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August 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.”

The number one ranked BPI Holstein Genomic sire in August is Hindlee Tommy Dee 2010-ET. At 558 BPIg, he is some 30 BPI points clear of his nearest rival and is a standout sire at the top of the Holstein genomic list. TOMMYDEE is bred in the competitive herd owned John & Vicki Lillico in northwest Tasmania. Sired by GA genomic sire ENDGAME [447 BPIg] he descends from the “Hindlee Royal” cow family and is an exciting young sire and will soon be available. His overall ABV offers exactly what the industry is seeking with top ABVs for HWIg [579], 223 ASI, 104 Mammary, 114 for Daughter Fertility and 111 Mastitis Resistance with 104 Calving Ease and he is A22.

Other Holstein young genomic bulls joining the elite of 500+ BPIg are TALKING [Keeper P x Kingtut] 521 BPIg, KARAT [Complete x Slam Dunk] 517 BPIg, SONDALO 506 BPIg [Jeronimo x Main Event] and at 508 BPIg is new Holstein CINDERMAN [Fedora x Supershot] at 508 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 recent exports to North America and Europe of ASKN will ensure demand continues to grow well into the future.

Adding over 90 milking daughters to his August ABV, DOUGGAN [David x Murmur] becomes the number one Jersey bull for BPI at 431, HWI 346, ASI 283 and the number one bull for reliability over 80 per cent reliability.

The good news for Jerseys continues with INVINCIBLE [Hatman x Valentino]. Adding over 50 daughters in August to see him lift by 68 BPI points to 394 BPI and 79 in HWI to an impressive 257 and when added to his 111 for Overall Type and 112 for Mammary it makes him a standout total performance sire.

“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.

Genomics were added to the Australian Red breed bulls for the first time in August and the team overall was further strengthened. Coming into the number two and four positions on BPIg were ARBPRIMESTAD P [Onstad x Uudin] and ARBCAESAR [Aotearoa x Kenneth], both bulls bred the Waikato Aussie Red stud.

Also joining these bulls in the top 10 genomic Red sires and new for 2021 are ARBBOOBOO [Wiking x Tokyo] at 322 BPIg and ARBBLITZON [Tokoyo x Arbbonjovi].

Mr Shelly said the August 2021 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.

“Demand on young bulls both in Australia and internationally as well as the use of sexed semen has bever been greater, so I encourage all farmers mating cows between now and the end of the year to order early to avoid disappointment.”

For more information:

Anthony Shelly 0408 529 410

August 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.’

The number one ranked BPI Holstein Genomic sire in August is Hindlee Tommy Dee 2010-ET. At 558 BPIg, he is some 30 BPI points clear of his nearest rival and is a standout sire at the top of the Holstein genomic list.TOMMYDEE is bred in the competitive herd owned John & Vicki Lillico in northwest Tasmania. Sired by GA genomic sire ENDGAME [447 BPIg] he descends from the ‘Hindlee Royal’ cow family and is an exciting young sire and will soon be available. His overall ABV offers exactly what the industry is seeking with top ABVs for HWIg [579], 223 ASI, 104 Mammary, 114 for Daughter Fertility and 111 Mastitis Resistance with 104 Calving Ease and he is A22.

Other Holstein young genomic bulls joining the elite of 500+ BPIg are TALKING [Keeper P x Kingtut] 521 BPIg, KARAT [Complete x Slam Dunk] 517 BPIg, SONDALO 506 BPIg [Jeronimo x Main Event] and at 508 BPIg is new Holstein CINDERMAN [Fedora x Supershot] at 508 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 recent exports to North America and Europe of ASKN will ensure demand continues to grow well into the future.

Adding over 90 milking daughters to his August ABV, DOUGGAN [David x Murmur] becomes the number one Jersey bull for BPI at 431, HWI 346, ASI 283 and the number one bull for reliability over 80 per cent reliability.

