May 2016
Postage Paid WEMBLEY WA 6913
Print Post Approved Print Post Publication Number - 100005480. If undeliverable please return to Newsletter Coordinator, WA Angus Committee, PO Box 94, Wembley, WA, 6913.
holding their annual Regional Forum designed to keep people in touch with Angus Australia and to discuss current develop ments. It is the first time WA Angus has held this forum out of Perth, so your support for this event would be appreciated.
Our New Chairman’s Report Welcome to my first WA Angus News report for 2016. Firstly, my sincere thanks to Andrew Kuss for giving three years of dedication as Chairman of the WA Angus Committee. Andrew was willing to do a third year, where previously the Chairmanship had only been a two year term and has also agreed to continue on as the Treasurer, for which I am very grateful.
On the Friday morning after Lew’s Testimonial there will be a WA Angus Committee meeting at the resort starting at 9.00am. This is open to all Angus members and we encourage you to attend. To book for the dinner please RSVP with your payment to the Mercure Sanctuary Golf Resort, Bunbury, who will be our Being my first report as your Chairman, I will start by giving you host. To help with the planning, they have also kindly offered a bit of my background. to take numbers for the Forum and the Committee meeting. I farm with my very talented wife Liz in the Northampton Shire. With the bull selling season drawing to a close, for those of you I have farmed all my life, leaving school in 1982. We have four who have purchased bulls, on behalf of all seedstock producers beautiful children Georgia, Preston, Lachlan and Madison who in WA I would like to thank you for your support and I hope the range in age from twenty four to fifteen. While our enterprise bulls you purchased gives you many years of service and even is very mixed, comprising of grain production, sheep and stud more contented cows. cattle, it is the cattle side of the business which is my passion. I enjoy the challenge of breeding that elusive perfect animal and I hope the right amount of rain comes your way, the stimulation of engaging with other like-minded people who Tony Sudlow enjoy the challenge of breeding livestock and working in the cattle industry. One of those genuine people is Lew Smit. In this issue you will find an invitation and accompanying details of a very special event the WA Angus Committee is holding on the 28th July - The Lew Smit Testimonial Dinner, where we will celebrate Lew’s contribution to the cattle industry. This promises to be a great event on the 2016 beef calendar and I urge you all to save the date. Please come to share the night with Lew and cattle people from all over Australia. Lew has had an enormous influence on the Angus and Murray Grey cattle breeds throughout WA and Australia. One of the most highly regarded people in our industry; Lew has given up so much of his own time over many decades, for the benefit of the cattle industry in general. It will be a night to pay tribute and say thank you to Lew. In the afternoon preceding the dinner, Angus Australia will be
1
“Chat to the Coordinator”
If you would like to receive the newsletter ELECTRONICALLY please let me know via the contact details below and I can email it to you as a PDF or you can find the WA ANGUS NEWS on the online magazine website ISSUU @ www.issuu.com.
Hi Everyone Not much to say this issue except its jam-packed!! A big thanks to all the outside contributors & advertisers, it’s a great effort and a great help to me. It also keeps the content of the newsletter relevant and up to date.
Phone 08 9242 8894 or 0409 025 099 Email waangusnews@yahoo.com.au Post PO Box 94, Wembley, WA 6913
Enjoy the read, Shezanne
WA’s Excellent Bull Sale Results
Information from the Angus Australia Website (as of 5/5/16)
