TESTIMONIALS

University of New England

"It has been my great pleasure to work as a consultant to Team Te Mania for almost ten years. In that time I have seen the Team grow to a real force in the beef industry.

To be effective in the beef industry, genetic improvement has to be implemented in the herds that breed the bulls BUT the definition of genetic improvement (what we need to improve) must come from the commercial beef production chain; and this is where the strength of Team Te Mania lies. Team Te Mania acts like a vertically integrated supply chain with exchange of flow of information between the bull breeder and the beef supply chain. The Te Mania Angus herd is making genetic improvement, faster than most in Australia, and the stud is improving those traits that are important to their commercial breeders and to the feedlots and processors further down the beef supply chain. The Team structure, with committed breeders, plus integrated marketing, is a highly efficient structure in which genetics can be turned into more dollars.

The incorporation of the progeny test herds in the Team adds a further dimension to the program; one that no other beef breeding enterprise can boast. Progeny testing young bulls has two advantages:
1. Early identification of potentially high genetic merit animals for use in the stud to keep the genetic improvement going at a very rapid rate.
2. The bulls available for use in the commercial herds have higher accuracy and therefore can be selected with more confidence.

As a demonstration of the effectiveness of this program a search of the Angus website for 2004 born bulls with IMF EBVs greater than 65% accuracy (IMF is one of the most difficult EBVs in which to achieve high accuracy) found a total of only 88 young bulls. 48 (55%) of those bulls were Te Mania bred. The stud with the next highest number represented accounted for only 11%. The size of the Te Mania Angus herd accounts for some of this but there are some very large herds in the Angus breed that are not delivering the reliability that Te Mania does. The dedication of the progeny test herds is one of the great strengths of the Team. The advantage in accuracy due to the progeny test herds is backed up by high quality data recording from the Te Mania herd.

As a genetics consultant it is most rewarding to work with the Team. The annual meetings are a highlight of the year and a great chance to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

Genetics is a simple business; but organizing people to implement a genetic improvement program that delivers high quality product into the beef supply chain is a real skill. I am continually in awe of the drive dedication and skill of the extended Gubbins family in organizing the Team. I believe in the long run the whole beef industry will benefit from such an initiative."

"Team Te Mania has become firmly established as the supplier of reliable and quality meat to the higher-value end of the market, with a strong focus on feedlots and the value added industry. Its product is sourced from producers who have an emphasis on working with cutting edge genetics in the Angus industry and a commitment to raising and handling their cattle well.

Team Te Mania members are regular suppliers to the Certified Australian Angus Beef (CAAB) program and their cattle always perform well in the feedlots and always meet the exacting specifications required for CAAB. In fact Team Te Mania members are regular recipients of awards in the Suncorp CAAB Quality Awards program.

In my role as CEO of CAAB I always enjoyed meeting with the Team Te Mania members at Field Days and forums because they are a dynamic group of people with not just the growth of their business but also the viability of the industry as a primary goal. This is an exciting and market leading program that provides professional commercial producers with the opportunity to accelerate their own genetic profile while working alongside one of the nation's most proved and successful gene pools." 

BEEFXCEL

" We are enjoying working within one of the largest progeny test programs throughout the world, scanning both male and female stock on farm at various Progeny Test Team Herds. The use of industry leading genetics by Team Members is proving very successful for the producers involved with continual genetic improvement becoming evident. The program is a credit to Te Mania Angus and brings great benefits to the stud itself, Team Members and many sectors of the beef industry"

BeefXcell, (formerly Green's Livestock Services), has scanned animals in the Te Mania Angus herd by ultrasound since 1990, and independently assessed the cattle for structure since 1994.

Sapien Technology

"Sapien Technology is a small business, providing a range of systems and solutions to cattle producers that allow full use of the NLIS and RFID technology.

Sapien has been actively involved in setting up yard systems for many of the Team member herds and also provide general technical support and assistance with data collection, migration and analysis from feedlots and abattoirs. Te Mania Angus has shown itself to be committed to continually reviewing and monitoring its information collection systems to ensure the best results for the members.

Sapien is continually impressed by the level of professionalism demonstrated by the Team Members and their commitment to detailed record keeping. Small details such as maintaining clean and well oiled cattle crushes indicates that the Team Te Mania members are very serious about producing the best cattle possible. Sapien only hopes to maintain its involvement with a group of producers who are very focused on what they do and are a very important source of product feedback."

Team Te Mania member

"Being a member of Team Te Mania gives me a leading edge as buyers are confident they are getting real genetic gain in the cattle they are purchasing, cattle that will perform in the top feedlots and cows that are producing calves of great merit and high fertility. I have regular discussions with Te Mania Angus and really look forward to the cameraderie of other Team members at our yearly seminar, which I find highly informative. I do not feel isolated as a breeder."

Team Te Mania member

"Given our steers performance in the feedlots, there is no doubt that the genetics are operating in the top 5%. Females that we have running on very difficult terrain and feed, have been able to conceive at 96% after their first calf. In short the cattle work and the market knows it."