FEEDLOTTING - reducing the feed bill

Revolutionising the northern muster CRC awarded for national innovation

Winter 2007 Contents Innovation awarded for boosting Australia’s beef industry. . . . .3 Cutting costs for Australia’s feedlot sector...... 4 Revolutionising the north Australian muster...... 6 A spotlight on Struan the hub of South Australian research...... 8 Do fertile bulls breed more fertile progeny...... 10 Tackling ticks, head on! ...... 12 Building a better Thai beef stir-fry...... 13 Editor’s Note Beef CRC Publications ...... 15 Welcome to the Winter edition of National Beef Calendar of Events ...... 16 the Beef Bulletin.

In this edition we highlight the hard work of Beef CRC researchers across Australia. Some of this work aimed at improving the profitability and productivity of Australia’s beef industry was only recently recognised with a national award for excellence.

The north Australian cattle muster is also under the Beef Bulletin spotlight with research to revolutionise northern herd management. The solution? A single calf drop, timed to perfection, matched to environmental or production cycles, year after year, all achievable with the use of smart genetics.

With grain finishing quickly becoming the norm across the Australian supply chain and with little respite from high grain prices on the horizon what can be done to make more beef using less feed? Beef CRC researchers have an answer in sight following their discovery of more than 100 DNA markers linked to feed efficiency, one of the most crucial factors of lot feeding.

The pages of the Winter Beef Bulletin will also take you to an idyllic spot between the renowned Australian wine regions of Padthaway and Coonawarra in South Australia. Ignore your thoughts of a full bodied red. Instead we take a look around South Australia’s hub of livestock ©2007 Cooperative Research Centre for Beef Genetic Technologies. This research, Struan Research Centre. book is copyright. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968 (Commonwealth), no part of this publication may be reproduced by any Don’t forget, if you know of process, electronic or otherwise, without the specific written permission someone who would like to receive of the copyright owner. Neither may information be stored electronically the Beef Bulletin, please contact the in any form whatsoever without such permission. Enquiries should be Beef CRC Headquarters on (02) 6773 addressed to: 3501 or email [email protected] Beef CRC CJ Hawkins Homestead For past editions of the Beef Bulletin visit www.beefcrc.com.au then click University of New England on the Publications tab. ARMIDALE NSW 2351 AUSTRALIA [email protected] Disclaimer: Any information provided in this book is intended as source of  information only and is no advice, endorsement or recommendation. Warwick Fraser Innovation awarded for boosting Australia’s beef industry

groundbreaking new with Meat and Livestock Australia from throughout Australia. Plans approach helping boost and Meat and Wool New Zealand, are underway to extend to New A on-farm productivity Beef CRC Beef Profit Partnerships will Zealand in coming months. and profitability involving beef bridge the research-industry gap by Across Australia, “Beef Profit producers, feedlotters and bringing researchers and producers processors from across Australia Partnerships” have been established together.” Dr Burrow said. has been recognised with a national in every mainland state, including Excellence in Innovation award. “Beef Profit Partnerships will consist Beef Supply Chain Partnerships of cattle producers, feedlotters and with a number of domestic and The Beef CRC’s “Beef Profit processors working with Beef CRC international beef processors and Partnerships”, have been recognised extension specialists using their own exporters. with a Cooperative Research Centre beef businesses to measure, monitor Association (CRCA) ‘Excellence in “Beef Profit Partnerships are focused and evaluate current practices and Innovation’ Award. on outcomes such as profitability, set new goals and objectives to productivity, sustainability and Beef producer, Phil Chalmers, a improve profitability. compliance with exacting market Beef Profit Partnership participant “This approach will deliver clear specifications, rather than on the accepted the award on behalf of communication “Beef Profit Partnerships throughout up and down the Australia. Mr Chalmers anticipates beef supply chain, his involvement in a Beef Profit whilst at the same Partnership will boost his on farm time improving productivity by 20 percent and With so many new beef technologies in the b u s i n e s s double his farm income. performance.” pipeline, we need to make sure industry is “Beef Profit Partnerships” use ready and willing to implement … “Based on an exciting ‘Improvement and product value, Innovation’ approach called Australia is ‘Continuous Improvement and the world’s largest beef exporter, Innovation’, initially developed by technologies such as DNA markers, competing against huge beef Richard Clark and Janice Timms which is the more traditional powerhouses like Brazil,” Dr Burrow of QDPI&F. The process has been approach to technology transfer,” Dr said. “For Australia to remain tailored to fast-track the uptake of Burrow said. competitive, our beef industry new technology for the thousands of “Our approach focuses thinking and needs to be ahead of the pack. This beef businesses across Australia and action to achieve higher returns on requires efficient and effective use of New Zealand. investment. Most importantly, it technology and innovation.” Forecast to improve beef business is specifically designed to be more More than 40 “Beef Profit rewarding than ‘business as usual,’ profits by at least five percent in just Partnerships” have been established because it has the ability to change two years, Beef CRC Chief Executive to date and consist of more than 500 the face of industry. As a result, the Officer, Dr Heather Burrow said cattle producers, the major northern entire beef industry becomes more the award officially recognised the Australian pastoral companies and profitable, creative and innovative,” Beef CRC’s forward thinking in feedlotters and meat processors Dr Burrow said. addressing the uptake of technology by beef industry end-users. “Over the past 14 years, the Beef CRC has put many runs on the board for groundbreaking science, but an even greater challenge than delivering world-leading technologies is to have those technologies used industry.” “With so many new beef technologies in the pipeline, we need to make sure industry is ready and willing to implement these technologies which we predict will dramatically change the way producers and suppliers do global business in the future,” Dr Burrow said. Accepting the CRCA Excellence in Innovation Award, Professor “With the help of extension staff from Dave Pethick representing MLA, beef producer Phil Chalmers, the State Departments of Primary beef processor Chris Knight, Beef CRC CEO Dr Heather Burrow Industries and Agriculture, along and Beef CRC Chairman Guy Fitzhardinge  Cutting costs for

