Genetics Australia Theme
April ABVs have delivered great results for Genetics Australia bulls with a bull for every breeding goal and every breed, according to CEO Anthony Shelly.
Mr Shelly said the bulls standing in Australia have never been better. “We will continue to invest in the best genetics available to us and there isn’t a source of genetics around the world that cannot be ranked on the Australian system,” he said.
“Breeding the best to the best has paid dividends and the rapid gains made through the use of genomics can clearly be seen in each of the Holstein, Jersey and Australian Reds breed tables released by DataGene.”
Mr Shelly said GA was excited with the release of the 2022 April ABVs and its program has delivered some very nice daughter proven results. These include Holstein sires FEDORA (476 BPI) with an exceptionally balanced proof with highlights across his production, conformation, survival and mastitis resistance. SUPERPOWER (454 BPI) has received his first daughter proven breeding value and will deliver extremely profitable and robust cows with tremendous production and strength traits. SUPERDAVE (533 BPIg) has added his first milking daughter and is now the go to production specialist at 321 ASI.
The number one ranked BPI Holstein Genomic sire is once again TOMMYDEE 556 BPIg, TOMMYDEE is bred in the competitive herd owned John and Vicki Lillico in northwest Tasmania. Sired by GA genomic sire ENDGAME (449 BPIg), he descends from the Hindlee “Royal” cow family and offers exactly what the industry is seeking with top ABVs for Calving Ease 104, Survival 110, Mastitis Resistance 112 and Daughter Fertility 113.
Other Holstein young genomic bulls joining the team include DECIPHER (Letsgo x Wrangler) 485 BPIg, JOVIAL (Silverline x Perseus) 452 BPIg, REDGATE 445 BPIg (Redcarpet x Superhero) and CASHOLIVER (Nacash x Fedora) at 472 BPIg.
“The depth and quality of the Holstein team has never been greater and there is a wide range of options available for mammary improvement, shorter gestation, and calving ease,” Mr Shelly said.
Australian Jerseys continue to forge an excellent reputation worldwide and Genetics Australia’s daughter proven line-up is second to none with the top three sires. Now with 296 milking daughters, DOUGGAN (David x Murmur) remains the number one Jersey bull for BPI at 413, DOBSON (David x Elton) now with 155 milking daughters joins DOUGGAN as the equal number one Jersey sire. DOBSON offers a great combination of conformation and health traits and will be extremely popular. Both bulls were bred by While Star Jerseys at Terang, currently the Number 1 ABV Jersey herd. ASKN (Valentino x Tbone) reaffirms himself as one of the best Jersey sires worldwide with his unique combination of health and type.
The good news for Jerseys continues with PICKLE (Pixstar x Lemonhead) leading the genomic ratings at 420 BPIg, with positive milk flow and exceptional health traits. PICKLE is also a leading sire for daughter fertility (ABV 105) combining survival (ABV 112). A new addition to the GA Jersey line-up is Wallacedale GOLDBANDP 362 BPIg (Polledgold x Bandanna), who is clearly the highest ranked “Polled” Jersey sire following the April proof release, GOLDBANDP will offer an all-round package of Balanced Performance, Production, Conformation and importantly improved Health and Fitness traits.
“The new Jersey team is unsurpassed in its quality and represents a number of young bulls from leading cow families and top Jersey breeders in Australia,” Mr Shelly said.
The addition of genomics to Australian Red breed bulls has further strengthened the Genetics Australia team which now has the top four positions on BPIg. ARBPRIMESTAD P 354 BPIg (Onstad x Uudin), ARBMCKEON 336 BPIg (Faabeli x Foske), ARBBOOBOO BPIg 333(Wiking x Tokyo) and ARBCAESAR BPIg 329 (Aotearoa x Kenneth) offer a great combination of pedigree diversity, high profit and health.
Mr Shelly said the April 2022 bull team was stronger than ever.
“Now with genomics contributing to each breed, the future of local standing bulls has never been brighter,” he said. “We have been at the forefront of genomics in Australia for many years now and have available from our 2022 teams the Number 1 genomic Holstein TOMMYDEE, Jersey PICKLE and Australian Red in ARBPRIMESTAD. It is a significant achievement and a real credit to the quality and depth of bulls standing in Australia as well as to the Australian breeders who have developed these world class bulls and the cow families that are behind them.