2
2017 World Angus Forum in the home of the breed...
ASBP Cohort 7 – Nominations OPEN
Nominations are now being accepted for the next joining round of the Angus Sire Benchmarking program (ASBP) to produce the The 2017 World Angus Forum is to be held in Scotland beCohort 7 progeny. This joining program will take place in October th rd tween 15 June and 3 July. to November of 2016. Approximately 40 bulls will be selected for the 2016 joining program with the aim to join each bull to at least 50 Angus cows by fixed time AI. The bull selection criteria will be based on genetic diversity, breeding values/indexes and their relationship to sires already used in previous Cohorts of the ASBP. Preference will also The World Forum is set to be an exciting opportunity, bringing be given to early nominations. together the greatest progressive minds and leaders in farm- Benefits of Bulls Entering the ASBP ing and cattle breeding to challenge the entire supply chain to • Involvement in Australia’s largest beef cattle progeny test prodeliver best practice and ensure a sustainable future for gen- gram including large contemporary groups. • Receive high accuracy EBVs, particularly for hard to measure erations to come. traits such as net feed intake, abattoir carcase data and female The World Forum is split into sections, the England tour 16 – reproduction. 20 June, The World Forum 21st to 26th June and the Scotland • Receive progeny average values and sire ranking from within Tour 27thJune to 2nd July. There is an optional Ireland Tour the ASBP, including traits such as MSA Index and MSA Marble which is currently being developed. The Royal Highland Show Score. • High density DNA profiles will be stored for current use (e.g. is on Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th June. sire verifications, genomic predictions) and future research. • Closer genetic linkage to the ASBP ensures research outcomes, Visit the website @ particularly in the genomics area, will have more relevance to www.worldangusforum2017.com your herd.
The Forum is held every four years and provides a platform for the exchange of genetics information and breeding objectives, and also acts as a forum for youth involvement, to take us into the future.
Key Steps • Step 1 - Nominate bull(s) via the online form before Friday August 5th 2016. To nominate please go to the Angus Australia On the way to the WA Angus AGM and Committee meeting on website. Preference will be given to early nominations. • Step 2 - Breeders of successful nominations will be contacted 31st March, Committee member David Topham heard a radio (by mid-August 2016), provided with a Bull Owners agreement announcement declaring that this was “International Angus for signing, Veterinary and Health Declaration form and semen Day”! Quite a co-incidence! There was even a suggestion that requested. Angus steaks should be eaten as part of this special day! • Step 3 - Bull owners organise semen (100 straws) to be delivNo-one else at the meeting had heard of International Angus ered to Agri-Gene, Wangaratta, VIC before September 5th 2016. Day but it is amazing what you find when that is googled!! All semen will undergo independent quality checks at this stage.
“International Angus Day!!”
To celebrate iconic guitar legend Angus Young's (from ACDC) birthday, we’ve (not sure who the we is!) unofficially renamed 31st March as International Angus Day. We propose from this day forward on the 31st March: Every meal should be Angus Steak Wear your school uniform (no matter how short those shorts are) Compulsory devil horns headband The national anthem is replaced with 'Long Way To The Top' Only mode of transportation is the famous ‘duck walk’ So now we know!!
Entry Fee All bulls that enter the ASBP joining program will attract an entry fee of $2500 (plus GST) for Australian Bred Bulls and $4000 (plus GST) for overseas bred bulls. Contact If you have any questions in relation to the nomination process or the ASBP in general please contact Christian Duff, Angus Australia Strategic Projects Manager M: 0457 457 141 or email:christian@angusaustralia.com.au
*Thanks Pam for sharing this amusing story :)
3
‘Angus Youth News’ how to best utilise it in northern production systems. Not
topic. One seminar I got to attend was about Leucaena, and having a lot to do with this fodder source it was interesting to hear how it is being used as a source and how the toxicity is being managed. It was great to hear that there is investment into alternative fodder sources.
