectares. At capacity they plan to have about 10,000 head of registered cattle comprising Herefords, Angus and Red Angus and a commercial herd of breeders. Herefords were included only because they could not get enough Angus but that has opened the door for us. Ultimately they want to start supplying beef to their own feedlot which they also plan to build. The real test for the cattle will be in December and January where there will be up to a metre of snow on the ground.

The cattle industry in Kazakhstan does not lack cattle or the capacity and money to source cattle. It does however, lack a level of skill within their cattlemen (and in other areas including veterinary).

So, how will it work?

working (or perhaps looking to work in) the cattle industry in Kazakhstan. A suitable candidate would be chosen from the applicants who would then travel to Australia for four weeks continuous work experience on a selection of our Hereford farms to learn and experience firsthand best practice in livestock husbandry and management including animal handling, breeding, calf rearing, animal welfare and treatment and any other agreed best practices/skills.

After the four weeks, the candidate returns to Kazakhstan to continue their work in the cattle industry and hopefully, pass on some of the skills they have gained from their time in Australia. It would be an annual Scholarship program. I presented the idea to the Kazakhstan Minister for Agriculture, his department and various other personnel including the Chairman of the Republican Chamber of Herefords (Kazakhstan).

Everyone agreed that this was an idea that had real, tangible merit and longterm benefits to the Kazakhstan cattle industry and also, to our ongoing trade relationship with Kazakhstan.

It has also been suggested that the concept should be presented to our government departments including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or the

Jason Eyes the Big Picture and His Own Paddock ►

By Stephen Cooke

When it comes to improving beef quality in New Zealand, Jason Graham has his eye on both the big picture – and his own back paddock.

Mr Graham is a manager at Silver Fern Farms, a New Zealand farmer cooperative that produces, processes and markets lamb, mutton, beef and venison to more than 60 countries.

Looking at the bigger picture, he is involved in the national implementation of a new beef eating quality grading system, which will enable Silver Fern Farms to sell new brands domestically and internationally with a guaranteed product.

could, as well as refining my skills and understanding.”

He is also the principal of Graham Herefords, based in the Waikato region, and spent years improving the genetics of his registered Hereford herd before a planned expansion.

Mr Graham’s choice of genetics is influenced by his desire to improve the eating quality of his own herd. To that end, he paid the top price of $16,000 at the 40th on-farm sale of Mawarra Herefords in April 2013 for Mawarra Kahlua, which has excellent IMF traits.

The former apprentice baker began building his registered herd about the same time he started in the meat industry, in its processing and manufacturing side eight years ago. He rose to the position of operations manager, overseeing four large processing sites, and built a herd of 50 registered Herefords on 100 acres (40 hectares) near Hamilton, with his wife, Jody.

“My focus has been on getting a good understanding of farming practices, breeding, finishing and looking after cattle,” he said.

“By starting the stud on a smaller scale, we could establish the highest quality we

He and Jody are in the process of relocating to Hawkes Bay, on the other side of the north island, where they intend to lease about 400 acres (160 hectares) with a plan to grow registered cow numbers to between 150-200 head. They have spent time in Australia over the last few years investigating high quality genetics, including purchasing embryos from Debarry cows from Peter and Deanne Sykes, Mawarra Herefords. “We already have a great bull on the ground, as well as an excellent heifer, and will establish an embryo program from her.”

Mr Graham places a high emphasis on conformation when selecting bulls, but when inspecting estimated breeding values (EBVs), carcase traits and meat quality, particularly intra-muscular fat (IMF) are paramount.

“These are important for us because we want to be able to create a point of difference,” he said.

“My focus has been on getting a good understanding of farming practices, breeding, finishing and looking after cattle,” he said.

NZ producer Jason Graham and his wife Jody.

“Marbling in Herefords is behind in New Zealand compared to some other British breeds.”

This was behind his decision to purchase Mawarra Kahlua.

“He landed here in August (after a period in quarantine) and is out with our cows now. We did our homework in Australia and New Zealand, and were taken with the carcase attributes of the Mawarra females.” These complement his foundation bloodlines of Maunghina and Otapawa, with Mawarra bulls to be placed over the Graham cows. “They are great Kiwi bloodlines, and I am at the point now where I have learnt a lot and have a picture in my mind of the type of animals we want.

“Over the last 5-6 years, I’ve learnt that the strength of anyone’s herd is in their females, so we are aiming for consistency through the herd.”

Consistency in meat quality on a national scale has also been at the forefront of Mr Graham’s mind.

Silver Fern Farms represents more than 16,000 farmer shareholders. It has a $2 billion turnover and sells into 60 different countries.

Mr Graham said a new meat eating quality grading system will enable the co-op to select the best quality meat and market it accordingly, improving the premiums paid to its shareholders.

Research conducted by 38 scientists from Texas Tech University in the US, and NZ’s Otago University, saw 13,700 taste tests of beef.

The research has been used by Silver Fern Farms to create a new eating quality grading system for New Zealand beef.

Mr Graham has been working with processing plants and farmers for the past six months, to ensure the best feedback systems are implemented for farmers.

Farmers supplying prime beef to the co-operative will receive new grading reports indicating how their beef rates across a set of eating quality criteria.

