May 2017
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.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT...
Please read Pam McGregor's article in this issue for more detailed information an consider doing a Bio-Security Welcome to the May edition of the WA Angus News. I Plan for your farm. If nothing else, it will give your busiwould like to draw your attention to a potentially serious ness some more time to consider your options. Angus issue which requires urgent action by beef producers in breeders in WA are indebted to the research/work that has been done by Pam McGregor and Graham Nixon and Western Australia. we thank them for their effort. On July 1st this year there are to be some very important changes to the way Western Australia is regulating Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD). WA is one of only a few places in the world that is considered to have a BJD status of negligible (BJD free). In a world that is demanding a clean and green product, it makes no sense at all to jeopardise the marketing and animal health advantage we have in WA, now or into the future.
At our March AGM, there were two very important awards presented. Congratulations to the Farm Weekly for being awarded the prestigious Strathtay trophy for 2016, in recognition for their contribution to the Angus breed. As well at the meeting, the Coonamble Angus Stud was presented with a 50 Year Membership of the Angus Society of Australia. Murray and Sheryl Davis accepted the award which was presented to them by Liz Pearson, the new Commercial Development Manager for Angus Australia.
This plan developed by Animal Health Australia (AHA) seems less than satisfactory in the planning, enforcing, timing and most of all, the communicating to all involved in the WA beef Industry. The planned changes have the (Continued on Page 2 >>>) potential to impact on all of our businesses into the future. The new Australia-wide system revolves around compliance to a scoring rubric/criteria with 0 being unmanaged risk of BJD and 8 being the highest level of assurance of BJD control. The table has been included for your information in this newsletter. In the majority of cases, the first and most vital thing producers in WA need to do, is develop a Bio-Security plan for their farm before the 30th June this year. An easy ready-to-use Bio-Security plan has also been included in this newsletter for your convenience. For some producers, this Bio-Security Plan may be all they choose to do, and this will give the business a J-BAS 6 score. For those who want to retain the highest level, a J-BAS 8 score, a faeces test from 50 animals over the age of four years, in the next 12 months will be required. Your farm will revert to J BAS-0 score if no Bio Security Plan is done. 1
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
2017 Spring Walk...
(continued from front page…)
Planning is in progress for a Spring Walk this year. Focus will be on visiting beef properties in the area east of Albany.
Liz’s attendance at the meeting co-coincided with the start of a week-long investigative tour of WA where she was due to visit a number of stud and commercial breeders as well as processors, to investigate the positive and negative factors impacting the beef industry. It will be interesting to see how this initiative develops and hear the results of her trip to WA.
Proposed Dates:
Starting on the afternoon of Friday 6th October, all day Saturday 7th and finishing after lunch Sunday 8th October.
One of the main recurring issues in her research across the other states, is brand security and how the consumer/feed lotter can be assured that when they are told they are buying Angus, they actually are. The Angus producer must also be rewarded for supplying a premium product.
If you are interested, please contact the McGregors to be kept in the information loop (written or emailed!) Contact Jim and Pam McGregor Ph - 9831 0401 or 0417 942 326 Email - MAYBENUP@bigpond.com
We have four young people interested in going to the cattle handling school in Tocal NSW to be held on the 26- WA Beef Project Unified Body Initiative 28th of September this year. In previous years WA Angus WA Beef Council, held 19th and 20th April 2017. has sponsored a maximum of three young people a minimum of $500 (approximate cost of the course) to attend. Notification of attendees that will be attending from 35 groups although there were more invitees that could not attend (apologies) or that did not respond. They were divided into 2 sessions to attend on 2 different days. The idea for doing this was to obtain a wider set of ideas and to give everyone a fair go of presenting their ideas.
This year we have decided that if the interest is there, we will encourage the enthusiasm by sponsoring more participants if necessary. If you know of any young budding cattle people who may want to attend please contact myself or anyone else on the committee. Your voluntary levy allows for youth development, so thank you and please keep supporting this initiative.
The object of the meeting is to determine whether all beef organisations can be unified to be represented by one mouth piece, without replacing or affecting the various bodies that currently represent different sections of the Beef industry. The Beef Council is in no way trying to replace existing organisations. We did learn that the WA Beef organisation existing contract would end on 30th June 2017.
