WA Angus News October 2017

October 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.

must be, if this was spring? The diversity and leadingedge of the farming operations that are in the district was quite inspiring. A full report on the Spring Walk is in the newsletter. Thank you to all the people we visited for giving us an insight to their farming life. Thank you also to the organising committee, Jim and Pam McGregor and Richard and Christine Metcalfe.

Chairman’s Update...

Thank you to all who attended and were involved in the recent Regional Roundup, committee meeting and spring walk held in Albany on the weekend of 6th – 8th October.

A diverse cross section of stud, commercial and interested cattle people attended the three events.

Farming can be pretty trying at times, but for me what continues to stand out, is the passion of the people in our industry. This was most evident last weekend as we visited a wide range of family operations, including: growing avocados in Albany, Wagyu beef for Japan, Angus seed-stock producers, running a large and diverse farming business from a wheelchair or supplying grass fed beef to Coles all year round. We travelled on a bus with people from all over the state aged from their twenties to their nineties. It didn't matter what stage of their farming career they were in, farming was their passion.

The Regional Forum conducted by Angus Australia (AA) covered some very interesting topics, mainly focusing on the use of technology and the direction the Angus breed is heading. AA is doing a lot of world-leading research with our breed.

One of the bigger projects is the Angus Sire Benchmarking Project (ASBP) where in brief, young sires have their progeny tested all the way through to the abattoir. Now in its seventh year, this project has supplied an enormous amount of data for all traits, especially those hard to measure traits. It was interesting to see how remarkably accurate the EBV's were for the bulls once their progeny had been killed and measured. There may be more EBVs developed in the future, as well as a reassessment of how $ indexes are calculated. There was actually a request from the floor for a specialised Western Australian Index, as it was felt by some that the current indexes don’t reflect the current WA market.

I hope your passion is being rewarded this year with a good season and you manage to get a break over the Christmas period.

Regards - Tony Sudlow

EBV information used in the correct way, will make bull buying easier and ensure their progeny performs as you would expect. While the Angus breed is performing exceptionally well, we cannot get complacent and must continue to strive for perfection. We appreciate AA President Libby Creek and AA accountant Ron Bower making the trip west, as well as CEO, Peter Parnell and Breed Development & Extension Manager, Andrew Byrne The brief one-hour committee meeting was also well attended and I would very much like to thank those noncommittee members who attended and contributed to the discussion.

More than 30 cattle enthusiasts were treated to a wide range of farming operations in the Albany and Manypeaks district. I had never been to Manypeaks before and was amazed by the beauty of the country, the strength of the soil and the quantity of water, like I had never seen before. Although I did notice the chill in the wind and it did cross my mind to wonder how cold winter 1

‘BJD Update’

farm biosecurity plan and assessment;

2. Renewal of accreditation every three years after the The coverage given to BJD changes and the inclusion of the initial re-accreditation – this could take six to twelve two page farm biosecurity plan in the May issue of the WA months for everyone to be initially assessed under the new Angus News created a lot of interest – and action! rules; Hopefully most beef producers have discussed and acted on their requirements for whatever J-BAS score they feel their enterprise requires – at least a farm biosecurity plan

by June 2017 (though that deadline has been extended) and planning a faecal check test on 50 cows before 30th June next year (2018). That number of 50 cows of 4 years of age and over will vary depending on your herd size. The WA Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development has begun random testing of herds who have imported animals from the Eastern States in the last 10 – 12 years.

3. An assessment completion and payment of a $66 (includes GST) fee every three years.

That assessment is done through LPA Learning – an on-line learning module which will support you in learning what you have to do on-farm.

If you don’t have access to the internet (or choose not to), a hard copy of LPA Learning can be purchased for $22 (including GST and postage) and that includes an off-line option for completing the assessment and accreditation.

(Asa someone who likes paper versions, I have ordered one of those.)

As everyone was dealing with that and making decisions, the MLA announced changes to Livestock Production As- Mention is made of the Australia Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle, Edition One, Version One, surance effective 1st October 2017.

Endorsed January 2016/ The document contains 39 pages Before that date, LPA Accredited producers (= anyone usand producers will need to demonstrate that their on-farm ing an NVD) have been required to implement on-farm handling of livestock is consistent with these by having a practices across five programme elements: copy of these Standards and Guidelines, and being familiar 1. Property risk assessment with them if they are responsible for livestock management. If you type www.animalwelfarestandards.net.au 2. Safe and responsible animal treatments into your search engine, and click on Cattle, you should 3. Stock foods, fodder crops, grain and pasture treatments find them. Any difficulties, please ring and I will post you a copy.

