Members List - NZ RED DEVON CATTLE BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

New Zealand
RED DEVON
Cattle Breeders Association
News Letter � July 2012
www.reddevoncattle.co.nz
www.reddevoncattle.co.nz

President’s Comments
Hello,
I hope you are dealing with the winter well. Here in Waihi the weather has been colder but drier
than usual. The cattle are doing well on the remains of saved pasture with supplement. Today I
removed my older cows from a steep scrub block where they have been living on very old summer
saved pasture for the last six weeks. They have come out looking very fit and should be set up for
calving. The Devons ability to forage and maintain condition on very low grade feed is one of their
strengths. In fact they seem to enjoy these conditions.
Thank you for your support at the AGM and a thank you to Arthur for filling in for me. It looks as
though the council has some new issues to deal with this year, with those attending the World
Conference reporting back with requests from overseas that we host a stud tour for visitors within
two years. This is a major under taking for a small association. Watch this space!
Just a word on NAIT. If anyone is unsure on how to get compliant contact another local member
or I will try and help out. We may be a small group but I like to think we are a friendly one.
Colin.
Council:
Colin Nash Ph 07-863 8833 colinnash@gmail.com
Arthur Beazley Ph 09-405 0690 tuppyj@xtra.co.nz
Wayne Aspin Ph 09-235 1074 aspin@ps.gen.nz
Jill Dirksen Ph 06-762 8803 sjdirksen@no8wireless.co.nz
Graeme Dyke Ph 06-376 3966 tm-reddevonc@inspire.net.nz
Tuppy Jones Ph 09-405 0800 tuppyj@xtra.co.nz
Secretary
Linda Rule
Mail:
e-mail:
Ph: 06-3234484 / fax: 06 323 3878
PO Box 503, Feilding.4740
lindar@pbbnz.com
Front Page Photo A view from the top of Arthur Beazley's Farm
The Association would like to welcome three new members to the association, they are;
Harvey and Virginia Hutchison of Oak Tree Stud, Herd Number 1779 from Balclutha in the
deep south.
Brendan McQuade of Tauhara, Herd Number 1782 from Hastings. and
Michael Simons and Karen Patterson of Springbrook, Herd Number 1783 from Upper Hutt.
Please say hi to our new members if you are in the areas where they reside, its great to see our
membership spreading from the almost top to almost bottom of our lovely country may it continue.

REPORT FROM AGM WEEKEND 9-10 JUNE 2012 by Jill Dirksen
We met on a crisp Wintry morning in Feilding. Your Council met at 10.30am for a short Council
meeting, after which we all gathered for a meet and greet with members and friends for lunch at
PBB and then the commencement of the AGM at 1pm. We were treated to some good debate and
reports from David and Wayne two of our members who attended the
recent Red Devon world conference in Brazil, first part of the report will
be in this News letter and second report in our next news letter. Louise
McConnell gave a very interesting and informative insight into their work
since 2000 on their move towards producing A2A2 milk from their Dairy
herd. The subject in regard to the possible future of A2A2 being available
within the Red Devon Breed was discussed, her report is also in this news
letter for your interest.
There was a short time between AGM and meet and greet of members and
friends for the evening to look round Fielding, or just chill out until 6pm
when those that were able to attend enjoyed a relaxed evening together at the Raceway Court Motel
for Dinner and entertainment by Key Board extraordinaire Kevin Hewetson.
Graeme Dyke put together a very interesting Quiz with a prize of a choice of Semen Straws from
several of his Bulls. Thank you Graeme! His Quiz questions certainly gave plenty of challenges
and chuckles.
After a good nights sleep those that could make it met at our first farm visit Sunday Morning 9am,
thankfully the Weather was kind to us and all
dressed in our warm jackets and hats we did
not have to contend with rain just the odd little
spit here and there, we were greeted by
Donald Gates at one of his two Blocks
totalling approx 60 acres a short distance from
each other close to Feilding township. Up until
recently Donald and Pearl have done dairy
grazing, but after purchasing some Red Devon
Cows from Graeme Dyke they decided to
concentrate on the Breed, they hope to do
Performance recording shortly which is great.
After a good look at the cattle on this block we headed back to the home block for a welcome
cuppa and lovely home baking , then we were treated to another viewing of some very nice looking
Red Devons as usual, they were only to happy to mill around while we went amongst them. Thank
you again Donald and Pearl for hosting a farm visit for our society, hope we see lots more of you
both in the future.
Our next visit was to Brandon Hall Road
Bulls where David and Ruth Harrison
reside on approx 70 acres of light rolling to
flat land. Their 148 year old villa looked
very cosy and welcoming as we arrived.
We began the farm tour looking at the
breeding cows with some calves at foot.
