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Senepol Cattle Breeders Association ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Post Office Box 808 • Statham, Georgia 30666 USA • 1-800-SENEPOL • FAX (770) 725-5281 SENEPOL - CATTLE FOR THE NEW MILLENNIUM University of the Virgin Islands St Croix, USVI November 8-9, 2002 Re: Status of Senepol in the World Good Morning ladies and gentlemen, cowboys and cowgirls: The Senepol breed is doing great in many places of the world where we have tropical and semitropical environments and will continue to only get better as years go by if we continue to remain focused on the breeding principles established by the Senepol Breeders here on the Island of St Croix in the early 1900’s. These principles are to breed fertile, moderate frame and docile cattle that will work in the tropics on forage. We are currently in the process of helping in the creation of different Senepol associations in countries throughout Latin America and Australia. The Venezuelan and Australian associations are already up and running although we are still working out the kinks. We also are moving steadily forward in Brazil and anticipate that in the next several months, their association will be formed as the governmental authorities of Brazil have already approved it. An association in Argentina is currently in the preliminary stages of formation and will, in my opinion, proceed steadily and sometime in 2003 it should be formed. I must tell you that none of these would exist but for the dedication and PASSION for the breed of the ladies and gentlemen of these countries in their desire to do it not only right BUT better than any other. Some times there are differences but since we are all joined by a common bond which is the Passion for the breed they will get worked out I am sure. As to the status of the breed in different countries, you heard about the status in Venezuela. We Are very fortunate indeed in having so many committed breeders there. As to the rest, a quick thumbnail follows: In Australia, cattlemen are proceeding with an intensive program of introducing Senepol genetics into the major herds of cattle, whose herd’s basis are Santa Gertrudis, Brahman and Angus. The biggest herd belongs to the Australian Agricultural Company Ltd, which runs 407,000 cattle and brands over 100,000 calves a year. It is the second biggest cattle herd in the world. In this company Senepol genetics are used over the Brahman and Santa Gertrudis based herds to produce new composite breeds for two different tropical environments, one area has cattle ticks and the other does not. Senepol cattle were selected after a world wide search for tropically adapted Bos Taurus animals the could introduce the traits they needed to improve their herd and supply increasing and demanding world and domestic markets. The major traits they targeted were increased fertility, meat quality and tick resistance and to do so in a harsh tropical environment. Other breeds in the trials were Belmont Red, Tuli and Bonsmara. AA Company has used about 15,000 cattle in the development and tests of these various crosses. They have found the tick resistance of the pure Senepol and half bred Senepol cross to be higher than purebred Brahmans. AA Company has 80,000 Brahman and Brahman crosses in tick infested areas. Senepol cattle also have been introduced into four of the five largest Angus herds in Australia. The first Senepol x Red Angus cattle sold at Auction in Australian have achieved some of the highest average prices of any breed this year. AA Company, which is the second oldest company in Australia, 178 years of cattle production, exports approximately 20,000 cattle live to South-East Asia and Egypt. It appears this market is prepared to accept Senepol infused cattle as they have proven heat tolerance, which is required for them to survive the sea voyage to Egypt. Don Wild, General Manager of Genetics and Breed Development for AA Company Ltd believes that if the suitable Senepol Genetics are used this breed will have a major influence on the cattle industry in Australia particularly in our hot and more arid regions. We have finalized the arrangements for a Sire Test program with the National Center for Research on Beef Cattle of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) and Fazenda Guaicurus, where we will be breeding approximately 1300 cows - mostly F1 crosses of Bos Taurus, (Red Angus and Simmental) on Nelore. This sire test will collect performance and carcass information on offspring of specified Senepol “Test Sires.” Among the 19 Test Sires there are two REFERENCE sires that will connect this test with the Sire Test of Paraguay about which Dr. Hough spoke previously this morning. This way we will have 27 bulls compared to one another, 17 from this test and 10 from the Sire Test in Paraguay. We are currently in the preliminary stages of conversation to do another Sire Test in Argentina in the fall of 2003. Your Board believes that the best way to introduce our breed is through alliances with good breeders and by using bulls in that environment and obtain growth and carcass data, under the supervision of an independent entity to permit the objective evaluation of the breed, with facts and not just opinions. In the USA, we continue in our quest of establishing a Feeder Calf program that will give us enough data so as to convince the Commercial breeder of the Southeast and Southwest USA that Senepol genetics is an alternative for the improvement of the carcass characteristics of cattle in Subtropical climates. The road is hard, the disappointments are many but I tell you that we are blessed in having a Board of Directors as the one we currently have. The Passion, dedication and “Can do” attitude that exists in this group is very seldom found and that is what makes serving in it such a pleasure and honor. Thank you all for your attention.