JANUARY 2018
Postage Paid WEMBLEY WA 6913 Australia
Print Post Approved Print Post Publication Number - 100005480. If undeliverable please return to Newsletter Coordinator, WA Angus Committee, PO Box 94, Wembley, WA, 6913.
your support. Lindsay Wolrige will finish his time as a director on the Angus Australia board this year. Thank you, Lindsay, for your tireless work. We are now looking for at least one Happy New Year to everyone, I hope you have managed to more director from WA. Lindsay has an article later in this have a break over the Christmas period. For our family, it is a edition and any member of Angus Australia is eligible to nomichance to reset, reflect and have some family time, as the nate for this position. kids all come home for the Christmas / New Year break. The bull selling season is underway again, please support Our season in Northampton was similar to a lot of the state. your local registered seedstock producer. A lot of time, We were looking at a looming disaster mid-July, however late thought and energy goes into producing these bulls. West rains turned things around, to produce a reasonable result in Australia produces some of the best Angus genetics in the the end. Unfortunately, these late rains didn’t penetrate very country that, if used correctly, can have a major impact on your cattle operation. far inland, causing a very lean result for some.
CHAIRMAN’S UPDATE…
2017 was another very good year for the Angus breed, with records across the country being set across most categories. Heifer sales topped at $190 000 and bull sales topped at $110 000. Commercial sale yard prices too, have remained at historically high levels and while we will get the usual market fluctuations, I see no reason for these prices to subside in the foreseeable future. The China live export market is gaining momentum, with our local port in Geraldton increasing berth availability from one to five berths, in anticipation for more boats. Confidence is also high among seed stock producers with a 10% increase in cow registrations (118 248) last year across Australia, compared with the 2016 figures. Given reasonable seasons, those who have stuck with livestock should enjoy some good returns into the foreseeable future.
On a slightly different topic, but one that has far-reaching ramifications for all of us, my wife Liz, through her work with Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association (ICPA WA), is helping organise two rallies in Perth in an attempt to try to reverse the education cuts announced at the very end of the 2017 school year. These include: • Closure of the five Schools of the Air, which are currently located in the regions. • Closure of six regionally located Camp Schools. • Closure of the Moora and Northam Government Residential facilities. (Continued on page 2 >>>)
WA Angus has had another busy year. The implementation of the JBAS scoring system has in my opinion, been implemented particularly poorly and has caused a lot of heartache for the producer. WA Angus along with other leading Ag groups, has played a vocal role alerting the concerns we have with the system. The spring walk in Albany was particularly enjoyable for all concerned. Also held on the same weekend, the Angus Australia Regional Forum and the October committee meeting, were very well attended. Megan McCallum and Lewis Roe both from Gingin attended the Tocal Cattle Assessment School in NSW, with the help of sponsorship from WA Angus. The Farm Weekly WA Angus heifer competition, now in its eleventh year, continues to go from strength to strength. Under the stewardship of Bruce Campbell, our sponsorship base has grown from twelve to thirty-two in the last two years. This competition can now be sustained into the future, thanks to
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• 25% reduction to Talented and Gifted programs • 20% reduction of the Trust Fund component of the 5 Agricultural Colleges. To elaborate on the final point, which is of greatest interest to our members, Agricultural Education in the West Australian curriculum is being targeted. Currently 60% of the profit each of the five Agricultural Colleges makes from the funds generated from the various enterprises at the schools, including cattle, milk production, broadacre cropping etc, is retained by each school for farming development. The remaining 40% is placed into a trust fund to be shared by the five Ag Colleges, as well as other schools which run agricultural programs, including city schools. This money is used to broaden students’ knowledge of agriculture. 20% of this money will now be taken and put into Government consolidated revenue. Additionally, 4 -5 people within the Department of Education, whose job it is to manage the Agricultural curriculum have lost their jobs. That whole unit has been removed, resulting in Agriculture no longer being a consideration in general curriculum develop-
ment. The rally dates are Monday January 29th at 10:00 am and Thursday 15th March at 1:00pm both at Parliament House. If you could find the time and get some of your city friends to contact their local MPs and support these rallies, it would be appreciated. Education is fundamental to our society and country kids shouldn’t have to put up with an inferior education system, just because their parents live in the regions. If implemented, these cuts will be devastating to the regions and possibly without our collective voice to protest, there may well be other cuts earmarked for the regions. When people globally, are finally realising the vital importance of agriculture, it is incomprehensible that these cuts are targeted at agriculture and our youth. Have a safe and enjoyable new year.
