PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT
TO MEMBERS, 2009

2008 has been a monumental year for NZ Angus and in all sorts of ways, good and not so good.  Your council has been positively reactive in dealing with the issues that have arisen, and proactive in leading the breed forward to another level.

All sheep and beef farmers have had a difficult year, whether with the climate, stock prices and now a credit crisis, but Angus cattle continue to gather momentum in the market place from hoof to hook.

Finance

A healthy profit has been recorded again during 2008 which is encouraging given a nil increase in fees.  Maintaining a profit situation in the coming year will be a challenge given the current financial crisis the world faces.  We will not be exempt from this so astute management will be needed here.

I would thank Bryan for his astute management of our accounts which has in the main been responsible for our improving financial position over the last couple of years.

Promotion / Publicity / Sponsorship

Newsletters and the Cattleman magazine were once again well received by the industry, newsletters especially very effective in communicating with the members.  Added to that the new online emailing system has added speed to the system for those members using computers.

How to effectively promote the breed always receives varying view points on how to best use a limited budget.  Advertising has become very expensive, but we must make the industry aware of Angus achievements, programmes and initiatives within the industry.  AngusPure thus has been a major recipient of the promotional budget.  My thanks to Richard Martin for his work in this area.

Sponsorship without question is becoming more difficult in these trying times but I thank all those sponsors of NZ Angus for their continued support during 2008.  I know the relationship we have with our sponsors is strong but we must appreciate that the sponsorship dollar will be more difficult for them to find in the short term.  Above all we must continue with these mutually advantageous partnerships whatever the pressure from outside.

DNA / Performance Recording

DNA analysis has taken on a new importance with the arrival of Anthrogryposis Multiplex (AM).  Your council has grappled with the best way to handle this having been greatly assisted by Dr Jon Beever in USA and Carel Teseling in Australia.  We will be following Australia’s lead for the most as we firstly manage AM and then in the longer term eradicate it from the registered Angus herd.

NZ Angus has engaged PBBNZ to provide a DNA service on your behalf that is both secure and efficient.  We encourage you all to send all samples of DNA to the office so that you can take advantage of this service to yours and NZ Angus’ benefit.  Only results of samples submitted through the NZ Angus office can be loaded on to the NZ Angus database.  It is important that you as breeders own the IP for that DNA sample, not someone else, and that NZ Angus can have access to those collective samples for whatever in years to come.

DNA sampling for parent verification is now compulsory from the 2008 calf drop.  No DNA provided on sires, no registration of calves.  This has been phased in over the last two years.

There were some changes/enhancements made in the Trans Tasman Group Breedplan evaluation in November 2008.  These included:

1.        Revised adjustment factors for actual carcase data
2.        Changes in the carcase data used in the analysis
3.        Revised genetic parameters associated with carcase traits
4.        Implementation of new analytical software
5.        Improved calving ease analysis
6.        Revised handling of American EPDs

The net result being a change in some of the $ index values for individual animals, but for every decrease there was another animal that increased in values.

Sales / BE Unit / Shows

The National Sale had its first outing at the new Manfeild Park Stadium.  Once again the Angus sale proved the most successful for the Expo and although the average price was back to $7,553 the sale achieved a complete clearance of bulls.  Top price of $21,000 was achieved for Woodbank 6027 and the champion bull exhibited by Neil & Rose Sanderson sold for $16,000, later going on to win the Champion of Champions.

Private bull sales were back on previous highs but actually just reflected a decrease in cow numbers and the economic climate.  Angus continues to maintain and in fact pick up market share.

Another BE Unit was brought to a conclusion with 18 bulls going forward to the National Sale.  Half of these bulls entered the stud industry which is a great result for the BE Unit.

Canterbury once again hosted a very successful Royal Show which culminated in the Jenkins family winning the Champion Angus exhibit and going on to win the Meat & Wool Cup with a six year old cow Floridale Vanity.  Congratulations to all the helpers at our/FMG tent to make this very successful.

The amount of participation at shows around NZ has decreased to a level where probably beef sections will only be presented at the major shows.  My thanks to all those that continue to place the breed out in the public arena in this manner.

PBBNZ

Chris Biddles has recently been elected Chairman of PBB, congratulations Chris, we wish you well during your Chairmanship.