“Demand on young bulls both in Australia and internationally as well as the use of sexed semen has never been greater, so I encourage all farmers breeding cows in the coming months to order early to avoid disappointment.”
For more information:
Anthony Shelly 0408 529 410
April ABVs have delivered great results for Genetics Australia bulls with a bull for every breeding goal and every breed, according to CEO Anthony Shelly.
Mr Shelly said the bulls standing in Australia have never been better. ‘We will continue to invest in the best genetics available to us and there isn”t a source of genetics around the world that cannot be ranked on the Australian system,’ he said.
‘Breeding the best to the best has paid dividends and the rapid gains made through the use of genomics can clearly be seen in each of the Holstein, Jersey and Australian Reds breed tables released by DataGene.’
Mr Shelly said GA was excited with the release of the 2022 April ABVs and its program has delivered some very nice daughter proven results. These include Holstein sires FEDORA (476 BPI) with an exceptionally balanced proof with highlights across his production, conformation, survival and mastitis resistance. SUPERPOWER (454 BPI) has received his first daughter proven breeding value and will deliver extremely profitable and robust cows with tremendous production and strength traits. SUPERDAVE (533 BPIg) has added his first milking daughter and is now the go to production specialist at 321 ASI.
The number one ranked BPI Holstein Genomic sire is once again TOMMYDEE 556 BPIg, TOMMYDEE is bred in the competitive herd owned John and Vicki Lillico in northwest Tasmania. Sired by GA genomic sire ENDGAME (449 BPIg), he descends from the Hindlee ‘Royal’ cow family and offers exactly what the industry is seeking with top ABVs for Calving Ease 104, Survival 110, Mastitis Resistance 112 and Daughter Fertility 113.
Other Holstein young genomic bulls joining the team include DECIPHER (Letsgo x Wrangler) 485 BPIg, JOVIAL (Silverline x Perseus) 452 BPIg, REDGATE 445 BPIg (Redcarpet x Superhero) and CASHOLIVER (Nacash x Fedora) at 472 BPIg.
‘The depth and quality of the Holstein team has never been greater and there is a wide range of options available for mammary improvement, shorter gestation, and calving ease,’ Mr Shelly said.
Australian Jerseys continue to forge an excellent reputation worldwide and Genetics Australia”s daughter proven line-up is second to none with the top three sires. Now with 296 milking daughters, DOUGGAN (David x Murmur) remains the number one Jersey bull for BPI at 413, DOBSON (David x Elton) now with 155 milking daughters joins DOUGGAN as the equal number one Jersey sire. DOBSON offers a great combination of conformation and health traits and will be extremely popular. Both bulls were bred by While Star Jerseys at Terang, currently the Number 1 ABV Jersey herd. ASKN (Valentino x Tbone) reaffirms himself as one of the best Jersey sires worldwide with his unique combination of health and type.
The good news for Jerseys continues with PICKLE (Pixstar x Lemonhead) leading the genomic ratings at 420 BPIg, with positive milk flow and exceptional health traits. PICKLE is also a leading sire for daughter fertility (ABV 105) combining survival (ABV 112). A new addition to the GA Jersey line-up is Wallacedale GOLDBANDP 362 BPIg (Polledgold x Bandanna), who is clearly the highest ranked ‘Polled’ Jersey sire following the April proof release, GOLDBANDP will offer an all-round package of Balanced Performance, Production, Conformation and importantly improved Health and Fitness traits.
‘The new Jersey team is unsurpassed in its quality and represents a number of young bulls from leading cow families and top Jersey breeders in Australia,’ Mr Shelly said.
The addition of genomics to Australian Red breed bulls has further strengthened the Genetics Australia team which now has the top four positions on BPIg. ARBPRIMESTAD P 354 BPIg (Onstad x Uudin), ARBMCKEON 336 BPIg (Faabeli x Foske), ARBBOOBOO BPIg 333(Wiking x Tokyo) and ARBCAESAR BPIg 329 (Aotearoa x Kenneth) offer a great combination of pedigree diversity, high profit and health.
Mr Shelly said the April 2022 bull team was stronger than ever.