The good news for Jerseys continues with INVINCIBLE [Hatman x Valentino]. Adding over 50 daughters in August to see him lift by 68 BPI points to 394 BPI and 79 in HWI to an impressive 257 and when added to his 111 for Overall Type and 112 for Mammary it makes him a standout total performance sire.

‘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.

Genomics were added to the Australian Red breed bulls for the first time in August and the team overall was further strengthened. Coming into the number two and four positions on BPIg were ARBPRIMESTAD P [Onstad x Uudin] and ARBCAESAR [Aotearoa x Kenneth], both bulls bred the Waikato Aussie Red stud.

Also joining these bulls in the top 10 genomic Red sires and new for 2021 are ARBBOOBOO [Wiking x Tokyo] at 322 BPIg and ARBBLITZON [Tokoyo x Arbbonjovi].

Mr Shelly said the August 2021 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.

‘Demand on young bulls both in Australia and internationally as well as the use of sexed semen has bever been greater, so I encourage all farmers mating cows between now and the end of the year to order early to avoid disappointment.’

For more information:

Anthony Shelly 0408 529 410

Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef will work with Genetics Australia to market Texas ICEMAN after the bull smashed Australian record prices on Thursday, July 29.

Texas ICEMAN R725(AI)(ET) sold to Macka’s Angus for a record-breaking $225,000 at the Texas Angus bull sale near Warialda in northern New South Wales, easily eclipsing the previous top of $160 000 paid for an Angus bull.

It is believed to be a record price paid for any bull in Australia.

Despite the high price, new owner Macka’s Angus managing director Robert Mackenzie described him as “a value-for-money bull” that will benefit his operation and the Angus breed around Australia.

Genetics Australia beef manager Nigel Semmens predicts huge demand for product from the bull, with semen expected to be available towards the end of August.

“There’s already high demand for his semen and that will only increase after today’s sale,” Mr Semmens said. “We will start collecting semen straight away for Genetics Australia to sell and for the large-scale A.I. programs in Macka’s Angus beef program.”

“As an individual bull, he’s a stand-out young sire. His genetic package is unique. He’s sired by American bull Poss Maverick whose genetics are very hard to source in Australia, and he’s also out of one of the top breeding cows in the Texas Angus breeding program, Texas Undine H647.”

“Her breeding is highly sought after and she is now deceased so genetics out of her will be very limited.”

This bull’s maternal brother was the top selling bull in the 2020 Texas Angus sale, selling for $108,000.

Mr Semmens said Genetics Australia and Macka’s Australian Black Angus Beef were a good match. “We have a great synergy,” he said. “Macka’s Australian Angus is a fully-integrated commercial operation and we both place a lot of emphasis on animal welfare and are very committed to sustainability and producing a high-quality product.”

Mr Mackenzie said ICEMAN’s dam had a proven track record of producing excellent progeny and his sire has had a remarkable influence in the U.S.

“ICEMAN gives us something we’re looking for to put some serious power into our 3500-commercial herd operation,” he said.
Macka’s will A.I 1000 breeders with him this year and will use him in a new stud operation managed by Robert’s son Jack Mackenzie.

Mr Mackenzie said he decided to go with Genetics Australia because they were the first company that he had discussed the bull with. “We had a discussion with Nigel and found him to be very open and full of information and we work well together,” he said.

He expects strong demand for ICEMAN’s semen. “It was proven today. There were multiple bidders so there’s definitely going to be strong demand for this bull’s semen.

“We’re proud we’ve been able to secure such a unique bull for our operation and to be widely used here in Australia and around the world.

“We’re all about strengthening the genetics of Angus cattle around Australia and it’s great that we can help people get some great genetics.”

Mr Mackenzie said he would have bid even more than $225,000. “We would have gone well and truly above that price because he was a bull that fitted our operation and our future,” he said.

“For us, he was a cheap investment into our operation and a great investment for all of Australia to be able to share the genetics.

“My 83-year-old father Bruce said `we’re not going to leave here without that bull, no matter what’.”