There has been a number of meetings throughout the state to discuss the formation of a ‘Unified Beef Industry Body’ that represents all involved in the Beef Industry. While WA Angus agrees with the ideology of this concept, we are yet to decide whether this proposal is worth pursuing. Thanks to Mark Hattingh, Pam McGregor and John Young for giving up their time to attend these meeting on behalf of WA Angus.
Bevan Bessner ran the session which was based on a think tank with ideas being generated by attendees and at the end of the 2 day sessions would be collated with feedback to be presented in 6 weeks time. A further meeting will be held to decide on whether the need of a representative body for the beef industry is required and how it will be constructed to represent all existing bodies.
For those of you who have had enough rain, please send some to Northampton!
The list of attendees for the 2 days were:
Tony Sudlow
On the 19th April meeting - WA Farmers, WA Lot Feeders, Western Dairy, Sheep Alliance of WA Inc., Western Australia Meat Industry Authority, NBF(DFWA), CSIRO, UWA, ECU, Grower Group Alliance, Western Beef, WA Angus Society, Scott River Producers Group, Southern Dirt Grower Group, Primaries, SWCC, Department of Training and Workforce Development. On the 20 April meeting - PGA of WA, WALR, MLA, Muresk Institute, Murdoch University, AAAC(WA), Gate 2 Plate Challenge, Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association, Corrigin Farm Improvement Group, West Midlands Group, Gascoyne Catchment Group, Evergreen Group, United Beef Breeders Association, ABBA Western Australia Branch, Western Australia Murry Grey, Wagyu, Western meat Processors.
“Enquiries and visits always welcome” ...and email - joflokitchen@bigpond.com
- Thanks to Mark Hattingh for this update, it is much appreciated.
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Bovine Johne’s Disease Update
through possible templates for a farm biosecurity plan.
We have contacted DAFWA about posting a letter to every beef producer in WA about the changes but At the end of a National Review of Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) on 1st July 2016, the Cattle Council of have had no response as this goes to press. Australia removed all zoning across Australia, alAfter looking at possibilities, a two page template lowed free movement of cattle across Australia, based on the National Farm Biosecurity Reference sheeted responsibility for farm biosecurity to the Manual – Grazing Livestock Production2012 (still individual property owners, introduced J-BAS the current one) has been developed, and one is (Johne’s Beef Assurance Score) with J-BAS 0 is Unincluded with this WA Angus News should you managed Risk and J-BAS 8 is High Assurance. wish to use it. On the basis of keeping the form as On 1st July 2016, DAFWA put in place strict border simple as possible but still fulfilling the requirements to retain the J-BAS 8 status, the farmer just controls for any JD susceptible stock entering WA. has to complete details of the farm, the owners/ WA Beef producers have all been given J-BAS 8 stamanagers, stock, neighbours, vet, DAFWA office, tus PROVIDED THAT have their vet look at it (15 – 20 minutes possibly) th 1. Every farm has a farm biosecurity plan, oversight- and both parties sign and date it, before 30 June 2017. Your vet may suggest you add other bits deed by their vet, in place by 30th June 2017; and pending on where you are. The plan has to be re2. Undertakes check testing of 50 cows 4 years of viewed annually. age or older by 30th June 2018. (Enquiries are beWhy do it? We should all want WA to remain BJD ing made to ascertain the protocols if a producer Free; the testing over the next 12 months will conhas less than 50 cows 4 years of age and older.) firm that status. Assuming all beef producers want Western Australia to remain BJD Free, there is a need for urgent What can you do? Make sure you use the plan included with this issue – or develop your own and action. discuss it with your vet; talk to your beef producer If we don’t meet the requirements to retain our neighbours and friends and give them a copy of the given J-BAS 8 status, the ramifications are farplan and stress the urgency of having it completed reaching, over and above the health of the individbefore 30th June 2017. ual animals/enterprises, there is a real risk of BJD Any comments or questions, please feel free to ring becoming endemic in the State and that could prove very costly in the long run for every WA beef me - Pam McGregor - 0417 942 326. producer. Over the last month, a few of the WA Angus Committee have been exploring avenues to try and ensure that every beef producer is aware of the changes and of the need to act, as well as working
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Do I really need J-BAS 8?
better buying them from a J-BAS 8 herd – and if you are the one selling these replacement heifers, you would possibly have more sales if you were J-BAS 8.