Then on to view other classes of stock and
the Stud Bulls they have at present. David
has them well trained and they were all
enjoying the days Hay rations as we
viewed them. Back to the home stead for a very hearty lunch provided by Ruth and David which
warmed us all up nicely another chance to catch up with members before we all made our way

home. Thank you again David and Ruth also for your great
Hospitality.
It was especially nice to have our new Patron Joan Power and her
husband Stewart join us for some of the weekend we enjoyed
your company very much. The weekend was a little incomplete
without our President Colin able to attend due to his recent Hip
Replacement operation which requires several weeks
recuperation. I am sure you will all join us in wishing Colin a
good and speedy recovery and we look forward to working with
you this year Colin to further enhance the Red Devon Breed in
NZ.
Thank you to all those who were able to attend to make this a
very worth while weekend for all.
Jill.
News letter Co-ordinator and Council member
9 th World Devons Conference Brazil 2012 By Sue & David Dreadon
The 9 th World Devon Conference was held on 21 st May near Pelatos, population 290,000,
in a 200 year old stone building in an attractive garden setting very close to a river.
The meeting was chaired by Betty Cirne Lima and the Portuguese language was translated to
English for us through the use of head phones.
All the five participating countries gave a report in turn about conditions and activities within their
borders.
Brazil’s report by Betty firstly touched on a few statistics – 200 million population and being the
worlds 6 th largest economy. She also promoted the idea of inter university student exchanges
between countries, travel being paid for by the universities and study based on food production
over a one year period. 3 months to be spent learning the host country’s language, 6 months of
classes, and 3 months field/farm experience hopefully involving Devon cattle.
Australia’s report was presented by Bob Crawford. His theme was Q1. Quality at all levels
concerning Devons whether it be breeding, management or marketing. He also suggested we
should continue to breed a medium sized animal that will survive and thrive well in all conditions
and that we are under utilising our herd sires. The average is 3 years use over 30 cows per year
that is only half of what they are capable of.
Another point he made concerned horned cattle being important in some areas of Australia where
predators like wild dogs, foxes etc. prey on new born calves and the cows can put up a strong
defence of their calves.

The American report was presented by Jeremy Engh, President of the U.S. Devon Association and
he and his father being the only representatives from the States.
The States have three Associations – the U.S Devons with 270 members, the North American Assn
with 150 members, and the Milking Devons with 75 members. Jeremy expressed the hope that the
3 groups would eventually merge and rationalise their activities. Shortages of good cattle have
resulted in some ridiculously high sale prices – i.e. $35,000 for one female but the average is around
$4000 plus for a Devon cow, $3500 for an Angus cow, and $2800 for a Hereford.
American breeders including himself have used semen and genetics from Australia, New Zealand
and England. He also commented on the likely increase in grass fed beef because the feedlots were
finding it more expensive to source their grain owing to competition from the bio-fuel industry.
There was a break for lunch and the conference continued with the New Zealand report by Colin
Nash and read by Arthur Beazley.
Colin’s report covered many things so I will summarise mostly with headlines.
• 600 registered breeding cows with 36 breeding members.
• Typical prices paid in N.Z. would be $1200 to $2500 for 2 yr bulls $1200 to $1500 for good
cows.
• Total beef cow numbers have dropped over 11 years from 1.25 million to 1.1 million
• A trend away from farming beef cows to dairying on better land and forestry on steep hill
country.
• We have a shortage of prime beef.
• Improved returns will come from niche markets of specialty products and the advantages of
a temperate climate and high cattle health status.
• Problems with the meat industry.
• Great cattle doing well on pasture to produce a great tasting product.
• We are now aligned with PBB and using Breed Plan through ABRI in Australia to
performance record our cattle.
• Marketing our meat under the Devon label.
• We commend the Brazilians for hosting this conference and tour in tough financial times.
The Uruguay representative was Amalia Lucas. She reported that theirs was a small country just
starting in Devons. Herefords dominate the beef cattle scene followed by Angus. They don’t do any
cross breeding as they don’t want to breed up and they want semen from Brazil but the health
protocols (sanitation) are not yet complete to enable semen to be imported.
The United Kingdom was the last report by Lisa Roper who expressed her great disappointment in
not having more members from the UK present. The main reason was the busy spring period and
the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Lisa touched on many changes, Andy Lane, Secretary, had resigned with Catherine Bloomfield
replacing him along with a new Chairman, Simon Phillips presiding for a 12 month period. Loss of
the Royal Show that is in liquidation, was regretted, and is being replaced with a show every 2 years
in a different centre. She also mentioned show successes of Yeoman Ferdinand, which her own bull
High & Mighty could not beat. They have also introduced a new classification scheme that has
brought in a lot of new breeders. Top score to be 90/100 as there is no perfect animal. A new bull
inspection scheme for correctness for registered bulls 14 months and over has been developed with
the cost of registration doubling which will keep the number of Reg. bulls down to a minimum of
top quality animals. They have also signed up with ABRI. Increased cropping has undermined
beef production and their answer to this is to Market, Market, Market!!!