‘Now with genomics contributing to each breed, the future of local standing bulls has never been brighter,’ he said. ‘We have been at the forefront of genomics in Australia for many years now and have available from our 2022 teams the Number 1 genomic Holstein TOMMYDEE, Jersey PICKLE and Australian Red in ARBPRIMESTAD. It is a significant achievement and a real credit to the quality and depth of bulls standing in Australia as well as to the Australian breeders who have developed these world class bulls and the cow families that are behind them.
‘Demand on young bulls both in Australia and internationally as well as the use of sexed semen has never been greater, so I encourage all farmers breeding cows in the coming months to order early to avoid disappointment.’
For more information:
Anthony Shelly 0408 529 410
Genetics Australia will strengthen its connections with the beef industry and benefit from one of the country’s genetics industry leaders with the appointment of Lucinda Corrigan to its Board.
Mrs Corrigan, who runs a leading Angus genetics business, ‘Rennylea’, with her husband Bryan, brings significant experience both on and off-farm to the Board.
She replaces Rohan Sprunt who served on the Board for six years.
Mrs Corrigan says she is excited to fill the casual vacancy and that Genetics Australia (GA) is well placed to compete on a global scale.
“From a strategic sense, we’re seeing an increase globally in the competitive environment so this is a really important time for Australian companies to position themselves so they’re not over-run by the global companies,” Mrs Corrigan said.
“GA is a key player and has a long and proud history, especially in dairy and an increasing influence in beef. Now is the time to get the strategy right for the future, and that interests me as a challenge.”
Mrs Corrigan has a long interest in genetic improvement and her skills align with her new role.
“I brings skills and experience in genetic improvement and have contemporary skills around innovation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues for Boards and I can add value in that space,” she said.
“At a board level it’s about understanding strategy and getting that right in an increasingly competitive environment. The big player in our world of genetics is genomics and how that has changed the competitive environment and we need to consider how does that translate to what GA does.”
Mrs Corrigan said it was an exciting time for GA. “What’s happened in the past 12 months in the merger with TLG is extremely exciting because it gives GA a lot more scope and reach into new markets.
“I’m excited to fill this casual vacancy and look forward to contributing and working with the team. I’m a firm believer that for businesses at any level, it’s all about how people work together.”
The Corrigans run 4,000 performance recorded cattle on seven properties near Albury. Over the past 30 years they have developed ‘Rennylea’ with dedicated use of Breedplan for genetic improvement and a highly accurate database of phenotypes and genotypes.
Having graduated with a first-class honours’ degree in Agricultural Science, Mrs Corrigan also has significant off farm experience, including a variety of roles with Dawson International PLC, a multinational textile company and as CEO of the Australian Cashmere Growers Association.
In 2007 she received the Helen Newton Turner Medal from the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG) in recognition for her contribution to animal breeding and genetics.
Mrs Corrigan has been a non-executive Director of DataGene since 2016 and is currently the chair of Animal Genetics Breeding Unit (AGBU) in Armidale, a joint venture between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England, and regarded as one of the world leaders in R&D of genetic evaluation systems for cattle and sheep, and is chair of the Sheep Sustainability Framework.
She brings to the Board skills and experience in governance, business management, marketing, research, climate change, environmental and animal welfare, and innovation through the value chain.
Board Chairman Trevor Henry welcomed Mrs Corrigan and thanked Mr Sprunt for his contribution to Genetics Australia and the broader dairy industry.
“Lucinda has an awesome resume and brings great breadth of experience to the Board through her industry roles,” Mr Henry said.
“She is well recognised within the beef sector and will strengthen our influence in the sector.”
Mr Henry said Mr Sprunt had contributed significantly to Genetics Australia and the industry. “That will continue with his ongoing contribution to Genetics Australia as a bull provider in both Holstein and Jersey breeds, which is fantastic for the entire industry,” he said.
Mr Sprunt was a Board member for six years, and was Deputy Chairman of the Audit & Risk Management Committee and chaired the genetics sub-committee where he assisted in implementing genomic testing for the Jersey breed in Australia.
Mr Sprunt said he had appreciated his experience with GA. “I’ve enjoyed being part of GA moving forward, particularly the acquisition of Total Livestock Genetics which was a brave move that worked well,” he said.
