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We were saddened to hear of the recent passing of two former Cooperative employees. Terry Dodd worked as senior hand on our farm staff for just short of 43 years and retired in 2015. Terry was a key member of our collection and farm team and was a dedicated and loyal employee who not only was the first to be called on to handle the difficult bulls but was also instrumental in the development and maintenance of all the Cooperative properties. Our condolences go to his wife Heather and their family.
Chris Fielding was well-known and popular among the dairy farming community in Tasmania and worked part time in semen sales and offering breeding advice to dairy farmers across Tasmania from his home base in South Riana. More recently Chris was a key part of Van Diemen Genetics and his sudden passing was a shock to current and past colleagues as well as to the farmers where he was highly respected. Our thoughts and condolences go to his wife Jan and their family.
Congratulations to newly appointed Australian Red Dairy Breed Chairman Sam Graham. Sam was appointed Chairman at the breed”s January meeting held in Tasmania. Sam replaces Cohuna dairy farmer and Aussie Red Breeder Greg Goulding from Johville Park Aussie Reds.
Sam and his father Ron have been long term Australian Red breeders and their Beaulands stud based in Numbaa NSW is regarded as one of the finest dairy herds in Australia. Many Beaulands bulls feature in past and in the current Australian Red team and we are pleased that with Sam as Chairman the breed is in good hands and will continue to prosper a profitable alternative to other dairy breeds. Sam is passionate about the breed and in promoting the benefits both here and in developing export markets and we look forward to maintaining a close working relationship with the breed and Beaulands into the future.
At the recent National Herd Improvident Association [NHIA] annual dinner held during International Dairy Week at Shepparton two former VAB/GA employees were recognised for their contribution to the herd improvement industry.
A highlight of the dinner was the annual presentation of a Meritorious Service Award, recognising individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Australian herd improvement.
Laurie Wells forged a reputation during his 26-year career as one of Australia”s foremost dairy cow experts and his advice on breeding and passion for dairy cattle was widely recognised. Sadly, Laurie passed away from Parkinson”s disease in 2007. This year his contribution was recognised posthumously at the NHIA dinner with a Meritorious Service Award, and in further recognition the NHIA Board decided the award will from this year forward will be known as the ‘Laurie Wells Award’.
At the NHIA dinner, NHIA Board member and GA CEO Anthony Shelly gave an overview of Laurie”s career starting out as a farm hand working with the bulls. From there, Laurie was instrumental in establishing the Herd Evaluation Service [HES]. This was the industry”s first mating evaluation tool and Laurie was a key to its success and widespread adoption by farmers around Australia.
Laurie provided assessment of cows and mating advice, but some of his most important advice was about which cows to mate to beef and which cows to cull and for many commercial dairy farmers, it was the first time they really took real notice of their cows. Cooperative shareholders eagerly awaited his annual assessment of new milking daughters and his photographic memory meant Laurie would walk through herds to find the daughters he had seen on the previous visit, most times pointing them out before the farmer had a chance to look at his herd test sheet. Laurie was a mentor to many staff and we are delighted he has been recognised and that his name will live on with the annual NHIA award.
Another former employee Peter Williams along with Gerard Daniels from NuGenes were the first recipients of the Laurie Wells award at the 2020 dinner. Peter, now an Extension Office with DataGene worked at the Cooperative for 13 years during the eighties and early nineties as a Sire Analyst at a time when the industry was undergoing significant change with the opening of genetics, embryos and live bulls from the Northern Hemisphere. Laurie and Peter worked closely during their careers at the Cooperative and there is no doubt Laurie would be most pleased that Peter was one of the first recipients of the award now named in his honour.
GA Chairman Trevor Henry said he spoke on behalf of all shareholders of the significant contribution all recipients have made to the HI industry and in particular to Laurie and Peter to the Cooperative during their respective careers.
Genetics Australia has a range of exciting options for your Autumn joining period. Leading the way is Carenda PILBARA. PILBARA is an A22 Perseus son who has a fantastic all-round proof. High protein and excellent udders coupled with 111 for daughter fertility, makes PILBARA a difficult bull to leave out of your breeding program. PILBARA is our Exclusive Shareholder Offer bull for the Autumn and is available for $22.00 per straw.
Genomic Holsteins that add strength and width are hard to come by these days, however MEXICOLA is one young sire that ticks these boxes. At 106 for Overall Type and 108 for Mammary system, MEXICOLA also boasts ratings of 103 for Body Depth and 104 for Chest Width. This A22 Superspring son with a ‘no holes’ proof is competitively priced at $16.00.
GILES is a bull to watch out for when the new ABVs are released in April. With daughters calving for the first time last spring, GILES is shaping up to be one of the breeds highest BPI daughter proven sires. A son of Josuper from an Oman dam, GILES is an amazing production sire with early indications pointing to him being the breed leader for protein. Solid ratings for fertility and cell count couple with an amazing 106 for calving ease!