The next World Conference is to be in early summer of 2016 with a full programme of herd visits
and social events. A web site is to follow in due course.

Next on the Agenda was a very enthusiastic power point presentation by Henrique Ribas, a vet who
had spent time at Massey University, NZ, and was now managing his family farming interests.
The theme of his lecture was following the progress of a Devon animal from conception to plate.
He covered the Devon history in the British Isles, how they have been used in many regions in
many countries, their resilience and adaptability in all climates. He promoted the need for good
stockman ship, and made mention of mechanisation and technological changes to improve quality
also the effects of parasites and overstocking in some areas influencing performance.
Some Brazilian statistics are:-
� Beef takes 760 days to finish
� Pork takes 180 days to finish
� Chicken takes 100 days to finish
� Meat to bone ratio is 5.69kg to 1 kg bone.
Average loss of carcass wasted is .39kg trimming too much.
� Birth weight 35 kg
� 205 days weight 308 kg
� 265 days weight 517 kg
� 550 days weight 729 kg
A very interesting lecture well supported with illustrations.
While further discussions were being held, some of the ladies went for a 40 minute boat ride up the
river and back.
2012 Brazil Conference Report by Wayne Aspin
The tour was attended by breeders from Australia (10), New Zealand (8), England (1),
USA (2) and Brazil. A representative from Uruguay attended the conference. We
were transported in a luxury coach with the services of two drivers and Marcio, guide
and photographer. Betty Cirne-Lima tour organiser from the Brazilian Devon Breeders
Association and Mel Baggio, a veterinary student ensued we were well looked after.
The tour group of 30 was a good size, everyone got to know each other and many
friendships were made.
In all the Brazilians were very generous hosts and were proud to have us view their
farms and cattle and always there was a small gift or memento from each visit. For
the next two weeks most lunches were included during which we were entertained by
a local music group. Another lighter meal was serviced at the afternoon venues and
usually there was no need for dinner at night. Over 16 days, 14 breeders from the
southern states of Brazil presented cattle on properties ranging from the high plateau
region, gentler rolling country and finally in the vast pampas flatlands.

These southern states were suffering severe drought conditions and little rain had
fallen for nine months. The Australians didn’t think they really had a drought though.
Like NZ, this part of the country usually had 1000-1300mm of rainfall. With the
exception of sale and show cattle, the cattle were light in condition with a NZ score of
3-5 and generally were grazed on native grasses.
A previous visitor to this country and fellow Devon breeder Dr Aino Jaques is focused
on improving native species and stock grazed on improved native pasture showed up
in better condition. Some farms had annual rye and oats planted after soy and corn
crops.
Amongst the many fine cattle we saw were progeny of NZ Red Devon sires
Rotokawa 425, 667, 688 and Kaurivale 11/95. English bulls Forde Abby Aesop,
Stonegrove High’n’Mighty, Thorndale Baron 4 th , Tilbrook Sunset 2,
Effinham Power Park had progeny on the ground as well as the Australian bulls
Barnstaple Carlisle 6 th and Belmur 3.
The home bred cattle were well framed and of good conformation. I only saw one
animal with poor feet. Some of the best cattle we saw were from the now dispersed
Garupa stud. A highlight at most farms was seeing the Gauchos working the cattle on
their crioulo (creeola) stock horses. Like good experienced cattle dogs, some of the
horses seemed to head, block, and push the cattle without being spurred or reined.
All told the tour was well organised, generally up with the timetable, with interesting
shopping opportunities such as wine, gemstone, leather and Gaucho goods. The
hotels were of good standard with excellent food and friendly staff. A gift of the
Heartland Beef magazine and a Taranaki brochure was made to every host and proved
popular. We wish to thank the Brazilian Devon Cattle Association, the many hosting
families, Adelar Santarem the President who travelled with us, Betty who did most of
the translation, Marcio our other translator, guide and photographer, Mel translator
and photographer and the drivers for providing a safe, comfortable and interesting
tour.
All in all Brazil is a great country for fattening both cattle and touring Devon breeders.
The next World Conference is set down for 2016.
At the Conference in Brazil there was interest to hold a Mini World Conference in NZ in
2014. There had been a show of hands at the conference and all were in favour of it.
There was also discussion on shortening the gap between World Conference from four
years to three years.
A big Thank you to Tuppy for all the photos from Brazil

An A2 issue with the Red Devon’s
As one of the Red Devon breeders has asked me about
the A2 issue (or that lack of A2) he had heard we were
dealing within the Devon breed I thought I would put pen
to paper so all those in the Red Devon Association can
have some information at their fingertips and then they
can decide what they want to do with it – if anything!