Beef Australia 2015
By - Laura Grubb Receiving a scholarship to Beef Australia 2015 enabled me to be immersed in the beef industry for a whole week. It Back on the genetics path, one of the MLA seminars held was here that I was able to connect with producers from a was addressing the issue of genetic improvement in the variety of breeds, talk to them about their operations and north. There is a significant amount of funding going into what they learnt at Beef Australia 2015. encouraging the adoption of EBVs in northern herds. And with the introduction of EBVs derived from tail hair samples As a scholarship recipient I spent a few hours a day on the and phenotyping, its adoption should be a lot more viable stand. This was an excellent opportunity to talk to interestand the further genetic improvement and resulting produced parties about how Angus genetics is or could be, includtivity gains will follow. ed in their production system and what results could be observed. There were many visitors from a variety of counAnother huge underlying theme of the week was the tries, and it was interesting to see how many were interestemerging young generation of producers and future leaders ed in using Australian Angus genetics, and how Angus geof the industry. I had the opportunity to attend a few netnetics were currently being utilised throughout their counworking events where I got to talk to a variety of industry tries. leaders and hear their views on the beef industry and get some words of wisdom on how to really get involved in the With stud cattle judging on Monday through Thursday, I got industry and go places. The ‘Next Generation’ Forum was to observe some excellent cattle and see the directions the terrific. It was a sounding board full of ideas of how to different breeds are heading. Wednesday was Angus judgeffectively run a business and tips on how to be a good ening, and it was a team effort to keep the day running trepreneur. It was very humbling to be seated in a room full smoothly. I was fortunate enough to be given the opporof such bright minds, some of whom are already making tunity to commentate, and practice my microphone skills. waves in the industry and others who we will see emerging Announcing classes, results and informing the audience was in the coming years. a steep learning curve and I have much respect for the commentators of such events. The opportunity provided to me by Angus Youth to attend Beef Australia was invaluable. The week was full of opporBeef Australia is more than a cattle show and trade expo, it tunities to network, listen, learn and participate in all ashas a strong emphasis on education. With an extensive pects of the industry. I left Rockhampton feeling inspired seminar and forum program. I was able to squeeze in a few and enthused about the beef industry and the places it will seminars into my busy schedule. By assisting in filming the be going in the future. It was excellent to see the intelligent ‘Angus Genetics in the North’ seminar, I was able to listen young people coming up through the industry and the supin and hear from a few producers about their experiences. port and opportunities available to them. The beef industry Overall it was a positive vibe and there is a fair amount of should be proud of how innovative it is and the investment research going into further improving the opportunities for coursing through at the moment. Angus genetics, and marketing the benefits of their integration. Angus Australia and Angus Youth are a huge component of this investment into the future of the industry. It is proThe ‘Live Export Forum’ painted a colourful picture of the grams like this and opportunities to attend such extraordicurrent and future outlooks for the industry. It was very nary events that encourages the upcoming youth to forge optimistic, with international opinions of Australian cattle through and make a mark in this incredible industry and being one of quality, consistency, and safety. The trick will take it even further. (Mostly Youth continued on pg 5>>>>>) be being able to satisfy the requirements of these markets, and secure their business for years to come. I also attended the ‘Precision Livestock Management’ seminar. Run by the CSIRO and CQU along with UNE, they told us about current research being conducted and how they see it being implemented in industry. Most of it was remote management based technology, aiming to reduce time spent in the paddock and yards, and better utilise pastures. With the long standing situation of drought in Queensland and much of Australia, alternative fodder sources was a hot 4
The WA Angus AGM & Strathtay Trophy!
‘Angus Youth News’ National Youth Roundup A WA Perspective!
At the March 2016 WA Angus Committee AGM outgoing chairman Andrew Kuss (Allegria Park Angus Stud) had By - Elly McKenney the privilege of announcing two 50 year Angus member(21 March 2016) ship awards to Lew Smit, Koojan Hills Angus Stud, KojoThis year I was lucky enough to be the only West Aus- nup and John Young, Strathtay Angus Stud, Narrogin. tralian to receive funding to attend the National Youth Roundup in Armidale, NSW. It was a big eye opener for Lew Smit was also awarded the Strathtay Trophy which me, seeing and comparing the difference between East recognises outstanding contribution to the Angus breed. and West. New chairman, Tony Sudlow (Kapari Angus Stud), also For me the highlight was going out and seeing the announced that a Testimonial Dinner will be held on July Tullimba research feedlot and the work being undertak- 28 to celebrate Lew Smit’s contribution to the Angus en there. When we visited the feedlot, there was a rep- breed and the dinner coincides with an Angus Australia resentative from Meat and Livestock Australia, showing us the technologies being trialed and how the technolo- Regional Forum. gy plans to be applied to the beef industry in the future.