Tony Sudlow
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BEING A DIRECTOR FOR ANGUS AUSTRALIA
WA ANGUS COMMITTEE Annual General Meeting MARCH 13th 2018
Regretfully, come May, I will after eight years retire from being WA’s representative on the Board of Angus Australia. Whilst being an unpaid position, but with all associated costs being reimbursed, the satisfaction in being an active part of the Society has been enormously rewarding.
The AGM will commence at 10.30am in the Presidents Lounge of the RAS offices at Claremont Showgrounds.
Travel, personal and professional development opportunities are made available to all Board Members.
The meeting is open to all full & commercial members & the committee would love to see you there. Lunch will be provided so for catering purposes please let RASWA Secretary Karen Schmidt know if you are planning to attend on the contact details below Phone - 08 6263 3131 Email - kschmidt@raswa.org.au
During my tenure some Directors have taken advantage of representing the Society’s interests in countries such as UK, USA, Russia, Kazakhstan, NZ, Mexico, Argentina, as well as many regional areas of Australia. Personal development through meetings, informal dinners and workshops with management and staff gives one an understanding of the importance of creating good relationships so necessary for the ongoing success of a progressive organization. The options for professional development are numerous through the various committees that are initiated to submit recommendations to the Board for consideration and adoption. These committees include: Breed Development, Commercial Development, Marketing Communications and Youth, Organization Review, Strategic Projects and Strategy and Risk and usually take approximately an hour.
2018 year letter is ‘P’ Members are reminded that the year letter for the 2018 calf registrations is ‘P’. For more information on registering your calves please feel free to contact the Member Services Team at Angus Australia on P: 02 6773 4600 F: 02 6772 3095 E: regos@angusaustralia.com.au
Directors are assigned with consultation, to participate in several committees in which they have special skills or interests. These meetings take the form of teleconferences, usually four times a year, and at least three Full Board meetings per year (including AGM) at various locations throughout Australia. Opportunities will become available for new Directors to be elected in May. If you have an interest in being part of one of Australia’s most successful rural enterprises, self nominate or consider nominating someone you believe could be a worthy representative for the Board of Angus Australia. Best wishes to all for 2018, Lindsay Wolrige
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Angus Australia Supports LIVEXchange Charity Auction
Updated EBVs Now Available January 2018 Angus Australia wishes to advise that the January 2018 Angus
A charity auction held as part of the LIVEXchange con- BREEDPLAN analysis has been completed and updated EBVs ference in Perth on the 15th and 16th November 2017 are now available. has raised $53,200 for Ronald McDonald House Perth and St John Ambulance WA.
With relation to the recent analysis, please note that a significant amount of new performance data from the Angus Sire Benchmarking Project (ASBP) has been included for the first time. This new data includes: Joining and calving records recorded on cohort 5 heifers Carcase weight, eye muscle area, rib fat, rump fat, intramuscular fat and MSA marble score information recorded on Cohort 5 steers Boned out, retail beef yield data recorded on Cohort 5 steers in the NSW DPI herds at Glen Innes and Trangie
Ronald McDonald House Charities® is an independent charity that helps families of seriously ill children. They help keep families together and close to the care their child needs. St John Ambulance WA is a charitable, non-profit, humanitarian organisation teaching first aid to the community, delivering the State’s ambulance service while also shaping and leading the sector nationally.