“Feedback reports will go to all farmers supplying prime beef from November. It will help them make management decisions around their stock so they can improve the quality of their livestock and maximise their financial returns.”

Farmers will be eligible to receive a

premium for meeting the “EQ Master Grade” standard.

“The new system has given us the ability to create sub-brands and confidence that we can deliver quality every time. We can take out animals that can’t meet consumer expectations.”

Mr Graham said the program will validate some of the EBVs and deliver real information on a broad scale.

“I was at a convention recently, and there were those that were not convinced on EBVs, and those committed to them.

“The last comment from both sides was: One way or another, it will show whether we’re on the right track.”

Always Striving For One Better

By Jamie-Lee Oldfield

Having dedicated more than 40 years to breeding muscle into her Hereford herd, Pam Shelley believes more meat is the most important aim for the breed. She says that cosmetics have been too often the main focus and are irrelevant when it comes to producing meat.

“We have to realise that we are breeding them to eat, and not to look at.”

“Now it is very crucial we breed what the market wants - tremendous carcase, that is what it is all about,” she said.

“We have big eye muscle area (EMA), which is important – we never use a bull in the stud with an EMA under 130 square centimetres - if you use a big one, you get a big one, which produces good bulls for commercial use.”

Starting Kaludah Hereford stud, Cooma, NSW, in 1970, Pam’s “interest” in the breed was created by her father.

“He had the most amazing ability to pick the right animal – an incredible eye for stock,” she said. It was an ability he clearly passed onto his daughter, who

has been keen to learn all she can about Herefords ever since.

Pam says she is also grateful for the support and influence of retired Elders auctioneer Tony Dowe, and Charolais producer David Bondfield who have both

three sections – from head to behind shoulder, from behind shoulder to hip, from hip to tail – they should be three equal portions, the back third being the most important one.

had a big influence on her ideas. And having exhibited and sold bulls at the Herefords Australia National Show and Sale (Wodonga) for the past 27 years, winning most successful exhibitor for 18 of those, it can safely be said she knows what she’s talking about.

“I am looking for more thickness - power and grunt as I call it, when I am judging,” Pam said.

“This includes muscle expression and a wide base – you have got to have a wide top and wide bottom, with legs apart at front and back.

“When I look at a beast I divide it into

“Then I cut horizontally straight through the middle and there should be more above the belt – below is the cheap cuts, above is the expensive meat.”

Running 500 head of Herefords, including 350 stud breeders, in the trying conditions of Cooma, southern NSW, “do-ability”, is another important trait.

One of Kaludah’s oldest clients – Jim Williams, Steeples Flat – also values this trait, having purchased bulls from the stud for more than 40 years.

Pam said clients getting the best money they can for their progeny was the desired result.

“The modern type of Hereford is high yielding, powerful and thick with good doing ability. The more they weigh the more money you are getting.”

“He [Mr Williams] has very cold, miserable winters that are hard going and he does an amazing job.

“A really good top bull can be hard to breed – I have had a few, but they don’t come along all the time.”

“I am not aiming to breed stud bulls – I am looking to breed good bulls for the commercial industry and the odd good stud one turns up.”

While Pam believes the top end of the Hereford breed can rival any other in the Australian market, she said breeders should be focussed on breeding a “modern type”.

“Forty years ago you could stick anything in the saleyards and get the same money for it, regardless of how good it was – now that is not the case,” she said.

“The market doesn’t want a lot of fat – we need fat for doing ability, but an old fashioned fatty animal is wasteful if they are carrying too much fat and not enough meat.

“The modern type of Hereford is high yielding, powerful and thick with good doing ability. The more they weigh the more money you are getting.”

“And we mustn’t forget females that breed and go in calf every year.”

And nearly half a decade on, Pam said you can always be trying to breed a better animal.

“You mustn’t be complacent, always strive to go one better,” she said.

“The biggest thing I aim for is putting more money in the pocket of the commercial breeder by breeding a better bull.

“You have to get them better, because it is like any business - if they are not good enough you can go down the street to the next shop.”

MATING wisely is important when it comes to improving the traits of the breed and individual herds, according to Pam Shelley, Kaludah Herefords.

The use of artificial insemination has made this an easier task for breeders, and Pam said it can be very worthwhile.

“I undertake about three to four AI programs a year, trying different bulls I see here and there,” she said.

“The best thing about AI is that you can test sires in a small amount of progeny without having a big impact on the herd if it doesn’t do well.

“It is a great way to get further up the ladder quicker, because you can use the better bulls that are around and improve them quicker than by just purchasing one bull.”

Pam said this also includes thinking about the outcomes from each individual mating.

“I pick certain cows for certain bulls - I know them all, I don’t forget the cows - to improve certain traits,” she said.

“Some bulls click with some cows, yet some bulls will be good over everything – I have also used a couple of bulls that have done well in other herds but had no results here, and I am sure it is vice versa.”

One of the biggest influences on Pam’s herd was Injemira Duke – purchased in the early 1990’s for $55,000.

“He’s had a magnificent influence and I still have one Duke cow

– a 17 year old with a heifer calf-at-foot – which is Kaludah Topnotch’s mother.

“Duke put a lot of meat into his progeny and I keep striving for that shape and weight.