Lew was very humbled to receive his awards and said that although there were changes happening at Koojan Hills, he was still looking forward to remaining on the WA Angus Committee and that the real pleasure in cattle breeding is the other cattle people you meet.
Every year there is a special dinner dance and auction held as a fundraising event to help support the Angus Foundation. This year there was a wide variety of auction items for sale and I was fortunate enough to be the winning bid for an artificial insemination semen package. I intend to use it to help start my own stud, so watch this The AGM also welcomed a new Vice Chairman in Mark space. Hattingh and four new committee members, and they I enjoyed this invaluable experience, I learned about the are – Liz Sudlow, Don MacLeay, Brad Kupsch and Richard beef industry, particularly the stud aspect. I was exposed Metcalfe. to a lot of different ways to prepare and manage stud cattle and hope to apply these skills in the future. I found this experience so valuable I intend on returning to the Roundup in the future. This event is something that I think Western Australians would find so valuable and feel they should have more opportunities to attend events like this. The opportunities that were on offer showed real promise in the future of the beef stud industry, and it is paramount to include people from all over the country. I would like to thank the WA Angus Committee for the great opportunity and life long memories I will cherish for the rest of my life. *(L to R) New WA Angus Chairman Tony Sudlow, John Young, - Thanks to Elly and Laura for these contributions (via Karen & Tony Golding) it is much appreciated.
Lew Smit and outgoing WA Angus Chairman Andrew Kuss.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING…
‘ANGUS YOUTH AUSTRALIA’ PLEASE CONTACT KAREN GOLDING 0408 956 985 or info@littlemeadowsangus.com.au
OR…VISIT THE ANGUS YOUTH WEBSITE
www.angusyouth.org 5
greenhouse and climate impacts.
Myths and Misinformation on Methane, Cows and Our Climate.
However valid science must involve the analysis of the total ‘system’, not just a single part process. When it does it is clear that the soil and photo-oxidative processes in and above green pastures oxidize far more methane from the atmosphere than is produced by the animals grazing and sustaining that pasture. Furthermore as that ecologically grazed pasture can fix and bio-sequester up to 10 tonnes of carbon per hectare per annum from the atmosphere this draw down of carbon must be credited, and paid to that farmer in any fair objective net carbon accounting system.
Methane is a gas, made up of a carbon and four hydrogen atoms, that has been produced naturally on Earth for billions of years; both geologically and via the microbial breakdown of organic matter in habitats with low oxygen availabilities such as wet soils or the intestines of insects and animals.