If your enterprise includes breeding, and selling surplus stock to other breeders, particularly if they are 4 years plus, you is testing involved, with the first test to be comwouldn’t want the possibility of being accused of giving some- Because there th pleted by 30 June 2018, WA would possibly confirm its BJD one BJD. Free Zone if every beef producer in the State fulfilled the reIf you are buying breeding stock, you would want to know quirements to retain the J-BAS 8 status. they are from a J-BAS 8 property. If you are a stud breeder selling bulls and females (especially If your enterprise if buying weaners to fatten, then selling older than 4 years of age) for ongoing breeding, you would them at a young age (up to 2.5 years perhaps), having J-BAS 8 probably want to reassure your customers that your property is probably not an issue. BUT your enterprise may change and is BJD free, so doing what’s necessary to retain your given Jit’s going to be much easier to retain the J-BAS 8 than start at J BAS 8 status is essential. -BAS 0 and work up!
And finally, if we don’t, there is the risk of BJD becoming endemic in WA.
If your enterprise buys in replacement heifers likely to remain in your herd beyond four years of age, you would probably be
Johne’s Beef Assurance Score The Johne’s Beef Assurance Score (J-BAS) is a risk profiling tool developed for use in the new approach to JD in beef cattle. It is meant to be used as a guide and producers should ask further questions about JD in the herd and on the property, rather than rely on the score alone.
*The National Farm Biosecurity Reference Manual - Grazing Livestock Production provides a template to use for the property biosecurity plan. All plans should include the JD in Cattle Biosecurity Plan Checklist. JD in other species that are susceptible should also be included in deciding the score. A clinical case is an infected animal with chronic diarrhoea and weight-loss that does not respond to treatment.
All WA Beef herds have been given J-BAS 8 status and prepare a farm Biosecurity plan overseen by their vet before 30 th June 2017 and start triennial Check test before 30th June 2018. If you don’t want to have a vet oversee your plan or undertake check testing, you can maintain J-BAS 6 by having your own biosecurity plan in place before 30th June 2017. Part of that plan would be to investigate all suspect cases and remove any high risk animals. To read the whole four page document, google ‘J-BAS 8’ on your search engine! 4
from the drop down menu; when that comes up, click on National Biosecurity Reference Manual – Grazing Livestock Production (in green) and that gives you the 20 If you haven’t heard of this before, it is the DAFWA body page document which you can download as a pdf. It’s a 2012 vintage and still current. overseen by a seven member committee to address biosecurity threats relevant to the WA cattle industry, and If you type in Biosecurity plan checklist – Johne’s disease it is funded by that 20c contribution on the sale of all in cattle into your search engine, that will take you dicattle in WA. rectly to a pdf document prepared by Animal Health AusOne of the threats monitored is Bovine Johne’s Disease tralia and the checklist provides the components of a farm biosecurity plan specific to Johne’s disease, and (BJD), and over the next 12 months, target testing of things to think about when assessing the risk of Johne’s cattle in WA brought in from the Eastern States in the disease when purchasing cattle. (That was one of the last 12 years will be done. documents used in formulating the template included in There has been talk that the 20c will rise; at the comthis issue of WA Angus News.) mittee meeting on 1st May, the decision was made to not **Many thanks to Pam McGregor for putting together all this lift the contribution level but to review it next year. If information for the newsletter, it was a massive help and you happen to have brought cattle in from the Eastern very much appreciated! States and are chosen for one of the target tests, that will contribute to your J-BAS test requirements up to 30th June 2018.
Cattle Industry Funding Scheme and Links to find the BJD Information
REMEMBER FIND YOUR FARM BIOSECURITY TEMPLATE FORM INSIDE THIS EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER!!
The WA Department of Agriculture website www.agric.wa.gov.au has a great deal of information and is relatively easy to navigate. For example: Type in AGREED INTERIM BJD BORDER CONTROLS FOR JD SUSCEPTIBLE STOCK ENTERING WA – 1 JULY 2016 to your search engine and the document will be top of the list.
WHY DO IT? BECAUSE WE SHOULD ALL WANT WA TO REMAIN BJD FREE; THE TESTING OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS WILL CONFIRM THAT STATUS.