ustralia’s burgeoning feedlot have now been found in Angus which control important, but industry is closely watching cattle alone. But we must now check expensive to measure, production Anew research targeting one them across other Australian cattle traits such as feed efficiency.” of the most crucial factors of lot breeds to be sure there is a consistent “Feed efficiency is a complex trait feeding, feed efficiency. benefit before a commercial test and not surprisingly, the closer we based on these genes is released.” Dr Scientists from the Beef CRC have look, the more genes we have been Herd said. uncovered more than 100 DNA able to uncover.” Dr Herd said. markers linked to feed efficiency According to Dr Herd this validation “We already know that feed over the past two years. process will undoubtedly discover efficiency is moderately heritable, additional genes linked to feed While not all the markers will reach and that using bulls and cows efficiency. Dr Herd predicts these commercialisation it is predicted with a genetically-superior bias genes will join those already their discovery will vastly improve towards feed efficiency will discovered within Angus bloodlines the utilisation of feed, a key produce progeny that eat less and to ensure the final genetic test will driver of feedlot productivity and are more profitable.” profitability. cover all Australian cattle breeds. Past Beef CRC research According to the Beef targeting improved feed CRC Project Leader Dr efficiency in feedlots Robert Herd, of the New Scientists from … the Beef CRC found Angus steers South Wales Department have uncovered more than 100 DNA bred from high and of Primary Industries, low efficiency parents feed is one of the largest markers linked to feed efficiency were able to deliver a costs for the Australian over the past two years. live weight gain on less beef industry. feed, with no adverse “The money spent on effects on growth and retail beef yield feed every year runs into the tens of “Assisting this gene discovery millions, and it’s made worse during process has been the rapid advances Bred at the NSW DPI Trangie tough seasons like much of Australia in DNA technology being applied Agricultural Research Centre, the has experienced recently,” Dr Herd in human medicine over the past Angus steers were backgrounded on said. ten years. These breakthroughs pasture and fed to meet light, medium “The price of grain is only going to have helped geneticists by and heavy market specifications in increase, so if we can breed cattle in reducing the cost and accelerating the Beef CRC “Tullimba” Research the future with a disposition to better the rate of gene discovery,” Dr Feedlot near Armidale. Herd said. utilise the feed they eat, productivity Results from this commercial and profits will improve.” “New technology developments feedlot trial found high efficiency “Literally over 100 genes associated have enabled us to dig deeper, steers had a three percent greater with differences in feed efficiency scientifically speaking, into genes daily weight gain and ate two

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g e uncover. i e -6 F H -7 -8 percent less feed, creating an overall reduction in the cost of liveweight gain of eight percent. A suited commercialised DNA tests that account for 50% of genetic variation in feed efficiency will allow the beef industry to target superior feed efficiency. Such a test is conservatively estimated by Beef CRC economists to create an annual saving in feed cost of $15 million per annum for the Australian beef industry. Beef CRC research focused on feed efficiency is expected to create a number of spin-off benefits for the beef industry including an improvement in cow herd productivity and a reduction in methane emissions as a result of more feed-efficient cattle. The research is being undertaken by scientists from New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, The University of New England Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit, The University of , Victorian Department of Primary Industries and CSIRO Livestock Industries.