Some of you may have heard through the grape vine we
have been steadily converting our dairy herd to carry just
the A2 gene since starting after the year 2000. At that
time we thought there might be a niche market for A2
milk so we decided to gene screen each year’s crop of
calves. So from the year 2000 onwards we have only
used bulls that are listed as A2A2. Over time, as cows
(that were either A1A1 or A1A2) left the replacements
entering the herd were only A2A2 as we sold the A1A2
and A1A1 heifers. Any Jersey bulls that we reared were
also only A2A2. Each year there was less testing to do
and eventually you get a herd that is totally A2. The
trouble with our herd is that we have cows that make it to
teenagers (unlike the modern dairy herd operator that
doesn’t like anything over 6 years old - in fact with the
empty rates these days most of the herds are very young
in age). Due to the lack of niche market to sell pure A2
milk (our herd is too small and the company that markets
A2A2 milk would only have been interested to pick up
the milk if it was a 300 cow farm back then) - there has
been no reason for us to cull the last handful of good
producing cows that carry the A1 genes any quicker. So
we have been using natural attrition for these cows - as
they age and have to be replaced they leave the herd. We
do however just drink A2 milk as we know the A2 cows
and just milk one into a test bucket for our own
consumption during the dry period.
However, as it seems that few people in NZ have wised
up about the A2 issue - this little niche market hasn’t
fired up here but has in Australia and there is growing
interest in Canada, the USA and also the UK. This is a
great pity as it is a lost opportunity here in NZ and there
are certainly consumers with a particular genetic make-up
who cannot “handle” A1 contaminated milk. I feel it was
a grave mistake that Fonterra decided not to encourage
farmers to switch to using only A2 bulls which would
have quietly and gradually moved the New Zealand
genetics to predominantly A2 so that most milk would be
A2 milk. I fear that ignoring the health issues that can
result from consuming A1 milk will come back to haunt
the industry in the years to come and no doubt ultimately
this will be to the dairy farmer’s cost not only in lost
market access but to likely court costs.
I digress. Back to A2 and Devon’s – what is the issue?
Well I am going to stick my neck out and say the news is
not good. The limited testing I have done on Devon
cattle has revealed to my consternation that the breed has
the undesirable A1 gene. I have done sampling in three
herds and find A1 very prevalent – in fact in one herd all
the cattle I tested that day didn’t have a single A2 allele.
This is not good as if word gets out around the world
about this A1 gene being very prevalent in the Devon
cattle breed. In my view it is another undesirable or real
potential problem with the breed as those countries
around the world that have taken or are taking the trouble
to clean up their genetics will not want to purchase
products (and that includes semen) from countries that
still have the A1 gene present in their stock.
OK, so I hear you say, “So what”? “You don’t drink
Devon milk”! Well, I am sure some people do in some
parts of the world as they were once a dual purpose
breed. The problem is if the Devon animal has the A1
gene present then ALL the cells in its body have the A1
gene present – this means the MEAT! Have I got your
attention now?
I have a sister whose child could not handle standard milk
brought from the local corner dairy which was being fed
when she returned to the work force. I kept telling her
that she must try A2 milk. I even offered to freeze some
of our milk and send it by courier from Thames to
Palmerston North! In the end she did ask her local dairy
to get a bottle of A2 milk in for her. What a revelation!
She was expecting the normal screams soon after feeding
this milk to her child and nothing happened! There were
other mothers in her pre-natal group that had similar
problems with their children and they switched to A2
milk and found the problems disappeared when fed A2
milk. The issue wasn’t lactose intolerance but intolerance
to the A1 or type of casein in the milk. Suddenly the
corner dairy store had to stock another line of milk
especially for these mothers. So the health issues from
A1 contaminated milk are real as these infants cannot
fake these adverse reactions. Human breast milk is all
A2 and so is goat milk.
Now let’s take this thought along a bit further. You feed
an infant milk and it gets colic -there is a clear association
between giving the infant milk and an adverse reaction
therefore you have this gut feeling that it was highly
likely that the milk was the cause of the problem.
Another unknown at this stage is whether the A1 gene
content of meat could also cause adverse effects on
consumers like the A1 milk. Obviously, to date there is
no evidence that there could be an intolerance to eating
meat from A1 cattle – it is just a hypothesis I put forward.
I discussed this issue with Professor Woodford he says to
his knowledge no one is trialing or even looking at this
issue at this time. However, new research from Poland
has found that the molecule bovine BCM7 that causes
adverse reactions that comes from the digestion of A1
milk has been found in human milk and these researchers
now believe this gets there by the lymph system so the
latest guidelines for those mothers who have children
who are intolerant of A1 milk is to:
• feed A2 milk or keep the child on breast milk
• if possible get A2 goat or bovine baby formula
and
• the mothers should only drink A2 milk.
It will be interesting to see in the future if another
guideline is added to the list to avoid A1 meat as well.