There’s also the ten page document required to bring stock into WA – on the home page, click on Biosecurity & quarantine; click on Livestock movement & identification WHAT CAN YOU DO? MAKE SURE YOU USE THE in the middle of the middle column of links; scroll down PLAN INCLUDED WITH THIS ISSUE OR DEVELOP then click on Importing livestock into Western Australia; YOUR OWN AND DISCUSS IT WITH YOUR VET; scroll down and click on ‘Documentation for importing TALK TO YOUR BEEF PRODUCER NEIGHBOURS ruminants into Western Australia; scroll down a little and AND FRIENDS AND GIVE THEM A COPY OF THE click on the ‘Health certificate for movement of stock PLAN AND STRESS THE URGENCY OF HAVING IT into Western Australia (form LB1) in green and that’s the COMPLETED BEFORE 30TH JUNE 2017. ten pages. If you type in Cattle Industry Funding Scheme (see article about this elsewhere in this issue) and just click on the first heading, it will take you straight there for lots of information about that scheme. Other bits of information: J-BAS information: just type in J-BAS into your search engine and the first entry that comes up is a four page pdf document “Johne’s Beef Assurance Score – Animal Health Australia” Click on that! The National Cattle Health Declaration: type that into your search engine and the first one is a two page pdf document with the first page the form and the second page explanatory notes. If you type in www.farmbiosecurity.com.au that will give you access to lots of information; click on Livestock (6th from the left in the headings) and choose Beef Cattle 5
Protecting Western Australia livestock markets Know the threat, call a vet.
The potential impact and cost of a foot and mouth disease outbreak on our livestock export industry, is directly proportionate to the size and duration of an outbreak. Early detection and control is therefore essential to minimise the damage and loss that this disease could potentially incur.
Western Australia’s (WA) livestock export industry relies Traceability plays a major role in reducing the spread and upon the continual surveillance of livestock disease with- impact of a disease incursion, which is why the correct in the state. and updated use of NLIS (National Livestock IdentificaApproximately 80% of WA’s livestock and livestock prod- tion System) and NVDs (National Vendor Declaration) is ucts are exported each year, and during the last financial so important. The vigilance of livestock industry memyear these net exports were worth nearly two billion dol- bers in knowing, identifying, and reporting the signs and lars. Much of the market access for this export is contin- symptoms that might resemble foot and mouth disease, gent upon WA maintaining freedom from exotic diseas- is also essential for minimising the impact of any future outbreak that may occur in Australia. The symptoms of es. Accordingly, our biosecurity status is an extremely valuable asset, and everyone associated with the indus- foot and mouth disease can be mild or severe, and vary from lameness or salivation, to blisters around the try has a role to play in its protection. mouth, nose, feet and udders. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving worldwide animal health. All counties wishing to participate in the export of livestock or livestock products are required to provide animal health information to the OIE.
To assist WA’s producers in maintaining the State’s biosecurity status, veterinary investigations of livestock diseases can be eligible for subsidies, which may reduce the cost upon a producer. If any unusual symptoms or behaviour are noticed in livestock, producers can contact their private veterinarian, or a Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA) field veterinarian At the request of any importing country, an exporting country must provide information regarding the state, or (contact details below) for more information on the national, livestock health situation. Importing countries funding scheme. can also request information about an exporter’s regula- By undertaking a disease investigation, producers can tions, procedures and policies that ensure livestock is identify and address health and production issues that free from listed diseases. might be affecting their stock. A disease investigation
In order to maintain market access, exporting countries are required to supply sufficient, high-quality surveillance data to support their biosecurity status. This surveillance data includes reports of veterinary investigations of sick or deceased livestock, and participation in national targeted surveillance programs.
also helps to support Australia’s larger livestock industry, by providing evidence of surveillance that maintains access to export markets
Reports on disease investigations are used to demonstrate that regular surveillance operations are being undertaken in WA, which provides proof that certain areas are free from exotic diseases.
Support your industry: Know the threat, call a vet.
Foot and mouth disease is considered to present the biggest potential threat to Australia’s livestock biosecurity status because it’s highly contagious, it can spread quickly among cloved hooved animals (pigs, cattle, sheep, goats and alpacas), and its presence in Australia would result in the suspension of our export industry.
Disease investigation funding is made available through DAFWA’s $20 million dollar Boosting Biosecurity Defences project, made possible by Royalties for Regions.