Commercial feedlot trial • Planning is now underway for a commercial-scale trial of the advantage of feed efficiency genes in steers in a large commercial feedlot. • Three groups of Angus steers bred at Trangie Research Station to be genetically high, medium or low efficiency will be evaluated. • The steers will be backgrounded at Trangie to a feedlot entry weight of 400kg and then moved to a feedlot where their liveweight gain, group feed-intake and carcase characteristics (Ausmeat and MSA Grading) and meat quality attributes (marbling, sheer force and compression) will be evaluated under commercial condition on a standard grain ration.  t’s a northern cattle producer’s process, without early weaning and the genes that control re-conception dream: a single calf drop, while the cow rears her calf to a after calving. It forms part of a Itimed to perfection, matched normal weaning age of around six larger research program focussed to environmental or production months of age,” Professor D’Occhio on improved female reproductive cycles, year after year. said. performance. When complete, But if Beef CRC researchers the research results are forecast to Professor D’Occhio suggests that have anything to do with it, this generate a value-add of $46.5 million such a strategy would save the revolutionary innovation for per annum for the Australian beef industry millions of dollars every northern cattle herd management industry. year in management costs and will not be a pipe-dream. deliver significant productivity and “Managing a calf drop spread across According to Beef CRC Project profitability gains. several months is a headache. In Leader, Professor Michael D’Occhio many cases two, sometimes three “The option to conduct one annual of The University of Queensland, musters a year are needed to make muster, or even narrow the length calving is largely irregular and sure all calves are accounted for,” of current musters would be a extended across Northern Australia Professor D’Occhio said. major saving in itself and with and costs millions “But imagine the of dollars in lost difference that a productivity and cow with the ability extra labour. …the research will also go a long way to helping the northern industry better to consistently “On the whole, only fall pregnant after a small proportion guarantee and predict annual production, calving, year after of cows in northern something that is now a bit of a gamble. year without having Australia re-conceive to early-wean her at regular intervals or calf, would make. produce a calf each year,” Professor staff currently so hard to come by, It would be every cattle producer’s D’Occhio said. this research would allow cattle dream and would revolutionise the producers to do more, with less,” management of northern industry “Add to this the extra operational Professor D’Occhio said. herds.” costs of managing and mustering an annual calf drop spread over a “When completed, the research will After calving, cows enter a number of months, and it’s a major also go a long way to helping the reproductive condition known as thorn in the side of northern beef northern industry better guarantee postpartum anoestrus (PPA) during productivity and profitability.” and predict annual production, which time ovulation stops. The something that is now a bit of a duration of PPA varies depending on “What this Beef CRC research aims gamble,” Professor D’Occhio said. the breed and environmental factors. to do is find a genetic or management solution to help control this annual This Beef CRC project is targeting “So this research is all about finding a

 Australian cattle muster

way to promote the early resumption or, alternatively, management of Queensland, CSIRO Livestock of ovulation after calving, particularly strategies that promote the Industries, Queensland Department in tropical cattle breeds,” Professor function of favourable postpartum of Primary Industries and Fisheries, D’Occhio said. reproductive genes. The Ohio State University (USA) and AgResearch (NZ). With a low annual weaning The result for industry would be percentage experienced across the an increase in the proportion of Brahman cattle have been donated majority of Northern Australia, the cows that re-conceive after calving to the project by central Queensland Beef CRC project is highlighting and which do so within defined cattle producers, Alf Collins Jr, of the importance of ensuring re- mating periods, without the need Belah Valley and Jenny McCamley, conception occurs within defined for early weaning or traditional of Tartrus Brahmans. periods that match annual supplementary production cycles for a range of feeding. different environments. The research is ... the Beef CRC project is highlighting the The research aims to develop being undertaken importance of ensuring re-conception occurs gene marker or biochemical by scientists at within defined periods. tests to promote re-conception The University   Do fertile bulls