4. Preparation for dispatch of animals So, use the template for your biosecurity plan and complete the first three pages if having J-BAS is not a requirement for you; if it is, complete page four and have your vet sign it too if you need J-BAS 7 or J-BAS 8. And arrange with your vet to do that faecal check test of 50 of your 4 year old plus cows before 30th June next year.

5. Livestock transactions and movements.

Every beef producer in Australia should have received an envelope from Integrity Systems Company (a subsidiary of MLA) containing a letter outlining the requirements producers have to meet, an LPA On-Farm Biosecurity Plan Template (August 2017), LPA Requirements #6 and #7 dated June 2017. These last two documents give information about the two added LPA requirements to the five listed above.

Please Contact: Pam McGregor, Kojonup Beef Producer, 0417 942 326 or MAYBENUP@bigpond.com

The template is four pages with the last page optional; if a producer requires a J-BAS 7 or J-BAS 8 level, then that page must be completed and have a veterinarian’s signature. In content, the plan is similar to the seven page Animal Health Australia template (various versions) with slightly different layout.

“Enquiries and visits always welcome”

From 1st October this year, the new LPA programme will include: 1. On-Farm biosecurity and animal welfare practices will become part of LPA Accreditation though having an on-

...and email - joflokitchen@bigpond.com 2

Regional Forum Report

will be lower and there will be a quicker turnaround.

The Society is also offering DNA storage facilities.

The theme of the Angus Forum in Albany prior to the Spring Walk was Angus Technology Now. Presenters were Angus Australia’s Dr Peter Parnell, CEO and Andrew Byrne, Breed Development and Extension Manager.

Angus Australia plan to implement Single Step Breedplan in December this year: it involves incorporating the pedigree, performance and EBVs all in one equation. While genomics is part of the future, phenotype is still ‘king’ and accurate performance information The Angus Sire Benchmarking Project has so far in- is as essential and as important as ever. volved 300 sires; around 40 sires included in each co- Heifer Select (information also on the website) is a prohort and used to inseminate 2,500 females – 60/sire. gramme the Society can provide for selecting commerThe project has allowed a vast amount of research to cial Angus heifers who are 87.5% or more Angus and be done. sired by a registered Angus bull. It enables more in-

The EBVs of each bull at the start of the cohort pro- formed breeding selection decisions, the management gramme are compared as the results come through and of inbreeding and offers marketing opportunities. indicate that changes are minor, indicating the integrity A very worthwhile few hours with much information! of the Breedplan Genetic Evaluation system.

Further information is available on the Angus Australia website – click on the Sire Benchmarking heading.

The Society is working on many fronts: • improvements to scanning technology by centralised ultrasound processing (sent to USA); • 150 carcases have so far been evaluated for nutritional value; • Net Feed Intake research indicates an 8kg/day variation on a 70-day trial; • Motion sensing technology is being trialled to measure feed intake on pasture; • Coat scores are being compared to indicate if slick coated animals have greater heat tolerance and have an influence on performance traits with heritability being 0.4 Work is also continuing on international genetic evaluation.

The genomics sector is evolving rapidly; accuracy is improving dramatically with 200 – 500 markers available and greater add-ons to L D testing.

University of Queensland genetic testing is now known as “Geneseek Australia”.

There is a new range of DNA Services available. Costs

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2017 Spring Walk...

Update from the Angus President

Angus Australia President Mrs Libby Creek joined WA producers for the Regional Forum on the Friday after- Start with eight willing host farms, collect from Le Grande noon, then the whole of the Spring Walk.

Motel with its obliging manager Joe Lembo, nearly 40 interested people on a Busy Blue Bus with a wonderful Libby is passionate about the breed and shared her en- driver James and proceed along roads to the east of Althusiasm during the Saturday evening with a brief outline bany on day one and north of Albany on day two and you of what is happening. Angus Australia now does the veri- have the 2017 Angus Spring Walk in a sentence! fication of all Angus beef products who request it so that the verification is independent of the brand started by The diversity of the stories shared by every host family Angus Australia, CAAB (Certified Australian Angus Beef). fulfilled the current slogan for the city: Amazing Albany!

That brand is now owned by Thomas Foods so the Society is not involved in any brand in Australia.