Angus Australia provided a black Angus hide and merchandise package for the auction. The successful bid- The inclusion of this data has resulted in changes to the EBVs der for $2,500 was Simon Green, Primaries of WA. of animals in the ASBP and their relatives. While of much lesser degree, further changes to EBVs are anticipated in the February 2018 Angus BREEDPLAN analysis following the inclusion of any information that has been excluded from the January analysis as being “outlier” records. Now that the January 2018 analysis has been completed, the following reports are available to download from the “Files to Download” section of the Member Login area on the Angus Australia website. If you do not have access to the Member Login area or have forgotten your password please contact Angus Australia. Individual BREEDPLAN Herd Report * Outlier Report (where applicable) Completeness of Performance Report * File of updated EBVs for upload into compatible software programs **
Image: Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager, Christian Duff, pictured with the successful bidder of Angus Australia’s package, Simon Green, Primaries of WA (third from left) and colleagues.
* Reports only generated for herds that have new post-birth data included since the last analysis. ** Files only generated for herds recorded with AA as using a compatible software program.
*FROM ANGUS E-NEWS NOVEMBER 22, 2017
(From the ‘Latest News’ section at www.angusaustralia.com.au)
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Introducing the New Angus GS™ Product... Angus Australia and GeneSeek AustralAsia will launch a new genomic product for Angus seedstock cattle from January 1st, 2018. Known as Angus GS™, the new product has been built specifically for the Angus breed and is available exclusively in Australia to Angus Australia members. “The Angus GS is a high density genomic product containing DNA markers that are highly informative for Angus cattle”, said Dr Russell Lyons, General Manager, GeneSeek AustralAsia (GAA). “Research during the development of the product focused on saturating the genomic test with markers targeting specific regions of influence in Angus cattle” said Dr Lyons. “This means future improved accuracy once a subset of animals have been tested with Angus GS”. Additional markers for traits like fertility, feed efficiency, meat tenderness, animal health and environmental adaptability have been included to advance research for future trait selection. “The availability of the Angus GS product in Australia is part of Angus Australia’s commitment to provide Angus Australia members with modern, affordable DNA testing services”, said Mr Andrew Byrne, Breed Development & Extension Manager at Angus Australia. “Coupled with recent enhancements to the manner in which genomic information is utilised within the Angus BREEDPLAN genetic evaluation, the Angus GS product will ensure that Angus breeders have access to the latest breeding and genetic technologies, which in turn will further accelerate the considerable genetic improvement that is already being achieved within the Angus breed”, said Mr Byrne.
The Angus GS™ product was developed in partnership between the Angus Genetics Inc, a subsidiary of the American Angus Association, and Neogen. “The Angus GS product was unveiled in the United States during November and Angus Australia has been successful in obtaining a license to offer the product in Australia” said Mr Byrne. “We are extremely grateful to our colleagues in North America for affording us with the opportunity to provide the Angus GS product to Angus Australia members.” Further information regarding the new Angus GS product is available from the Angus Genetics Inc website (angus.org/agi). *From Angus E-News December 18, 2017.
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ANGUS BULL BUYERS INVEST IN PREMIUM GENETICS
Stud, with Coonamble L66 selling for $26,000, when purchased in partnership by Arizona Farms, Lake Grace and LT Toovey & Sons, Cranbrook.
Bull buyers have been brimming with confidence across The son of Coonamble Hector was also the highest sellthe country, with the cattle market going from strength ing bull during the WA sale season. Coonamble Angus to strength. also secured the top average with 75 bulls achieving a $10,093 average. Prices have been pushed to unprecedented levels and the demand for quality Angus bulls has shown no signs Not far behind with an average of $9658 was Koojan of abating. Hills Angus who sold 60 bulls. Following on the back of a record-breaking 2016 for the Lawsons Angus saw a $3860 or 78% increase in the 2016 cattle industry Angus studs have recorded solid sale av- average to clear 80 bulls for an average of $8815. erages as the strength in the cattle market created demand for top-quality pedigree recorded genetics. Mordallup Angus saw a marked increase in average, with 60 bulls clearing for an average of $8133, up $2849 or Overall 9296 registered Angus bulls sold for an average 54% on their 2016 result. of $7630 across 167 bull sales. The total average price for Angus bulls sold at auction has increased in 2017 by *By Diana Wood, Marketing and Communications Manager, Angus 3.5%, a sign that bull buyers are still buoyed by the pric- Australia. Published in the 2018 Angus Summer Bulletin. es they have been receiving across the supply chain. In Western Australia 971 bulls cleared across 20 sales to average $8119. Top price honours in WA went to the Coonamble Angus
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which appears to be growing all the time is very appealing,” Mr Saba said.