He added that the time was right to step down from the Board. “I’m a firm believer in getting in and helping out and then making room for someone else with fresh ideas,” he said.
Mr Sprunt sees a bright outlook for GA. “As such a big holding with such big production of semen, Genetics Australia has a very bright future,” he said.
Genetics Australia will strengthen its connections with the beef industry and benefit from one of the country”s genetics industry leaders with the appointment of Lucinda Corrigan to its Board.
Mrs Corrigan, who runs a leading Angus genetics business, “Rennylea”, with her husband Bryan, brings significant experience both on and off-farm to the Board.
She replaces Rohan Sprunt who served on the Board for six years.
Mrs Corrigan says she is excited to fill the casual vacancy and that Genetics Australia (GA) is well placed to compete on a global scale.
‘From a strategic sense, we”re seeing an increase globally in the competitive environment so this is a really important time for Australian companies to position themselves so they”re not over-run by the global companies,’ Mrs Corrigan said.
‘GA is a key player and has a long and proud history, especially in dairy and an increasing influence in beef. Now is the time to get the strategy right for the future, and that interests me as a challenge.’
Mrs Corrigan has a long interest in genetic improvement and her skills align with her new role.
‘I brings skills and experience in genetic improvement and have contemporary skills around innovation and environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues for Boards and I can add value in that space,’ she said.
‘At a board level it”s about understanding strategy and getting that right in an increasingly competitive environment. The big player in our world of genetics is genomics and how that has changed the competitive environment and we need to consider how does that translate to what GA does.’
Mrs Corrigan said it was an exciting time for GA. ‘What”s happened in the past 12 months in the merger with TLG is extremely exciting because it gives GA a lot more scope and reach into new markets.
‘I”m excited to fill this casual vacancy and look forward to contributing and working with the team. I”m a firm believer that for businesses at any level, it”s all about how people work together.’
The Corrigans run 4,000 performance recorded cattle on seven properties near Albury. Over the past 30 years they have developed “Rennylea” with dedicated use of Breedplan for genetic improvement and a highly accurate database of phenotypes and genotypes.
Having graduated with a first-class honours” degree in Agricultural Science, Mrs Corrigan also has significant off farm experience, including a variety of roles with Dawson International PLC, a multinational textile company and as CEO of the Australian Cashmere Growers Association.
In 2007 she received the Helen Newton Turner Medal from the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG) in recognition for her contribution to animal breeding and genetics.
Mrs Corrigan has been a non-executive Director of DataGene since 2016 and is currently the chair of Animal Genetics Breeding Unit (AGBU) in Armidale, a joint venture between the NSW Department of Primary Industries and University of New England, and regarded as one of the world leaders in R&D of genetic evaluation systems for cattle and sheep, and is chair of the Sheep Sustainability Framework.
She brings to the Board skills and experience in governance, business management, marketing, research, climate change, environmental and animal welfare, and innovation through the value chain.
Board Chairman Trevor Henry welcomed Mrs Corrigan and thanked Mr Sprunt for his contribution to Genetics Australia and the broader dairy industry.
‘Lucinda has an awesome resume and brings great breadth of experience to the Board through her industry roles,’ Mr Henry said.
‘She is well recognised within the beef sector and will strengthen our influence in the sector.’
Mr Henry said Mr Sprunt had contributed significantly to Genetics Australia and the industry. ‘That will continue with his ongoing contribution to Genetics Australia as a bull provider in both Holstein and Jersey breeds, which is fantastic for the entire industry,’ he said.
Mr Sprunt was a Board member for six years, and was Deputy Chairman of the Audit & Risk Management Committee and chaired the genetics sub-committee where he assisted in implementing genomic testing for the Jersey breed in Australia.
Mr Sprunt said he had appreciated his experience with GA. ‘I”ve enjoyed being part of GA moving forward, particularly the acquisition of Total Livestock Genetics which was a brave move that worked well,’ he said.
He added that the time was right to step down from the Board. ‘I”m a firm believer in getting in and helping out and then making room for someone else with fresh ideas,’ he said.
Mr Sprunt sees a bright outlook for GA. ‘As such a big holding with such big production of semen, Genetics Australia has a very bright future,’ he said.
Pakistan is emerging as a major export destination for Australian dairy cows and genetics.