“You don’t get money for fat – they should have an adequate amount of fat with an EMA around 140 square centimetres, that is what we have got to try and do and it is what a lot of stud

“I have been chasing meat and the shape, which is why I have

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◄ 2013 National Show & Sale (Wodonga) ►

Herefords

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Junior Champion Bull

Kaludah Daddy O G224

Reserve Junior Champion BullYarrandabbie Glasglow G008

MM & PJ Shelley

AR & LM Green

Intermediate Champion Bull

Senior Champion Bull

EDR Grand

EDR Herefords Pty Ltd Reserve Intermediate Champion Bull Sugarloaf Garfield G125

EDR Toranmoor Gold

Reserve Senior Champion BullMawarra As Good As It Gets

Sugarload Creek Herefords

EDR Herefords & Denstone Investments

Mawarra Herefords

Grand Champion Bull

EDR Toranmoor Gold

EDR Herefords & Denstone Investments Reserve Grand Champion BullKaludah Daddy O G224

MM & PJ Shelley

Poll Herefords

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Junior Champion Bull

Waruna Globe G82

Ian Manson Pty Ltd

Reserve Junior Champion BullPollstar Goulburn Murray Porter

Intermediate Champion Bull

Glendan Park Galant G114

Glendan Park Hereford Stud Reserve Intermediate Bull Days Bedford G26 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd Senior Champion Bull Morganvale Garrett G151 Morganvale Pastoral Pty Ltd

Reserve Senior Champion BullWarrensville Xcalibur G3

BLW Steer & Sons

Grand Champion Bull

Glendan Park Galant G114

Glendan Park Hereford Stud Reserve Grand Champion BullDays Bedford G26 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd

Judge Barry Godbolt and wife Joy sashed the Grand Champion Hereford bull at the 2013 Herefords Australia 48th Merial Eprinex Show and Sale (Wodonga) with exhibitor David Russell, Burnie, Tasmania and Andrew Green from Wagga Wagga NSW and sponsor Andy Whitsed, Merial Eprinex.

Lachlan Day, Bordertown, SA with his Reserve Senior Champion Poll Hereford bull being sashed by Geoff Coghill, Moorooduc, Victoria at the 2013 Herefords Australia 48th Merial Eprinex Show and Sale (Wodonga).

Alvio Trovatello, Kyneton, Victoria, judge Barry Godbolt, Tamworth, NSW, Michael Glasser, Auctioneer, Andy Whitsed, Merial, handler Erin Waters, Lancefield, Victoria with the Grand Champion Poll Hereford Bull at the 2013 Herefords Australia 48th Merial Eprinex Show and Sale (Wodonga).

Most successful in the Hereford section the Sykes Family, Mawarra, Longford, Victoria, with Logan, Brandon, Taylah, Peter and Deanne with Gordon Woods, Landmark, Adelaide, South Australia at the 2013 Herefords Australia 48th Merial Eprinex Show and Sale (Wodonga).

◄ 2013 National Show & Sale (Dubbo) ►

Poll Herefords

Intermediate Champion Bull with John Settree, Landmark, Dubbo, NSW, part owner of the exhibit, Cam Clements, Ridley, Tasmania and handler Andrew Green from Wagga Wagga, NSW at the 2013 Herefords Australia 52nd Show & Sale (Dubbo).

Junior Champion Bull at the 2013 52nd Herefords Australia National Show & Sale (Dubbo) being sashed by Liana Elliott, Croak Media and exhibitor Lachie Day from Bordertown, SA.

Grand Champion Bull at the 2013 Herefords Australia 52nd Show & Sale (Dubbo) with Ben Kidd, Virbec Dubbo, NSW, Judge Peter Croker, The Rock, NSW, Lachie Day from Bordertown, SA and Hereford Australia Chairman Steve Reid Millmerran, Queensland.

Andrew Swartz, Bordertown, SA, David Copping, The Avenue, SA, exhibitor Lachie Day, and daughter Eva, Bordertown, SA, with Brad Wilson from The Land, Dubbo, NSW, presenting the President’s Shield Award at the 2013 Herefords Australia 52nd Show & Sale (Dubbo).

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The Tag-a-Calf program was created by Anne Legge with her fellow volunteers from the Bingara Support Group and last year raised more than $10,000. The program encourages farmers to tag one of their calves to be later sold at saleyards with the proceeds going to the Service. A similar style of fundraiser was established in partnership with local grain farmers and supported by GrainCorp that sees a few hundred tonnes gifted to the Service each year. Service General Manager, Richard Jones, said that the collaboration of the agricultural sector and the wider community was most valued and helped ensure that no one would ever have to pay to be assisted by the Service.