Further information of the subsidised disease investigation https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/livestock-biosecurity/ significant-disease-investigation-program **Thanks to Jenny Cotter from DAFWA for providing this informative article, it is much appreciated. For more information please email Jenny at jennifer.cotter@agric.wa.gov.au
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Angus Bulls Better Value For Money Than Ever Before With the demand for Angus bulls at an all-time high, and the auction prices being paid for Angus bulls at levels not seen before, it is timely to reflect on what has occurred within the Angus bull selling market over the past 20 years. 1. Number of Angus Bulls Sold at Auction Reflective of the increased market share of Angus cattle in southern Australia, and the increase in the number of Angus bulls being used in Northern Australia production systems, the number of Angus bulls being sold at auction has increased considerably over the past 20 years. 2016 saw a record number of 8,405 bulls sold at auction, a 128% increase on the 3,685 bulls that were sold at auction in 1998. 2. Number of Angus Bulls Sold by State New South Wales has been, and remains the primary state in which Angus bull sale auctions are held, with 49% of bulls sold nationally at auction in 2016 being offered in NSW, followed by 19% in Victoria, 13% in Queensland, 9% in Western Australia, 7% in South Australia, and 4% in Tasmania. Of note has been the increase in recent years in the number of bulls offered for sale at auction in Queensland, which has increased from between 600 – 700 bulls sold annually in 2006 – 2011, to over 1000 bulls in 2016. Anecdotally, this increase is consistent with a considerable increase in the number of private treaty sales of Angus bulls into Northern Australia (QLD, NT and Nth WA) in recent years. 3. Average Angus Bull Auction Price The average price being paid at auction for Angus bulls has increased over the past 20 years, with the bull sale prices in 2016 being the highest on record. 4. Average Angus Bull Price By State The average price paid for Angus bulls at auction is each state has generally followed the national average, with bulls prices in NSW and Western Australia in recent years being consistently higher than bull prices in other states. 5. Are Angus Bulls Better Value for Money Than 20 Years Ago? When considering the average price paid for Angus bulls at auction, it is important to recognise that the genetics of Angus bulls in 2016 bear little resemblance to genetics of Angus bulls from 20 years ago, with the Angus seedstock sector continuing to make genetic improvement at rates that surpass any other recorded beef population in the world.
Note: the values in figure 7 represent the increased profitability of Angus genetics across the entire beef supply chain, from conception to slaughter, and so the increased profitability may not all be realised by the bull purchaser.
6. What Lessons Are There For Angus Bull Sales in the Future? It would be remiss of anyone to speculate as to what the future holds for the sale of Angus bulls, but there are some important lessons that can be taken from bull sales over the past 20 years.
The demand for Angus genetics is strong, with current trends indicating the demand is continuing to increase each year.
Any increase in demand for Angus bulls should not lead to an increase in the price of Angus bulls, with the increase in demand likely to be matched by an increase in the number of Angus bulls that are offered for sale.
The major determinant of the price of Angus bulls will continue to be the current price of young cattle. The Angus breed will continue to make outstanding rates of genetic improvement, meaning Angus bulls will continue to represent better value for money each year into the future. * From Angus e-News APRIL 26, 2017. For the full article and further graphs and figures please go to the Angus Australia website.
Figure 7 explores whether Angus bulls now represent better value for money, by adjusting average bull sale price at auction (in real terms) for the genetic merit of the bulls being offered for sale. Figure 7 clearly illustrates that the increase in the genetic merit of the Angus bulls is outpacing the increase in average bull sale price, suggesting that Angus bulls now represent better value for money than at any time in the past 20 years.
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Fairfax Media WA group manager Trevor Emery accepted the award on behalf of Farm Weekly and said it was an honour to accept the award, especially considering FARM Weekly was acknowledged for its contribution and nearly all of the past winners were directly involved in support of the Angus breed when it was announced the the cattle breeding industry. winner of the prestigious Strathtay Trophy at the WA Angus Society’s annual general meeting on Monday “We have a great working relationship with the Angus th March 13 2017. society and its members and working with the breeders over the past 10 years of the heifer competition has The Strathtay Trophy was established by the late Jack been tremendously satisfying and rewarding,” he said. Young, Strathtay Angus stud, Narrogin and is now presented annually by the WA Angus Society chairman. The “The competition over the years has been a win-win for trophy is awarded in recognition of an individual or both parties and that is why it has continued on for as groups achievement in promoting the Angus breed, by long as it has. Normally competitions fall away after a means of success in exhibiting, sale or purchase of stud few years but this one has gone from strength to or commercial stock; or setting an outstandingly high strength and this has been because of the support the standard in their chosen field, thereby earning the reAngus breed enjoys across WA and all of Australia.” spect of Angus breeders generally. Mr Emery said the Angus Society had shown the way in When presenting the award WA Angus Society Chairman terms of breed promotion, where ‘brand Angus’ was inTony Sudlow said Farm Weekly was a deserving winner stantly recognised and appreciated by commercial cattle breeders and consumers alike. of the award for its continued support of the Angus breed in WA. “But at the end of the day the Angus breed has delivered on genetics and performance in the paddock for “It is the first time a large organisation has been named commercial producers, which has ensured its success as the winner and all the committee are very supportive of graphically illustrated by the financial success stud and the decision, I don’t think there would be anyone in the commercial breeders have been rewarded by at trade, society who wouldn’t be,” Mr Sudlow said. female and stud bull sales this year,” Mr Emery said.