Now, what about meat tenderness and A2? I have come
across a posting on the internet of some trial work done
by an Australian based researcher – Gerald Wyatt from
Classic Livestock Management Services who links meat

tenderness with the A2 gene. He has informed me that he
cannot at this time provide any more evidence for the
meat tenderness and A2 association but has actually
processed more samples than those documented on the
website and that his research was basically in-house
simply because he cannot get any scientist or beef/dairy
body to research this type of trial themselves.
So in summary, there appears to be at least a loose
association between A2 and meat tenderness with some
breeds of cattle and I believe the milk issue alone that I
have seen within my own family has proven to me, to my
satisfaction, that the A1 presence is a problem and this
fact alone is enough reason for me to pursue gradually
changing the genetics of the Devon’s to A2. I also
believe that as our trading partners wise up about the A1
issue (and there is testing going on in the USA and
Australia that I am aware of) they will not be interested in
any genetics with the A1 gene present. The A1 issue
could result in trade barriers in the future.
Please beg, borrow or buy and read the book “The Devil
in the milk” by Keith Woodford to get a better insight
into the reported health issues to A1 gene (politics,
scientific errors) – some of these health issues may be
affecting you or your children right now!
I encourage you to look at the website
http://www.classiclivestock.com/scientific_evidence_more.htm
or look at the section I have cut and pasted into this
article below.
The company has also carried out some DNA tests of
cattle hair to see if there is any correlation between
cattle that had been tested as producers of A2 milk and
our system for determining meat tenderness. These tests
A crash course in basic genetics.
If you want to breed for an A2 herd first you test any
future bull and make sure he is carrying both sites
(alleles) on the gene for A2. Testing a bull can result in
one of the three following genetic types – he could be
A1A1, A1A2 or A2A2. You want him to be A2A2 so
select that bull if you are happy with all his other traits.
If you cannot find an A2A2 bull then consider doing
artificial breeding or next best is to use an A1A2 bull but
try to avoid using A1A1 bulls.
Next is to get your cows bled into a purple top 10ml test
tube – some vets will let you do this yourself or ask
AsureQuality on 0508 001122 to arrange for sampling or
were carried out by a company called Agri Quality in New
Zealand.
DNA Trial Comparing A2 Cows for Tenderness
17/07/03
TAG
TENDERNESS DNA/A2
NUMBER
To breed an A2 animal you need both the dam and the sire to be A2A2. All
offspring will be A2A2 and no further testing is required of the offspring. Just
make sure no miss-mothering at birth happens in the paddock!
If the Dam is A1A1 and she is mated to an A2A2 Sire then all offspring with be
A1A2. You will always know that offspring from this mating will be A1A2 so
you don’t need to test the offspring from this type of mating (assuming no missmothering
at calving!).
If the Dam is A1A2 and she is mated to an A2A2 Sire then 50% the offspring
will be A1A2 and 50% likely to be A2A2. You will always have to test the
offspring with this type of mating to find out what you got!
TAG
NUMBER
TENDERNESS DNA/A2
125 3 A2 529 3 A2
138 2 A2 59 3 A2
503 4 A1 69 3 A2
1769 4 A1/2 87 3 A2
42 3 A2 100 3 A2
356 3 A2 105 3 A2
200 3 A2 117 3 A2
9429 5 A1 124 3 A2
9423 5 A1/2 125 3 A2
9430 5 A1 133 3 A2
394 5 A1 138 2 A2
9431 3 A2 139 3 A2
9419 3 A2 1673 3 A2
9409 5 A1 1769 4 A1
9415 5 A1/2 200 3 A2
9425 5 A1 250 3 A2
9385 3 A2 2570 3 A2
9443 3 A2 2587 3 A2
9387 5 A1 262 3 A2
32 3 A2 274 3 A2
344 3 A2 279 3 A2
356 3 A2 287 3 A2
42 3 A2 2925 3 A2
47 3 A2 293 3 A2
503 4 A1
This result shows all but three cattle graded at 3 or 2 for
tenderness as being A2 milk producers. All the cattle that
were graded as tender were A2 milk producers
consider other technicians (Ultrasound). Make sure you
get the right ear tag number put on the tube straight away.
The tube needs to be well filled – well over half full. A
new needle for each cow is also required as you don’t
want contamination of the blood from one cow to
another. You should keep the blood cool (refrigerate -
don’t freeze it) and dispatch it to the laboratory the same
day or the following day with an ice pack enclosed within
the parcel. Preferably, avoid sending the blood in a
courier or by post on a Friday. You can download a
submission form off the internet from LIC - GeneMark or
Phone: 0800 GENEMARK (0800 436 362)
Sire
A2 A2
Dam A2 A2A2 A2A2
A2 A2A2
Sire
A2A2
A2 A2
Dam A1 A1A2 A1A2
A1 A1A2 A1A2
Sire
A2 A2
Dam A1 A1A2 A1A2
A2 A2A2 A2A2

If the Dam is A1A2 and she is mated to an A1A2 Sire then 25% of the offspring
will be A1A1, 25% of the offspring A2A2 and 50% A1A2. You will always
have to test the offspring with this type of mating to find out what you got!