A new partnership between HRM Dairies in Pakistan and Genetics Australia has led two shipments of semen in late 2021 with further shipments planned in coming months.
The genetics exports follow a surge in shipments of live animals from Australia to Pakistan over the past five years.
Genetics Australia’s partnership with HRM Dairies, was officially launched on December 26 and the corporate farm has become the first in Pakistan to use Australian genetics and genomic testing.
Genetics Australia Export Manager Rob Derksen identified Pakistan as a country of interest for Australian genetics several years ago.
“We were looking for a distributor in Pakistan and appointed two distributors, but both had little interest in genetic merit, they just wanted to focus on getting the cheapest possible product,” Mr Derksen said. “We decided at the time to place greater emphasis on exporting genetics to other countries, particularly China, as they were prepared to focus on better quality genetics and promote the Australian Breeding Value system.
“China became our number one export market but in more recent years as the relationship between Beijing and Canberra deteriorated, we were unable to obtain import permits for China and decided to again look at options in Pakistan. We decided to appoint HRM as our exclusive distributor because of their interest in breeding better quality animals and their dairy will become a showcase in Pakistan for Australian genetics. Other farmers can’t believe the high production better quality Australian cattle are doing.”
HRM Dairies CEO Mudassar Hassan moved to Australia in 2003 but wanted to retain a connection to his homeland.
“I saw in 2017 that there was a huge gap between supply and demand in Pakistan and the quality of dairy cattle in Pakistan wasn’t up to the mark,” Mr Hassan said.
He eventually secured Holstein cows from three different farms; Emu Banks, Eclipse and Vala Holsteins, with an emphasis on high quality genetics.
“We lead from the front and do a lot of trials and studies at our farm,” Mr Hassan said. “There were Holsteins in Pakistan but not to the genetic quality I was after,” he said.
The barn-based farm is now milking nearly 400 cows and has introduced Jersey and Aussie Reds crosses. Mr Hassan hopes to be milking 1000 cows by 2024.
Mr Hassan predicts the industry could grow immensely. “If I talk in dairy language, Pakistan is just at the weaning stage,” he said.
While Pakistan is the fourth largest dairy producing country in the world, it still needs imported cattle and can struggle with what Mr Hassan describes as “non-descriptive” stock.
“Like Australia, Pakistan wants a stronger cow that has good feet and legs, an open chest, dairy strength, good mammary systems, are healthy and fertile and able to cope with hot and humid conditions.”
HRM Dairies and Mr Hassan’s social media profile – where he produces videos of interviews with Australian farmers attracting up to 100,000 views – have helped to educate Pakistani farmers about Australian genetics.
“People thought Australia only imported genetics from the US or Europe to A.I. their cows,” he said. “We have changed that now and people realise Australia is independent in terms of producing genetics.
“This is the first time in Pakistani history that Australian genetics has come to Pakistan and we can show them the bull’s daughters performing in another country, as well as those in our own herd. It’s a showcase to farmers that it really works.”
Mr Hassan said the shortage of quality cattle and genetics held back Pakistani dairy farming.
“Cattle numbers aren’t the problem; it’s the shortage of quality genetics and the main challenge is education. At the moment, farmers are increasing their herds without knowing the strengths and weaknesses because of the lack of genomic testing.”
HRM is the only farm in Pakistan doing genomic testing and Mr Hassan hopes help farmers understand the value of good genetics in improving fertility, health and profitability.
“Profit is not all about milk production; profit also means less expenses. If your cow is doing 12,000 litres but having mastitis twice and taking four doses to get pregnant, you won’t be making that much profit, but if she’s producing 8-9000 litres and getting pregnant easily and not having health problems, she’s probably more profitable.”
Last year almost 97 per cent of the HRM herd got pregnant, it had a very low mortality rates and best ever production. Minimum production from any cow was 10,000 litres but the average was more than 12,000 litres, which Mr Hassan attributes to genetics, management and nutritional control.
Mr Hassan is a firm believer that Australian cows and genetics work in Pakistan. “It’s a huge market but in Australia it is very underrated; Australia could do way more to capitalise on the potential.”
Mr Derksen said there was also a great opportunity for Australian farmers to sell better quality surplus heifers to Pakistan.