Strathtay Trophy…
“Farm Weekly’s 10-year commitment to the Farm Weekly-WA Angus Breeders Win 10 Angus heifers competition has been outstanding and has certainly played a big role in promoting the Angus breed in WA. “Each year they look at ways to refresh the competition to ensure it keeps growing and this year they went above and beyond again to ensure the 10th anniversary competition was a big one. “The idea to add in an extra prize was a great initiative and no doubt contributed to the competition receiving almost 10,000 entries, up 17 per cent on last year.” - WA Angus Society chairman Tony Sudlow (left), presented the Strathtay Trophy this year to Farm Weekly at the AGM. It was accepted by Fairfax Media WA group manager Trevor Emery. With them and congratulating Mr Emery was Angus Australia commercial development manager Liz Pearson.
Mr Sudlow said it wasn’t only about the support the Farm Weekly has shown to the competition and the working relationship it has with the WA Angus committee. “Not only does the committee have a strong relationship with Farm Weekly but all our members are also supported very well by the Farm Weekly staff and enjoy strong working relationships with them when it comes to promoting their studs, which is very important as well,” Mr Sudlow said.
**Thanks to Jodie Rintoul for providing the article and photo for us to include in newsletter It is much appreciated as always! 8
ANGUS COMP WINNER CAN'T BELIEVE HIS LUCK!!
Congratulations Coonamble Angus “50 Years of Membership” The society made a second special presentation at the meeting to Murray and Cheryl Davis, Coonamble stud, Bremer Bay. The Davis family were presented with a 50-year membership award in recognition of 50 years commitment and dedicated service to Angus Society of Australia.
STILL reeling from the news he had won the 10 Angus heifers competition, Stephen Beckwith couldn't believe his luck when the outstanding heifers quietly stepped off the truck to their new home at Beeramullah last week.
The Davis family established the Coonamble stud in 1967 and it has grown to be one of the country’s prominent Angus Mr Beckwith's entry was drawn from more than 10,000 entries received for the 10th anniversary of the studs. It has produced some influential sires which have been used in herds all over the world, including Coonamble Farm Weekly-WA Angus Breeders Win 10 Angus heifZ3, Elevator E11 and Buddy B280.
ers competition.
The stud held its biggest on-property sale to date this year offering 78 bulls and selling 74 under the hammer for an average of $10,176. It also holds the $26,500 State record price for an Angus bull sold at auction in WA and the State record average of $11,371 for both an Angus sale and a single vendor sale of any breed in WA, which it set at its 2016 sale.
In addition to winning the 10 quality Angus heifers bred by the Walker family, Coonac Angus, Wilga, Stephen and his wife Selga received a three-day trip for two to Sydney. The trip included tickets to the Angus breed judging at this year's Sydney Royal Easter Show. Mr Beckwith said the heifers were exceptionally quiet, casually walking off the truck and settling straight away into their new surrounds. "I sent the Walkers a message saying the heifers had arrived safe and well, were a pleasure to handle and a credit to them," he said. Mr Beckwith said the heifers would be joined to a low birthweight yearling bull from his family in-law's Warringah Angus stud on June 15 to breed replacement heifers and bulls for the export market as they continue a 10-year transition to an Angus herd.