ew Beef CRC research is for female fertility will become wants to take this research one investigating whether easier for beef producers, not only step further and assess a range of Nfertility traits in bulls, such because of the earlier selection fertility indicators. as scrotal size, semen quality and and greater selection pressure various hormones and proteins are The Male Indicators project will in bulls, but also because of the linked to fertility traits in both their utilise comprehensive data from greater influence that bulls have on male and female progeny. another Beef CRC Project called future herds relative to individual the “Lifetime Reproductive Dubbed the Beef CRC “Male breeding cows. Indicators Project”, data are Performance” project, which is currently being collected from Beef CRC Project leader Dr Dick providing an exhaustive database of nearly three and a half thousand Holroyd of the Queensland growth, reproductive and adaptive bulls donated by Beef CRC Department of Primary Industries trait records that have been gathered collaborators from industry and Fisheries, said that given there on their dams. (Northern Pastoral Part of the challenge, Group of Companies Dr Holroyd said, is that and individual If predictor traits can be identified in there is still a degree seedstock breeders bulls early in life, then selection for of uncertainty in what from Central female fertility will become easier for makes some bulls Queensland) and produce more calves CSIRO to determine beef producers… than others when the links between the mated in either single or fertility of males and multiple-sire groups. females. is a common origin for both male “At best we can account for about The goal of the project is to discover and female hormones suggests 60 per cent of the factors relating better predictors of female fertility in there may be some correlation in to calf output in bulls in multiple- bulls, in much the same way as dairy fertility across the sexes. bulls are selected to improve the sire herds; at worst 30 per cent,” Dr Past research has already found milking ability of their daughters. Holroyd said. bulls with a larger scrotal size If predictor traits can be identified produced daughters that reached “And whether those factors are in bulls early in life, then selection puberty earlier. But the Beef CRC directly related to reproductive

Beef CRC Researchers carrying out routine evaluation of bulls on Brigalow Research Station, Queensland 10 breed more fertile progeny?

Two year old composite bulls at Brigalow Research Station, Qld

performance of their female Blood samples will be used to assess important flow- relatives is not known.” whether hormones existing in these on benefits for So while Beef CRC young give some indication of industry. researchers will be doing future reproductive performance… “We may never traditional assessments of again have the bull fertility such as scrotal bull enters the breeding herd,” Dr opportunity to size, condition of penis and sheath Holroyd said. examine the same number of bulls and collecting semen to assess Research to date has involved the with their detailed reproductive density, motility and percentage collection of seminal fluid, semen histories,” he said. “So our attitude of normal sperm, their research and blood for the measurement has been to ‘store and explore’ brief also extends to the analysis of of various biomarkers including where blood, seminal fluid and various biochemical markers found luteinizing hormone (LH) and semen from bulls at 12, 18 and in blood, seminal fluid and semen inhibin in pre-pubertal bulls and 24 months of age has been frozen and the relationships of all of these various proteins in seminal fluid with the view of determining factors to improvement of female and semen. reproductive performance, which levels of various hormones and “These proteins may play an is the primary trait of interest to proteins in future.” important role in fertilisation this project. and early embryo development, This research forms part of the Not only will bulls be subjected to independent of sperm Beef CRC Female Reproductive a breeding soundness examination morphology,” said Dr Holroyd. Performance Research Program at 12, 18 and 24 months of age, but which aims to deliver a $46.5 “When we can determine all these Dr Holroyd said blood will also be genetic correlations, we have the million value-add to the collected from all bull calves prior possibility of a test or an index that Australian beef industry per to puberty. will not only determine whether annum from 2012 via the “Blood samples will be used to bulls are more likely to be being development of a comprehensive assess whether hormones existing mechanically and reproductively genetic improvement package in these young animals give some sound, but also are able to sire incorporating genomic and other indication of future reproductive male and female progeny that are animal breeding technologies for performance - a step toward more fertile,” said Dr Holroyd. the genetic improvement of female giving breeders a tool to assess Dr Holroyd expects the Beef CRC reproductive performance in breeding cattle. bull performance well before the Male Indicators project to offer 11 Tackling ticks, head on!

