Earlier this week a group of 24 high profile breeders, which they estimate encompasses 40% of current registered Angus cow numbers in NZ – about 10,000 head – announced the switch, saying they will now be known as AngusPRO.
Breeder representative Tim Brittain says AngusPRO members are committed to improving Angus cattle within the NZ beef industry and they believe joining the Australian body will help them achieve that.
He says Angus Australia prides itself on quality of leadership in the delivery of innovative programmes that will enhance and promote the value of Angus cattle and beef.
“Breed societies in the 21st century need to be proactive and strong, and have a progressive culture in order to deliver maximum benefit to their stud breeding members and their subsequent clients. They must deliver these attributes in order to survive in a disruptive space,” Brittain said.
He says shifting to Angus Australia opens a gateway to technological and education facilities that are second to none, including educational documents and webinars, training sessions, technological tools, extensive research and continuing breed development.
Angus Australia’s Angus.Tech suite includes a range of software tools and technologies, such as Angus SELECT, which has been developed to support members to improve the profitability of Angus genetics within the beef supply chain by assisting the identification of genetics that are most aligned with their breeding goals and objectives.
Brittain says from a NZ commercial farmer’s perspective, the alliance with Australia will mean they will have access to the services of better bulls.
He says AngusPRO members will still be able to participate in the AngusPure programme, which is part-owned by the NZ Angus Association and Guy Sargent.
There were discussions that began in 2012 between Angus NZ and Angus Australia to amalgamate the two breed societies, which Brittain says would have made them both stronger.
“But in the last three or four years Angus NZ pulled out, which was disappointing,” he said.
Cochrane says it’s hugely disappointing that those studs feel that they can’t get the services in NZ that they can in Australia.
He says Angus NZ has a close working relationship with its Australian counterpart that gives its members free access to R&D documents and webinars.
They are also part of the TransTasman Cattle Evaluation (TACE) scheme, formerly known as BreedPlan, a portal that provides predictions of the genetic merit of individual animals’ estimated breeding values.
Cochrane says Angus NZ’s income stream will be affected, as it will not attract the same level of fees it brings in from animals registered with it, but he does not think that it is going to be a significant problem as the organisation is in a strong financial position.
He says there is an upside to the establishment of AngusPRO.
“There’s an old saying that if you lose someone who is causing you angst and that brings calm, then you are not really losing anything,” Cochrane said.
“We’re a member-based organisation and people are free to go whenever they like.”
Cochrane says Angus NZ is committed to its members and has just completed its five-year strategic planning process fresh off the back of work conducted by the board, a group of young breeders and strategic partners. Providing strong industry leadership was identified as being the highest priority and the focus is on working as a team.
He says the beef industry constantly demands change and it’s up to Angus NZ to keep up and deliver.
“Our mission every day is to support breeders in achieving the highest price possible for their product. In order to do this, we have been building a trusted breeding index since 1992 that is specific to the NZ environment and market,” he said.
Angus NZ manager Jane Allan says the strategic plan emphasises the need to deliver quality, innovation and value.
“We need to be the champions of the Angus breed within New Zealand. The organisation is committed to supporting our members – whether that be in breed management and performance integrity, through to the end product,” Allan said.
AngusPRO members include North Island studs Focus Genetics, Kauri Downs, Lake Farm Genetics, Ngaputahi, Puketi, Ranui, Ranui W, Rimanui Farms, Rissington, Seven Hills, Stokman, Storth Oaks, Takapoto, Totaranui, Twin Oaks, Wairere, Waitangi, Waiwhero and Whangara, along with Cleardale, Kakahu, Mount Linton, Te Mania and The Sisters from the South Island.
Brittain says he is expecting a second wave of breeders to join later in the year.