Mr Mackenzie said the sale reflected confidence in the industry and the Angus breed and the future of his business. “We have an operation from paddock to plate and our customers are looking for the best product; this bull gives us an even better opportunity to deliver better quality to consumers.

“We will also be using his genetics to sell PTIC heifers into the marketplace to give other people the opportunity to have great genetics.”

Mr Semmens said Genetics Australia anticipated semen to be available late August or early September. “With anticipated high demand, we encourage customers to contact us to register their interest in his semen for the spring breeding season,” he said.

“Moving into 2022, ICEMAN will have a heavy workload to meet domestic demand and to produce export semen and he will be a sire that will have male and female sexed semen available.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION

NIGEL SEMMENS 0439 417941

Macka”s Australian Black Angus Beef will work with Genetics Australia to market Texas ICEMAN after the bull smashed Australian record prices on Thursday, July 29.

Texas ICEMAN R725(AI)(ET) sold to Macka”s Angus for a record-breaking $225,000 at the Texas Angus bull sale near Warialda in northern New South Wales, easily eclipsing the previous top of $160 000 paid for an Angus bull.

It is believed to be a record price paid for any bull in Australia.

Despite the high price, new owner Macka”s Angus managing director Robert Mackenzie described him as ‘a value-for-money bull’ that will benefit his operation and the Angus breed around Australia.

Genetics Australia beef manager Nigel Semmens predicts huge demand for product from the bull, with semen expected to be available towards the end of August.

‘There”s already high demand for his semen and that will only increase after today”s sale,’ Mr Semmens said. ‘We will start collecting semen straight away for Genetics Australia to sell and for the large-scale A.I. programs in Macka”s Angus beef program.’

‘As an individual bull, he”s a stand-out young sire. His genetic package is unique. He”s sired by American bull Poss Maverick whose genetics are very hard to source in Australia, and he”s also out of one of the top breeding cows in the Texas Angus breeding program, Texas Undine H647.’

‘Her breeding is highly sought after and she is now deceased so genetics out of her will be very limited.’

This bull”s maternal brother was the top selling bull in the 2020 Texas Angus sale, selling for $108,000.

Mr Semmens said Genetics Australia and Macka”s Australian Black Angus Beef were a good match. ‘We have a great synergy,’ he said. ‘Macka”s Australian Angus is a fully-integrated commercial operation and we both place a lot of emphasis on animal welfare and are very committed to sustainability and producing a high-quality product.’

Mr Mackenzie said ICEMAN”s dam had a proven track record of producing excellent progeny and his sire has had a remarkable influence in the U.S.

‘ICEMAN gives us something we”re looking for to put some serious power into our 3500-commercial herd operation,’ he said.
Macka”s will A.I 1000 breeders with him this year and will use him in a new stud operation managed by Robert”s son Jack Mackenzie.

Mr Mackenzie said he decided to go with Genetics Australia because they were the first company that he had discussed the bull with. ‘We had a discussion with Nigel and found him to be very open and full of information and we work well together,’ he said.

He expects strong demand for ICEMAN”s semen. ‘It was proven today. There were multiple bidders so there”s definitely going to be strong demand for this bull”s semen.

‘We”re proud we”ve been able to secure such a unique bull for our operation and to be widely used here in Australia and around the world.

‘We”re all about strengthening the genetics of Angus cattle around Australia and it”s great that we can help people get some great genetics.’

Mr Mackenzie said he would have bid even more than $225,000. ‘We would have gone well and truly above that price because he was a bull that fitted our operation and our future,’ he said.

‘For us, he was a cheap investment into our operation and a great investment for all of Australia to be able to share the genetics.

‘My 83-year-old father Bruce said `we”re not going to leave here without that bull, no matter what”.’

Mr Mackenzie said the sale reflected confidence in the industry and the Angus breed and the future of his business. ‘We have an operation from paddock to plate and our customers are looking for the best product; this bull gives us an even better opportunity to deliver better quality to consumers.

‘We will also be using his genetics to sell PTIC heifers into the marketplace to give other people the opportunity to have great genetics.’

