Report from Angus Australia Board meeting conducted on 27th September 2017

The Angus Australia Board met by teleconference on the 27th September 2017. The Board was updated on management KPIs and developments, including:

• Record female inventory invoicing in 2017 (118,248 cows).
• Plans for the implementation of “single-step” methodology in the November 2017 Angus BREEDPLAN analysis to improve the utilization of genomics (SNP) data; and revised parameters associated with importation of overseas EPDs into Angus BREEDPLAN.
• Release of new education modules on the Angus Australia website, associated with the release of AngusSELECT tools.
• Progress with Angus Sire Benchmarking Program (ASBP), including commencement of Cohort 8 joining of 42 bulls with wide genetic diversity and average in the top 5% for all Angus indexes.
• Integration of Angus brand verification services into Angus Australia’s commercial supply chain program.
• Plans for the conduct of Regional Workshops for members during October 2017.
• Significant increase in followers of Angus Australia’s social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, email blasts).
• Increased average sale price of Angus bulls sold at auction during 2017 to $6,954 (up 10.5% compared to 2016).
• Award of scholarships to youth to attend LIVEexchange and ALFA conferences, plus Semex Kansas State University Scholarship, using funds donated through the Angus Foundation.
• Nominations called for membership of the Northern Development Consultative Committee.
• Review policies relating to the amendment of the Angus Australia database in response to pedigree errors detected by DNA testing.

The next Board meeting will be conducted at Armidale between 28th November to 1st December, and will include workshops on best practice governance, and risk management.