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◄ 2013 Royal Easter Show (Sydney) ►

Herefords Champion Animal

Senior Champion Female

Junior Champion Female

Grand Champion Female

Junior Champion Bull

Senior Champion Bull

Grand Champion Bull

Best Exhibit

Poll Herefords

Bonnie Brae Fancy 7

Exhibitor

Mr Neville Farrawell

Beggan Hill Lady Mary G080AC & DA Jones

Bonnie Brae Fancy 7

Lotus Gascoyne G50

Mr Neville Farrawell

Lotus Herefords

Beggan Hill Gambler G013AC & DA Jones

Lotus Gascoyne G50

Lotus Gascoyne G50

Lotus Herefords

Lotus Herefords

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Senior Champion Female

Junior Champion Female

Grand Champion Female

Junior Champion Bull

Senior Champion Bull

Tycolah Asteret D18

Cloverlee Asteret

Tycolah Asteret D18

Yalgoo Ridge G080

Ken & Elizabeth Ikin

Ken & Elizabeth Ikin

Ken & Elizabeth Ikin

Yalgoo Partnership

Hunter Lakes Goliath G105 Mr Stephen Wile

Grand Champion Bull Hunter Lakes Goliath G105 Mr Stephen Wile

Best Exhibit

Hunter Lakes Goliath G105 Mr Stephen Wile

Grand Champion Bull at the 2013 Sydney Royal Easter Show with Ken Ikin, Herefords Australia Board Director, Bannister, NSW and exhibitor, Steve Wile, and handler Mark Newell, Richmond, NSW, with the judge Brooke Rayner, Mudgee, NSW.

Senior Champion Poll Hereford Female at the 2013 Sydney Royal Easter Show with Kristen Lawton, Bannister, NSW, Belinda Tarlington, Bannister, Margaret Hughes, Moss Vale, NSW, judge Brooke Rayner, Mudgee and Kevin Hillsdon, Herefords Australia Board Director, Rockleigh, NSW.

Senior Champion Hereford Bull being sashed by Heather Bush, Cootamundra, NSW, exhibitor Lynda Jones, judge Steve Reid, Millmerran, Queensland and Harvey Jones, Harden, NSW at the 2013 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Ken Ikin, Bannister, with Kristen Lawton, Belinda Tarlington, and Liz Ikin, Bannister, NSW, with Steve Peak, Barraba, NSW, judge Brooke Rayner, Mudgee, NSW with the Grand Champion Poll Hereford Female at the 2013 Sydney Royal Easter Show.

◄ 2013 Royal Show (Melbourne) ►

Herefords

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Senior Champion Cow Claystone Albia Stacey Beggs Reserve Senior Champion CowTondara Miss 20

Grand Champion Female Talis Twighlight H951

Tondara Hereford Stud

McLachlan Group

Junior Champion Bull Tondara Sage H002 Tondara Hereford Stud Reserve Junior Champion BullBeggan Hill Hero H033 AC & DA Jones

Senior Champion Bull Mawarra Air Marshall Mawarra Herefords Reserve Senior Champion BullEmu Holes Frazer G75

BH & PE Gunning Grand Champion Mawarra Air Marshall Mawarra Herefords Supreme Exhibit Mawarra Air Marshall Mawarra Herefords

Poll Herefords

Champion

Animal Exhibitor

Senior Champion Cow

Kanimbla Centrefold G58

Kanimbla Partnership Reserve Senior Champion CowEBBX F27 (P) K & J Harrison

Grand Champion Cow or HeiferKanimbla Revona

Kanimbla Partnership

Junior Champion Bull Days Robin Hood H38 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd Reserve Junior Champion BullGlendan Park Hot Shot Glendan Park

Senior Champion Bull Kanimbla Montgomery G99 Kanimbla Partnership Reserve Senior Champion Bull Wynella Tornado G035 Wynella Pastoral Grand Champion Days Robin Hood H38 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd Supreme Exhibit Kanimbla Revona Kanimbla Partnership

Senior Champion Poll Hereford Bull with exhibitor Mark Barker, Holbrook, NSW with Phil Gay, Creswick, Victoria placing the sash, handler James McWilliams, Holbrook, NSW.

Exhibitor Stacy Beggs, Bungendore, NSW with Steve Reid, Millmerran, Queensland, Andrew Green, Wagga Wagga, NSW and James Pisaturo, Bungendore, NSW, and the Senior Champion Hereford Cow at the 2013 Royal Melbourne Show.

Lynn Vearing from Epping, Victoria, sashed the Grand Champion Poll Hereford Bull with judge Tom Baker from Millicent, SA together with exhibitor Lachlan and Sarah Day from Bordertown, South Australia and Jennie Angliss from Romsey, Victoria at the 2013 Royal Melbourne Show.

Reserve Senior Champion Female at the 2013 Royal Melbourne Show being sashed by Herefords Australia Chairman Steve Reid, Millmerran, Queensland with exhibitor Sophie Holt, Urana, NSW and handler Jordan Alexandra, Wagga, NSW.

Herefords were front and centre at the 2013 Royal Melbourne Show.

The Hereford Feature Show was last year held on Monday September 30 and Tuesday October 1, and dubbed by many to be a spectacular event that the industry can be proud off.

Hard work and dedication paid off for Mawarra Herefords following their win with Mawarra Air Marshall who took out the Senior and Grand Champion Bull titles, in addition to Supreme Interbreed Champion Senior Bull.

Weighing in at 1160 kilograms with an eye muscle area (EMA) of 134 square centimetres, Judge Tom Baker, Woonallee Simmentals, Millicent, SA, described the 26-month-old Bull as a “true sire”.

Kanimbla Revona also contributed to the Herefords success, taking out Grand Champion Poll Hereford female before being awarded Supreme Poll Hereford exhibit and finally Supreme Whiteface.