With the completed building, the staff moved home April/May and settled into their new headquarters.  The new office is working very smoothly with the staff appreciating their new environment.  Staff efficiency has picked up as reflected in Rob’s workload which has eased due to this efficiency.

PBB has now assumed a role of DNA service provider which will suit our requirements in this area.

I thank Murray and his staff for the support of NZ Angus over the last year.

AngusPure/Steak of Origin

Brand awareness of AngusPure is now widespread as the black juggernaut continues on.  This awareness can result though in abuse of this brand so we ask you all to be aware of this possible scenario.

Restaurant use has been steady and growing in areas with latterly Foodstuffs preparing case ready displays in some supermarkets north of Taupo.

AngusPure is now available online with Chefs Choice operating out of Wanganui.  Check with the office for the website.

Much work has been undertaken throughout the year with the aim of utilising more of the carcase.  Enter McDonalds whom at this stage are planning on launching a McAngus burger here in NZ in July.  Exciting stuff indeed but we need everyone’s support initially supplying 200 head/week and then cull cows and bulls of 75% Angus origin.

To Tim and Guy, our thanks for the many hours spent trying to progress this area of most reward to Angus.

The Steak of Origin competition again proved a success for Angus with Alistair & Pat Sharpe coming home with the overall award after winning the Best of British class.  Angus was also well placed in two other classes, Best of Brand won by Glanworth Beef, and Best of Crossbred.  It is great to see the consistency of the Angus product delivering at the final hurdle, well done to all those that contributed.

Youth / Future Beef

The fundraiser at the National Sale 2008 was one of the most worthwhile yet, and I thank the breeders of the East Coast Ward for their generous donation of their top genetics.  This raised a fantastic $31,000 for the Youth Trust.

The Trust this year has upped its sponsorship of Future Beef as they see real merit in this programme.

Michael Croad from Hawkes Bay completed a successful trip to Summitcrest in the USA with Kate Fisher undertaking this scholarship in 2009.  Katherine McCallum will have travelled to Australia in January and February on the 2009 Trans Tasman Exchange.

Mark Stevens was chosen from a very strong group of contenders to travel to Canada as part of the World Forum party to represent NZ Youth.  We hope that Mark returns with lots of good ideas for the 2013 World Forum here in NZ.

Future Beef just keeps getting more impressive and is making real progress in attracting the attention of young interested people.  This now becomes a real feature of the Beef Expo with a 2 day time slot and an inaugural female sale.  Good work Mark and the organising team of Future Beef.

World Forum 2013

The Steering Committee is making good progress leading toward Calgary in July this year where NZ Angus will make a presentation to the Angus World Forum delegates.

Dates have been set for 2013 with the main locations having been chosen as Rotorua for the Forum, Christchurch for the 150 year celebration of Angus cattle in NZ and Queenstown for the Forum finale.  Obviously there will be a lot happening between these three main venues.

Forum Meeting Planners of Hamilton along with Agri Travel have been selected to help organise the Forum and the Beef & Lamb Marketing Bureau has been selected to promote the event.

After Calgary the intention is to elect a World Forum Committee to oversee arrangements through to 2013.

Miscellaneous

Angus celebrated yet another centennial during 2008 when the Ramsden family and the Moanaroa Stud celebrated 100 years.

The Wairarapa Ward Tour was a huge success with great cattle and camaraderie shown throughout.  A balance of scenery, cattle and fun was had by all and reminded us all what a great holiday a Ward tour actually is. Well done to the breeders of the Wairarapa.

Council / Staff

Your council has once again functioned very effectively throughout the year with an ever increasing workload.  I thank them all on your behalf for the honesty and integrity they bring to NZ Angus.

Rob, our General Manager, has enjoyed the shift of office to the new headquarters in South Street, it has made his job more efficient to say the least.  Well done Rob on another great year with NZ Angus.

As I step down from council this year after 10 years I would like to acknowledge the support and commitment I have had from all the councillors and staff that I have worked with over those  ten year.  You have made it an enjoyable and rewarding challenge; it has been an honour to have served my fellow breeders.  Thank you.

I sincerely hope that the financial crisis passes quickly and that we all can take the Angus breed to even higher places.  Good luck for the future.

Richard Rowe
President
NZ Angus