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#1 Amalgamation of Illawarra and ARDB

By Michael Riggs (Jan 19 2011, 4:20 PM)

When I introduced myself as the new federal president of the ARDB to the some members of the Illawarra cattle society, the first thing I was asked was what I thought of amalgamation of the two societies. I thought this would be a good place to start a discussion on that subject. To start the ball rolling I’m going to issue a challenge to the Illawarra society. I challenge the Illawarra society to accept progeny of ARDB bulls with less than 12.5% Holstein genetics directly into their herd book without any appendix system to “upgrade” to pure Illawarra. In other words ARDB bulls must be considered as “pure Illawarra”. The ARDB already accepts Illawarra genetics directly into our herd book without any appendix system to “upgrade” to Aussie Red so why can’t the Illawarra cattle society do the same? I think that until the Illawarra society meets the above challenge there can be no amalgamation. Let’s hear the thoughts from both Illawarra and ARDB members in this forum. Michael Riggs.

#2 Amalgamation of Illawarra and ARDB

By Sam (Jan 31 2011, 7:19 PM)

I think that if the Illawarra and ARDB societies were to amalgamate in the future, it would be a lot of hard work. However, it could be in both breeds interests to amalgamate. The Illawarra society has a rich Australian history, and has great structures and systems in place for showing cattle, incorporating younger members and honoring successful breeders. The ARDB has a successful progeny test program and is currently the fastest growing registered dairy breed in Australia. Both breeds are using some similar bull sires and there is a growing number of breeders with "dual" memberships. Obviously, if the breeds did amalgamate, both breeds would have to be accepted as "pure" in the combined herdbook. It would provide more resources and greater competition (eg. in showing). Everyone could register what they are doing in their own herd without an appendix system amongst red cattle. The difficulty could be in defining which other genetics we would give an appendix system to. I am also keen to hear from any Illawarra members what they think about this.

#3 Amalgamation of Illawarra and ARDB

By Tom Cochrane (Feb 01 2011, 10:26 AM)

I am a young illawarra breeder. i am proud to be a farmer that breeds and milks red cows. i have used and will continue to use bulls from both the illawarra and aussie red breed. I, personally would like there to be only one Australian Illawarra Red Breed by amalgamating the breeds, it would be good for having a wider genentic pool,having more farmers breeding red cows and having more competition in the show ring. i don't have a problem with the idea of accepting "pure" aussie red into our herdbook, but as said before me we do have to take into account all other genetics including animals with 12.5% holstein. With our illawarra breed we have moved forward with the introduction of outside genetics including the use of aussie reds, but we do need to have a limit of the amount of outside genentics into the herdbook. I'm not sure what that limit should be, on one hand it should be no more then 50/50 but on the other hand i think i have alot of great working cows that would fit in with 35%red/65%other limit.

#4 Amalgamation of Illawarra and ARDB

By Jason Smith (Feb 01 2011, 11:32 AM)

I am a young illawara beeder and i am thoroughly disheartened with the way my breed is going, we have WAY TO MUCH red holstein genetics within our breed, we are not a true alternative to the holstein and we are becoming a joke by saying an illawarra is an illawarra if it is 75% holstein. I agree with the challenge set out above in the first post however hard and threatening it sounds. dont get me wrong red holstein genetics have helped but we are at a critical point at the moment and some thing has to be done. in the past the Aussie Reds have had real issues with their udders and have been a bit small however after attending the red tie dinner in moama and viewing a dvd of a quality aussie red herd which has truely changed my mind and I have began to use more aussie red semen i think an amalgamation would work as long as we work to maintain the illawarra features that some of the aussie reds lack a little, a rich red colour, extreme longevity (a mate of mine has a 22 year old and 2 19 year olds)and temperament etc

#5 Amalgamation of Illawarra and ARDB

By Steve (Feb 04 2011, 9:34 AM)

Hi, In any amalgamation discussions it must be remembered that the Aussie Red and Illawarra are two distinctly different breeds with different goals, even though they do combine similar genetics in some areas. Jason's comment 'i think an amalgamation would work as long as we work to maintain the illawarra features that some of the aussie reds lack a little, a rich red colour, extreme longevity' and Tom's comments "I, personally would like there to be only one Australian Illawarra Red Breed by amalgamating the breeds, it would be good for having a wider genentic pool,having more farmers breeding red cows and having more competition in the show ring." Are making an assumption that an amalgamation would mean trying to breed one Red breed.

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