t’s a small, bloodsucking parasite, yet the humble tick Cattle Tick Infested Area Icosts Australia’s cattle industry millions of dollars a year and has prompted the Beef CRC to look into the possibility of breeding cattle with complete tick resistance. Broome Ticks are estimated to cost the beef Mt Isa industry around $200 million a year in control and lost production through reduced growth and reproduction rates as well as losses from “tick fever” Toowoomba caused by the tick-borne parasite Anaplasma marginale. It’s no secret that some cattle have a higher immunity to ticks - the success of the Brahman breed in northern Australia is an obvious example – but none have 100 percent immunity. What Beef CRC researchers are examining is whether the current immunity mechanism can be isolated and then adapted to offer 100 percent immunity to ticks. Even within a Bos indicus-based breed “The research involves regularly more freely in areas they currently like Santa Gertrudis, tick resistance taking blood samples and skin struggle in. can be as high as 99.9 percent or as low biopsies. These samples are then as 80 per cent. used to investigate whether there are “Anything we find in Santa Gertrudis cellular or genetic differences between cattle will be tested to see whether That has got Beef CRC researchers like susceptible and resistant animals that it holds true in other breeds,” Dr Dr Louise Jackson of the Queensland may point to the underlying reason Jackson said. Department of Primary Industries for tick resistance,” Dr Jackson said. and Fisheries wondering whether “Out of the combined research within that difference, there might be Alongside this research, another program, we plan to develop genuine a genetic or cellular trait - or a group Beef CRC research project is aiming options that change the way people of them - that can be identified and to develop genetic markers for tick manage the tick problem.” then used to improve overall herd resistance. resistance to ticks. “We’re coming at it The concept was put to the test in 2006, from the other end,” when a Beef CRC trial was conducted Dr Jackson said. using Brahmans and Holsteins, the “We want to follow latter a highly tick-susceptible breed. pathways back to the When the animals were challenged DNA, and see if we with ticks and various reactions can identify some of examined, the researchers found the mechanisms that promising signs of resistance of the promote resistance,” cattle to ticks that could be isolated. she said. Dr Jackson said these results have The objective is to given them encouragement to take the have a commercially next step. viable product that “In the next phase, now underway, we will control the cattle have a group of Santa Gertrudis cattle tick that can be used which have never before been exposed by the beef cattle to ticks. They are now being challenged industry by 2012. by the parasites so we can assess their reactions,” Dr Jackson said. If successful, the Santa Gertrudis were selected as project may also assist the test-case breed due to the wide the northern cattle variation of tick resistance in the breed. industry in its quest In the case of the test group, resistance for improved meat has ranged between 80-98 per cent, a quality, by allowing close reflection of the resistance range tick-resistant British- of the breed as a whole. breed cattle to be used Building a better Thai beef stir-fry

