Future talks: where does Angus go from here?

Mr Wright quizzed the panelists on the breed versatility positioning of Angus and where we go from here in terms of market potential.

Landfall Angus director Frank Archer, Tasmania, praised the Angus breed for seeking feedback on how the genetics have performed through the supply chain.

"This is important because the consumer is what matters, they are the ones putting money into the value chain and if they stop then our industry fails to survive," Mr Archer said.

NB Genetics co-principal Nick Boshammer, Chinchilla, Qld, said the predictability and accuracy of the Angus genetics is key.

"We are able to design cattle that suit our environment and markets, as we further improve accuracy it will only make that job easier," he said.

Knowla Angus co-principal James Laurie, Moppy, NSW, said the breed average in Angus is already top notch.

"Angus have great traits for the sale yards and to some extent the sale yards drive our industry because this is where most producers look to see what cattle are selling well, and that's where the commercial producer sees his return in most cases," he said. "We don't want to forget that the Angus breed has been really strong at breed average and are achieving those results in the sale yards for commercial clients."

Mr Archer agreed. He said we need to be careful not to lose sight of the fundamentals of running cattle commercially that are going to be profitable throughout the supply chain.

"A lot of the things we are looking at now as an industry are one and two percenters and it is making sure we don't lose sight of the 10 and 20pc areas because they are the ones that will drive profitability a lot harder than the one and two percenters," Mr Archer said.

There were some interesting perspectives on where the breed goes to now in terms of market potential. It seems producers think there is still plenty of room to move and improve in the beef on dairy space, to better consumer connection and a continued focus on more consistent carcase attributes for the breed average.

Mr Archer said there is a huge opportunity for Angus to look at beef on dairy.

"Angus has really predictable data and outcomes and the dairy industry is driven by data."

Mr Boshammer said in order to create more profit in the production chain there had to be more choice for the consumer and a willingness to pay more.

Mr Laurie said intramuscular fat is an area that has room for improvement across the breed.

"At the pointy end of the breed IMF is very good but in the commercial breed average there is still work to be done," he said.

"With emissions in mind there is going to be some pressure there, if we can shift our Angus 150- to 180-day product to a 130-day finished product, still with a marble score of four, which seems to be the benchmark of those programs, then this could be an important step," he said.

Mr Laurie said he is aware the Jacks Creek program wants more IMF average consistency from Angus.

"We are seeing value-based marketing starting to appear, with JBS offering premiums in their grassfed programs for a carcase that can marble score four.

"Again the focus for our processors is with the consumer and they are prepared to pay us more to meet their market."

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