south devoncattle society of australia inc

South Devon Cattle Society of Australia Inc. | MAY 2013 | 1

South Devon

Cattle soCiety of AuStrAliA inc

newsletter 3, Autumn 2013

South Devon croSS SteerS perform well At StAnley, tASmAniA

insert: Some of the Bruce’s Steers seen by overseas visitors in 2011

the circular head Agricultural Society 2012/2013.

The 30th annual Hoof and Hook competition attracted a yarding of 57 entries with a quality field of 29 yearlings and 28 heavy Japanese Export steers, all competing for over $5000 worth of prizes.

The hoof section was held at the 104th Agricultural Show at Stanley and hoof judge for this year was Craig Barbary, Landmark State Manager who had the tough job of picking winners and explaining his decisions to the onlookers. The 30 day gap between the hoof and hook judging to comply with MSA rules made the hoof job challenging for our judge and winners were picked to hopefully reflect the carcase quality a month on from show day.

The 57 cattle were grazed together at the farm property adjoining the abattoir for 30 days. This has proven to have a leveling effect, reduces any feed variability and reduces transport stress, making the competition more equitable.

Very early in the morning at Greenham Tasmania facility, MSA assessors Wayne Bradfield, Glynis Heald and Mick Young measured the carcases to establish the best performers on the hook.

In the Japanese Export bullock class, the Bruce Family from Western Plains at Stanley won the class with over 92 points and their other entry coming fourth with 89 points.

Guest at the presentation was Mr. John Wood from Missouri, USA a founding member of US Wellness Meats selling grass fed beef online directly to US consumers, along with Hamado Bance from New York, a purveyor of fine produce for New York restaurants. Greenham Tasmania Managing Director, Peter Greenham congratulated producers on their ability to select quality carcases. Grass finished beef with high eating quality is rapidly growing in demand both locally and overseas.

the winning carcase

South Devon Cattle Society of Australia Inc. | MAY 2013 | 32| South Devon Cattle Society of Australia Inc. | MAY 2013

feDerAl councilpreSiDent

David Corker (WA) 08 9330 4326 [email protected]

vice preSiDentLeonie Daley (VIC) 03 5664 8369 [email protected]

3rd memBer of eXecutive

Ross Cauley (QLD) 07 4692 8260 [email protected]

Daphne Lines (SA)08 8893 4028 [email protected]

Ian MacGregor (TAS)03 6397 3328 [email protected]

Bob Wilton (NSW)02 6493 0494 [email protected]

Maureen Rees (WA)08 9734 1240 [email protected]

All correSponDence to BreeD SecretAry

David McDonald 9 Bagoo Avenue MURWILLUMBAH, NSW, 2484 [email protected]

eDitorS noteTime to go to the publishers again, well it has to be today as South Devon Breeders will be meeting at Bendigo 2013 where as well as following the judging we shall be holding our Annual General Meeting and I have said that the new newsletter will be there.

We also start thinking about who will the Champion South Devon animal be this year?.

In 2011 it was Davelle Awesome Reg D8.

We once again have some great wins in carcase competitions and I must say thank you all South Devon breeders for getting interesting snippits to me - keep them coming..

ian macGregor

Welcome to our 2013 Autumn Newsletter. Our Publicity Committee, led by Ian MacGregor, has once again put together a great newsletter keeping everyone up to date with the goings on in the Society. Thank you Ian. New to this edition is the opportunity for members to advertise their Studs. Maybe we

will have a “ Stock For Sale “ column in our next edition.

Remember, Ian cannot have too many photos or stories so keep sending them in.

This will be my last “Note From The President” in a newsletter. My term draws to an end at our AGM in Bendigo.

It has been both a challenging and very rewarding four years. The pinnacle would have to be playing a role in the 2011 World Congress and Tour. With Daphne at the helm, me standing right behind her and the deck containing a brilliant team of state representatives we pulled off an absolutely outstanding event. Thank you to each one of you.

The cogs of the Society clock are now turning smoothly with our new South Devon Society Secretary. Thank you David McDonald. Our refined registration system is working well. The incentive scheme, which has also been modified, is working well. The Technical Committee has been able to introduce three indices to complement our Breedplan inputs and also move us forward into the ILR2 system. Thank you David Leese

While we would welcome new members and like to see more growth in registered cattle numbers the Society is financially strong. With careful management it can remain that way.

While the tour might have been the highlight event the real reward was working with so many very good people who I consider are my friends. People with whom I not only share a passion for breeding South Devon cattle but share the caring cohesion of a family.

Thank you all.

