2010/11 Annual Report & AGM

The 2010/11 Annual report is printed and here is a link to it.

Active shareholders should recieve their copy soon, please advise us if you are active and didnt recieve it.

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 11:30am on December 9th at the Cooperative head-office at 144 Woolpack Rd, Bacchus Marsh, Victoria

RSVP by the 5th of December for catering purposes to Karen Davies on 03 5367 3888.

Genetics Australia Board Election Notice

Elections are to be held for positions on the Board of Directors of Genetics Australia Co-operative Limited.

The terms of Simon Bennett and Ross Gordon have expired. Both have indicated they will be nominating for these positions. A further Directors position has become vacant and is also subject to nomination from Cooperative members.

Nominations are invited for all three positions. Active members of Genetics Australia wishing to nominate for election must do so by lodging their nomination at the Registered Office on or before 4 pm on the 11th November, 2011.

Please check the co-operative page for the rules and nomination form or contact the Company Secretary, Mannie Mizzi on (03)5367 3888.

Genetics Australia strengthens position after ABV release

12th September 2011. The September ABV release has further highlighted the quality of the proven bulls standing at Genetics Australia with a number of the bulls lifting their April ABV ranking.

For the first time ADHIS split the release with Jersey and Red Breeds released in August and Holstein ABVs delayed until the 12th September. The Holstein data was delayed after ADHIS noticed changes in the ABVs of some bulls from the April to the August release. These changes were a result of the inclusion of genomic data and primarily affected bulls with no or low daughter numbers.

“While the month delay was not ideal we fully support ADHIS in their decision to review the genomic input so the ABVs continue provide the most accurate indication to the genetic merit of bulls available to farmers”, said Chris Jones, CEO, Genetics Australia.

“A number of countries have experienced similar challenges when it comes to the inclusion of genomic technology. Genetics Australia is an industry partner in the development of the genomic technology so we felt it was very important that ADHIS conducted their internal and external review before the release of the Holstein ABV and ABV[g] figures. We remain committed to continue to use the technology in our young bull programs and are confident the technology will result in even improved performance of Australian proven bulls into the future”, he said.

Genetics Australia Marketing Manager Rob Derksen said the delayed release was worth the wait with a number of bulls increasing on their April numbers. Sons of the legendary INFORMER, MEDALLION, QUINTY and DELSANTO all lifted and their combination of production and type rank them with the very best bulls available.

MEDALLION remains dominant and has been the most sought after Holstein in Australia since his graduation earlier this year. He can rightfully be called the Bull of the Year. His increase to 219 APR with 116 Overall Type and 119 for Udders is unrivalled and he clearly is the bull that has it all. His medium size black daughters with picture perfect udders and an ideal blend of production and management traits will be in most farmers sire selections this year. The performance of the INFORMER sons including leading Genomic bull JETFINN dominate the 2011 August release and his blend of production and type makes him one of the most influential sires in the breed for some time.

DELSANTO at 266 APR, 240 ASI and 113 for Overall Type isthe best production and type bull available. His Protein Test of +.38% and +.87% Fat, 134 SCC and the fact he is A2A2 makes him the perfect bull where quality milk is of a premium.

CARDINAL, USEAGE and WISEPOINT, all sons of Talent are worthy members of the proven team. CARDINAL rates in the top 1% of bulls for Overall Type at 114 and now has the added appeal of having a Calving Ease ABV of 102 at 91% reliability making his suitable for heifer mating. USEAGE is a full brother to CARDINAL and has the honour of being Australia’s highest standing APR bull at 269 APR.

While our Proven Jersey team is a small team of eight bulls what they offer in the way of reliable proven genetics is second to none.

Half of the bulls are 200 APR or greater and six are 110 or greater for Overall Type. Minimum reliability for production is 83% and six bulls are 75% or greater for Overall Type.

The majority of the Jersey bulls in the team also increased their ABVs following the August release.

Kaarmona bulls continue to feature in both the Jersey and Holstein ABVs. Four Kaarmona Holstein bulls CARDINAL, USEAGE, QUINTY and YONDER all rate 200 APR or higher on the Holstein list while Kaarmona Jerseys GAINFUL, VALERIAN and JURACE all rank in the top 15 Jersey bulls available with GAINFUL one of the biggest movers lifting an impressive 43 APR from April to August.

The addition of another 192 milking daughters has seen VALERIAN lift again to cement his position to be one of the best elite Jersey bulls to ever stand in Australia while TAILBOARD also lifted with more daughters to confirm him as one of the most outstanding all round bulls available.

The August 2011 released has also reinforced the quality, depth and diversity of the Aussie Red bulls available from Genetics Australia.

Leading bulls ARBBOBDOWN, ARBBONJOVI, and ARBMAWSON have continued to be in high demand and sales have remained strong throughout 2011. In April ARBLEX joined the group and his August ABV confirmed his position as one of the elite bulls available. His well balanced ABV offers the complete package and should be one of the first bulls selected for red to red or in cross breeding programs. These four bulls all rank in the top 4 Aussie Red bulls standing in Australia.

Rob Derksen also said the ABV release was a strong reminder of having top rated bulls standing in Australia.

“The Genetics Australia bulls dominate the”Good Bulls Guide” whatever the measure. We would not have been able to achieve this success if it was not for the support of many Australian Breeders who have developed the successful cow families behind the bulls or the willingness of more than 1500 progeny test farmers to use the young bulls through our Horizon Progeny Test program”.

He also invited all farmers herd recording to join in on the success of the Genetics Australia progeny test program.

“At just $10.00 per straw the economics of including progeny test semen in breeding programs had never been better. In addition to proven semen discounts and preferred access to the best of the proven bulls progeny test farmers are milking profitable daughters of the new bull’s years ahead of when they become available as proven sires”.

For more information the data panels and traits spreadsheet are updated and available here: Holstein Jersey Reds