An Important Message for Members from Scott Wright, CEO
Dear Members,
I am writing to provide an update on the progress of Angus GenetiQ and Angus HeiferSELECT. At times there is commentary within the industry, and this communication is intended to clearly inform our members of the current position of Angus Australia.
Angus GenetiQ
Angus GenetiQ figures are now accessible through angus.tech for all animals, displayed on a separate tab alongside TACE EBVs.
The key point for members is this: Angus GenetiQ is being delivered in parallel to TACE.
TACE remains the primary genetic evaluation for the Angus breed in Australia and continues to be the EBVs you will see in sale catalogues. It remains the industry standard for Angus seedstock animals. Importantly, there has been no Board decision to replace Breedplan with Angus GenetiQ. For clarity to members Breedplan provides the majority but not all TACE EBV’s.
Angus GenetiQ is being provided in parallel to allow members the opportunity to evaluate the system and provide feedback. The rollout has been staged – beginning with an announcement prior to Christmas, followed by the release of EBVs in January, and percentile tables shortly thereafter. Angus GenetiQ was initially implemented to calculate Mature Body Condition Score and Mature Cow Height and additionally used to calculate Coat Type Breeding Value.
Importantly, Angus GenetiQ underpins our commercial genomic products, including Angus HeiferSELECT and Angus SteerSELECT.
Feedback to date has been broadly positive, although not unanimous. Some members have raised concerns with the Board and management, and I want to state clearly, we have heard those concerns and we are taking them seriously.
Angus GenetiQ represents a significant advancement for the Angus breed in Australia, potentially a once-in-a-decade step forward. However, I want to be very clear: the Board has not made any decision to move away from Breedplan. This appears to be one of the key misunderstandings currently circulating.
It is important to note that Angus GenetiQ was developed over a five-year period due to strategic considerations for the Angus Australia organisation and Angus breed. Through the development process we identified several efficiencies and identified important capability advancements.
Running both evaluations in parallel is intentional. It allows for informed feedback, robust discussion, and sound decision-making over time.
The year ahead will be critical. Throughout 2026, members will have the opportunity to evaluate Angus GenetiQ alongside TACE, and we strongly encourage you to provide feedback. Strategic feedback can be directed to the Board, the President, or myself. Technical queries can be directed to our Chief Operating Officer, Carel Teseling, and our genetic improvement and extension teams.
I firmly believe Angus GenetiQ represents a positive advancement for the benefit of all Angus Australia members.
We recently hosted a webinar outlining Angus GenetiQ, and I encourage members to review this, along with the accompanying Frequently Asked Questions document available online.
One very important point during this evaluation period is this:
Commercial producers seeking to achieve meaningful genetic progress should continue to use Registered Angus bulls with TACE EBVs. This cannot be overstated.
Angus HeiferSELECT & Angus SteerSELECT
The Board has recently approved several important refinements to Angus HeiferSELECT.
A key change is the reintroduction of 1% increments in HeiferSELECT breeding values, improving the ability of commercial producers to make more precise selection decisions and drive genetic gain.
It is important for members to understand that HeiferSELECT percentiles are not directly comparable to seedstock percentiles.
For example, a top 10% seedstock animal represents a different level of genetic merit compared to an animal ranked in the top 10% of HeiferSELECT. This distinction is critical in breeding decisions.
HeiferSELECT animals are benchmarked against a rolling five-year cow cohort (currently cows born 2019–2023, updating annually). This ensures benchmarking remains relevant and commercially meaningful.
These changes are designed to:
- Improve the practical usefulness of HeiferSELECT
- Avoid “bunching” of animals into broad categories
- Reinforce its role as a commercial benchmarking and decision-support tool, distinct from seedstock evaluation
When benchmarking is set against an overly elite reference population, commercial animals can appear artificially low-ranked. HeiferSELECT is designed to avoid this and provide a more realistic commercial comparison.
Again, the key principle remains:
HeiferSELECT is a valuable commercial tool, but genetic progress at a herd level is best driven through the use of Registered Angus bulls with TACE EBVs.
Governance and Decision-Making
Members can be assured that the Angus Australia Board is united and highly engaged. Over the past five years, there has been extensive strategic discussion and planning in this space.
All Directors undertake formal governance training through the Australian Institute of Company Directors or the Australian Institute of Management. Decisions are made collectively, carefully, and in the long-term interests of the Society and the breed.
The current period of parallel evaluation reflects this approach. One that is measured, informed, and not rushed.
I trust this update provides clarity on the current strategic position of Angus GenetiQ and Angus HeiferSELECT. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the Angus breed.
Yours sincerely,
Scott Wright
CEO
Angus Australia