Over the summer period many of our Share Holders and loyal customers across vast regions have been affected by the devastating fires that have affected so many people in so many ways.
Genetics Australia offers their thoughts and prayers to those who have lost livestock, fences, fodder and unfortunately life.
The Cooperative has been involved in many ways offering support from fundraising efforts, assisting in the supply and sourcing of fodder, to getting hands dirty and helping in any small way with the huge clean up that is taking place across the fire affected area.
The rebuild will continue to take time and Genetics Australia will continue to offer support and an ear to those effected.
One shout out and special thanks should be made to Nigel Semmens our Beef Specialist who as an active member of the Fire & Rescue NSW spent countless hours on the fire front working alongside many other committed people trying to limit the damage the bush fires where causing. Nigel was deployed on three separate strike teams over 16 days during the bushfire crisis to areas such as Batlow, Tumbarumba and Khancoban. Nigel”s crew were tasked with property and asset protection in these areas, including working a 21-hour day when the fire storm tore through the town of Batlow on January 4th, 2020.
Nigel is just an example of the many Australians that give up their own time and risk their lives to help others. Thank you, Nigel.
The National Herd Improvement Association [NHIA] annually release a report on semen sales in Australia. All key semen importers and Australian producers confidentially report on semen sales in Australia as well as in overseas markets.
Key findings of the recently released report based on semen sales in 2019 show an increase in sales of sexed semen, now representing around 10% of all semen sold domestically. No doubt increased access and improved conception rates and improvements have contributed to this increase.
Semen exports also lifted from the previous year and since 2015-2016 there has been an increase in sales of over 120%.
A key part of this increase can be attributed to a decision by the Cooperative to increase its investment in export markets around the same time. Exports are growing year on year and the past year was also a record for export sales by the Cooperative and in the current financial year is set to increase again.
Export Manager Rob Derksen said while exporting genetics remains challenging with a lot of additional health testing needed and Government departments to work through, both here and in overseas markets, the recognition of the quality of Australian genetics continues to grow.
No doubt the development and improvements to the ABV system and introduction of genomics have been key factors and helped paved the way for greater acceptance of the quality of genetics in Australia.
Today a bull can stand anywhere in the world and get an Australian breeding value and many thought the overseas bulls would leave the locally sourced bull behind. The truth is the new genomic bulls can rank as well and, in many cases, outrank bulls from offshore and several of our 2020 new Holstein bulls are in excess of 350 BPI with some over 400 BPI. These are clearly world class bulls and will be highly sought after here and in countries such as China and New Zealand.
Rob said GA shareholders need not be concerned about countries like China using the best Australian genetics. Australia has a high-quality reputation in producing milk products such as powder and infant formula and our lower cost of production will ensure Australia will always be a key exporter of dairy products to China. China is very happy with the performance of Australian heifers exported to China and milk products and this has helped forge the growing demand for Australian genetics. It is an exciting time to be selling Australian genetics.
CONFERENCE NOW POSTPONED – at a later date to be determined
World-leading genetics experts will outline what the future is likely to hold for the industry at a major Victorian conference in March.
Genetics Australia will host the three-day conference on March 18-20 to examine future directions in genetics with a horizon of 2030.
The GA 2020 Conference will start with a one-day forum at Tabcorp Park in Melton on March 18 followed by farm tours in South and West Gippsland over the next two days to showcase progressive breeding programs.
The event has attracted leading international and Australian speakers, including Select Sires International Development Vice-President, Joel Mergler, Sexing Technologies CEO Juan Moreno, Assistant Professor, Texas A&M University Dr Ky Pohler, Dairy Australia Senior Industry Analyst John Droppert and Agriculture Victoria principal research scientist (genomic and cellular sciences), Professor Jennie Pryce.
Genetics Australia CEO Anthony Shelly said the conference would be a great opportunity to hear from some of the best geneticists and genetic professionals in the world. ‘The conference will give dairy farmers and industry professionals a glimpse into what the future is likely to hold,’ Mr Shelly said. ‘It is rare to have such an outstanding group of local and international speakers all in one place.’
The conference will look at genetic developments in the global space and determine how these developments will impact the Australian breeding industry and the broader Dairy Industry. ‘Over the past few years the progression of genetics in the dairy industry and more broadly in agriculture has been phenomenal, and with the volume of research and development happening, that will expand even further the next decade,’ Mr Shelly said.
‘This conference will pull together all relevant information and help any interested farmer or industry member to understand how we can adapt to these new technologies to make sure we”re ahead of the game and achieving the best possible and most profitable outcomes.’
Day one of the conference will conclude with a dinner with Sexing Technologies CEO, Juan Moreno speaking on his ST journey.
Participants can choose to attend the day one conference, the day one conference and dinner or all three days of the event. The farm tours on day two and three will showcase the daughters and family members from Australia”s best bull team and from Genetics Australia”s international portfolio.