sian demand for high quality juicy tenderness in their steak and stir- Thai scientists do not have access to Australian beef is growing. fry. So the Thai government is looking the genetic technologies or ability ABut it’s not coming from the to increase these qualities in the native to accurately measure meat quality Japanese. Thai breed,” she said. that has enabled the Australian beef industry to make rapid progress. Once the penchant of Japanese beef The native Thai breed is the Kao consumers, the booming economies (white) Lumpoon and is a mix of The Beef CRC and CSIRO have of Asia are now driving demand for genetics from Bos indicus (from India). identified the areas that are better quality beef in supermarkets It is mainly found in the Northern potentially the most valuable to and on restaurant menus in Thailand. region of Thailand. the Thai researchers, and have To help meet rising demand for Funded by AusAID as one of its Public introduced the visiting Thai scientists better beef resulting from increased Sector Linkage Projects, the program to the principles behind them in a financial affluence, Thailand has aims to enhance Thailand’s animal series of one-month courses. turned to the Beef CRC for the latest science capacity so it can design an Training activities for the DLD world-leading expertise in meat accelerated breeding program using scientists have included genotyping quality technologies. gene marker technology. and marker-assisted selection using Over the past year, six Thai scientists “Ideally the Thais are looking to known tenderness markers at the have visited Australia for intensive introduce genetics to improve University of Queensland; meat courses on gene technologies to help tenderness and marbling, key traits science; the MLA Meat Quality course; their country deliver higher meat for the maturing Asian palate,” Dr Quality Assurance (QA) proficiency quality from the Thai native Bos Kongsuwan said. in meat grading, real-time ultrasound indicus cattle. scanning at the University of New The ultimate aim, Dr Kongsuwan said, England; and attendance at the 2007 Beef CRC Scientist, Dr Kritaya is for the native Thai cattle to deliver a Armidale Breeding course. Kongsuwan of CSIRO Livestock better return on investment for local Industries, herself a former Thai farmers by being able to produce In February, DLD held its first two-day national, said the research linkages the quality meat that Thais are now workshop in Thailand to disseminate are being driven by the growing Thai seeking for their stir-fry dishes. information and knowledge among middle class. representatives of the Thai beef “The program is looking to meet industry. Dr John Thompson from domestic demand in the middle of the “As income levels grow, there is UNE and Dr Kongsuwan attended beef market,” she said. “The high-end more adoption of western-style the workshop, held in Trad Province, market for steak will probably always diets including meat and milk,” 300k south-east of Bangkok. said Dr Kongsuwan. rely on imports from places like Australia and the United States.” The project is being undertaken “While Thai people have traditionally collaboratively by scientists from turned their beef into meatballs Thailand’s Department of Livestock CSIRO Livestock Industries, because the meat from the native Thai Development (DLD) is already University of New England and cattle is very tough, supermarkets are introducing Angus genetics to cross Department of Primary Industries & now carrying imported steaks. Thai with the native breed to enhance meat people are learning to want that sort of quality. But Dr Kongsuwan said that Fisheries, Queensland. Thai Beef Industry snapshot Beef cattle are divided into three levels in Thailand 1. Fattening (finished cattle) make up 1.8 million kg of high-quality meat which accounts for approximate 1% of total beef meat supply in Thailand. Beef in this segment is produced from crossbred cattle of Bos Taurus and Bos indicus (Charolais and Brahman) or of Bos indicus and Bos indicus (75%Brahman: 25% Thai native). Demand for this beef comes from modern trade companies, supermarkets, restaurants and hotels. All producers supplying this market have their own standard abattoir and processing plant and also sale division enabling them to directly supply their products to the target markets. The three main Thai beef producers in this segment are: • Beef Pro Co, Ltd. in Suphanburi Province, capacity is 6000 head per year. • Thai/French Cooperative in northeast Thailand, capacity is 2000 – 2500 head per year. • KU Beef Group belonging to Kasetsart University and a producer Cooperative Nakorn Phatom Province, capacity is 1 000 head per year. 2. Non-fattened cattle make up around 92 million kg of beef, approximately 59% of total supply. Brahman and native breed crossbreds are the majority produced by small to medium sized farmers. Feedlot and/or grass- fed systems are applied for their cattle. These cattle are mostly likely culled in a slaughter house and cut as hot carcasses during the night and delivered to the wet market the following day. 3. Grass-feed cattle; approximate 40% of beef supply comes from this segment or 62 million kg of beef. Beef from this segment is made up of pure native cattle, culled dairy cows and imported or smuggled cattle from neighboring countries (such as Myanmar, Bangladesh and India). These cattle are supplied by small village farmers with an average of five head per household. 13 Australia’s largest integrated beef research program, the Beef CRC presents ... “The Perfect Supply Chain”

Chaired by Meat and Livestock Australia Chairman, Don Heatley, a range of industry speakers will highlight, step-by-step, the key ingredients to creating the perfect supply chain, from paddock to plate. Date: time Friday, 10 August Time: 2.30pm to 4.30pm Where: The MEATing Centre, RNA Showgrounds, Brisbane

The forum will be followed by a special announcement with drinks and canapés courtesy of the Beef CRC and Cattle Country Magazine. For more information, contact the Beef CRC on 02 6773 3501 or email [email protected]

World class science, creating first class beef Want the latest beef research?

If you would like to know more about the Beef CRC, why not join our mailing list? We have a range of publications available outlining past and current research.

Producing Quality Beef Regular Research Updates If you produce beef, this booklet has As Australia’s largest integrated beef “The Perfect Supply Chain” been written for you. Whether you are a research project, the Beef CRC has a seedstock breeder, commercial breeder, wealth of information which is released backgrounder, finisher, processor or on an ongoing basis. From research chef,NEW you have EDITION an influence on the updates, to latest the in genetic and consumer’sOUT eating SOON! experience. management technologies. Make sure you’re kept in the loop!