David Corker preSiDent

South Devon cAttle Society of AuStrAliA inc

welcome lardener park events

new memBerSS. Burgess

Donnelly Road GEEVESTON, TAS, 7116

R. & J. BakerLot 364, Rowe Road DAYBORO, QLD, 4521

Lindsay and Ann BoylePO BOX 313, MILES, QLD 4415

M.J. & J.J. Donaldson 1676 Wilara Kerringle Road BOGGABRI, NSW 2382

J. Maher 23 Foxground Road N.S.W. 2534

T.D. & A.C. McInnerneyBinnowee SURAT, QLD 4417

Vince Smoothly Headingly BINNAWAY, N.S.W. 2395

J. Wallace & G. Smith98 Little Forrest Road LITTLE FOREST, N.S.W. 2538

G. Wauchope PO BOX 210 BOOLEROO CENTRE, SA 5482

lArDner pArk eventS 2012 - 2013 Steer triAlLois Dupleix wrote to me after winning the Lardner Park Events 2012 - 2013 Steer Trial.

The objectives of the Steer Trial are to demonstrate the carcase quality of steers. It also aimed to assist beef producers to improve their understanding of live steer assessment, market requirements, steer growth and fattening relative to pasture production and to provide a forum for discussion on aspects of the cattle industry.

the competition: All cattle started on the Lardner Park property in late June and were weighed regularly with entrants able to view the cattle each weighing day.

All the South Devons in the competition scored well for E.M.A.

highest carcase Score pair: Tesbury Partnership with South Devon Angus and an average carcase score of 78.048.

heavy domestic trade: Combined Weight Gain and Carcase Award

Standard Domestic trade 270 - 310kg Carcase weight - Tesbury Partnership won with a South Devon x Angus with 241.7 points

robert radford, one of the organisers and sponsors of the steer trial help Jeremy walsh and lois Dupleix of tesbury hold the awards they won

- 10 south devon x angus heifers 8 months $700- 10 south devon x angus heifers 15 months $900- 10 south devon x angus heifers Calving in spring $1100- 3 south devon x angus bulls rising 18 months $2000- 2 pure south devon bulls sired by tesbury elwood rising 18 months $2500

for sale

phone: tesbury south devons 0419 591 660web: www.tesburysouthdevons.com.au

glenstrae

phone: 03 6397 3328 mobile: 0418 306 524email: [email protected]

- Cows Calving to lilyville erskine e22- enquires welCome ian & julie macgregor 1312 oaks road, braCknell, tasmania 7302

kilDAre cAttle performKildare plan to offer about 33 red and black big, bold bulls by our proven sires and some new genetics coming in from North America or England.

Our genetics in our sale cattle via Woolworths or feedlots are going very well. Our four steers in Maydan feedlot were doing 25% better than the average of 140 steers and one (a black) doing 3.07 or 50% better than the average daily weight gain at the halfway mark.

Several of our bull calves have weighed 400 kgs plus at nine months as two of our clients’ vealers do to butchers.

Evelyn Burt near Maitland NSW sells vealers to repeat clients roughly 9 months of age and dressing over 200 kg. They can’t buy highly edible beef elsewhere. Pure South Devon.

Further south near Kiama, Mike and Jenny Hamilton’s vealer operation is similar with vealers (pure South Devons) dressing up to 255 kg! Bulls priced to suit the market at Sale or privately.


lardener park Awards

the BenD South DevonS At lArDner pArk GrASS feeD Steer triAl The Lardner Park 2012/ 2013 Grass Feed Trial is completed. All steers were initially weighed on 25th June 2012. Our purebred steers, G34 and G45 entered in the 1st turn-0ff for Domestic Trade were both sired by The Bend Eveready and at 9 months of age weighed 326 and 341kgs (curfew weight). The final weights for the steers on 26/11/12 were 506 kgs and 544kgs. The average daily weight gain for the pair was 1.24 per day. Although both by the same sire one of the pair performed better than the other with G34 not being well at one stage during the trial. However our steers finished overweight with the specifications being 210- 270 HSCW and ours being 271.4 and 291 HSCW.

The other 2 steers we entered in the 2nd turn-off for Heavy Domestic Trade, G52 sired by Ashlea Dominator initially weighed 343kgs, and G63 sired by Ashlea Dominator weighed 364 kgs(overnight curfew weight). Both steers were approximately 8-9 months. We were happy with their progress and weight gain. The final weights taken on Monday 7th January 2013 were 544kgs and 606kgs, an average weight gain of 1.13 per day. Specifications were for HSCW between 270 and 310kgs. Our steers were 276 and 334kgs HSCW. One steer was penalised for being overweight, but on the whole the 2 steers graded well for fat cover and meat quality, with one also having slightly too

much fat being 10 mm rump and 12mm on the rib.

Results were announced at a Presentation dinner on 15th February. The overall winners this year were from Tesbury Partnership with a pair of South Devon X Angus steers entered in the second turnoff. Congratulations to Lois and Jeremy on a magnificent achievement.

ABout the triAl:

The Steer Trial is conducted annually over approximately a 6 month period with 2 turn-offs of cattle, Domestic Trade (1st turn-off) in November and Heavy Domestic in January (2nd turn-off). All breeds and crossbreeds are allowed to participate provided they are entered in pairs. They are all grazed on the same pasture. The objectives of the trial are to provide finished carcases with the following specifications:-

(a) 210-270kg Hot Standard Carcase weight

(b) 270-310kg HSCWAll cattle are assessed using the Meat Standards Australia (MSA) grading system.

