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December, 2009 In This Edition
This email newsletter has been sent to you because you are a client of Genetics Australia or you have subscribed as a user to our list. If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please click here to unsubscribe. If you want more information or wish to discuss any of the information provided in this newsletter, please contact us: 
Genetics Australia From Australia From overseas Email info@genaust.com.au or visit our website www.genaust.com.au |
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Workability data reports due – deadline fast approaching All farmers using Genetics Australia progeny test semen will have received a list of PT heifers which have calved this year and are now milking for the first time. The information on these daughters will contribute to bulls obtaining their first proofs in the April 2010 ABVs. Semen from these bulls was distributed in 2006. There are three things you need to do:
April 2010 ABVs – the countdown is on 
ADHIS have supplied us with preliminary breeding values for bulls based on early herd test data. From this we have nominated a short list of bulls with the best chance of graduating when the April 2010 ABVs are released. Based on this list, Linear Type Evaluations (LTEs) have been organised and many farmers will be contacted by Genetics Australia staff to organise a visit by breed society classifiers. The shortlist of bulls is: Code - Pedigree Aussie Red Holstein Jersey Pictured is Greg Miller of Charleroi, North East Victoria, and Greg Tiller, our Northern Victoria Territory Manager, with a group of PT heifers being inspected for type (LTE). Click here to visit the Genetics Australia PT website page for a complete list of bulls progeny tested in 2006. Tell us about the progeny test daughters milking in your herd 
If you have PT daughters milking – particularly by bulls on our shortlist – send us a quick email with details. Attach a photo if you want. We are particularly interested in your view of their performance in your herd and how they compare with the daughters of other bulls. Click here to send us a comment. The FLIPSIDE daughter pictured is owned by Ray & Donna Kitchen, of Carenda Holsteins in Western Australia. Staff inspecting the two FLIPSIDEs in the Carenda herd report on their body depth, dairy strength and their well-attached, correct udders. FLIPSIDE [ALBERTO x Gibbon] is sired by past Genetics Australia bull ALBERTO and is from a full sister to FABULON. Gene Marker Technology scheduled for 2010 commercial release Work continues on this exciting project. Recent results from using a greater number of bulls included in the data have returned data with a much greater reliability. This is increasing the accuracy of genomic proofs used in bull selection. Genetics Australia will play a key role in genomics and will continue to work closely with Dairy Australia and the ADF/ADHIS to ensure that this new technology meets industry needs. An important message for farmers selecting bulls on their genomic proofs Although Genetics Australia was the first AI centre in the world to use genomics to select bulls for progeny testing, the technology is not exclusive to us. The USA, Canada, New Zealand and the Netherlands are among the countries that have embarked on genomic programs. These programs use the same method to create the DNA "fingerprint" for the bulls but each country then relates these fingerprints to their own breeding values, making the technology developed specific to each country, just as breeding values are now. Think about it next time you bring the cows up for milking. Apart from dairy farmers in New Zealand and South Africa, nobody else walks their cows out to feed on pasture then back to the dairy for milking. Then, most of you only give some supplementary feed in the dairy. There are other huge differences in the way northern hemisphere farmers milk their cows. Each of these differences requires different genetics. Australian genomic breeding values are based on the ABV system – proven to be the best for our unique Australian breeding goals. We anticipate Australian genomic breeding values to be published mid 2010. Click here to read more about Genomics. 
Held in November, the Genetics Australia Annual Meeting was attended by over 50 shareholders and staff. In his report to shareholders, Chairman Colin Gardner said the Cooperative had increased revenue from $13.7 million to $14.1 million, with an EBIT of $99,739. This was a ‘solid performance’ given the challenging state of the dairy industry and the impact of the global financial crisis. The ongoing contraction of the industry and poor climatic conditions added to the difficulty. CEO Dr Ray Johnson highlighted the historic performance of the 2009 ABVs in his report. The Cooperative offered the No. 1 profit sire [APR] in each of the Holstein, Jersey, Aussie Red and Illawarra breeds. He also said the Cooperative was continuing at the forefront of emerging breeding technologies. It was a core participant in the Dairy Futures CRC, and in the commercialisation of genetic marker technology in 2010. Read the full text of the reports by Colin Gardner and Ray Johnson. Click here to download a copy of the 2009 Genetics Australia Annual Report. 
The Harlock Awards, recognising excellence of Genetics Australia staff who made a significant contribution to the Cooperative during the past year, were presented at the Annual Meeting. East Gippsland Sales and Branch Manager, Geoff Watts, was the overall winner for 2009. He received a trophy and travel voucher for his contribution to sales growth in the East Gippsland region and his work in establishing the Maffra retail branch. Pictured are the quarterly Harlock Award winners, from left to right: John Harle (Red Breeds Specialist), Chairman Colin Gardner, Geoff Watts (East Gippsland Manager), Dr Ray Johnson (CEO), Sam Kelly (Livestock Science Co-ordinator) and Wayne Nichols (Sales and Service, West Gippsland). The awards were named after long-term Genetics Australia Director and Board Chairman, John Harlock. Important Genetics Australia links Visit the genetics Australia website. View a copy of the latest bull catalogue. Order semen from proven, genomic, PT & international bulls. Download the "Easy Order option", complete it and return it to us. Read about the items in our merchandise catalogue. Read the latest Estrotect advertisement
Australian Dairy Conference Wollongong Feb 23 to 25 2010 2010 Conference - Sea Change; See Change Visit the conference website for more information, details and registration. National Women in Dairy Forum – March 24th 2010 
Genetics Australia and DAFF sponsored National Women in Dairy Forum is to be held on March 24th in Melbourne next year. The Forum will be held at the RACV Club in Melbourne and will attract delegates from all States in Australia. The key note speaker will be Dr. Sally Shortall from Queen’s University Ireland who has has been at the forefront of research in social changes in farming practice; and the role of women on farms and in rural development, in particular dairy women. Inspiring women leaders to speak include Professor Margaret Alston, Head of Social Work at Monash University Karen Baum, Dairy Australia, Danielle Auldist, CEO GippsDairy, Lauren Smith, Rural Scholarship winner from Tasmania, and Jacqui Biddulph, farmer and Board director of Challenge Dairy in WA . The forum facilitator will be well-known rural women’s leader Cathy McGowan. Melbourne's outstanding comedienne and motivational speaker, Robyn Moore, will talk about life and inspiration. Read more about the National Women in Dairy Forum. View the National Women in Dairy Forum flyer. Email us for a registration form. |
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