The New Zealand Angus Association Inc
The New Zealand Angus Association is an Incorporated Society which aims to promote the use of the Angus breed within New Zealand and maintain the ongoing integrity of the breed. The Association is governed by a council of seven (7) members with the assistance of the General Manager. Each board director represents a geographical area (Ward) and is elected on an annual basis with the President holding office for a two year period. The council meet on a regular basis to discuss the Association's direction and set policy. The Association maintain and update the New Zealand Pedigree Register using the BREEDPLAN performance recording system. It provides breeders with valuable performance reports enabling them to further enhance their stud farming objectives. It also undertakes national promotion, provides assistance with individual advertising & promotion (see promotions section) and offers a wide range of farm-based services. The Association provides input into industry-wide issues and co-ordinates breed marketing opportunities. Along with an Annual magazine and bi-monthly newsletters, an annual herd book and Genetic Evaluation report of registered bulls and cows are published and distributed to all breed members as part of the 'membership package'. The herd book entries are the recorded progeny of approximately 25,000 stud Angus cows farmed nationwide. As an Angus breeder you can expect:
> Cattle well suited to New Zealand's farming systems.
> Cattle with great adaptability to the varying conditions of altitude, topography, climate, nutrition and management.
> Cattle with the resilience to cope with feed shortages and to recover quickly from drought and harsh winter conditions.
> Easy calving, high growth rate sires capable of producing progeny meeting market requirements - In a large organised cross breeding trial in New Zealand, females mated to Angus sires showed fewer problems at calving than those mated to a selection of seven other breed sires.
> Calves which grow rapidly and efficiently on pasture or in a feedlot, reaching heavy weights when about eighteen months of age.
> Dams which are known for their fertility, hardiness and proven ability to get in calf quickly and consistently.
> Dams which calve without assistance and produce fast finishing progeny.
> Dams who are good foragers, with a long life span and constant production.
> Angus beef that consistently achieves more desirable results in carcass quality determinants such as marbling, fat depth, meat colour and pH assuring a tastier and more tender product. (For further details on Angus beef please refer to the section on AngusPureª.)