To provide information on growth and carcase attributes of steers.

To provide a forum for discussion on aspects of beef cattle marketing.

To assist beef producers to improve their understanding of live steer assessment, market requirements, steer growth and fattening relative to pasture production.

GippSlAnD Show SceneChris & Leonie have been busy promoting the breed by showing their South Devons at numerous Agricultural shows in 2013.

“The Bend Gently” has attracted a great deal of attention since the first Gippsland show for the year at Wonthaggi (Bass Coast Summer Show). The bull now 22months old (born May 2011) was named the Interbreed Grand Champion Bull on the day, and their cow and calf “The Bend Empress and calf Harry” were also awarded the British Breeds Champion Female.

The following weekend at the Lang Lang Show, “Gently won the Grand Champion Interbreed Bull award and the “The Bend Empress and calf” were nominated the Interbreed Supreme Exhibit.

Foster show saw another win with “Gently” as Grand Champion Interbreed bull. Also at the Warragul show in March he was awarded the same title again. “Empress” was awarded Grand Champion Brittsh Breeds Female. A younger bull exhibited by Chris and Leonie named “Hendrix” was second in his class as were 2 heifers from The Bend which were also shown.

The next competition will be at National Beef Bendigo in May when the team will come up against the best which the Eastern and Southern states have to offer.

AwArD winninG heiferSChris and Leonie Daley from “The Bend” have participated every year in Victoria’s Beef Week and find it is an excellent way to promote the South Devon Breed as well as their own stud. The Bend South Devon Stud showcased their entire herd on February 4th as part of “Beef Week 2013”.

They were very pleased with the number of visitors, considering the poor seasonal conditions and down turn in the market at the time. 2 stud bulls were sold to repeat buyers as well as a cow and calf.

The Beef Week Heifer Challenge was first introduced in 2012 and Chris and Leonie again had a selection of 10 heifers in the “Heifer Challenge Competition”. The criteria for the competition was that the heifers must be a group of 10 of any pure breed and be under 2 years of age.

This year the heifers from “The Bend” all pregnancy tested in calf were selected in the top ten finalists in the competition out of about 70

studs in Victoria and NSW.

Leonie said, “It was very exciting to be nominated but unfortunately due to family commitments we couldn’t attend the Presentation Night and dinner which was held in Wangaratta on 15th February. We were later thrilled to hear some of the judges’ comments about our heifers and although we didn’t win outright we are very happy indeed with what they had to say and really appreciated the feedback. It is nice to know we are on the right track with our breeding program... The judges said “We scored every pen as they were judged, the system being 25 points for presentation and also physical correctness, plus 10 points each for breed characteristics, maternal, feet and legs, uniformity and temperament.”

fArm worlD fielD DAyS The Farm World Field Days were held at Lardner Park, Gippsland, from Thursday 21st to Sunday 24th March 2013. The Victorian Branch have had a permanent site there for many years, and over that time it has been a great way of promoting our breed. This year the cattle on display were from The Bend stud with Chris & Leonie there for the 4 days with support from Peter Hutchinson and Paula McKenzie. The Field Days have always been a great opportunity for people to look at the different breeds, compare and look at the attributes each breed has to offer. As always there were plenty of people admiring the temperament of the South Devons.

the Bend empress & calf harry

the Bend Gently

KILDARESOUTH DEVONS

“KILDARE” UPPER HORTON N.S.W.AT 1.00 PM

36th ANNUAL BULL SALE23rd AUGUST, 2013

Offering 33 TWO YEAR OLD BULLS

26 SOUTH DEVON BULLS 7 BLACK SOUTH DEVON BULLS

by the Helmsman selling system

All will have full scan information, growth figures, sale weights and EBVs.

BULLS - JOHNES FREE TO QLD. ETCVIBRIO & 7/1 VACCINATED

Free delivery 150km and to Queensland.Phone Bid / Lunch / Airstrip available

3% Rebate to outside agents

Agents: Landmark BarrabaTelephone: (02) 6782 1006

a.h. Charlie Hart (02) 6782 1600Howard Carter Mob: 0427 884448

Mark Heywood: 0428 821110

Enquiries:Rick and Sue McDouall (02) 6782 7245

Fax (02) 6782 7239

kildare south devons

enquiries: riCk & sue mcdouall phone: (02) 6782 7245 fax: (02) 6782 7239

“kildare” upper horton nsw at 1pm36th annual bull sale

23rd august, 2013

offering:33 two year old bulls26 south devon bulls

7 blaCk south devon bullsby the helmsman selling system

all will have full sCan information, growth figures, sale weights and ebvs.

bulls - johnes free to qld. etC vibrio & 7/1 vaCCinatedfree delivery 150km and to queenslandphone bid / lunCh / airstrip available

3% rebate to outside agents

agents: landmark barrabaphone: (02) 6782 1006

ah: Charlie hart (02) 6782 1600howard Carter mobile: 0427 884 448

mark heywood: 0428 821 110


Breeder Profile indexes

This is the first breeder profile we have put in our Newsletter and these will mainly be current breeders. This profile is on a retired member.