The slowest way of breeding up to an A2A2 herd would
be using a known A2A2 bull every year for about 20 to
50 years in succession and not test any dam as some of
these Devon cattle are still calving in their late teens!
Eventually you will have an A2 herd.
To speed up the change to an A2 herd (short of resorting
to embryo transfer methods) the next best method is to
use the known tested A2A2 bull AND test all your dams.
If at all possible, find a reason to sell or cull all the A1A1
dams. Have a look at the A1A2 dams and if there are any
faults there then sell or cull. All the A2A2 dams you
have should be bred from if you are happy that they are
good breeders. This is how our approach has been and
when we initially tested our breeding Devon cattle. We
only had a choice of two cows that were A2A2 so of
course we couldn’t cull them! With our dairy herd we
have let natural attrition remove the A1A1 and A1A2
cows over time and a handful who were excellent milk
producers, early calving and sound in the udder have
lingered in the herd. It has taken us over 10 years with
our dairy herd to get an A2 herd but we still have old
girls left and knowing the longevity of the Devon breed
this might take 20 to 50 years but I do believe it would be
a prudent idea to start breeding in that direction now if
only to keep up with what our trading partners are doing.
Ignoring the A2 issue may eventually condemn the
Postscript
I have today 5/6/12 spoken with Professor Woodford to
ask about several of the issues I have raised in this item
regarding the A2 issue in Devon’s. He still stands by
the information written in the book he wrote – The Devil
in the milk printed in 2007. Now, however there is even
more science coming out of Poland and Russia that is
only just now being translated into English that is also
backing up some of the more contentious issues. His
exact words to me about the A2 and tenderness issue is
that he “would not be surprised if there was an
association with A2 and tenderness’ but he believes ‘it
could be a loose association and it could even be related
to the omega 3 fat content” as there have been
suggestions that A2 cows produce a higher level of the
omega 3 fats in the milk. But he has not seen sufficient
evidence to want to make that claim. It may be because
there is a gene, located close to the beta casein gene,
which influences omega 3 levels in the milk. However,
the association between the allele (variant of the gene)
influencing omega 3 levels and the A2 allele may not
hold across all populations. Similarly, if there is a link
between A2 beta casein and tenderness in meat this may
or may not hold across all populations. He doesn’t think
he has seen any evidence linking the A2 allele to omega 3
in meat.
He will not make any statements about A2 and tenderness
or the potential A1 meat issues until there is good
Sire
A1 A2
Dam A1 A1A1 A1A2
A2 A1A2 A2A2
Devon breed if it is predominantly A1 as I currently fear
the breed to be.
For those who are interested our little Hau Hiwi Devon
stud (which was down to 14 after the drought years) was
fortunate to have two cows that were A2A2. One cow
(born 1999) was from the Taylor stud dispersal and her
Dam was Taylor Ali’s Viola and her Sire was Valley
Brook 34/96 and the other cow came from the
Woodlands stud (born 2001) and her Dam was
Woodlands Joy 7th and her Sire Rotokawa 861 so we
know from the genetic lesson above that each of these
Dams and Sires had a least one A2 allele! So if you
check the ancestry of your cattle and you see any of these
names there is a chance you will have at least one A2
allele somewhere in the genetic make-up of your herd!
If my memory is correct we started testing the Devon’s
for A2 in the mid 2000’s and we now have 25 females –
14 of whom are A2A2 and the rest A1A2 and three bulls
born in 2009 who are A2A2. A2A2 semen is now
available from one of these bulls Hau Hiwi 09-905.
Disclaimer:
I have no financial interest in A2 Corp.
Louise McConnell
Veterinarian
scientific research to validate claims and he is not aware
about anyone doing research in these specific areas. He
mentioned that the A2 allele is very high in the Nelore
breed and these Nelore (of which there are a great
number in Brazil; he thought it was the dominant breed)
are not particularly tender. So this illustrates that within
a breed it may be that the A2 animals are tenderer but
between breeds other factors can dominate.
He is not convinced about A1 meat being injurious to a
portion of the population as A1 milk has found to be. To
his knowledge the BCM7 arising from A1 milk is an
expression of the gene that is only directly expressed in
the beta casein protein part of the milk and is not part of
meat.
If you wish to contact me to clarify points raised here
then call me at 078677573.