“Pakistani farmers are now recognising their first-cross animals with poor breeding are not performing anywhere near the level of the Australian cows. HRM has demonstrated there is real merit in better quality genetics,” he said.
Pakistan is emerging as a major export destination for Australian dairy cows and genetics.
A new partnership between HRM Dairies in Pakistan and Genetics Australia has led two shipments of semen in late 2021 with further shipments planned in coming months.
The genetics exports follow a surge in shipments of live animals from Australia to Pakistan over the past five years.
Genetics Australia”s partnership with HRM Dairies, was officially launched on December 26 and the corporate farm has become the first in Pakistan to use Australian genetics and genomic testing.
Genetics Australia Export Manager Rob Derksen identified Pakistan as a country of interest for Australian genetics several years ago.
‘We were looking for a distributor in Pakistan and appointed two distributors, but both had little interest in genetic merit, they just wanted to focus on getting the cheapest possible product,’ Mr Derksen said. ‘We decided at the time to place greater emphasis on exporting genetics to other countries, particularly China, as they were prepared to focus on better quality genetics and promote the Australian Breeding Value system.
‘China became our number one export market but in more recent years as the relationship between Beijing and Canberra deteriorated, we were unable to obtain import permits for China and decided to again look at options in Pakistan. We decided to appoint HRM as our exclusive distributor because of their interest in breeding better quality animals and their dairy will become a showcase in Pakistan for Australian genetics. Other farmers can”t believe the high production better quality Australian cattle are doing.’
HRM Dairies CEO Mudassar Hassan moved to Australia in 2003 but wanted to retain a connection to his homeland.
‘I saw in 2017 that there was a huge gap between supply and demand in Pakistan and the quality of dairy cattle in Pakistan wasn”t up to the mark,’ Mr Hassan said.
He eventually secured Holstein cows from three different farms; Emu Banks, Eclipse and Vala Holsteins, with an emphasis on high quality genetics.
‘We lead from the front and do a lot of trials and studies at our farm,’ Mr Hassan said. ‘There were Holsteins in Pakistan but not to the genetic quality I was after,’ he said.
The barn-based farm is now milking nearly 400 cows and has introduced Jersey and Aussie Reds crosses. Mr Hassan hopes to be milking 1000 cows by 2024.
Mr Hassan predicts the industry could grow immensely. ‘If I talk in dairy language, Pakistan is just at the weaning stage,’ he said.
While Pakistan is the fourth largest dairy producing country in the world, it still needs imported cattle and can struggle with what Mr Hassan describes as ‘non-descriptive’ stock.
‘Like Australia, Pakistan wants a stronger cow that has good feet and legs, an open chest, dairy strength, good mammary systems, are healthy and fertile and able to cope with hot and humid conditions.’
HRM Dairies and Mr Hassan”s social media profile – where he produces videos of interviews with Australian farmers attracting up to 100,000 views – have helped to educate Pakistani farmers about Australian genetics.
‘People thought Australia only imported genetics from the US or Europe to A.I. their cows,’ he said. ‘We have changed that now and people realise Australia is independent in terms of producing genetics.
‘This is the first time in Pakistani history that Australian genetics has come to Pakistan and we can show them the bull”s daughters performing in another country, as well as those in our own herd. It”s a showcase to farmers that it really works.’
Mr Hassan said the shortage of quality cattle and genetics held back Pakistani dairy farming.
‘Cattle numbers aren”t the problem; it”s the shortage of quality genetics and the main challenge is education. At the moment, farmers are increasing their herds without knowing the strengths and weaknesses because of the lack of genomic testing.’
HRM is the only farm in Pakistan doing genomic testing and Mr Hassan hopes help farmers understand the value of good genetics in improving fertility, health and profitability.
‘Profit is not all about milk production; profit also means less expenses. If your cow is doing 12,000 litres but having mastitis twice and taking four doses to get pregnant, you won”t be making that much profit, but if she”s producing 8-9000 litres and getting pregnant easily and not having health problems, she”s probably more profitable.’
Last year almost 97 per cent of the HRM herd got pregnant, it had a very low mortality rates and best ever production. Minimum production from any cow was 10,000 litres but the average was more than 12,000 litres, which Mr Hassan attributes to genetics, management and nutritional control.