People wanting to attend the conference can register via the Genetics Australia website: genaust.com.au
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Claire McKie, Marketing Manager – [email protected]
Press Release–
Genetics Australia CEO, Anthony Shelly has been elected to the board of DataGene, the dairy industry”s organisation to drive herd improvement.
He was elected at DataGene”s recent (14 November 2019) annual general meeting, when Gippsland, Victoria dairy farmer Tim Jelbart was also re-elected to the board and Ross Joblin was reappointed to the Boad.
Anthony has spent his entire 30-year career in dairy herd improvement, most of it with Genetics Australia and its precursor organisations. Genetics Australia is Australia”s largest artificial breeding supplier, supplying half of the genetics used by Australian dairy farmers to improve their herds.
Having held a wide range of roles within Genetics Australia, Anthony has an exceptional understanding of the application of herd improvement at all levels of business. He is also a non-executive director of the National Herd Improvement Association of Australia (NHIA).
Anthony said he was excited about the opportunity to be more involved with DataGene.
‘I”m passionate about the role of genetics and data in helping farmers optimise their businesses, which is essentially what DataGene is all about,’ he said.
Anthony filled a vacancy on the board created by the departure of James Smallwood, General Manager ABS Australia, who resigned due to changing responsibilities with the company.
Ross Joblin thanked James Smallwood for his contribution to DataGene. ‘We have valued the perspective James brought to discussions around the board room table and his broad industry experience,’ Ross said.
For more information contact: DataGene 03 9032 7191 or[email protected]or www.datagene.com.au.
DataGene is an initiative of Dairy Australia and the herd improvement industry.
Several new faces have joined the GA team in recent months.
Joining our Sales team based in Gippsland is Nathan Mugavin. Nathan will have the responsibility of servicing members and customers mainly in the East and West Gippsland regions working alongside Gerard Brislin. He has previously worked at Nationwide AB and gained his on-farm knowledge whilst working at Wollaston Farms owned by the Harlock Family and at Purnim Holsteins with Anthony and Wendy Eccles.
Our new Animal Health and Export Coordinator is Felicity Searle. Felicity or Flick as she is known joins us from Western Australia and has a Batchelor of Science majoring in Animal Health and Animal Science from the Murdoch University in WA. She completed an Animal Research Honours degree in 2019 looking at ways to improve conception rates using sexed semen. She is was a finalist in the Young Dairy Scientist Award at the Australian Dairy Conference in 2019. Flick will be instrumental in ensuring the Genetics Australia bull population remains compliant with the strict health conditions required for a bull to stand at the Genetics Australia quarantine facility and in exporting documentation for the growing demand in genetic exports.
Brianna Aldred and Julianne Davis-Cooke (picutred below) join our Farm and Production team assisting in semen collection, bull management and semen processing while Glen Saliba (pictured below)is our courier driver and despatch assistant delivering product in all Victorian regions weekly.
While we welcome all the new team member, we also recently farewelled Sales Manager Mike Huth and Animal Health Coordinator Megan Beca. Both made significant contributions to their time at GA and we wish them well in their new endeavours.
Each year at this time we start to get information on our Horizon genomic sires as their daughters hit the milking shed. It”s an exciting time for all involved as the potential new daughter proven sires emerge from the group and the reports from the field start to roll in.
This year we have a range of sires that we will be following closely, and we will be nominating to the breed societies to enable their daughters to be classified and contribute to the Type Breeding Values. Our target list for 2019/ 2020 is:
Holstein
DESTINATION Kaarmona Destined Predestine x Snowman
DJANGO Warramont Dempsey Dawson Dempsey x Roumare
ENFORCER Red Field Doorman Froukje Doorman x Goldcrown
GILES Wilara Josuper Jo Josuper x Oman
GOLDWARRIOR Bundalong Liquidgold Warrior Liquidgold x Oman
JAILBIRD Rengaw SS Jailbird Supersire x Cardinal
JELLY Rengaw Capgain Jelly Capital Gain x Planet
KINGTUT Rengaw Redmaw KB 9975 Kingboy x Planet
RAZ Carenda Raz Josuper x Roumare
ROWLING Bronte Park Cashcoin Rowdy Cashcoin x Jetfinn
SILVERLINE Glomar Silver 1717 Silver x Fever
SINGULAR Eclipse Akina Uno F173 Uno x Shamrock
WOODDUCK Country Road Bookem Quacker Bookem x Roumare
Jersey
ALGERNON Broadlin Hilux Navarian x Raceway
BAYMAX Beulah Brax 4289 Brax x Valerian
VALIN Kings View Valin 4697 Valentino x Navara
VICKS Stonyrun Aus Tbone Vicks 2 Tbone x Vanahlem
Aussie Red
ARBDUTY Beaulands Call of Duty Cigar x Vest Delta
ARBLINDT Beaulands Lindt Foske x Fastrup
ARBOSCAR Orana Oscar Foske x Tossiko
If you have milking daughters of these bulls, you may be contacted by a Genetics Australia representative to arrange for the breed society classifier to come and inspect them.