Mr Semmens said Genetics Australia anticipated semen to be available late August or early September. ‘With anticipated high demand, we encourage customers to contact us to register their interest in his semen for the spring breeding season,’ he said.

‘Moving into 2022, ICEMAN will have a heavy workload to meet domestic demand and to produce export semen and he will be a sire that will have male and female sexed semen available.’

FOR MORE INFORMATION

NIGEL SEMMENS 0439 417941

Genetics Australia”s new beef sales representative for southern Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania, John Gommers, says he”s coming on board at the right time.

Fresh off a new Australian-record sale for an Angus bull, Mr Gommers predicts even more growth in the industry.

‘It”s an exciting time to be in agriculture with cattle prices at an all-time high,’ he said. ‘It”s extremely strong with a lot of optimism – everyone you talk to is really up and about.’

A record $225,000 paid for an Angus bull on July 29, eclipsing the previous top of $160,000, and overall high sales underline the strength of the market and the industry, Mr Gommers, who is based in Warrnambool, said.

‘We”re seeing the elite top-end animals push into another price bracket,’ he said.

In his new role, Mr Gommers will emphasise soundness and longevity in breeding cattle.

‘One of the main things commercial and stud breeders need to be mindful of, is making sure the structural integrity is there, which leads to cows being able to stay in the herd for longer, and bulls being able to work for more seasons,’ he said.

‘Both commercial and stud sides of the industry will want to, within reason, push the envelope and try to better their bottom line when things are going well, and you need to have genetics with the right performance data, to bring this to reality.’

Mr Gommers admits he is ‘a bit fanatical’ about genetics.

His interest in the field has taken him around Australia and 10 times to North America and he brings that experience and passion to his new role as Genetics Australia”s beef sales role.

‘I”m a massive genetics person, you could say I”m a bit fanatical about it,’ he said. ‘I”ve done 10 trips to the US in the last 20 years looking at A.I. sires, herds and cow families and trying to get the best understanding of the Angus breed, and I”ve done the same sort of groundwork in Australia.’

His research aimed to help his family”s Stoney Point Performance Angus stud in South Australia to make the best decisions in bringing genetics into its herd, but it has given him a data bank of knowledge that can help the broader industry. Having also worked closely with the late Simon Coates from Sumo Wagyu over the past five years, his understanding of Wagyu genetics is first rate.

Australian genetics can match anything. ‘We”re breeding some of the best cattle in the world,’ he said. ‘Especially in the last five to 10 years, it is becoming more apparent that the Americans and Canadians, and now Europeans recognise we produce seedstock at a very high level.

‘As an industry, we”re very particular about getting the fundamentals of the cattle right and that”s one of the main reasons there”s an upsurge of interest from overseas for the export of Australian genetics.’

Mr Gommers worked for the family business for more than 20 years, seeing it increase from the purchase of two registered cows in 1998, to selling 150 bulls a year by 2014 when an opportunity came up to sell the herd in its entirety.

He managed the herd for a period in the transition to the new owner, before buying property at Illowa on the edge of Warrnambool about three years ago, where he runs Angus, and Fullblood Wagyu cattle, and Australian White Sheep

Now the property is well set up, he had the opportunity to take on the Genetics Australia sales role.

‘Commercial and stud breeders had confidence when buying from our family business because we”d done our homework, and they knew the genetics in our cattle were going to propel their herd in the right direction, and I look forward to bringing that same ethos to the role with G.A.’

Ray Kitchen”s Carenda Holstein herd has a record seven bulls in Genetics Australia”s 2021 team, and he”s not done yet.

‘This is the highest number we”ve had and we want to keep contributing,’ Ray said. ‘Only the top male genetics get into the breeding centres. They”re selecting the best from around the world so it”s pleasing to be in there.’

The latest ABV”s shows Ray”s herd at Boyanup in Western Australia ranks #3 for BPI and #3 for Health Weighted index [HWI].