Mr Hassan is a firm believer that Australian cows and genetics work in Pakistan. ‘It”s a huge market but in Australia it is very underrated; Australia could do way more to capitalise on the potential.’
Mr Derksen said there was also a great opportunity for Australian farmers to sell better quality surplus heifers to Pakistan.
‘Pakistani farmers are now recognising their first-cross animals with poor breeding are not performing anywhere near the level of the Australian cows. HRM has demonstrated there is real merit in better quality genetics,’ he said.
After a year highlighted by two of the most significant milestones in its 63-year history, Genetics Australia has finished the financial year with a surplus and a bright industry outlook.
In the annual report released on November 22, Genetics Australia (GA) chairman Trevor Henry said the sale of the Parwan Park property at Bacchus Marsh and the purchase of TLG at Camperdown and relocation of bull management, semen management and semen collection and production would set up the Co-operative for the next important phase of its history.
“I’m sure the best of both businesses will mean the ‘new’ GA and TLG will produce even better products and services and be the clear leader in the Australian industry,” Mr Henry said.
Seasonal conditions across Australia were favorable leading to improved sales and an after-tax profit of $191,511 from total revenue of $13,670,141, an improvement of nearly $3 million on the previous financial year.
The GA group’s total net assets increased by more than $2 million to $15,723,972 with a positive cash position of more than $500,000.
Mr Henry said part of GA’s strategic direction was to invest in both beef and genetic exports. “As the beef industry has emerged from drought and beef breeders recognise that AI and synchrony programs can fast track the national herd, Australia has seen record prices paid for top quality bulls,” he said.
“Beef will continue to grow and we are excited to see the impact the record-setting Angus bull ICEMAN and other top rated beef bulls will have in Australia and in international markets.”
Mr Henry said there had been steady growth in export sales of Australian genetics, including GA’s largest single shipment of 110,000 straws to China.
Growth in China had been rapid in the past two years and just as progeny were entering Chinese herds with favorable results, the trade was caught in political tension between Beijing and Canberra.
“Like several Australian agribusinesses, China refused issuing import permits, hardly making any impact on the balance of trade between the countries but impacting on the investment made by both Genetics Australia and our Chinese distributor,” Mr Henry said.
While this curtailed export sales, Genetics Australia recently signed new agreements with Pakistan and continues market development in Africa and Europe with support from Australian Government assistance initiatives.
Mr Henry said there had been good growth for herd improvement merchandise products as industry conditions improved.
He added that the support of shareholders meant the Co-operative would continue to be a strong genetics supplier based in Australia.
CEO Anthony Shelly said the GA sire line up was as strong and diverse as it had ever been. “Australian breeders have done a first-class job of not only using the highest-ranked bulls to sire the next generation, but in developing world-class cow families,” he said.
Mr Shelly said a number of high rated young bulls were added during the year with more emphasis being placed on bulls that are A22 and polled, traits growing in demand both within Australia and internationally.
He said there was also a trend for more beef to come from dairy herds around the world as farmers breed dairy replacements from their top genomic animals together with increased use of sexed semen.
Mr Shelly said Genetics Australia was in a great position with an exciting future. “I am confident with the ongoing support of all members the Co-operative will continue to be a key driver of genetic improvement in Australia.”
After a year highlighted by two of the most significant milestones in its 63-year history, Genetics Australia has finished the financial year with a surplus and a bright industry outlook.
In the annual report released on November 22, Genetics Australia (GA) chairman Trevor Henry said the sale of the Parwan Park property at Bacchus Marsh and the purchase of TLG at Camperdown and relocation of bull management, semen management and semen collection and production would set up the Co-operative for the next important phase of its history.
‘I”m sure the best of both businesses will mean the “new” GA and TLG will produce even better products and services and be the clear leader in the Australian industry,’ Mr Henry said.
Seasonal conditions across Australia were favorable leading to improved sales and an after-tax profit of $191,511 from total revenue of $13,670,141, an improvement of nearly $3 million on the previous financial year.
The GA group”s total net assets increased by more than $2 million to $15,723,972 with a positive cash position of more than $500,000.
Mr Henry said part of GA”s strategic direction was to invest in both beef and genetic exports. ‘As the beef industry has emerged from drought and beef breeders recognise that AI and synchrony programs can fast track the national herd, Australia has seen record prices paid for top quality bulls,’ he said.
