Positive Outlook Shared at Angus Australia Member Workshop and AGM
Angus Australia members, directors and staff came together in Ballarat on Tuesday 26 May 2026 for the Angus Australia Annual General Meeting and Member Workshop.
Held in a positive and constructive spirit, the day provided members with the opportunity to hear from a broad range of industry and Angus Australia speakers, with discussion focused on the future direction of the beef industry, genetic evaluation, member services, market opportunities, innovation and practical tools to support Angus breeders and commercial producers.
While Angus Australia CEO Scott Wright was unfortunately unable to attend due to an unexpected medical emergency, the workshop was led by Chief Operating Officer Carel Teseling, supported by staff and directors.
Outgoing Angus Australia President and Chair Sinclair Munro welcomed attendees and acknowledged the strong contribution of members, staff and industry partners in continuing to support the organisation and the Angus breed.
A key feature of the workshop was the keynote presentation from Cattle Australia CEO Will Evans, who provided an overview of national industry priorities, including biosecurity, levy arrangements, market access and the importance of strong producer representation in shaping the future of the Australian cattle industry.
Members also heard from Angus Australia’s Chief Operating Officer, Carel Teseling and Quantitative Geneticist Dr Vinzent Boerner on the development and future application of Angus GenetiQ. The session provided further context around Angus Australia’s investment in genetic evaluation and the importance of delivering tools that support more informed breeding decisions for members.
The workshop also included practical sessions designed to support members in their own businesses. Sarah Horrocks, Angus Australia Social Media Co-ordinator, presented on the role of social media and the importance of understanding audience, platform choice and content strategy, while New Business Executive for Angus Australia, Jake Bourne provided an update on HeiferSELECT and its continued development as a commercial genomic selection tool.
Market analyst Simon Quilty, Global Ag Trends, delivered a detailed market trend update, outlining the global and domestic factors influencing beef demand, supply and future pricing signals. His presentation highlighted the strength of global demand for quality beef and the opportunities this presents for Australian producers.
Innovation was also a strong focus throughout the day, with Travis McKenzie from Halter presenting on the use of virtual fencing and livestock management technology. The session explored how emerging technologies are being adopted across grazing systems and the potential benefits for labour efficiency, pasture utilisation and animal management.
Angus Australia’s Extension Officer, Dr Brad Hine, provided members with an update on ImmuneDex, outlining the importance of resilience traits and the role they may play in future breeding decisions. His presentation reinforced the value of measurement, data and research in supporting ongoing genetic progress within the Angus breed.
Members were also introduced to DNA Direct, powered by Helical, Angus Australia’s new online DNA ordering and management platform. The platform has been designed to streamline the DNA testing process for members, creating a more efficient and centralised system for managing DNA test requests. The platform will launch initially with Weatherbys Scientific Australia testing services, with further providers to be progressively incorporated.
The day concluded with the Angus Australia Annual General Meeting, providing members with formal updates on the organisation and the opportunity to reflect on the work undertaken over the past year.
Angus Australia also acknowledged Erica Halliday and Andrew Kuss, who retired from the Board after eight years of dedicated service. Both have made significant contributions through their leadership, committee involvement and support of management. Their commitment to the organisation and its people has been greatly valued.
The 2026 AGM and Member Workshop highlighted the strength of the Angus Australia community and the importance of bringing Members, Staff, Directors and Industry Leaders together to discuss the opportunities and challenges ahead.
With a strong focus on collaboration, innovation and practical member outcomes, the day reinforced Angus Australia’s ongoing commitment to supporting members and strengthening the future of the Angus breed.