We heard of a grain fed feedlot transitioning to producing grass fed beef year round; the addition of a prestigious The commercial supply chain aims to verify at the farm Angus stud to a Murray Grey enterprise; a commercial gate that the animal is at least 75% Angus (half Angus Angus operation pointing out that as long as you bought cross dam and Angus bull). Work is going on in the from a reputable stud, even if you bought the worst bull Northern areas including work on the export form the in the catalogue, you were still buying a good bull; a famnorth right across the top of Australia. ily converting former blue gum plantations to productive pastures as well as dealing with a life changing situation; Following on from the Angus World Forum held in the UK a large Wagyu herd with details of how they operate in June/July this year, the next one will be based in Syd- Australia-wide; a diverse farming operation with Sussex ney in May 2021. A pre-tour in April/May is planned for cattle, a feedlot and avocados; a combined Murray Grey NSW; a post-tour for Queensland ending up at Beef Aus- and Angus studs with a feedlot component; a commertralia in Rockhampton. cial Angus herd with stud and show teams.

Breed societies keep evolving and R & D is an important aspect of that; our CEO Peter Parnell plays a pivotal role in research options with MLA and working on exciting programmes including the Sire Benchmarking Project.

Workshops are planned for November to discuss strategy and risk issues breed societies face.

Include a morning tea at the Top Block overlooking a valley slightly shrouded in cloud, lunch at the very convenient Manypeaks Hall, afternoon tea in a shed out of the wind, dinner at a local organic winery, morning tea and then lunch both in sheds out of the wind.

The weather stayed fairish for most of the visits but the A group of chefs from the USA visited Kangaroo Island wind could slice through you! Lots of drizabones and (where Libby and her husband farm) as part of an MLA thick jackets helped and the bus was cosy. tour looking at grass fed beef and lamb. They were blown away by the care shown by producers they met for More details of the visits continue on page 5. their animals. It seems that grass fed beef in Australia is Angus!

Libby is very open to have conversations about any concerns members may have and welcomes contact with members any time. Go to www.angusaustralia.com.au and head to the “Our People” section to find Libby’s current contact details.

(Thanks to Pam for sourcing and providing this update!)

- Group photo of all the Spring Walk participants at one of the host’s, Greg Brown’s property, Ponderosa Angus (Greg is pictured on the far right)!

- This is at the first stop - Lesters Pastoral and their grass fed beef enterprise, with the trusty bus in the background! (Thanks to Pam McGregor for sourcing the photos!)

4

Those Spring Walk Willing Hosts

tea while Mark and Lindy James explained the full blood and F1 breeding programme with 800 Wagyu breeders on the 1000ha property. Calving ease is one of the big attributes of the breed; while the first 72 hours are critical for calf survival, Wagyu survive tough conditions well; lots of records are gathered and all calves are DNA sire checked. Calves are yard weaned at four months at 250kg and backgrounded to 380 – 420kg onto full feed for a variety of markets. The aim is to have a 1kg/day gain. Silage is made on farm and three other staff are employed. Bulls sell for $8,000 to $20,000 and plans are underway for exporting embryos to a number of countries. Co-operator herds are included in the enterprise.

First stop on the Saturday morning was at Brian and Cathy Lester’s Top Block where some of their young cattle were gathered. Brian explained the process for producing grass finished steers and heifers which are sent for processing to Harvey Beef for the Coles grass fed brand. Brian and Cathy and son Kym used to run a traditional grain fed feedlot and now grow turnips, corn rye, and rye grass for autumn feed, supplemented with oaten hay – they also make silage. No grain supplements can be fed. The aim with the end product is for a 300kg carcase, MSA graded, and turn-off is approximately 70% steers and 30% heifers. The family also have a station in the Northern Territory. A delightful morning tea Back to base for a break then out to dinner at the Oranje rounded off an interesting visit.

Tractor Winery where Pam Lincoln and Murray Gomm proDown the hill to the Metcalfe Family – Richard and Christine duce a range of organic wines. Using their home grown vegand sons Chris and Tim where sheep are run in addition to etables and fruit, an array of dips and nibbles preceded a the 1600 cow herd. That includes 460 registered Angus, 400 variety of wood fired pizzas accompanied by lots of chat and registered Murray Greys, 100 commercial Angus and the laughter. balance commercial Murray Greys. Principal market for approx. 400 steers and 400 - 450 heifers is to Lester Pastoral up the hill at 350 - 360kg live-weight. Steers below that and cull heifers are grass fattened for Woolworths for a 230 – 320kg carcase. Cull bulls to a boat, cull females to the best market. Sale bulls at 16 – 18.5 months at their on-farm annual bull sale are usually on green feed till Christmas then oaten hay; no grain is fed.