Achievements of the Beef CRC: A Australian Beef - the Leader! platform for the next 10 years Conference Proceedings This booklet tells you everything you In 2006 over 200 delegates attended the need to know about the groundbreaking Beef CRC conference where the results research undertaken by the Beef CRC of two phases of Beef CRC research was since it was established in 1993. The showcased. Papers included in these Proceedings are from well-respected booklet summarises the Beef CRC’s overseasSOLD speakers asOUT! well as leading major achievements and presents an Australian scientists in the fields of overview of the latest Beef CRC which quantitative genetics, molecular genetics, is focused on gene discovery and gene meat science and management and expression by simply explaining how genomics research will influence cattle breeding and nutrition. management practices over the next 10 years.

Genetics CD and Nutrition, Meat Key Messages for Commercial Science & Health CD Breeders in Southern Australia This two CD pack is a summary of A simple dot point summary of the GENETICS findings of the Beef CRC main messages from Beef CRC research as well as a summary of nutrition, for commercial beef producers in meat science and health & welfare southern Australia. outcomes. The CDs contains a variety of documents, from simple summaries, to scientific papers and slides.

Beef Bulletin Beef CRC Fact Sheets The Beef Bulletin is a glossy feature A range of Fact Sheets are available on line at magazine filled with the latest Beef www.beefcrc.com.au. CRC news and research developments. The Beef Bulletin puts the spotlight on how the latest research is being adopted by industry and features some Livestock Library of the Australian beef industry’s biggest players. The Beef Bulletin is also home to An online library for beef and sheep industry pucliciation the beef industry’s most comprehensive at www.livestocklibrary.com.au events calendar.

15 Calendarof Events JULY SEPTEMBER 2-5. . . . . Tocal Cattle Assessment School, Paterson, NSW 4-6. . . . .Ag Show, Toowoomba, Qld 2-5. . . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Windorah, Qld 4-6. . . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Mackay / 3-5. . . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Dirranbandi, Qld Whitsundays, Qld 3-5. . . . .Nutrition Workshop, Rockhampton, Qld 6-7. . . . .Newdegate Field Days, Newdegate, WA 6 ...... Brahman Group Breedplan cut-off 7-8. . . . .Farmarama, Lismore, NSW 6-7. . . . .New England Hereford Youth Group Junior Show, 7-15. . . . ., Adelaide, SA Tamworth, NSW 10 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Orange, NSW 9 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Clare, SA 11-13. . . .Nutrition Workshop, Mareeba, Qld 9-11. . . . .Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia, 12 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Goulbourn, Armidale, NSW NSW 10-12. . . .WA Cattle Assessment School, Harvey, WA 13 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Cooma, NSW 10-12. . . .Breeding EDGE Workshop, Cloncurry, Qld 17 ...... Australian Braford Society Inc Sponsored National Sale, 11 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Keith, SA Gracemere, Qld 11 ...... Red Angus National Show and Sale, Dubbo, NSW 18-19. . . .National Droughtmaster sale, Gracemere, Qld 12-14. . . .Ag-Grow Field Days, Emerald, Qld 18-20. . . .Henty Machinery Field Days, Henty, NSW 13 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Ballarat, Vic 20-30. . . .Royal Show, Melbourne, Vic 13 ...... Tenant Creek Show, Tenant Creek, NT 20-21. . . .Mingenew Field Days, Mingenew, WA 13-14. . . .Mudgee Small Farm Field Days, Mudgee, NSW 21-22. . . .Symposium:Adaptation & Fitness in Animal Populations, 17 ...... 2007 BIA AGM and Council meeting, Albury, NSW Armidale, NSW 17-19. . . .Southern Beef School, Glenormiston, Vic 24-26. . . .Assoc . for Advancement of Animal Breeding & Genetics 17-19. . . .AgForce State Conference, Goondiwindi Qld Conf, Armidale NSW 18 ...... 2007 BIA National Conference, “Getting capital back 25-27. . . .Yorke Peninsula Field Days, Paskeville, SA into agriculture”, Albury, NSW 25-27. . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Augathella, Qld 18 ...... 2007 Pfizer Gala Dinner and BIA Award Presentations, 26 ...... Charbray Society of Australia Ltd Annual Sale, Albury, NSW Gracemere, Qld 18-25. . . .Grazing for Profit School, Dubbo, NSW 27-2. . . . .Bio-Business Farming School, Toowoomba, Qld 20-22. . . .Farm Fantastic Field Days, Caboolture, Qld 23 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Launceston, Tas 23-25. . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Townsville, Qld

