A group of Angus seedstock producers has broken away from the Angus Australia breed society ranks, forming their own association intent on protecting Australian Angus breed genetics from the influence of North American imports.

The Aberdeen Angus Breeders Association currently numbers around ten Australian seedstock producers, who collectively manage between 5000 and 10,000 registered and commercial breeding cows. All carry no North American bloodlines. Several members can trace their studs’ origins back to the early 1900s and late 1880s.

“Aberdeen Angus are absolutely pure Angus, free of North American and external genetics. The breed traces back to the foundation of all Aberdeen Angus cattle, from Scotland,” the association’s website says.

The association is critical of the influence of US genetics in the Australian Angus herd, especially via recessive genetic disorders and breeding excessively large framescore cattle.

Instead, the AABA “strives to preserve the foundation genetics of the breed. To produce sustainable, grass-finished beef to consistently meet consumer demands, whilst producing livestock that adapt to changing environments and prioritising a high standard of animal welfare,” the website says.

The group held a recent field day at the Cain family’s Cloverleaf Angus near Yarrawonga in Victoria, attracting an audience of 60-odd commercial producers.

“Aberdeen Angus cattle are the original genetics that form the Angus breed,” the association said.

“These bloodlines are free of any external genetic influence. Aberdeen Angus are hardy, tolerant to harsh weather and thrive in most conditions. The easy-calving, naturally docile, high-fertility females are of moderate size. Longevity is a trait we regard with high importance for the future of the breed. We aim to produce a sustainable, high-quality and high-yielding grassfed carcase,” it said.

Inaugural AABA president Paul Favaloro from Oakey Creek Angus near Tamworth said there had been no great ‘falling out’ with Angus Australia, but the group had concerns about the accuracy and methodology behind the use of BreedPlan and the genetic influence of US Angus.

He said the group was not aiming to return to dumpy little ‘old-fashioned’ Angus from decades ago, but modern moderate frame score cattle rather than extremes.

Asked how many bulls the group’s members might be selling this year, he said it would be well over 250. Two members alone would account for more than 160 bulls this spring.

Prominent Victorian Angus bull breeder Keith Murdoch who developed Sparta Angus over many years is one of the group’s founders. Much of the purpose behind the AABA movement and the groups concerns about the influence of US genetics were captured in this address to the Angus Australia NSW state committee in 2018 by Mr Murdoch.

“We are committed to preserving the foundation cattle for our future generation breeders,” the society said.

An inaugural multi-vendor AABA bull sale is being planned for May next year.

Click here for details about the AABA.