‘Beef will continue to grow and we are excited to see the impact the record-setting Angus bull ICEMAN and other top rated beef bulls will have in Australia and in international markets.’
Mr Henry said there had been steady growth in export sales of Australian genetics, including GA”s largest single shipment of 110,000 straws to China.
Growth in China had been rapid in the past two years and just as progeny were entering Chinese herds with favorable results, the trade was caught in political tension between Beijing and Canberra.
‘Like several Australian agribusinesses, China refused issuing import permits, hardly making any impact on the balance of trade between the countries but impacting on the investment made by both Genetics Australia and our Chinese distributor,’ Mr Henry said.
While this curtailed export sales, Genetics Australia recently signed new agreements with Pakistan and continues market development in Africa and Europe with support from Australian Government assistance initiatives.
Mr Henry said there had been good growth for herd improvement merchandise products as industry conditions improved.
He added that the support of shareholders meant the Co-operative would continue to be a strong genetics supplier based in Australia.
CEO Anthony Shelly said the GA sire line up was as strong and diverse as it had ever been. ‘Australian breeders have done a first-class job of not only using the highest-ranked bulls to sire the next generation, but in developing world-class cow families,’ he said.
Mr Shelly said a number of high rated young bulls were added during the year with more emphasis being placed on bulls that are A22 and polled, traits growing in demand both within Australia and internationally.
He said there was also a trend for more beef to come from dairy herds around the world as farmers breed dairy replacements from their top genomic animals together with increased use of sexed semen.
Mr Shelly said Genetics Australia was in a great position with an exciting future. ‘I am confident with the ongoing support of all members the Co-operative will continue to be a key driver of genetic improvement in Australia.’
I am sure you are well aware by now of the recent sale of ‘Parwan Park’. No bulls have been on the property since early April, at this time we commenced moving our office infrastructure to our Parwan Park South property on the Bacchus Marsh-Geelong Road.
Now the Parwan Park property is sold we are finalizing this move and there has been some change to our communication systems.
From Tuesday 14th September our office and roadside address will be 4104 Geelong – Bacchus Marsh Road, Bacchus Marsh 3340. Our PO Box 195 address will remain unchanged.
We have also taken the opportunity to invest in a new communication system called CX, a cloud-based single platform unified communications system that will integrate calls with video conferencing, live chat, business text, Facebook and messaging.
It will mean the free recall 1800 number will no longer apply but we will retain the current office number of 03 53 673888 although the current direct phone numbers to individual staff members will change. Each office-based staff member will have an extension so calls can be transferred or dialled directly from your PC.
Mobile numbers will remain unchanged however each mobile will have the CX system App, meaning staff can answer calls made directly to their extension by mobile or on their PC.
On Monday 13th our server will be relocated and we expect to be offline for 24 hours. During the week the CX system will also be integrated and until this is up and running, we will direct all office calls to a mobile number.
We ask you to be patient during this transition and we will endeavor to back online ASAP!
I am sure you are well aware by now of the recent sale of “Parwan Park”. No bulls have been on the property since early April, at this time we commenced moving our office infrastructure to our Parwan Park South property on the Bacchus Marsh-Geelong Road.
Now the Parwan Park property is sold we are finalizing this move and there has been some change to our communication systems.
From Tuesday 14th September our office and roadside address will be 4104 Geelong- Bacchus Marsh Road, Bacchus Marsh 3340. Our PO Box 195 address will remain unchanged.
We have also taken the opportunity to invest in a new communication system called CX, a cloud-based single platform unified communications system that will integrate calls with video conferencing, live chat, business text, Facebook and messaging.
It will mean the free recall 1800 number will no longer apply but we will retain the current office number of 03 53 673888 although the current direct phone numbers to individual staff members will change. Each office-based staff member will have an extension so calls can be transferred or dialled directly from your PC.
Mobile numbers will remain unchanged however each mobile will have the CX system App, meaning staff can answer calls made directly to their extension by mobile or on their PC.
On Monday 13th our server will be relocated and we expect to be offline for 24 hours. During the week the CX system will also be integrated and until this is up and running, we will direct all office calls to a mobile number.
We ask you to be patient during this transition and we will endeavor to back online ASAP!