Sam Beattie came to Australia with his wife Elizabeth from Northern Ireland in 1959. They spent several months in Melbourne after which they moved to Wilmot in Tasmania where they had a chicken farm.

After approximately three years Sam and Elizabeth moved to Hadspen where Sam took on a

position with the Artificial Breeding Board of Tasmania, where he managed the bull farm and helped to set up this new operation. It was during this time at Hadspen that their daughter Heather was born in 1964 and their son Andrew in 1966. The family then moved to Scottsdale, in the North East of Tasmania where Sam was in charge of the Artificial Breeding in the district. It was here in 1969 that their third child Louise was born.

In early 1973 the Beatties purchased a farm and moved to “Riverleigh” at Nabowla (approximately 24 km from Scottsdale). In buying the farm they inherited 60 Hereford Angus and Shorthorn cows and 40 sheep. Just before moving to Nabowla, Sam had read an article about South Devon cattle.

Sam and Elizabeth decided to breed South Devons and chose Bonnaile for the stud name (which is Gaelic for “at the foot of the hill”).

The approach to their property was downhill onto the river flat, from whichever direction. They then had the opportunity to purchase 5 South Devon x Devon - 3 females and 2 males. All were by Fuge Reliance 14th. These animals had been bred by Harry May, of “Hagley

House” at Hagley. He decided not to go on with their breeding program and Sam received an excellent start and registered the 3 females which were the first animals registered in Tasmania. The three females were:

c1 Bonnaile maybush

C2 Bonnaile Mayflower

c3 Bonnaile may

The C1 Bonnaile Maybush line

has gone on and there are her descendants in the Glenstrae, Lilyville and Bitrok Herds.

In 1983 the Beatties had a reduction sale and the stock offered went all over the State and the Society gained five new members through this event.

One achievement that Sam is justly proud of, is in 1987 at the Scottsdale Show, Bonnaile Duncan 2nd won the James Gunn All Breeds Champion Male Trophy. At the same show Bonnaile Rubina (a descendant of C1 Bonnaile Maybush) was the All Breeds Champion Female.

Sam sold the farm and retired to Bridport in 2008, which is 20 km north of Scottsdale on the coast. This year Sam celebrated his 80th birthday.

South Devon inDeXeSIt’s been 2 years since we implemented the Vealer, Supermarket and Export Indexes. To summarise, the profit drivers for each market specification have been selected and emphasised to give a market specific value summarised in an index for the end target.

So how do you utilise them within your herd?

To start go to http://southdevon.une.edu.au and make your way to the home page. Then click on Animal Search. This gets you to the South Devon Animal Enquiry by EBV, this can be a confusing page, but if you play around within the fields, the information it can provide is invaluable.

For example I want to search for young bull prospects for my herd. To search for this I –

1. Place in Calving Year “2009-2012”.

2. Then in the Select If drop down boxes I select “Animal is Male”, “Animal is Pure Bred” and “Animal is Active”.

3. Then to meet our breeding objectives, I go down and in the Sort By drop down box select “Supermarket Index ($)” and then mark “Descending”.

When you are happy with your selections, click on the Search button. A list of these young bulls is displayed – see below for the first 15 bulls with the highest Supermarket Index value for active, pure bred bulls, born in the range 2009 and 2012 –

2013 SOUTH DEVON GROUP BREEDPLAN EBVs

Name/ID

Gest. Len. (days

) Birth Wt. (kg)

200 Day Wt. (kg)

400 Day Wt. (kg)

600 Day Wt. (kg)

Mat. Cow Wt. (kg)

Milk

(kg)

Maternal

Value (kg)

Scrotal

Size (cm)

Carcase

Wt. (kg)

Eye Muscl

e Area

(sq.cm)

Rib Fat

(mm)

Rump

Fat (mm)

Retail

Beef Yield (%)

IMF %

Vealer

Index ($)

Supermarket

Index ($)

Export Materna

l Index

($)

ALPHA F21 - +2.0

+24

+42

+52 - +4 - +0.8 - +2.8 +0.

6 +0.7

+0.8

+0.3

+$ 32 +$ 45 +$ 59

KIRNDEEN GARETH - -0.4 +1

5 +30

+29 - +7 - +0.9 - +2.4 +0.

6 +0.7

+0.6

+0.1

+$ 32 +$ 43 +$ 47

DAVELLE UB RIGHTON H26 ET -1.9 +0.

4 +24

+37

+42 - -1 - - - - - - - - +$

32 +$ 43 +$ 54

BOLINDA GOLDMINE AI -2.7 -0.5 +1

0 +22

+24 - +4 - +1.0 - +3.7 +1.