10 ‘SOUTHERN SENSATIONS’ TO BE WON IN FARM WEEKLY’S 11TH HEIFER COMPETITION
“Our company has strong links with the agricultural industry through the sales and services of our products which are becoming popular within the industry. The winner of the CAN-AM Outlander ‘Black Angus Motorbike’ is going to be very happy with it as CAN-AM has gained a good reputation over the years for producing quality products.”
It is fitting that Jarrod and Sarah Carroll, Rayview Park Pty Ltd, Kalgan, have been chosen to supply the heifers for this year’s Farm Weekly-WA Angus Breeders WIN 10 Angus Heifers and CAN-AM ‘Black Angus Motorbike’ Competition.
Farm Weekly general manager Trevor Emery said the WIN 10 Angus Heifers Competition was Farm Weekly’s Like the 10 outstanding 2017-drop unmated heifers that longest-running competition spanning 11 years will come out of their Angus herd for the competition, Jarand Farm Weekly was pleased to once again be partnerrod and Sarah are young and enthusiastic and have a ing WA Angus breeders to bring the competition to its lifetime of cattle breeding ahead of them. readers. And also like the CAN-AM Outlander 450 STD, 4×4, four“The competition has always been about offering some of wheel motorbike that this year’s lucky winner will also the best commercial Angus genetics from within the State receive, the Carroll’s are also very much on the move and we certainly think we have achieved this over the with their cattle operation. years, which is a credit to the breed,” he said. Since 2011, the Rayview Park herd has continued to expand and 950 Angus breeders will calve down this year and are now run across 1673ha of owned and leased country.
“This year’s offering of heifers has again maintained the outstanding quality and I am sure they will grow out to be fantastic breeders in the future.”
With the 10 heifers valued at $15,400 including GST and FULLY the motorbike retailing for $9,999 inc GST the total value of the prize package on offer will sit at $25,400 this year, GUARANTEED with one winner to take all.
Entry coupons will be published in Farm Weekly each week for nine weeks concluding on Thursday, February 15, 2018. Entries close with the last mail on Monday, February 19, 2018 with the prize draw taking place at the Farm Weekly office on Tuesday, February 20.
Over the past decade the joint venture competition between WA’s biggest selling rural newspaper Farm Weekly and WA Angus Breeders, has seen more than $115,000 worth of heifers from Keysbrook, Gingin, Coolup, Wagerup, Denbarker, Esperance, Kojonup, Lake Grace and Wilga won by 10 lucky Farm Weekly subscribers.
To be eligible to enter, readers must be an existing annual subscriber to Farm Weekly or become a new annual subscriber to Farm Weekly and they can enter as many times as they like subject to the terms and conditions of the competition, provided the entry is on an original entry coupon. *Thanks to Jodie Rintoul, Farm Weekly, for providing articles, log-
WA Angus Society chairman Tony Sudlow said the com- os and pictures, it is much appreciated. This article is a copy from petition has been a really successful partnership bethe Angus e-News 2/1/18. tween Farm Weekly and Angus WA over the past decade and the competition has certainly stood the test of time. “It is a fantastic competition and a win-win for everyone involved. As a society we certainly feel very privileged to be involved in such a long running competition with Farm Weekly,” Mr Sudlow said. “The competition continues to grow each year in terms of the support we receive from our members and Farm Weekly, along with the entries received. Again this year, the competition provides a wonderful opportunity for any person interested in Angus cattle to win some of the best Angus heifers in the State. The added bonus this year, is that the lucky recipient will also win a limited edition CAN-AM Outlander ‘Black Angus Motorbike’ to muster their new herd.” This year SEA-DOO Sport & Leisure, Ascot, has come on board with the competition and in association with Farm Weekly will be supplying the motorbike. SEA-DOO Sport & Leisure general manager Matt Saba said the company was very pleased to be asked to be involved in the highly successful competition.