Despite its widespread production methane levels in the atmosphere were miniscule, at some 700 parts per billion, for millions of years. This is because methane is naturally and rapidly broken down, by soil micro-organisms or phoSimilarly as these pastures without grazing inevitably deto-oxidation processes in moist air that oxidize it to Cargenerate, often inducing hot wildfires, the climate effects bon dioxide. of the avoided; CO2 and particulate emissions, soil carbon In the latter hydroxyl radicals that form naturally when oxidation and impaired subsequent draw down capacity, sunlight splits water molecules rapidly oxidize any me- needs to be credited to the grazing operators that avoided thane in that air. The moist air above green pastures can them. generally photo-oxidise 100 times more methane than Rather than being liable for methane emissions, such ecowhat is able to be produced by the soil or animals grazing logical grazing systems may need to be paid substantially that area. for the draw down and climate benefits they provide unConsequently while the Earth has sustained vast quanti- der any fair accounting system. Certainly no objective inties of soil micro-organisms, termites, insects and grazing dependent court could uphold such false claims given animals for millions of years all of which may emit me- these scientific facts. thane, its level has remained low and stable. That is until So why is there this deliberate mis-information and vilifisome 30 years ago when levels doubled, largely in the cation of grazing animals by interest groups? northern hemisphere. Certainly narrow vested interests against the eating of This doubling of even low methane levels was of concern meat have sought to exploit these myths. Could these inas methane can absorb heat re-radiated by the Earth’s terests in turn have been exploited by others aware of the surface as part of, and to increase, the greenhouse effect. marked rise in fugitive methane emissions from the rapid This concern generated claims that farmers should be pre- expansion of gas and fossil fuel mining and the poor vented from grazing animals as they may produce me- maintenance on leaking infrastructure and their lack of thane emissions. To try to make this case ‘scientists’ have policy responsibility or accountability for controlling sought to measure the methane emissions from such ani- them? Could both interests have benefited from genermals. These data have then been used in the media and ating this mis-information so as to deflect attention and policies to vilify farmers and make them account and be scapegoat grazing, farmers and eating meat? (>>>>>Continued on page 7) liable for the emissions from their livestock and their
“Enquiries and visits always welcome” ...and email - joflokitchen@bigpond.com 6
However this methane mis-information may also hide a cooled the planet and may again freeze these tundra soils much more significant, dangerous reality. and adequately cool the arctic ocean to re-stabilize the methane hydrate deposits. In addition to hiding the long known scientific reality of our major industrial methane emissions from gas-fields, As it has done many times after previous geological releasmines, landfills, sewage ponds and exhausts as well as the es of methane, there is every likelihood that nature can major industrial methane emissions from animal feedlots and will again use these same soil micro-organisms and that are both largely unaccounted and where the soil and photo-oxidation processes to reduce such methane levels photo-oxidation processes don’t apply, by deflecting the and re-stabilize the climate. The question is, have we refocus onto grazing animals could we have: tained and can we regenerate adequate healthy grasslands and their herbivores for nature to be able to do this. Deferred public concern about the now inescapable exponential increases in methane emissions from Certainly there is no chance of doing so if we allow our the vast areas of soil and formerly frozen tundra public understanding and policies on such fundamental that are already warming due to climate changes? issues to be perverted by non-scientific mis-information Deferred scientific and public alarm at the hard evi- and vested interests that seek to vilify nature, farmers and dence that methane emissions are already increas- cows and avoid us taking responsibility for our pending ing exponentially from the vast stores of formerly climate crises. frozen methane hydrates on many continental By - Walter Jehne, Healthy Soils Australia. shelves? *Thanks to Pam McGregor in supplying this article from Walter, it is
There are at least 4000 billion tonnes of carbon currently much appreciated. If you would like some more information please stored in the Earth’s soils and frozen tundras as well as 10visit the Healthy Soils Australia website. You can find it @ 15,000 billion tonnes of carbon stored in the frozen mawww.healthysoils.com.au rine methane hydrates. By comparison the earth’s atmosphere currently holds some 750 billion tonnes of carbon. It follows that any abnormal increased emission of methane from either of these sources could rapidly double atmospheric carbon levels resulting in not just climate change but the catastrophic rapid extinction of most terrestrial life. There is no ecological greater risk or reality facing humanity.
David & Jodie Hughan Ph - (08) 9728 0588 or Mob 0417 970 997
Visit our website -
www.newgenerationangus.com.au
These methane emissions and risks are, real, intensifying now and dwarf those from grazing animals. However our myths and misinformation and focus onto cows may be needed as neither science nor humanity has any means to reverse or neutralize these increasing emissions; except via the natural methane oxidation processes in soils and fostered by ecological grazing.