1 +1.4

+0.9

+0.1

+$ 31 +$ 41 +$ 49

ACE H16 - -2.1 +7 +16

+20 - +4 - - - - - - - - +$

29 +$ 40 +$ 49

ACE F1 - +1.2

+18

+25

+29 - +4 - - - +1.8 +1.

8 +2.4 -0.6 +0.

9 +$ 31 +$ 40 +$ 49

KIRNDEEN GEORGE - +0.

1 +17

+31

+33 - +5 - +0.7 - +1.9 +0.

5 +0.6

+0.4

+0.2

+$ 30 +$ 40 +$ 47

ALPHA H44 - -1.5 +8 +16

+22 - +3 - - - - - - - - +$

28 +$ 39 +$ 49

DAVELLE H06 AI ET - -0.7 +1

5 +25

+32 - +2 - - - - - - - - +$

28 +$ 38 +$ 49

BOLINDA FAMOUS AI -3.3 -1.0 +1

1 +24

+23 - +1 +3 +0.3 - +4.4 +0.

2 +0.3

+1.9 -0.3 +$

29 +$ 38 +$ 43

ACE F11 - -0.1 +18

+24

+32 - +3 - - - +3.7 +0.

3 +0.3

+1.6 -0.1 +$

34 +$ 38 +$ 50

DAVELLE PROG BLACKROCKH17 AI ET - -0.3 +1

6 +27

+34 - +2 - - - - - - - - +$

28 +$ 38 +$ 49

ALPHA G29 - -0.1 +10

+21

+27 - +6 - +0.3 - +2.2 +1.

1 +1.4

+0.1

+0.3

+$ 26 +$ 37 +$ 46

DAVELLE RAMPAGE REGAL H10 AI ET

-2.4 -0.4 +10

+21

+27 - +4 - - - - - - - - +$

27 +$ 37 +$ 47

ACE E6 ET -1.1 +0.4

+21

+21

+26 - +3 +7 -0.2 - +1.5 +1.

6 +2.1 -0.5 +0.

5 +$ 35 +$ 37 +$ 47

Breed Avg. EBVs for 2011 Born Calves

-0.4 +1.2

+12

+20

+27

+27 +1 +5 +0.5 +17 +0.6 -0.2 -0.2 +0.

3 0.0 +14 +17 +23

From here you can use your own profit drives to make a decision. Always be careful as younger bulls mightn’t have a full suite of data collect and can have lower accuracies. There are many differing searches you can make, not all have to be EBV related. You can see all the Registered Calves for a year or search for Bulls with Semen Available. So grab

From here you can use your own profit drives to make a decision. Always be careful as younger bulls mightn’t have a full suite of data collect and can have lower accuracies.

There are many differing searches you can make, not all have to be EBV related. You can see all the Registered Calves for a year or search for Bulls with Semen Available. So grab a coffee or tea and start searching. Always remember this is a tool, in this example it has sorted through many bulls to a shorter list for your further investigation.

There is further information on the website or you can contact me.

David Leese technical committee chairperson

vAle -

It is with much sadness that we announce the passing of Richard Arnold aged 65.

Richard became a South Devon breeder in 1983 running the Paltarra Herd and held the position of Federal President from 27th April 2002 to 16th April 2005. He showed cattle at the Royal Adelaide Show and intrastate for 22 years, with great success and also spent many hours involved with local children teaching them the art of handling and showing cattle. This involvement resulted in a much better knowledge of South Devon cattle by young cattle breeders in South Australia.

He also judged at many country events and interstate including feature shows of other breeds and served as President of the South Australian Branch and was a national delegate for approximately ten years.

Richard served on the committee of many beef cattle associations and was greatly respected in the S.A. beef cattle industry.

Dearly loved husband and companion of kaye and loving

father of Steven (deceased).

richard was a man admired by all who knew him for his calm, steadfast and helpful nature.

he was dedicated to his farming life and achieved respect throughout the industry.

his love and knowledge of the land and sea enabled him to

mentor many.

his humour and compassion will be long remembered.

we will miss you.

bree

der

prof

ile

the BonnAile DuncAn 2 StoryBonnaile Duncan 2 was a son of Winsor Ace 10, who in turn was by Trewinney 83.

His main Show achievement was when he won the Interbreed at the Scottsdale Show in 1987 and in the same year he was breed champion at Launceston Royal and Devonport Shows. As a rising 4 year old, just before he was sold on to Bill Gooch of “Wisedale” in late 1989, he had the photo taken that has been in a lot of the South Devon crossbreeding brochures and in general used many times over the years which has made him a breed legend.

bonnaile dunCan 2

Richard Arnold


productivity project transistion to ilr2

South Devon cAttle Society of AuStrAliA trAnSition to ilr2 In mid-2013 the South Devon Cattle Society of Australia will upgrade their breed registry database system to ILR2, ABRI’s new generation of breed registry software. While being a major upgrade and providing a streamlining of activities to the Australian South Devon registry staff, the change will initially have little noticeable effect to members of the South Devon Cattle Society of Australia with the exception of several changes to the South Devon BREEDPLAN service. The main changes being:

