The World Angus Secretariat Meeting, held in Brisbane on 6th June 2025, brought together representatives from Angus societies across the globe to exchange knowledge, report on national advancements, and discuss the strategic future of the breed on a global scale.
Established in 1969, the World Angus Secretariat serves as a platform for cooperation between the Angus associations of member countries. While the Secretariat itself holds no binding authority over individual societies, it plays a vital role in recommending actions and promoting collaboration across borders. Since its inception, it has been instrumental in harmonising approaches to breed development, technology adoption, and industry promotion.
Each member country presented a detailed overview of their national Angus program, with three delegates representing each country. The presentations reflected the progress and innovation taking place in Angus populations around the world.
Canada reported a robust national herd with 141,000 active registered females
and exciting developments in research into immune response traits. Argentina showcased its advancement in genomics, now applying genomic tools to 14 out of 20 economically important traits — a testament to their investment in science-driven breeding.
European countries also featured prominently. Estonia revealed that Angus now represents 25% of their national beef herd and 32% of all purebred cattle.
Germany highlighted their 11,890 registered Angus cows, which comprise 19.2% of their pedigree herd, alongside 42,000 commercial Angus females. Romania, which will host the European Angus Forum in 2026, stood out with remarkable growth: 1,793 breeders, nearly 48,000 registered Angus cows, and 129,000 commercial Angus cattle. CEO Dragos emphasised Romania’s rapid expansion and the breed’s rising prominence.
In the United States, the Red Angus Association participated in the Secretariat meeting for the first time, representing a strong cohort of 107,000 active cows, 4,300 members and 1,400 junior members. Their priorities, particularly around feed efficiency, mirror many of Angus Australia’s programs. Tony Ballinger provided valuable insight into the similarities between the organisations. South Africa reported 22,000 registered Angus cows, with the breed split 70% black Angus and 30% red Angus, reflecting a vibrant and diverse program.
The meeting welcomed Swiss Angus and Chile Angus as new members of the Secretariat, strengthening the international network. A highlight of the day was a powerful presentation by John Stika of Certified Angus Beef (USA), which focused on brand-building, value creation, and consumer trust in the Angus name.
In keeping with tradition, each country presented a gift to the Australian hosts, and translation services in Spanish and Portuguese ensured inclusive participation.
As the meeting drew to a close, Tim Brittain was warmly acknowledged for his service as Secretary General. William McLaren of Scotland was voted in as his successor, and a formal invitation was extended for all Angus-producing nations to reconvene in Brazil in 2027.
The 2025 Secretariat meeting was marked by outstanding participation, generosity of spirit, and a shared commitment to advancing Angus genetics worldwide. It reinforced the importance of collaboration and showcased the breed’s enduring value in beef industries across continents.