The WA Angus News... The Newsletter is a project of the WA Angus Committee sent to Society members in WA, Federal Councillors and senior staff of the society, people we know of in WA who have bought Angus cattle, stock agents & press - 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 and you would rather not be or if we don’t have your correct address, please advise the Newsletter & Mailing List Coordinator on the contact
Indeed the only hope humanity may have to neutralize them is to extend the regeneration of healthy soils and green pastures so they can hopefully oxidize enough of these emissions in time via the same soil micro-organisms and photo-oxidation processes that our mis-information and policies currently deliberately ignore.
details below Shezanne Gibbs-Hooper Phone - 08 9242 8894 or 0409 025 099 Email - waangusnews@yahoo.com.au Post - PO Box 94, Wembley, WA 6913
Similarly the only hope that humanity may have to stabilize these exponentially increasing methane emissions is to regenerate adequate areas of soils and forests and thereby restore the hydrological processes that naturally
The WA Angus News is printed by A-Team Printing 81 Acton Avenue, Rivervale, WA, 6103 Ph: 08 9478 3188
7
“MOO HAHA
COOKALABI ***********
HAHA”
A farmer was milking a cow one day when he noticed a fly go in the cow’s ear. After he was done with the milking, he saw the same fly in the milk. Then he said, "That's funny it went in one ear and out the UDDER!"
“Visit www.blackrockangus.com.au” Ken MacLeay Ph/Fax - 9755 1136 or 0438 926 363 Email - blackrockangus@bigpond.com
*If you have a joke to share, please send it in !!
Performance Recorded Angus Enquiries Always Welcome *********** Topham Bros
COOMBERDALE Phone/Fax 08 9651 8015
A WINTER WARMER RECIPE TO TRY…
WA ANGUS COMMITTEE
BEEF, STOUT AND POTATO PIES
Chairman
MAKES 6
Tony Sudlow 08 9936 2032 Vice Chairman Mark Hattingh 08 9655 7065 Treasurer Tony Sudlow 08 9936 2032
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
Brad Kupsch 08 9927 6054
Andrew Kuss 08 9076 1240
Don MacLeay 08 9755 4088
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 08 9936 2032
Tony Sudlow 08 9936 2032
Allison Wolrige 08 9755 1123
Lindsay Wolrige 08 9755 1123
David Topham 08 9651 8015
PREP TIME 1 hr
COOK TIME 2 hrs 15 mins
INGREDIENTS 1kg ANGUS chuck steak, cut into 3cm cubes 1/4 cup (40g) plain flour, seasoned 20g unsalted butter 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 onions, chopped 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 carrots, finely chopped 1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce 400ml Guinness or stout 1 bay leaf 300g chat potatoes, peeled, cut into 1cm cubes, plus steamed potatoes to serve 375ml beef stock 6 sheets puff pastry 1 egg, beaten
METHOD 1 Lightly coat beef in flour, shaking off and reserving excess flour. 2 Heat butter and oil in a large flameproof casserole or saucepan over medium-high heat. In batches, brown beef all over for 3-4 minutes, then remove and set aside. 3 Add onion, garlic and carrot to the pan (with a little extra oil if needed) and stir for 2-3 minutes. Return beef to pan, stir in paste and reserved flour, then add sauce, stout, bay leaf, potato and stock. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 1 1/2 hours or until beef is tender and sauce is thick.
Cool completely. 4 Preheat oven to 190C. Cut two 1cm strips from sides of each pastry sheet. Set aside. Cut pie lids from remaining pastry, 1cm wider than the top of six 2cup (500ml) pie dishes or ovenproof bowls. Divide beef mixture among dishes. Press pastry strips around each rim to make a 'collar' and brush with water. Carefully top with pie lids and press firmly around edges to seal well. Trim edges with a sharp knife. Make 2 cuts in pie tops, then brush with egg. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden. Serve with extra potatoes and salad. ENJOY :)
John Young 08 9884 5253 Secretary
Society Head Office
08 6263 3100 PO Box 135, Claremont, WA 6910
02 6772 3011 Locked Bag 11, Armidale, NSW, 2350
Angus Australia Directors Tony Golding & Lindsay Wolrige
www.kapariangus.com.au 8