23-26. . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Cloncurry, Qld OCTOBER 1-3. . . . .Brahman Week, Gracemere, Qld 24-26. . . .Nutrition Workshop, Longreach, Qld 3-5. . . . .Elmore Field Days, Elmore, Vic 25 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Warragul, Vic 3-10. . . . .Grazing for Profit School, Geraldton, WA 25-1. . . . .Grazing for Profit School, Rockhampton, Qld 6-7. . . . .Pro-Ag Field Days, Macksville, NSW 26-28. . . .Royal Darwin Show, Darwin, NT 9-11. . . . .Nutrition Workshop, Bowen / Collinsville, Qld 27 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Shepparton, Vic 12-13. . . .Wandin Silvan Field Days, Wandin East, Vic 27-29. . . .Dalby Cattle Assessment School, Dalby, Qld 13-14. . . .Murrumbateman Field Days, Murrumbateman, NSW 30 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Albury, NSW 16-18. . . .Australian National Field Days, Orange, NSW 30-2 Aug .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Barcaldine / 22-25. . . .Applied Grazing Course, Roma, Qld Aramac, Qld 22-25. . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Richmond / Julia TBC. . . . .South and Central Qld Beef Weeks Creek / Hughenden, Qld 23-25. . . .Breeding EDGE Workshop, Ayr / Charters Towers, Qld 24-27. . . ., Hobart, Tas AUGUST 26 ...... Feeding for Profit, Roma, Qld 1-2. . . . .Mallee Machinery Field Days, Speed, Vic 28-29. . . .Bega Field Days, Bega, NSW 3 ...... MLA “Beef-Up Forum”, Injune, Qld 29-6. . . . .Royal Perth Show, Perth, WA 4 ...... Nyngan Ag Expo, Nyngan, NSW 30-1 Nov .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Mackay / 6-7. . . . .Eyre Peninsula Field Days, Cleve, SA Whitsundays, Qld 7-9. . . . .SA Cattle Assessment School, Keith, SA 31 ...... LiveCorp AGM, Melbourne, Vic 7-9. . . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Clermont, Qld 9-18. . . . .Royal Queensland Show, Brisbane, Qld 9-18. . . . .AgForce MEATing Centre, Brisbane Ekka, Qld 9 ...... Droughtmaster AGM RNA showgrounds in Brisbane . NOVEMBER 10 ...... Santa Gertrudis AGM, Brisbane, Qld 2 ...... Hereford/Poll Hereford Group Breedplan cut-off 11-18. . . .World Angus Secretariat, Ireland 3 ...... Windellama Field Days, Tarago, NSW 13-17. . . .Grazing Land Management, Birdsville, Qld 7-9. . . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, Charters Towers, Qld 15-22. . . .Grazing for Profit School, Wagga Wagga, NSW 9 ...... Angus Group Breedplan cut-off 17 ...... Simmental Group Breedplan cut-off 9-10. . . . .Farming Small Areas, Hawkesbury, NSW 20-21. . . .Cattle Council of Australia Meeting, Canberra, ACT 13-15. . . .Breeding EDGE Workshop, Mareeba, Qld 21-23. . . .Ag-Quip, Gunnedah, NSW 16 ...... Murray Grey Group Breedplan cut-off 27-30. . . .Grazing Land Management Workshop, McKinlay, Qld 21-28. . . .Grazing for Profit School, Townsville, Qld 28 ...... MLA “Beef-Up Forum”, Rockhampton, Qld 23 ...... Beef CRC AGM, Venue TBA 28-30. . . .Dowerin Field Days, Dowerin, WA 23 ...... Beef CRC Forum, Venue TBA 28 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Northam, WA 30 ...... Limousin Group Breedplan cut-off 28-30. . . .Nutrition Workshop, Charters Towers, Qld TBC. . . . .Meat and Livestock Australia AGM, Qld 29-31. . . .American Angus Assoc . National Conferene & Tour, USA TBC. . . . .Cattle Council of Australia AGM, Qld 30 ...... MLA “Beef-Up Forum”, Emerald, Qld 30 ...... Getting the most from Breedplan workshop, Kojonup, WA TBC. . . . .North Qld Beef Week DECEMBER 7, Shorthorn Group Breedplan cut-off 14, Angus Argentino Group Breedplan cut-off www.beefcrc.com.au