The 17-month-old heifer was exhibited by Kanimbla Herefords, Holbrook, NSW and also won senior champion female and most successful exhibitor.

Judge Tom Baker, Woonallee Simmentals, Millicent, SA, said the heifer had a “classic wedge shape” and he appreciated everything she brought to the table. Mr Baker also said Kanimbla Revona was relevant to the industry and where the breed needs to be.

Kanimbla Revona won out over the Supreme Hereford exhibit –Senior and Grand Champion Bull Mawarra Air Marshall, from the Sykes family’s Mawarra Herefords, Longford.

Grand Champion Poll Hereford bull went to the Grand Champion from the Adelaide Royal this year, Days Robin Hood, exhibited by Days Whiteface, Bordertown, SA.

Mr Baker said Robin Hood was a “serious bull” who ticked all the boxes.

Grand champion Hereford female went to junior heifer Talis Twilight, exhibited by the McLauchlan Group, Glenquarry, NSW. The heifer was put up for her classic wedge shape, hip to pin and depth, according to judge Mr Baker.

Senior champion female was won by Stacey Beggs, Queanbeyan, NSW, with Claystone Albia, a rising five-year-old cow with a bull calf-at-foot.

“She is a classic type with plenty of scope and tremendous through the hip to pin,” Mr Baker said.

For the first time this year there was also a Performance Class as part of the Hereford breeds feature showing which focused on breeding profitable cattle for the industry.

Mr Baker said it was important that the beef industry changed its focus and started breeding cattle for a specific market rather than breeding cattle first and then trying to find a market that fits.

“It’s important to see how cattle can best fit into the system,” he said.

◄ 2013 Royal Show (Brisbane) ►

Herefords & Poll Herefords Combined

Champion

Junior Champion Heifer

Animal Exhibitor

Talia Twilight H951

Reserve Junior Champion HeiferKalem Cora H33

McLachlan Group

Kalem Poll Hereford Stud

Senior Champion Cow/Heifer

Grand Champion Cow/Heifer

Junior Champion Bull

Kanimbla Revona F153

Jamie Hollis Reserve Senior Champion Cow/HeiferKalem Frolic E23

Kanimbla Revona F153

Tycolah Lynwood H184

Kalem Poll Hereford Stud

Jamie Hollis

S R & T A Crowley

Kalem Poll Hereford Stud Senior Champion Bull WRL Glenfiddich WRL Herefords Reserve Senior Champion BullJindalee Glen Mhor

Reserve Junior Champion BullKalem Howzat H131

Grand Champion Bull

Tycolah Lynwood H184

A L & E A Vivers

S R & T A Crowley

Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley, with Jamie Hollis, Goondiwindi, Queensland and the Reserve Champion Junior Bull at the 2013 Brisbane Show.

Grand Champion Female with Will Keen, Virbac, Andrew Meara, Elders, Amanda Burcher, and Jamie Hollis, Goondiwindi, Queensland, Associate Judge Sarah Holcombe, Walgett, NSW and Herefords Australia Chairman Steve Reid, Millmerran, Qld, at the 2013 Brisbane Show.

Senior Champion Bull with National Farmers Federation (NFF) President Brent Findlay, Steve Hayward, Allora, Queensland and exhibitor Will Beavis, Inverell, NSW at the 2013 Brisbane Show.

Bruce Smith Virbac, Andrew Meara, Elders, Lorette Reynolds, Margie Adnan with judge Tom Baker, Millicent, South Australia amd Associate Judge Sarah Holcombe. Sashing is Richard Wilson, Banana Station Banana, Theresa, Steve and son Ben Crowley and partner Rhine for Grand Champion Hereford Bull at the 2013 Brisbane Show.

Ace Holliss from Lotus Herefords, Glen Innes, New South Wales, always knew his Hereford cross steer would do well.

After seeing the calf at two days old, 19-year-old Ace, who runs a small herd with his brother Cameron just outside of Glen Innes, New South Wales, was so confident that he waited 12 months before he entered the steer into the 2013 Brisbane Show Open Led Steer Competition.

The 15-month-old Hereford cross Limousin steer won Reserve Champion Heavyweight Steer, coming in at 620kg with 15mm and 10mm fat and dressed at 64.3 per cent. Ace says it was fantastic to come home with a ribbon. “I’m really quite elated,” Ace said. “I’m putting a lot of time and effort into my breeding program and it’s good to know that it’s heading in the right direction,” he said.

The steer was fed by Ace and his brother Cameron on feed from Riverina Stock feeds and final presentation at the Show was undertaken by Travis Luscombe of Ace High Fitting Services. 340 steers competed for the ultimate prize of the grand champion steer at the 2013 EKKA.

The steers are then auctioned to the highest bidder, culminating in the bragging rights of the best meat from the EKKA to local butchers, supermarkets and restaurants.

This year’s winning steer made a whopping $23.00/kg dressed

►

weight, sold to the Breakfast Creek Hotel Brisbane, which equates to about $6,000 per head.

Of the 26 steers sold at this year’s Potential Show Steer Sale, conducted by Colin Say & Co Glen Innes, 11 steers competed at the EKKA. In a fierce field of competition, some classes consisted of up to 46 head.