A2A2 reference material – websites
http://www.a2corporation.com
http://www.betacasein.net/research.pdf
http://keithwoodford.files.wordpress.com/2011/
06/milk-proteins-and-human-health-woodfordgpce-may2011-final1.pdf

Members List
As at December 2011
Northland
Baker, Clive Te Wairere p(work): 09 423 8313 Tues - Fri
237 JV Grant Road mob: 027 476 0232
TE WAIRERE 1745 RD 3 Wellsford 0973 e: clivebaker@ihug.co.nz
Beazley, Arthur RD 1 Kaeo 0478 p: 09 405 0690
TAPUWAE 9009 e: tuppyj@xtra.co.nz
Benson, Pierre 60a Cowan Bay Rd p: 09 422 3785
PURIRI DOWNS 1766 RD 3 Warkworth 0983 e: p.s.benson@xtra.co.nz
Dreadon, David & Sue RD 2 Ruawai 0592 p: 09 439 2154
PENCARROW 0394 e: dreadonsd@slingshot.co.nz
Jones, Tuppy 1888 Hwy 10 p: 09 405 0800
THELMARA 2005 RD 1 Mangonui 0494 e: tuppyj@xtra.co.nz
Krissansen, Alf & Margaret
RD 4 Parua Bay
Whangarei 0174
p: 09 436 5827
McLaughlan, Alisdair & Jean RD 2 Whangarei 0172 p: 09 433 1170 fax: 09 433 1170
Porter, Eileen Towai RD 2 Hikurangi 0182 p: 09 433 4737
Auckland/Central North Island
Askew, Lee
165 Darwin Road
Inner Kaiti
p: 06 868 7985
mob: 0275 916 015
SHEMSHI 1774 Gisborne 4010 e: lee.askew1@googlemail.com
Aspin, Wayne & Patricia RD 4 Waiuku 2684 p: 09 235 1074 fax: 09 235 1074
TINPAI 1729 e: aspin@ps.gen.nz
Couch, John & Gayle 108 Te Rahu Rd p: 07 308 0571 fax: 07 308 0571
DEVAND 1750 RD 3 Whakatane 3193 e: gayle_pre@msn.com
Donovan, Mike & Jenny 31 Lakemere Way p: 07 378 4766 fax: 07 378 4766
PAWERA 1776 RD 1 Taupo 3377 e: moojuice@slingshot.co.nz
Hargreaves, Alan & Joy RD 1 Helensville 0874 p: 09 420 2063 fax: 09 420 2063
KAIPAPA 2031 e: alan.hargreaves@bayleys.co.nz
Keeber, Paul & Penny 473E Matahi Road p: 07 219 0018 mob: 021 746 160
WINDSALOT 1773 RD 4 Whakatane 3194 e: ppj@farmside.co.nz
McConnell, Greg & Louise Hau Hiwi p: 07 867 7573
294A North Road fax: 07 867 7573
HAU HIWI 1719 RD 6 Thames 3576 e: mcconnell@no8wireless.co.nz
Nash, Colin & Julia Woodlands Road p: 07 863 8833 fax: 07 863 6833
WOODLANDS 2015 RD 2 WAIHI 3682 e: colinnash10@gmail.com
Penman, Brent & Sue 672 Glengarry Road p: 06 839 5936
OKERERU 1771 RD 2 Napier 4182 e: morgan.horses@okereru.co.nz
Power, Stewart & Joan Isca Farm p: 07 312 9569
ISCA RD 1 Whakatane 3191 e: isca@wave.co.nz
Lindsay Scott & Linda Jones
Scott & Jones Partnership
1731 Puketitiri Road
p: 06 839 5911
KAWEKA SOLO 1777 RD 4 Napier 4184 e: jones.scott@xtra.co.nz
Arnica van der Wiele &
209 Maratoto Road
p: 07 862 4545 fax: 07 867 7533
Remco Remmelink
RD 4 Paeroa 3674
mob: 0272 555 514
RIU NGA KAKARIKI 1772 e: arnica@vanderwiele.nl
Wilson, Warwick & Annie 39 Pendergrast Rd p: 09 232 6886 fax: 09 232 6886
MOON RIDGE 1749 RD 1 Pokeno 2471 e: moonridgewine@hotmail.co.nz
www.reddevoncattle.co.nz
A comment from the Web a bull,
Do remember when advertising your cherished stock on the
Website that photos can be added to your avert for as little as
$2.00 a photo+GST
Also consider your own stud profile page on the Website for
$50.00 a year+GST. It's an excellent starting point to promote
your aspirations for your stud.
