Angus Australia’s chief executive officer, Peter Parnell, said Angus Australia was well aware of changes to Bovine Johnes disease (BJD) management.
“We certainly have been supportive of the changes, but we are also aware that across the industry there is a vast diversity of opinion on what is the appropriate management strategy,” Mr Parnell said.
“Angus Australia is supportive of the position taken by ARCBA, which is the peak body of breed associations that lobbied for changes to the old program. It’s no point considering if the old one was better than the new one because the reality is it has changed.”
Herefords Australia CEO Alex Ball said the Hereford society had not been informed of changes, nor the implications on the movement of stud stock within and between states. Last year, Hereford breeders sold more than 6500 bulls at auction and 2000 to 3000 seed stock cows. “We have no knowledge about what the implications are for us and our members,” Mr Ball said.
Erring on the side of caution had been the tactic at Charolais Australia, where breed development manager, Colin Rex, said the society refrained from offering its members advice on the issue.
“The last thing you want to do is tell a breeder you can sell a bull somewhere and then they can’t achieve it,” he said.
“We recommend they consult with the Department of Ag or the relevant authorities of the state they are trying to enter,” Mr Rex said.