• Monthly GROUP runs

Under ILR2, the South Devon GROUP BREEDPLAN analysis will be run on a monthly basis. This will provide the users of South Devon GROUP EBVs with results on all animals (e.g. sires, dams, heifers, bulls) that are updated 12 times each year instead of the current yearly update. BREEDPLAN members will be required to have performance data submitted by the 15th of each month to ensure inclusion of that data in the analysis scheduled for that month. This will bring the Australian South Devon BREEDPLAN Analysis into line with the New Zealand South Devon BREEDPLAN analysis, which has already migrated over to ILR2 and runs monthly GROUP analyses.

As a consequence of the running of monthly GROUP BREEDPLAN analyses, Interim BREEDPLAN analyses will not be available following the transition. This means that breeders will need to ensure that pedigree and performance data is submitted to the South Devon Cattle Society of Australia by the required deadlines to ensure EBVs are available for their animals when required.

• Reporting of results from GROUP BREEDPLAN analyses

With the move to monthly GROUP BREEDPLAN analyses there will also be a change to the manner in which breeders receive the results of the analysis. Breeders will only receive an updated herd report if they have submitted post-birth performance since the previous GROUP BREEDPLAN analysis. Further, these reports will now be provided electronically from the member download (accessed from the Member Login area) immediately following the conclusion of each GROUP analysis. Printed reports are available but will only be mailed if the breeder has contacted BREEDPLAN and nominated that this is their preferred method of receiving reports. Outlier reports will also be created with each monthly analysis, with both electronic (also accessed from the Member Login area) and printed copies being provided for those herds where outliers were identified. In addition, all herds identified as users of PC-based management software (eg HerdMASTER or Stockbook) will have access to a file of updated EBVs from the Member Login area following each GROUP run and EBVs for all animals will be updated on the South Devon Cattle Society of Australia online EBV Search system.

• Data Submission

The methods available for the submission of performance data to South Devon BREEDPLAN will remain essentially the same as at present. The most noticeable change will be for herds that receive the paper “Performance Recording Forms” from South Devon BREEDPLAN. At present these forms are on large two-part forms (ie include a carbon copy). In ILR2 these forms will be produced on standard A4 paper. It will also be possible to download and print these forms from the Member Login area. Breeders will still be able to submit performance data using

compatible PC-based management software packages, the BREEDPLAN Excel layout, or the submission facility available on the South Devon Cattle Society of Australia website.

For further information on the transition to ILR2 and the associated BREEDPLAN analysis changes contact the South Devon Cattle Society of Australia office, Gemma Wilkinson – South Devon SBTS Technical Officer (P: 02 6773 3265, E: [email protected])

or the South Devon BREEDPLAN office (P: 02 6773 3555 E: [email protected]).

outcomeS from the Beef crc Southern mAternAl proDuctivity proJectthe completion of the Beef crc Southern maternal productivity project has brought scientists and seedstock breeders one step closer to

understanding the genetics which influence cow herd productivity.

The aim of the project was to address the concerns of some cattle breeders that selection for increased meat yield and feed efficiency would result in a less productive cow herd.

project outlineThe project was made up of two parts, one conducted with industry herds and one with research stations.

15 Angus and Hereford herds participated in the Industry Herds Project, with more than 20,000 live ultrasound scans of Eye Muscle Area (EMA), Intramuscular Fat (IMF), Rib and Rump Fats from 8,000 cows collected. The project was designed to give a comprehensive picture of the variation in body composition over time, and animals were scanned as heifers pre-calving (PC1), when they weaned their first calf (W1), pre-calving for their second calf (PC2) and when they weaned their second calf (W2), along with live weight and hip height.

The Research Station Project, conducted at Struan in South Australia and Vasse in Western Australia, investigated the effect of fat and net feed intake on maternal efficiency. The trial compared Angus cows with high genetic Rib Fat (top 10% Rib fat Angus GROUP BREEDPLAN EBV) and low genetic rib fat (bottom 10% Rib fat Angus GROUP BREEDPLAN EBV), and animals selected for high and low Net Feed Intake (NFI), on high and low nutritional grazing systems for conception rate, calf weaning weights and cow/calf gain for pasture consumed.

using eBvs to change cow Body compositionResults from the project showed that there was a high correlation between heifer carcase EBVs (standardised to 300kg steer carcase) and mature cow body composition (Table 1). For example Angus heifers which had a unit increase in EMA EBV, had an 1.1cm2 larger EMA when scanned as mature cows, i.e. an Angus heifer with a an EMA EBV of +2 had a EMA 1.1cm2 bigger as a mature

cow than a heifer with an EMA EBV of +1. Similarly a unit increase in either of the Fat EBVs as heifers lead to a 13% and 14% increase in rib and rump fat as mature cows. For example the difference in mature rib fat depth of two Angus heifers with EBVs of +6 and +7 was 1mm (14% of 7mm). This indicates that breeders are able to change mature cow body composition by selecting on carcase EBVs.table 1. change in carcase composition traits in mature cows with 1 unit change in heifer eBvs.