The first visit on Sunday morning was to the Lyons Family’s Willyung property to see a range of enterprises. Parents Alister and Doreen run Sussex cattle, one of which was an 11 year old and still working bull, with several mobs of cows and calves gathered along roadside paddocks – the threat of bus bogging was valid! Son Sandy and wife Narelle explained the avocado enterprise, the bus safely negotiating through newly planted and mature trees with fruit hanging there.

At the Manypeaks Hall, the Metcalfe Family provided a deli- Growing avocados in the Albany area is “out of season” so cious lunch (three soups, sandwiches, slices and fruit) and a reasonable prices are obtained. Trees fruit at 3 years old and good chance to discuss what had been seen in the morning. can turn a profit at 5. Sandy also explained the composting making for on-farm use.

Along the road after lunch to Mike and Donna Twentyman’s to see some of their 530 breeders; the cattle run on three On to another interesting visit to Tullibardine Angus and properties at Manypeaks, Kalgan and the home base at Na- Murray Grey studs with another delicious morning tea in the narup. Mike and Donna started with 100 acres and 40 cows shed (rain still threatening!). Alistair and Jenny Murray run a and at one point had close to 1000 cows. A light bulb mo- feedlot with a very impressive mill and storage system, turnment when attending the funeral of a close friend made ing off 90 head each fortnight. With 480 breeders, an annuthem realise that they could reduce numbers, do the work al bull sale for both breeds is held on-farm. After seeing the themselves and live more comfortably with less stress so sale bull team and some show animals from the Royal Show they now run just over 500 breeders, 65% Angus and 35% team, a quick bus trip to yards where stud Angus cows and Murray Greys with the aim of producing a 340kg calf. Near calves were gathered, along with an impressive Millah Murneighbour Mark James suggested Wagyu so the plan is to rah Tex sire. have one mob of these. Calving starts 1st March, heifers are Final stop for the Spring Walk was to Ponderosa Angus mated for seven weeks, cows for ten and the better calves where Greg Brown runs a small stud within his 250 cow sold at the Landmark Black Weaner Sale. herd. In the yards on the hill (wet weather in the region on Next stop was with Kent and Michelle Rochester where the several properties meant bus-bogging possibilities on lower 1200ha farm was under a blue gum plantation lease. A seri- paddocks), mated heifers and cows with calves at foot had ous accident (falling from a grape harvester) in 2010 means been gathered. Greg starts calving in March each year from that Kent is a quadriplegic and uses modified tractors, load- a ten week mating programme. Bulls are sold at the Mt ers and other vehicles to do the work. He started a contract Barker Blue Ribbon sale with a few available privately. Down clearing business for the blue gum plantations around the to their homestead area and a cosy shed where members of district and reckons the cost is around $1000/ha for grind- the Mt Barker Speedway Club had helped Greg and Margaing, liming and seeding with 3T/ha lime needed after clear- ret prepare a barbecue lunch with sumptuous salads. ing though depending on soil test results, this could increase to 8T/ha. Kent and Michelle carry 300 Angus cows, and used to supply Lesters feedlot but they are now growing out calves for the grass fed market. Main calving is February/ March and their aim is to run 600 - 800 cows.

A happy end to a happy weekend with special gratitude to all our generous hosts for sharing their varied but always interesting stories. Folk who attended came from Esperance, Northampton and many points between, and enjoyed meeting members of what could be called the Angus Family.

On to Irongate Wagyu to a cosy shed for a lovely afternoon

*Thanks to Pam McGregor for providing this wonderful insight into the Spring Walk, it is much appreciated.

5

PERTH ROYAL SHOW RESULTS 2017!!

JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALE Jansen, John and Dale FERNWOOD EDWINA M28

The Golding Family of Little Meadows Angus Stud won their 8th Interbreed award when they took out the Senior Champion Interbreed Female. The senior female class saw 11 entries in contention and Little Meadows Edwina J28 was eventually awarded the result.

RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION FEMALE Murray, Alastair TULLIBARDINE FIONA M82 (AI)

The cow is a June 2013 drop and by Little Meadows Cohen C75 and out of Little Meadows Edwina C59. Congratulations to the Golding Family on their interbreed success!

SENIOR CHAMPION FEMALE Little Meadows Golding & Son LITTLE MEADOWS EDWINA J28 GRAND CHAMPION FEMALE Jansen, John and Dale FERNWOOD EDWINA M28 JUNIOR CHAMPION BULL Murray, Alastair TULLIBARDINE MASTER PLAN M92 RESERVE JUNIOR CHAMPION BULL Monterey MONTEREY MIRAGE M101

- With Little Meadows Edwina J28 and 7 month old bull calf are handlers Trinity and Karen Golding; and Judges (l-r) Gavin O’Brien, Sean Kallady, Trent Johnstone and Michael O’Sullivan. (Thanks to the Golding family for providing the photo.)