- Coonamble stud principal Murray Davis (centre) with Tony Sudlow and Liz Pearson. (Thanks again to Jodie Rintoul for providing the photo
"Sometime in the next two years we expect to be 100 per cent Angus," he said.
and article, it is much appreciated)
"We were actually looking at buying in a good line of Angus heifers this year. I still can't believe it happened, they will be a great addition to our herd." The Beckwiths will display the heifers during the Gingin heifer competition next month giving local producers the opportunity to see the heifers prior to joining. And Mr Beckwith said he hoped to enter progeny from the heifers into the Gingin heifer competition next year and beyond. - Article by Kane Chatfield (Farm Weekly) through the Angus Australia website @ ‘Scanning the Media’ (April 2017)
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BULL SALE RESULTS 2017
If you want to look up more sale results from this year or previous years just head to the Angus Australia website @ www.angusaustralia.com.au and start searching!! 10
‘Angus Youth News...’
Updated EBVs now available Angus Australia wishes to advise that the May 2017 Angus BREEDPLAN analysis has been completed and updated EBVs are now available. Now that the May 2017 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 pro-
2018 Angus Youth National Roundup set for Wodonga VIC
grams ** * 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.
Angus Youth Australia is pleased to announce that the 2018 Roundup will take place in Wodonga, 11th - 14th January 2018.
ASBP – Cohort 7 Pregnancy Test Results With pregnancy scanning recently completed across 6 co-operator herds, Cohort 7 of the Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP) is set to produce approximately 1,005 progeny with calving to commence in June 2017. This joining occurred in the spring of 2016 involving 34 new Angus sires and 2 link sire joined to 1,823 females (including 258 yearling heifers, 262 first calf heifers and 1,303 multiparous cows). The overall conception rate to AI was 55.1% across the 6 co-operator herds. This program utilised Cue-mate® devices and the Vetoquinol 3 event fixed time AI protocol with one round of insemination. For more see – www.repro360.com.au
Murk and Kate Schoen from Corowa, NSW will be the Roundup coordinators for 2018. Murk and Kate have had a long association with Angus Youth and in particular with the Roundup, both as competitors and on the committee. Both Murk and Kate have taken out major awards at previous Roundups, with Kate receiving the Trans-Tasman Award in 2017.
As expected, there was a wide range in conception outcomes when comparing herds and mobs within herds. The highest conception rate for an individual co-operator herd was 67.1% with several others achieving rates close to 60%. The 36 sires achieved an average of 28 successful conceptions.
Roundup Committee If you are interested in joining the committee in order to help with the organisation of this event, please contact Murk Schoen 0427 558 023 or murk.schoen@bigpond.com (- From Angus e-News, April 26th 2017.)
For bull breeders interested in becoming involved, Angus Australia is currently taking nominations for Cohort 8 of the ASBP. For further information go to www.angusaustralia.com.au **Articles from Angus e-News 3rd May 2017.
For more information on joining ‘Angus Youth’ please contact Karen Golding on the details below. Phone - 0408 956 985 Email - info@littlemeadowsangus.com.au
David & Jodie Hughan Ph - (08) 9728 0588 or Mob 0417 970 997
Visit our website -
www.newgenerationangus.com.au 11
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HAHA”
What did the mama cow say to the baby cow? “It’s pasture bedtime!”
“ Visit - www.blackrockangus.com.au ”
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Ken MacLeay Ph/Fax - 9755 1136 or 0438 926 363 Email - blackrockangus@bigpond.com
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WA ANGUS COMMITTEE
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!
Tony Sudlow 0428 362 032 Vice Chairman Mark Hattingh 08 9655 7065 Treasurer Andrew Kuss 08 9076 1240
The mailing list is continually revised and updated, so you may be receiving the WA Angus News for the first time. If you are on the mailing list and you would rather not be or if we don’t have your correct address, please advise the Newsletter & Mailing List Coordinator on the contact details below -
Committee 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
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 3100 PO Box 135, Claremont, WA 6910
02 6772 3011 Locked Bag 11, Armidale, NSW, 2350
COOMBERDALE Phone/Fax 08 9651 8015
The WA Angus News...
Chairman
Bruce Campbell 08 9525 2361
Performance Recorded Angus Enquiries Always Welcome
Shezanne Gibbs-Hooper Phone - 08 9242 8894 or 0409 025 099 Email - waangusnews@yahoo.com.au Post - PO Box 94, Wembley, WA 6913
The WA Angus News is printed by A-Team Printing 81 Acton Avenue, Rivervale, WA, 6103 Ph: 08 9478 3188
Angus Australia Director Lindsay Wolrige
www.kapariangus.com.au 12