Pictured: WA Angus Society vice chairman Mark Hattingh (left), SEA -DOO Sport & Leisure, Ascot, general manager Matt Saba and Farm Weekly livestock manager Jodie Rintoul with the CAN-AM Outlander 450 STD, 4×4, ‘Black Angus Motorbike’, part of the prize on offer.
“As a company we have had a strong working relationship with Farm Weekly over the past decade in terms of advertising it, so to be involved in a competition like this
PHOTO: This promotional photograph was taken courtesy of Bruce and Gaye Campbell, Cooara Angus stud, at their Keysbrook property. (The Angus cows and heifers pictured are not part of the prize package on offer.)
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The WA Angus Committee would like to acknowledge and say THANK YOU to the following studs that have committed to supporting the Farm Weekly/WA Angus Heifer Competition... Your support is much appreciated!
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AUSTRALIAN FARMER DIGITAL BOOK
Tocal Beef Assessment Course On the 25th of September Lewis Roe and myself travelled from Gingin to NSW to attend the Beef Assessment course which is held at Tocal Agricultural Collage and has been since 1983.
Angus Australia has been provided the following link to a free digital book, called The Australian Farmer, for distribution to members.
Shortly after arriving we were in the lecture theatre covering cattle markets and requirements followed by growth and development. This was delivered by Bob Dent who is highly experienced and qualified in all aspects of cattle assessment.
To access the digital publication go to http://www.theaustralianfarmer.com/digitalbook.html
Over the following two days we covered objective selection, Breedplan EBV’s and Carcase appraisal. The over judge was This digital book contains a range of stories and proSteve Chase who works closely with James Laurie. They deliv- files particularly focused on science, technology and ered their assessments in a manner that was easily under- innovation that may be of interest to members. The Australian Farmer is both a website and a digital book stood and relevant for all cattle producers.
– a massive knowledge tool available free to farmers. Site updated daily, we value your thoughts and feedback.
Following their assessment they invited an open discussion enabling attendees to listen and learn. We assessed different breeds covering Bos Taurus and Bos Indicus which was a learning curve for us as we both come from an Angus farming background.
The Australian Farmer is also a major tribute to our farmers. It acknowledges their achievements, endurance, ingenuity and success in a country where the There was over 60 people who attended the course this year farmer and his and her work is increasingly remote most coming from a high level of experience, Lewis placed in from the majority of the populace. the top 10 of all attendees which was an impressive achievement.
We are both very grateful for the sponsorship provided by the WA Angus Society, it was a fantastic opportunity and a privilege to be taught by people with such a high level of expertise. We have taken away skills we will have forever and would highly recommend the course to any beef cattle enthusiast. - Megan McCallum (Old Bambun Grazing) and Lewis Roe (Benalong Grazing)
After extensive collaboration with agricultural peak bodies and farmers, we have produced The Australian Farmer. The publication will contain links to over 2,000 pages of useful data, a growing archive that truly makes the publication (along with the website) a knowledge tool and useful companion for the farmer.
*Thanks to Megan and Lewis for sending in this report for the newsletter, it is much appreciated!