change in Body composition

All body composition traits were found to change together during lactation and pregnancy, contradicting the theory that cows would deplete fat reserves before muscle during weight loss. There were genetic correlations of very close to 1.0 between change in weight, EMA and IMF, and a 0.5 genetic correlation between change in weight and Rump Fat depth. This means that cows which were losing weight during lactation were also losing EMA, IMF and Rump Fat at the same rate, but would increase these traits simultaneously once they began gaining weight again.

fat an important effect for heifer pregnancy ratesThe project reported a significant difference in conception rates between the high and low fat lines at both a 9 and 6 week joining period (Table 2) at 15 months of age. In a nine week joining program there was an 8% difference between the high and low fat lines (91% and 83%) in pregnancy rate and in the six week joining program pregnancy rates were 77% in the high fat line and 65% in the low fat line. The average joining weight of the two lines was very similar at 360kg and 364kg respectively. This indicates that fat depth plays an important role in heifer conception rates, and breeders should aim to achieve a minimum rib fat depth in order to increase pregnancy rates. However, once the heifers that failed to conceive were culled as empties, there was no significant difference between the high and low fat line on mature cow herd conception rates, meaning breeders

should apply maximum selection pressure on heifers and first calvers to improve herd fertility.table 2. heifer pre-mating fat Depth and pregnancy rates in a 9-week and 6-week joining program. note that all traits (except age) have been adjusted for age.

key messages

• Rib fat had an important effect on heifer pregnancy rates.

• There was an 8% difference in pregnancy rates between the high and low fat lines in a 9 week joining program

and 12% in a 6 week program.

• All body composition traits were highly heritable and correlated across age groups.

• Breeders can change mature cow body composition by selecting on carcase EBVs as heifers.

• Apply maximum selection pressure to maidens and first calvers

While these were several of the major messages for seedstock producers coming out of the Southern Maternal Productivity Project, this is only a brief outline of the project. For anyone interested in knowing more about the project, SBTS facilitated two webinars as part of the 2012 “The Cutting Edge” Webinar Series which presented all project outcomes and their implications for the Beef Industry. These webinars can be accessed through the SBTS website or contact SBTS for a copy of “The Cutting Edge” Webinar Series on CD.

Further information is also available by contacting Gemma Wilkinson at SBTS on (02) 6773 3265 or [email protected].

Breed p8 (mm)

rib (mm)

emA (cm2)

imf (%)

Angus 13% 14% 1.1 0.7hereford 17% 18% 1.5 1

line

Ag

e (

da

ys)

we

ight

(kg

)

rib

fa

t (m

m)

pre

gna

ncy

rate

(%

)

9 w

ee

ks

pre

gna

ncy

rate

(%

)

6 w

ee

ks

high rib fat eBv

473 360 4.4 91 77

low rib fat eBv

463 364 3.5 83 65

Difference 10 -4 0.9 8 12

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1pm 24th july, 2013“derwent park” goolhi nsw

28 registered bulls2 year fertility guarantee

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photos and Catelogue at www.bolindasouthdevons.com.au


Burra community School letters to the editor

from ross and elizabeth mcrae...

Recently we sold 33 South Devon cross vealer calves from our son and daughter-in-law’s Black Mountain property to Melbourne. Black Mountain is situated between Armidale and Guyra in NSW, so this was a long trip.

The 8 month old calves were either out of Shorthorn cross cows by Kildare South Devon bulls, or out of Kildare South Devon cows by a Charolais bull.

They were trucked to Armidale where they were weighed and curfew applied. The 25 steer calves averaged 336.5kg after curfew and the 8 heifer calves averaged 324.8kg.

The calves were then loaded with others onto a B Double and trucked through to Kyneton Abattoir where they were killed the next day. A very satisfactory result.

Probably the dry weather in SE Australia has meant that the type of cattle were not available closer to Melbourne.

Having said that, it has been an

extremely dry Autumn in our part of New England also.

from Brian James...

2013 Sydney Royal Beef Challenge

A pen of 6 South Devon x Murray Grey steers that were entered in the 2013 Sydney Beef Challenge - all steers were fed at Wilga Feedlot at Bellata for 70 days - there were 32 pens entered in the competition.

These steers were equal first in Carcase Grid Domestic Pen, equal first Carcase Grid Domestic Individual and were also awarded a bronz Medal in the Taste Test Competition

from James and kath mcutchen...

Results from Toowoomba Show...

The little grey South Devon x Murray Grey calf which we’ve named 50 Shades, took out the Junior Class for steers weighing up to 420kg.

At the time of judging he weighed 302kg. He then went on to be named Champion Lightweight Steer.

Our other steers took out a 2nd and 2 x 3rd places. Needless to say we are exceptionally pleased with our results.