Carenda”s seven bulls in the 2021 team are led by the highest BPIg ranked Holstein in SONDALO (Jeronimo x Main Event), who descends from a long line of highly classified cows with three of the last four generations scoring excellent.

At 531 BPIg, SONDALO ranks as the highest Australian-breed bull, and sixth overall. His 567 HWI, 106 Mammary, 109 Mastitis Resistance, 114 Daughter Fertility, – 5 Gestation Length and 103 Calving Ease ABVs makes him the all-round package.

‘To be highly ranked on the BPI, they”ve got to be good in all areas; whether it be production, confirmation or health traits,’ Ray said.

Carenda is no stranger to the upper echelons of the rankings. ‘I”ve been in and around the top half dozen for a while,’ Ray said. ‘We have more than 400 milking cows on the farm so it”s pleasing for a relatively large herd to be so high in the rankings.

‘We”re gradually making improvements to a whole range of traits, by using better bulls all the time and quality genetics are being introduced.’

SONDALO”s full brother TIRANO-P was the 6thranked Australian bull in the April ABVs, making him one of the highest-ranking polled bulls in the breed. He also has pleasing conformation indexes with 106 overall and 110 mammary, the high numbers reflecting the cow family both bulls are from.

Although COVID lockdowns have stopped on-farm competitions over the past year, SONDALO and TIRANO”s mother CARENDA MAIN EVENT VANDA recently won her breed age group in an Australia- wide video-based competition.

AMALFI is a bull breed from a different MAIN EVENT cow at Carenda; he remains popular for adding dairy strength to his daughters.

Another interesting bull is PEMBERTON (BPI457). ‘He was quite popular the last few years,’ Ray said. ‘We used him ourselves and had a bull calf, VARLEY, with BPI 482, that”s about to go to Genetics Australia. We have high hopes for him.’

‘It”s quite pleasing to get a bull into the breeding centre that has been sired by one of our own bulls,’ Ray said.

At 472BPI, FRANKLAND is the stud”s other high ranked team member. He”s from a different cow family; the FAITH family were introduced from the USA about 30 years ago through embryos.

That family is second only to the “V” cows that have been breeding on the farm since the early 1960s.

While the stud”s other bulls in the GA team are genomic testing proven, SOUTHPOLE is a daughter-proven bull.

‘SOUTHPOLE goes back to CONANT-ACRES SWEET family we”ve had here for more than 25 years after we bought embryos out of the US in the early 1990s out of an 88-point BLACKSTAR and her Excellent dam was the full sister to the popular bull BROKER,’ Ray said.

He”s the first proven polled sire based in Australia. ‘There hasn”t been a lot of polled genetics in the breeding system but we”re getting more all the time. He”s the first Australian bull to return to service as a proven bull that is polled.’

‘We are breeding for good confirmation cattle but they”re also productive and making improvements to health traits. They”re doing really well in that department,’ Ray said.

The Kitchen family has been dairy farming in the area since the 1950s, although family connections to the region go back another century.

Ray Kitchen”s Carenda Holstein herd has a record seven bulls in Genetics Australia”s 2021 team, and he”s not done yet.

‘This is the highest number we”ve had and we want to keep contributing,’ Ray said. ‘Only the top male genetics get into the breeding centres. They”re selecting the best from around the world so it”s pleasing to be in there.’

The latest ABV”s shows Ray”s herd at Boyanup in Western Australia ranks #3 for BPI and #3 for Health Weighted index [HWI].

Carenda”s seven bulls in the 2021 team are led by the highest BPIg ranked Holstein in SONDALO (Jeronimo x Main Event), who descends from a long line of highly classified cows with three of the last four generations scoring excellent.

At 531 BPIg, SONDALO ranks as the highest Australian-breed bull, and sixth overall. His 567 HWI, 106 Mammary, 109 Mastitis Resistance, 114 Daughter Fertility, – 5 Gestation Length and 103 Calving Ease ABVs makes him the all-round package.

‘To be highly ranked on the BPI, they”ve got to be good in all areas; whether it be production, confirmation or health traits,’ Ray said.