Just to get in the top 10 is a highlight, winning a ribbon certainly makes it worthwhile.

Of the 11 steers taken to the EKKA, 7 steers achieved places in

Ace Holliss, Glen Innes, NSW exhibitor of the Reserve Champion Heavyweight Steer at the 2013 Brisbane EKKA, with handler Anthony Dwyer, Dalby, Queensland.

◄ 2013 Royal Show (Canberra) ►

Herefords Champion Animal Exhibitor

Junior Champion Female

Senior Champion Female

Tondara Mossey

Claystone Albia

Tondara Herefords

Claystone Poll Herefords

Grand Champion Female Claystone Albia Claystone Poll Herefords

Junior Champion Bull

Yarrandabbie Gilmeister G013A & L Green

Senior Champion Bull Centennial Grouse G205

Grand Champion Bull Centennial Grouse G205

Supreme Champion Exhibit Centennial Grouse G205

Poll Herefords

P & N Rogers Investments P/L

P & N Rogers Investments P/L

P & N Rogers Investments P/L

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Junior Champion Female

Kanimbla Centrefold

Kanimbla Partnership

Senior Champion Female Elladee Nora Llandillo Poll Herefords

Grand Champion Female Elladee Nora Llandillo Poll Herefords

Junior Champion Bull

Llandillo Cedar Llandillo Poll Herefords

Senior Champion Bull Llandillo Warrabah Llandillo Poll Herefords

Grand Champion Bull Llandillo Warrabah Llandillo Poll Herefords

Supreme Champion Poll Hereford Llandillo Warrabah Llandillo Poll Herefords

100 Herefords parade the stadium to create the 100 figure at the 2013 Canberra Royal Show as part of the 100 year anniversary.

Supreme Champion Hereford bull with Judge Richard Bradstock, UK, and Jess Crick, Barham, NSW, exhibitor Paul Rogers, Centennial Herefords, Holbrook, NSW and Paul Manwaring, Holbrook, with sisters Alicia and Rebecca Smith, Adelong, NSW presenting the trophy on behalf of their deceased brother, Lachlan, at the 2013 Canberra Royal Show.

Grand Champion Female with judge Richard Bradstock, UK and associate judge Jess Crick, Barham, NSW, Pat Pearce, Adelong, NSW, with Andrew Green, Wagga, NSW and exhibitors James Pisaturo, and Stacy Beggs, Claystone Herefords, Bungendore, NSW.

Herefords Australia CEO John McKew and Ian Barklamb, Chairman of the Canberra Show Cattle Committee during the Heifer Show at the 2013 Canberra Royal Show.

◄ 2013 Royal Show (Adelaide) ►

Herefords

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Junior Champion Cow or HeiferTondara Last Day 141

Tondara Hereford Stud

Grand Champion Female Tondara Last Day 141 Tondara Hereford Stud

Junior Champion Bull Tondara Sage H002 Tondara Hereford Stud

Senior Champion Bull Tondara C141 Blue Blood G028Tondara Hereford Stud Grand Champion Bull Tondara Sage H002 Tondara Hereford Stud

Poll Herefords

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Junior Champion Cow/Heifer

Urrbrae Hanna

Urrbrae Agricultural High School

Senior Champion Cow Days Daisy G40 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd

Grand Champion Female Days Daisy G40 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd

Junior Champion Bull Days Robin Hood H38 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd

Reserve Junior Champion Bull Grande Washington H30 Grande Poll Herefords Grand Champion Bull Days Robin Hood H38 Days Whiteface Pty Ltd

Most Successful Exhibitor Kerlson Pines Pastoral

Junior Champion Poll Hereford female being sashed by Laryn Gogel, Elders, Keith, SA at the 2013 Adelaide Royal Show with handler Courtney Lallard, Urrbrae, SA.

Junior Champion Poll Hereford Bull, lead by Sarah Day, Bordertown, SA and sashed by Neil Rodda, Rural Co Insurance, Adelaide, SA, and Judge Simon Johnson at the 2013 Adelaide Royal Show.

Grand Champion Poll Hereford Female, paraded by Bella and Hettie day, Bordertown, SA and Shirley Davies, Maitland, SA, with judge Simon Johnson at the 2013 Adelaide Royal Show.

Grand Champion Poll Hereford Bull at the 2013 Adelaide Royal Show being sashed by Simon Johnson, and Rick Miller, Landmark, with Sarah Day, Bordertown, SA.

◄ 2013 Royal Show (Hobart)

Herefords

Champion

Champion Junior Bull

Junior Champion Heifer

Grand Champion Bull

Shangriha Hoovver H96 GA & PM Clarke

Lachanora min silver Q Lachlan Woodcock

Shangriha Hoovver H96 GA & PM Clarke

Grand Champion Female Lachanora min silver Q Lachlan Woodcock

Supreme Interbreed ChampionLachanora min silver Q Lachlan Woodcock

Poll Herefords

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Champion Junior Bull

Shangriha Gow Much Do You Love MeGA & PM Clarke

Reserve Champion Junior BullBoomer Creek Patriot Jordan River School Farm

Junior Champion Heifer Lachanora Forcast Fransal Lachlan Woodcock

Reserve Champion Junior HeiferGuilford Quintana H70 Arakoom Poll Hereford Stud

Champion Senior Female Lachanora Forest Xena Lachlan Woodcock

Grand Champion Bull

Shangriha Gow Much Do You Love MeGA & PM Clarke

Grand Champion Female Lachanora Forcast Fransal

Junior

Reserve

Senior

Grand Champion Female Lachanora Forest Xena Lachlan Woodcock

Junior

Reserve

Lachlan Woodcock with Supreme Interbreed Champion winner Lachanora min silver Q at the 2013 Hobart Show.