AGriculturAl StuDieSOn Monday December 3rd the year 8 Agricultural studies class from Burra Community School visited the Lines property at Mt Bryan for a practical assessment exercise and the opportunity to contribute to the selection criteria that the Gum Hill Stud employ.

Here are some comments from the children.

charlie noakes

Yesterday we went out to the Lines’ farm to look at their cattle and choose which ones they should keep. We did that by making sure that the bulls were fat., they had to have smooth shoulders and their feet had to be straight. The heifers legs had to up be nice and straight. The heifers also had to look very feminine. After we sorted them out we got to mother them up We followed them around until they found the mum and then we went back and did the same thing three times. I think that the best part about going to the farm is that we got to choose which bulls and heifers Justin got to keep. I really enjoyed this because it gave us an opportunity to work with cattle. I think that the Lines’ cattle are in very good condition.

emily lehman

We went to the gum Hill South Devon stud at the Lines farm. When we got there we first listened to Justin and went through all the things we had to look for in the cattle. First we picked out the bulls We had to look for good feet, strong legs, square rear end dark coat and deep tummy and in the end we ended up with 6 great bulls. Next we picked out the heifers and picked out 9. In them we had to look for good legs and feet and shoulders good for calving, hip to pin width and femininity. Next we lined them up and felt their muscles we got to group up and help the little calves mother, up with their mums. My group got 2 bulls and we names them Handsome and Hilston. I really liked watching them mother up, it was like watching our children growing up so fast. We got 4 heifers. The Lines’ cattle are great and I wanted to take them all home with me. I did not want to go back to school.

Grace peart

Yesterday we went to the Gum Hill South Devon stud to help the Lines’ select 6 bull calves and around 10 heifers to keep. We had to look at the legs, feet, shoulders, length/depth, hip to pin width and in the heifers femininity. The legs feet and shoulders are important because they had to be good for breeding and calving purposes. After we looked at the bulls and chose the ones to keep we let them out one by one and followed them to find their mothers. We were put into groups of 3 I worked with Sophie Brooks and Emily. Before we let them out we got the chance to fat score them. We followed 2 bulls and named them Hilston and Handsome. With the heifers we did the same. It was a really fun day and I enjoyed it heaps. I especially liked the cake that Mrs Lines gave us. Thank you for letting us go and help.

Sophie cousins

My class went to Gum Hill’s South Devon stud. At the stud we got to pick the cattle to keep or to cull. In the bulls we kept 6 of them and in the heifers we kept 10. Then we helped to mother them up. I found this exercise very interesting and fun. It was good because our year 8 class didn’t know much about the South Devon breed. It taught us what to like or dislike about the cattle. These cattle were in very good condition and very tame.

burra Community sChool

letterS to the eDitor...

- linColn qantas 4q - gadara poll zion - aCe C5 - alpha d37

these 4 bulls from linColn sires and dams lead all other bulls in all south devon breed objeCtive seleCtion indiCes

linColn bulls

linColn poll rampage 16teye musCle area 4.9 sq. Cm. highest reCorded for south devons breed average 0.6 sq. Cm.

20 straws

linColn poseidon 12w0.7% intra musCular fatbreed average 0.0%homozygous poll

10 straws

in poll semen paCkage $500 inCluding gstCalves from these bulls will improve the quality of any south devon herd and bring hybrid vigour into

herds of other breeds. for more information refer to www.lincolnsouthdevon.com freight to your ai Centre extra.

roy sCragg - linColn south devon stud - 36 south esplanade glenelg 5045phone/fax: (08) 8295 5765 mobile: 0407 978 380 email: [email protected]

12| South Devon Cattle Society of Australia Inc. | MAY 2013

BoyupBrook WA

Ph: (08) 9765 3061M: 0412 390 315

E: [email protected]

DavidCorker’sBULLCOBREEDINGQuality Cattle

Grace GlenSouth Devon Stud

David CorkerPhone: 08 9765 3061Mobile: 0412 390 315

email: [email protected]

Grace Glen Gold Bullion at 3 years

BULLS SELECTED FORCONFORMATION • CONSTITUTION

TEMPERAMENT • PERFORMANCE

BoyupBrook WA

Ph: (08) 9765 3061M: 0412 390 315








TEMPERAMENT • PERFORMANCE

graCe glen gold bullion at 3 yearsbulls seleCted for

Conformation • Constitution temperament• performanCe

BoyupBrook WA

Ph: (08) 9765 3061M: 0412 390 315








TEMPERAMENT • PERFORMANCEauCtion plus auCtionbulls and females - red and blaCkour herd is mn3 allowing us to send Cattle all over australia!keep visiting our website for further detailsthese steers averaged 402.5kg CarCase weight making $1,449/hd

“davelle look to us for sound performanCe baCked south devons”

david & roChelle leese - jamestown sa 5491 - phone: (08) 8664 1702 website: www.davelle.com.au

south devoncattle society of australia inc

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