So tell the world www.reddevoncattle.co.nz

Taranaki
Dirksen, Steve & Jill 35 Manu Road p: 06 762 8803
MANU 1742 RD 24 Stratford 4394 e: sjdirksen@no8wireless.co.nz
Foreman, Stephen & Helen 931 Upland Rd p: 06 756 6170
RUBYFIELDS 1754 RD 2 New Plymouth 4372 e: rubyfields@farmside.co.nz
Neilson, Rex & Marie 377 Dover Road p: 06 752 4158
SNAKE GULLY 1768 RD 4 New Plymouth 4374 e: marieandrex@xtra.co.nz
Schumacher, Bob & Karen 556 Upper Durham Road p: 06 756 8064
MAUNGAWHIRI 1738 RD 8 Inglewood 4388 e: maungawhiri@farmside.co.nz
Sisson, Sally PO Box 44 p: 06 273 8080
BEACON HILL 1732 Patea 4545 e: sallysisson@clear.net.nz
Sutherland, Malcolm & Bridget 424 Upland Road p: 06 755 2503 mob: 021 638 459
SUTHERLAND 1775 RD 2 New Plymouth 4372 e: sutherlandmbnz@gmail.com
Janice Watkins & Rod Weeks
Watkins - Weeks Partnership
131 Warwick Rd
p: 06 765 8138
fax: 06 765 8138
MOUNTVIEW 1746 Stratford 4332 e: janice.rod@xtra.co.nz
Wright, Roy, Pam & Angela 482 Maata Rd p: 06 764 8481
WRIGHTWAY 1741 RD 18 Eltham 4398 e: rawright@infogen.net.nz
Lower North Island
Davison, Peter and Rose Kaituna p: 06 377 5979
RD 8 MASTERTON 5888 e: moos4u@xtra.co.nz
Downs, Julian 2 Monty's Lane p: 06 304 9893
RANNOCH 1767 RD 1 Greytown 5794 e: julian.downs@xtra.co.nz
Dyke, Graeme 1065 Pori Rd p: 06 376 3966 fax: 06 376 3967
TE MAEWA 1707 RD 6 Pahiatua 4986 e: tm-reddevons@inspire.net.nz
Fletcher, Kevin Trent St p: 06 3248 263
LUNAN BAY Rongotea 4865 e: lunanbay.devons@gmail.com
Gates, Donald & Pearl 494 Makino Road P: 06 323 3408 fax: 06 323 3408
KARAKA 1769 RD 9 Feilding 4779 e: depe@infogen.net.nz
Harrison, Ruth & David Brandon Hall Road p: 06 322 1805
HARTLAND 1709 RD 1 Bulls 4894 e: red_cattle@xtra.co.nz
Hehir, Chris & Briona 447 Taikorea Rd p: 06 329 7710
MAGHERA 1747 RD 3 Palmerston North 4473 e: hehir@inspire.net.nz
Kellick, Leslie Tokorangi Farm p: 06 342 2823 fax: 06 342 2823
RD 7 WANGANUI 4577 e: l.kellick@ruralinzone.net
McDowall, Ken & Pru 7 Holdsworth Drive p: 06 347 7860 fax: 06 347 7860
ROTOKAWA Otamatea Wanganui 4500 e: rotokawa.dev@xtra.co.nz
McQuade, Brendan 74 Tauhara Road p: 06 845 3940 mob: 021 430 202
TAUHARA 1782 RD 9, Hastings 4112 e: brendanmcquade@hotmail.co.nz
Oliver, Evan & Joanne 357 Millers Road p: 06 376 7727 fax: 06 376 7727
MAGNUM 1763 RD 2 Pahiatua 4982 e: evanjo@xtra.co.nz
Rippon, Rosemary 240 Campbells Road p: 06 342 1717
TE ORA 1758 RD 1 Wanganui 4571 e: teora.stud@gmail.com
Micheal Simons & Karen Patterson
1047 Blue Mountains Road
RD 1 UPPER HUTT 5371
P: 04 528 8272
mob: 021 79 79 68
SPRINGBROOK 1783 e: karencpatterson@gmail.com
South Island
Flowerday, Ross RD 3 Blenheim 7273 p: 03 578 0707 fax: 03 578 0708
TOBAIRLEE 1760 e: vit.flowerday@xtra.co.nz
Hutchison, Harvey & Virginia 443 Koau Road P: 03 412 8826 fax: 03 412 8826
OAK TREE 1770 RD 1 BALCLUTHA 9271 e: domino.hutchison@xtra.co.nz
Leslie, Sean & Melinda
Mt Ross
p: 03 464 3214
RD 3 Middlemarch 9598 mob: 0275 658 233
FLAX GULLY 1700 e: sean_melinda@hotmail.com
Mercer, Clive & Barbara 40 Aporo Road p: 03 540 3022
RD 1 Upper Moutere fax: 03 540 3022
PASSAFORD 1743 Nelson 7173 e: barmer@xtra.co.nz
Squire, John & Sandra RD 14 Cave 7984 p: 03 614 3739
mob: 0274 355 200
johnsandra@farmside.co.nz
Wright, Richard & Chrisy 118 Lochheads Rd P: 03 303 9004
RD 1 Ashburton 7771 fax: 03 303 9006
www.reddevoncattle.co.nz