Here’s a snap shot of industry headlines making news relevant to members and producers generally
ABRI Appointments
ABRI announced the appointment of senior Angus and MLA executives to key positions. Christian Duff (ex General Manager Genetic Improvement at Angus Australia) and Rudolph Linde (ex MLA Business Manager Genetics) will fill the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercialisation Officer respectively.
In making the announcement ABRI said, “ABRI is a global leader in data-driven livestock improvement services, delivering cutting-edge genetic evaluation technologies like BREEDPLAN® to enhance productivity, profitability and sustainability in the beef industry in Australia and globally……
These appointments signal to industry that ABRI is serious in its mission to deliver leading-edge, data-driven solutions that enhance the productivity, sustainability and profitability of the global agricultural industry…..
ABRI has a clear strategic vision to ensure the organisation plays a vital and long-term role in improving the rates of genetic gain and being responsive to industry needs that improve the productivity and profitability of producers.”
Commonwealth Government Dumps Biosecurity Levy
Cattle Australia hailed a major win for Australian grass-fed beef producers following the Commonwealth Government’s decision to withdraw it controversial proposed biosecurity levy system.
Cattle Australia encouraged politicians to develop a workable and sustainable funding model that provides biosecurity agencies with the resources they need to protect the industry.
Using Data and Genomics to Improve Beef Herds
For those following the ACM Ag publications (The Land, Stock & Land, Queensland Country Life etc) there has been a steady stream of articles reinforcing the use of data generally and genomics specifically in ensuring beef cattle herds meet market requirements.
An article on making the most of genomic tools, noted the importance of adopting genomic testing to improve heifer selection when retaining breeders. Specifically noting that producers look for a heifer bull without knowing a lot about the maternal lines sire’s calving ease. Another perspective pointed to benefits of using bulls with mid-maturity traits rather than early maturing so as to maintain broader market options. But of specific relevance to our feature article this month the article stressed that “breeders of cattle define their market- whether grass fed or grain fed, long or short duration. Producers need to consider who will buy their cattle and what carcase traits they will require.”
Another piece highlighted the need to select on multiple traits aligned to your environment, management objectives and market. Selecting for frame size, fertility, temperament and birth weights.
A further article on participation in The Beef Spectacular Feedback Trial noted that the objective of entering the trial was about getting data and being able to benchmark cattle. The winning team from “The Sisters” made a number of interesting observations including “that the aim of their business is to have a functional, fertile breeding herd with strong growth and carcase. The trail …emphasised that the breeding objective is being executed.” He went on to state “we continue to put focus on carcase characteristics, specifically IMF…but the last thing we want to do is start selecting for single traits that might jeopardise how the cattle perform currently.”