Carenda is no stranger to the upper echelons of the rankings. ‘I”ve been in and around the top half dozen for a while,’ Ray said. ‘We have more than 400 milking cows on the farm so it”s pleasing for a relatively large herd to be so high in the rankings.

‘We”re gradually making improvements to a whole range of traits, by using better bulls all the time and quality genetics are being introduced.’

SONDALO”s full brother TIRANO-P was the 6th ranked Australian bull in the April ABVs, making him one of the highest-ranking polled bulls in the breed. He also has pleasing conformation indexes with 106 overall and 110 mammary, the high numbers reflecting the cow family both bulls are from.

Although COVID lockdowns have stopped on-farm competitions over the past year, SONDALO and TIRANO”s mother CARENDA MAIN EVENT VANDA recently won her breed age group in an Australia- wide video-based competition.

AMALFI is a bull breed from a different MAIN EVENT cow at Carenda; he remains popular for adding dairy strength to his daughters.

Another interesting bull is PEMBERTON (BPI457). ‘He was quite popular the last few years,’ Ray said. ‘We used him ourselves and had a bull calf, VARLEY, with BPI 482, that”s about to go to Genetics Australia. We have high hopes for him.’

‘It”s quite pleasing to get a bull into the breeding centre that has been sired by one of our own bulls,’ Ray said.

At 472BPI, FRANKLAND is the stud”s other high ranked team member. He”s from a different cow family; the FAITH family were introduced from the USA about 30 years ago through embryos.

That family is second only to the “V” cows that have been breeding on the farm since the early 1960s.

While the stud”s other bulls in the GA team are genomic testing proven, SOUTHPOLE is a daughter-proven bull.

‘SOUTHPOLE goes back to CONANT-ACRES SWEET family we”ve had here for more than 25 years after we bought embryos out of the US in the early 1990s out of an 88-point BLACKSTAR and her Excellent dam was the full sister to the popular bull BROKER,’ Ray said.

He”s the first proven polled sire based in Australia. ‘There hasn”t been a lot of polled genetics in the breeding system but we”re getting more all the time. He”s the first Australian bull to return to service as a proven bull that is polled.’

‘We are breeding for good confirmation cattle but they”re also productive and making improvements to health traits. They”re doing really well in that department,’ Ray said.

The Kitchen family has been dairy farming in the area since the 1950s, although family connections to the region go back another century.

A property at Bacchus Marsh that has been the cornerstone of Australia”s artificial breeding industry for more than 60 years has been sold for $3 million.

Genetics Australia has sold Parwan Park to neighbours Boratto Farms which will use the land to expand their vegetable production.

The sale follows Genetics Australia”s purchase of Total livestock Genetics (TLG) and its decision to relocate its bull management, semen management and semen collection and production services from Bacchus Marsh to the TLG site near Camperdown.

Genetics Australia CEO Anthony Shelly said the sale of the property known locally as the ‘bull farm’ was part of GA”s acquisition of TLG and long-term plans for consolidation in south-west Victoria.

‘We”re very happy with the sale as it allows our plans to continue as the money will be used to invest in TLG,’ Mr Shelly said.

Genetics Australia will continue to have a presence on the Bacchus Marsh site. ‘The other positive is that we have been offered at least a two-year lease to retain access to the office complex,’ Mr Shelly said.

In 2014, Boratto Farms acquired 60ha of river flats that were part of the original Parwan Park farm and in 2017 GA sold Parwan Park South.

‘This was Genetics Australia”s last landholding in the Bacchus Marsh area,’ Mr Shelly said. ‘Since the land was acquired more than 60 years ago, it has been the cornerstone of the Australian artificial breeding industry so it is a significant move. However, we”re doing it with a really strong plan about how we want to go forward based around the TLG acquisition.’

The changes are already reaping rewards. ‘Each month since the acquisition in January we have been building our semen production volumes and June was another record month,’ Mr Shelly said.