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(*From Angus e-News 15/11/17)
Proposed Bull Sale Dates - 2018! (Subject to change)
JANUARY Tuesday, 23 Tuesday, 30
Lawsons Angus Bull Sale Jerdacuttup (see ad on PG 4) Ardcairnie Angus Bull Sale, Kojonup (see ad on PG 5)
FEBRUARY Tuesday, 6
Little Meadows Angus Bull Sale, Dardanup Wednesday, 7 Monterey Angus Bull Sale, Karridale Thursday, 8 Allegria Park Angus Bull Sale, Esperance (see ad on PG 3) Thursday, 15 Carenda Angus Bull Sale, Brunswick (see ad on PG 2) Thursday, 15 Jutland Park Angus Bull Sale, Brunswick (see ad on PG 5) Friday, 16 Gandy Angus Bull Sale, Manjimup (see ad on PG 7) Monday, 19 Koojan Hills Angus Bull Sale, Manypeaks Wednesday, 21 Cherylton Angus Bull Sale, Boyanup Thursday, 22 Blackrock Angus Bull Sale, Boyanup (see ad on PG 12)
As you will have seen in this edition of the newsletter it is bull selling & buying time in WA! Why should you consider ANGUS as your best purchasing option???
**Market Demand & Versatility **Superior Fertility & Maternal Ability **Finest Meat Quality **Hardness & Efficiency **Best All Round Balance
**Documented Gene Pool **Committed Service Backup
MARCH Thursday, 1
The WA Angus News... The Newsletter is a project of the WA Angus Committee sent to Society members in WA, Federal Councillors & senior staff of the society, people we know of in WA who have bought Angus cattle, stock agents & press - around 1200 each issue! The mailing list is continually revised and updated, so you may be receiving the WA Angus News for the first time. If you are on the mailing list & you would rather not be or if we don’t have your correct address, please advise the Newsletter & Mailing List Coordinator
30th Multi-breed Bull Sale, Gingin Including - Black Tara, Cookalabi, Kapari and Warringah Angus Bulls (see ad’s on PG 6 & 12)
APRIL
Shezanne Gibbs-Hooper Phone - 08 9242 8894 or 0409 025 099
Wednesday, 18 Mordallup Angus Bull Sale, Boyanup
Email - waangusnews@yahoo.com.au Post - PO Box 94, Wembley, WA 6913
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ANNUAL BULL SALE 66 BULLS Including ten 2017 drop!!
Thursday 22nd February 2018 Boyanup Saleyards - Starts at 1pm Catalogue available on our website - www.blackrockangus.com.au
“MOO HAHAHAHA”
Ken MacLeay
What do frozen cows do for a job? Work at the Ice-Cream Shop!!
Phone/Fax - 9755 1136 or 0438 926 363 Email - blackrockangus@bigpond.com
...and remember for all the Bull Sale Dates, Results and any other information you may require go to the Angus Australia website - simply log on to www.angusaustralia.com.au and let your fingers do the surfing!!
WA ANGUS COMMITTEE
The WA Angus News is printed by A-Team Printing 81 Acton Avenue, Rivervale, WA, 6103 Ph: 08 9478 3188
Chairman Tony Sudlow 0428 362 032 Vice Chairman Mark Hattingh 08 9655 7065 Treasurer Andrew Kuss 0428 761 240
Committee Bruce Campbell 08 9525 2361
S. Gibbs-Hooper 08 9242 8894
Karen Golding 08 9725 4334
Tony Golding 08 9725 4334
Mark Hattingh 08 9655 7065
Andrew Kuss 0428 761 240
Ken MacLeay 08 9755 1136
Jim McGregor 08 9831 0401
Pam McGregor 08 9831 0401
Richard Metcalfe 08 9846 8001
Lew Smit 08 9833 6250
Liz Sudlow 0427 362 025
Tony Sudlow 0428 362 032
Allison Wolrige 08 9755 1123
Lindsay Wolrige 08 9755 1123
David Topham 08 9651 8015
John Young 08 9884 5253 Secretary
Society Head Office
08 6263 3131 PO Box 135, Claremont, WA 6910
02 6772 3011 Locked Bag 11, Armidale, NSW, 2350
Angus Australia Director Lindsay Wolrige
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