Lachlan Woodcock with Grand Champion Female Lachanora Forcast Fransal at the 2013 Hobart Show.

◄ 2013 Glen Innes Show & Sale►

Herefords & Polled Herefords combined

Champion Animal Exhibitor

Single Junior Hereford Bull

Lindendale Glenrock

Single Intermediate Hereford BullWendouree Genesis

Single Senior Hereford Bull

Weetalabah Gattabutt

Lindendale

Wendouree

Weetalabah

Pen of 3- Bulls Junior Lindendale Pen of 3 - Bulls Senior Battalion

Champion Pen of 3 - Bull Lindendale

Truckload of 6 - Bull Lindendale

Grand Champion Bull

Yardmen’s Pick

Lindendale Gypsy Lindendale

Lindendale Gilbert Lindendale

Most Successful Exhibitor Lindendale

Single Senior Hereford Bull, Lot 26, from Weetbalah at the 2013 Glen Innes Show & Sale.

Dot O’Leary congratulates Grant Kneipp from Battalion Herefords on his Champion Pen of 3 Bulls.

Glen Innes Show & Sale Committee Chairman Angus Vivers congratulates Greg James, from Lindendale.

The Champion Truckload of 6 at the 2013 Glen Innes Show & Sale, from Lindendale.

Ihave likened explaining the value of Membership of Herefords Australia to looking at an iceberg floating in the ocean. You can easily see the one-third above the water line that is visible in much the same way that I hope you can see and recognise the value in much of what we do day to day.

For example, managing your registrations and inventory, assisting with DNA testing, providing a range of Member services such as sale catalogues, just to name a few very obvious examples.

The other things that we do, much like the two-thirds of the iceberg that is below the water line, is often much more difficult

► Assisting with setting the R&D investment agenda for the beef industr y and for the Hereford breed and ensuring that we receive our share of voice (and investment) in the direction of these activities

► Developing and undertaking commercial programs (e.g. Sundown Pastoral Company Hereford Steer Evaluation Trial) to further the commercial acceptability of Herefords

► Maintaining our relationships with other international Hereford Breed associations to share knowledge, research and ideas

► Building and maintaining relationships with other sectors of the beef value chain including the processing sector

► Managing the financial investments of the organisation and ensuring we meet the legal and reporting requirements of organisations such as the ATO and ASIC

This is by no means a complete list of all of those other activities but I hope it provides a small insight into the value that your Membership provides, especially in the delivery of these very important ‘below the waterline’ services to our Membership and to our breed.

None the less, I believe that a significant amount of the effort and work undertaken by your organisation happens almost as a matter of course and is often largely unseen by the Membership yet it still takes significant resources in time, people, money and skill.

And I’m not talking about unnecessary or superfluous activities, these are activities that if we didn’t undertake them, could easily jeopardise the future of the Hereford breed.

Let’s consider a few examples of those other ‘below the waterline’ activities that some Members may not so readily recognise as being provided through your Membership of Herefords Australia:

► Managing our relationships with key beef industry organisations such as Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU) and the Agricultural Business Research Institute (ABRI)

► Contributing to discussions on issues relating to and affecting the future of the Australian beef industry via our participation as a member of the Executive Committee of the Australian Registered Cattle Breeders Association (ARCBA)

► Working with and managing our relationships with the media and providing them with ready-to-use information in the form of media releases or reports to highlight the benefits and value of breeding Herefords

► Building and maintaining our website and continually working to provide updates and new information

► Building relationships and working with exporters to maintain the profile and the promotion of Australian Herefords in international markets

Next time you pay your Herefords Australia Membership Renewal, you are contributing to providing more than you may first think and in many ways, you are helping to secure the future of the Hereford breed in Australia. And for that, thank you!