GRAND CHAMPION BULL Murray, Alastair TULLIBARDINE MASTER PLAN M92

Special mention should also go to Tullibardine Master Plan M92 for taking out Grand Champion Bull and Supreme Champion for the Angus breed.

SUPREME CHAMPION Murray, Alastair TULLIBARDINE MASTER PLAN M92

Exhibited by Alastair Murray and family, Tullibardine Stud (Albany), he also came second in the junior bull interbreed and is by Koojan Hills Unlimited F237 and out of Tullibardine Katherine H74.

PAIR Murray, Alastair (First)

Congratulations to all the exhibitors on their show success and for proudly representing the Angus breed in WA!

BREEDERS GROUP OF THREE Murray, Alastair (First)

David & Jodie Hughan Ph - (08) 9728 0588 or Mob 0417 970 997

Email -

- Pictured above is Grand Champion Bull Tullibardine Master Plan M92, Image courtesy of Farm Weekly via the results from Angus e-News, www.angusaustralia.com.au

hughan101@hotmail.com 6

fice hours, the staff here are always happy and ready to take their call. But some people like the new selfserve style of learning, and might prefer to work their way through the modules, watching the videos and reading the information on the web pages.’

ANGUS MemberSELECT

‘So I’d encourage members to try the tools and please give us feedback. We’re very keen to hear from you.’ *From Angus e-News September 13th - Go to www.angusaustralia.com.au/angus-breedersconnect-with-new-memberselect/

Following hot on the heels of the recent release of the Angus SaleSELECT™ tool, Angus Australia has expanded its range of selection tools with the launch of Angus MemberSELECT™.

‘Angus Youth News...’

This tool allows cattle producers to quickly and easily find and connect to Angus breeders, to source genetics that are best suited to their individual enterprises.

For more information on joining

‘Angus Youth in WA’

please contact Karen Golding on the details below.

An intuitive interface paired with simple search criteria such as a new map facility means that producers can effortlessly find and connect to Angus Australia members in their local region.

Phone - 0408 956 985 Email - info@littlemeadowsangus.com.au

While guests to MemberSELECT™ can search on herd ID, surname or stud prefix, a greater range of search criteria is available for registered users, who can find Angus members via additional attributes such as membership type, region, town, proximity, calving season, and herd size.

…and entries for the Angus Youth National Roundup are closing soon! See details below or head to www.angusyouth.org

‘It provides a timely update that includes links to members’s websites and social media platforms’ said Lou Wood, Angus Australia Membership officer and commercial Angus cattle breeder. ‘I would encourage members to contact me to update their details, especially if they have added social media to their businesses.’

Libby Creek, President of Angus Australia, agrees.

‘I’m very impressed with the huge amount of information offered by the new Angus MemberSELECT™ tool’, she said.

‘While I understand that change can be daunting and many producers might be comfortable using the old search engine, I would urge all members to log on to these new tools, firstly to check their own membership details, but also then to take some time to look around at the added functionality. I’m sure that the benefits of using the new tool will repay the time spent in learning it.’

One benefit of switching to the new SELECT tools is access to the comprehensive online help that is available. A full education module, with short video demonstrations, has been developed for each of the SELECT tools to help breeders navigate the new systems.

‘The great thing about the online help is that it is available 24/7’ said Angus Australia Education Officer, Liz Roan. ‘Of course, if users need help in of7

The next edition of the newsletter will be the January 2018 issue so keep a look out for the reminder in mid-December and get your bull sale ads ready!!

Also (even though it is early) Merry Christmas to all the WA Angus News readers!!

“ Visit - www.blackrockangus.com.au ” Ken MacLeay Ph/Fax - 9755 1136 or 0438 926 363 Email - blackrockangus@bigpond.com

Mark Hattingh 08 9655 7065

Brad Kupsch 08 9927 6054

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 3100 PO Box 135, Claremont, WA 6910

02 6772 3011 Locked Bag 11, Armidale, NSW, 2350

Topham Bros

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

Tony Golding 08 9725 4334

***********

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 0428 761 240

Karen Golding 08 9725 4334

Performance Recorded Angus Enquiries Always Welcome

The WA Angus News...

Chairman

S. Gibbs-Hooper 08 9242 8894

***********

COOMBERDALE Phone/Fax 08 9651 8015

WA ANGUS COMMITTEE

Bruce Campbell 08 9525 2361

COOKALABI

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 8