There are now more than 250 bulls on licensed semen production at the Camperdown and Glenormiston facilities, the largest number ever in Australia, including third party bulls managed for other customers.

‘The increase reflects the volume of bulls and demand for Australian beef and dairy genetics,’ Mr Shelly said. ‘Both dairy and beef markets are very strong, with continuing high demand for sexed semen.’

Settlement on the Bacchus Marsh property at 144 Woolpack Road, “Parwan Park” is due in September.

Boratto Farms plan to develop as much of the arable land as possible and continue to expand their vegetable growing operation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Anthony Shelly 0408 529 410

Ray Kitchen”s Carenda Holstein herd has a record seven bulls in Genetics Australia”s 2021 team, and he”s not done yet.

‘This is the highest number we”ve had and we want to keep contributing,’ Ray said. ‘Only the top male genetics get into the breeding centres. They”re selecting the best from around the world so it”s pleasing to be in there.’

The latest ABV”s shows Ray”s herd at Boyanup in Western Australia ranks #3 for BPI and #3 for Health Weighted index [HWI].

Carenda”s seven bulls in the 2021 team are led by the highest BPIg ranked Holstein in SONDALO (Jeronimo x Main Event), who descends from a long line of highly classified cows with three of the last four generations scoring excellent.

At 531 BPIg, SONDALO ranks as the highest Australian-breed bull, and sixth overall. His 567 HWI, 106 Mammary, 109 Mastitis Resistance, 114 Daughter Fertility, – 5 Gestation Length and 103 Calving Ease ABVs makes him the all-round package.

‘To be highly ranked on the BPI, they”ve got to be good in all areas; whether it be production, confirmation or health traits,’ Ray said.

Carenda is no stranger to the upper echelons of the rankings. ‘I”ve been in and around the top half dozen for a while,’ Ray said. ‘We have more than 400 milking cows on the farm so it”s pleasing for a relatively large herd to be so high in the rankings.

‘We”re gradually making improvements to a whole range of traits, by using better bulls all the time and quality genetics are being introduced.’

SONDALO”s full brother TIRANO-P was the 6^th ranked Australian bull in the April ABVs, making him one of the highest-ranking polled bulls in the breed. He also has pleasing conformation indexes with 106 overall and 110 mammary, the high numbers reflecting the cow family both bulls are from.

Although COVID lockdowns have stopped on-farm competitions over the past year, SONDALO and TIRANO”s mother CARENDA MAIN EVENT VANDA recently won her breed age group in an Australia- wide video-based competition.

AMALFI is a bull breed from a different MAIN EVENT cow at Carenda; he remains popular for adding dairy strength to his daughters.

Another interesting bull is PEMBERTON (BPI457). ‘He was quite popular the last few years,’ Ray said. ‘We used him ourselves and had a bull calf, VARLEY, with BPI 482, that”s about to go to Genetics Australia. We have high hopes for him.’

‘It”s quite pleasing to get a bull into the breeding centre that has been sired by one of our own bulls,’ Ray said.

At 472BPI, FRANKLAND is the stud”s other high ranked team member. He”s from a different cow family; the FAITH family were introduced from the USA about 30 years ago through embryos.

That family is second only to the “V” cows that have been breeding on the farm since the early 1960s.

While the stud”s other bulls in the GA team are genomic testing proven, SOUTHPOLE is a daughter-proven bull.

‘SOUTHPOLE goes back to CONANT-ACRES SWEET family we”ve had here for more than 25 years after we bought embryos out of the US in the early 1990s out of an 88-point BLACKSTAR and her Excellent dam was the full sister to the popular bull BROKER,’ Ray said.

He”s the first proven polled sire based in Australia. ‘There hasn”t been a lot of polled genetics in the breeding system but we”re getting more all the time. He”s the first Australian bull to return to service as a proven bull that is polled.’

‘We are breeding for good confirmation cattle but they”re also productive and making improvements to health traits. They”re doing really well in that department,’ Ray said.

The Kitchen family has been dairy farming in the area since the 1950s, although family connections to the region go back another century.