Hereford

◄ 2014 Calendar of Events ►

DateEvent

Location

January 8 JanuaryHamilton & Casterton Weaner Sales Hamilton & Casterton, VIC 10 JanuaryNorthern Herefords Australia Youth Heifer Show Quirindi Showgrounds, NSW 28 JanuaryComplete Dispersal Polarish & Herd Reduction Pollstar Wangaratta Saleyards Complex, VIC 28 JanuaryInjemira Bull Sale Preview Open Day Book Book, NSW 28 JanuaryYavenvale Open Day Yavenvale, Adelong, NSW 28 JanuaryDoodle Cooma Poll Hereford Open Day Wagga Wagga, NSW 29 JanuaryWirruna - Stock & Land Beef Week Field Day Spring Valley, Holbrook, NSW 29 JanuaryKanimbla - Stock & Land Beef Week Field Day Mirrabooka Road, Holbrook, NSW 29 JanuaryCentennial Whiteface Open Day Yarranalla, Holbrook, NSW 31 JanuaryWarringa Herefords - The Stock & Land Field Day Yarram, VIC February 2 FebruaryGlendan Park Beef Week Field Day Glendan Park, Kyneton, VIC 2 FebruaryAndtravern Herefords Open Day Lancefield, VIC 4 FebruaryBowmont Hereford Stud Beef Week Field Day Bowmont, Tatvoon, VIC 10 FebruaryCannawigra - SA Beef Field Day Avenue Range, SA 11 FebruaryGlenellerslie Hereford & Poll Hereford Sale Adelong, NSW 11 FebruaryMoreanvale Poll Hereford Field Day On Property 21 FebruaryGlendan Park Bull Sale Glendan Park, Kyneton, VIC 21-23 February2014 Royal Canberra Show Canberra, ACT 24 FebruaryBowmont Hereford Stud On-Property Sale Bowmont, Tatvoon, VIC 25 FebruaryCentennial Whiteface Bull Sale Yarranalla, Holbrook, NSW 25 FebruaryInjemira 43rd Annual Production Sale Book Book, NSW 25 FebruaryMoreanvale Poll Hereford Bull Sale On Property 26 FebruaryCannawigra Poll Hereford Bull Sale Avenue Range, SA 26 FebruaryYavenvale Annual Bull Sale Yavenvale, Adelong, NSW 26 FebruaryInjemira Horned Female Dispersal Sale Inspection & BBQ DinnerBook Book, NSW 27 FebruaryInjemira Complete Horned Female Dispersal Sale Book Book, NSW 28 FebruaryStock & Land Beef Week Open Day - Kirraweena Glenholme‘Glenholme’ Cootamundra, NSW 28 FebruarySouth Boorook Dispersal Sale South Boorook, Morlake, VIC March

MarchKirraweena Glenholme 12th Annual Sale ‘Glenholme’, Cootamundra, NSW

MarchTarcombe Herefords 40th Annual Sale Tarcombe, VIC 10-14 MarchMountain Calf Sales Benambra & Omeo, VIC

MarchWirruna Autumn Bull & Female Sale Spring Valley, Holbrook, NSW

March Mount Difficult Bull & Female Sale On-Property, Mt Difficult, VIC

Toowoomba

8 May 49th Merial Eprinex National Show & Sale (Wodonga)Sale Wodonga Exhibition Centre, VIC 9 & 10 MayEast Gippsland Field Days Bairnsdale, VIC

June 2 June 53rd Dubbo National Hereford Show & Sale - JudgingDubbo, NSW 3 June 53rd Dubbo National Hereford Show & Sale - SaleDubbo, NSW July 4 July Herefords Australia National Youth Heifer ShowPittsworth, NSW 4-5 July Central Australian Show Alice Springs, NT 16 July Cascade Bull Sale “Koomoorang” Currabubula, NSW 17 July Bowen Poll Herefords 18th Annual Bull Sale Baraba, NSW 18 July Tycolah Annual Bull Sale Baraba, NSW 18 July Franco Herefords & Parson Hill Herefords Annual Bull Sale Avoca Vale, via Casino, NSW 19 July Claypool Poll Herefords Annual Bull Sale Windfall, Manilla, NSW 23 July Glenwarrah Herefords Annual Sale Bundarra, NSW 25 July Tenterfield Bull Sale Silver Downs, Tenterfield, NSW 29 July Kanimbla - The Land Southern Beek Week Mirrabooka Road, Holbrook, NSW

August

8 August 2014 Royal Brisbane Show Brisbane, QLD 12 August52nd Annual Yalgoo Sale Yalgoo, Walcha, NSW 14 August Mountain Valley 21st Birthday Bull Sale Mountain Valley, Coolatai, NSW 19 August Bahloo Bull Sale Bahloo, Wallaroo, NSW 19 - 21 August Commonwealth Bank Aguip Gunnedah, NSW 23 August The Border Country Bull Sale Eversley, Texas, QLD 23 August Tahlan/Lachdale Bull Sale Eversley, Texas, QLD 24 August Gentle Ridge Hereford Stud Breeza Gully, Curlewis, NSW 26 August 69th Glen Innes Hereford Show Glen Innes Saleyards, NSW 27 August 69th Glen Innes Hereford Sale Glen Innes Saleyards, NSW 29 August Ironbark Bull Sale Baraba, NSW September 2 SeptemberLambert Hereford Bull Sale Blackall Saleyards, Qld 4 SeptemberKanimba Bull & Female Sale Mirrabooka Road, Holbrook, NSW 5-14 September2014 Adelaide Royal Show Adelaide, SA 9 SeptemberWallan Creek Herefords Lilydale, Drillham, QLD 10 SeptemberCootharaba Hereford Sale Duarran, Roma, Qld 12 September Sevenbardot Bull Sale TBC. See Herefords Australia Website. 20 September2014 Melbourne Royal Show Melbourne, VIC 27 September2014 Perth Royal Show Perth, WA October 9 - 11 October2014 Launceston Royal Show Launceston, TAS 23 October 2014 Hobart Royal Show Hobart, TAS November December

All events are listed on the Herefords Australia Website. Make sure you go to www.herefordsaustralia.com.au for more details.