Graeme Gillan looks at genetics as an invisible but invaluable additive to the dairy industry.
“Everyone thinks about fertiliser and feed inputs, but genetics are like compounding interest,” he said.
“You keep building on it and it’s incredible what can be achieved.”
And he should know. Graeme recently retired after a 50-year career in the genetics industry, a field that he believes will continue paving the way for Australian dairy success.
In fact, he said his last decade had been his most fulfilling – highlighted by his roles with the National Herd Improvement Association, Herd Improvement Industry Strategic Steering Group and eight years with DataGene, where he served as chairman until his recent retirement.
During this time, Graeme developed a growing appreciation of the benefits of good governance and was impressed by the acceleration of benefits stemming from genetics.
He remains impressed by the value DataGene brings to the industry and encourages all farmers to understand the value of good genetics.
“Every time there was a downturn people would buy cheap semen even though it’s a small percentage of their budget,” he said.
“But it costs them, because once it’s in the system, it never goes away.”
Graeme was something of an accidental entrant to genetics back in 1974, but once he had the connection, it became a passion that was hard to resist.
His parents were dairy farmers in South Gippsland and Graeme “grew up with all the good things like feeding calves and milking and doing all those tasks”.
His brother John continues to run the farm.
Graeme planned to be a teacher, but that changed when his family decided to register their Holstein herd, which became a catalyst to start his genetics journey.
In November 1974, Graeme took on a temporary role as a registration clerk with what was then known as the Friesian Cattle Club (later Holstein Australia), with support from David James, who remained a close connection throughout the following five decades.
“I wasn’t too sure, but I was 18 at the time and it was paid work so I gave it a go,” he said.
The six-week trial lasted 11 years and Graeme ended up as the executive officer.
“For whatever reason during that time, I fell in love with breeding,” he said.
“It was all done manually at that stage and I would explore pedigrees and try to chase information. I really enjoyed that aspect of it.”
During this period, Graeme joined others in a partnership to buy a bull (Murribrook Starlite Loyalty MBSL) that found great success at Victorian Artificial Breeders (now Genetics Australia).
After 11 years, Graeme went home to farm; however, that didn’t last long.
“I don’t have a practical bone in my body, so I was quickly found out on the farm, so left and got a position with Riverina Artificial Breeders,” he said.
His lack of practical skills extended to his career in genetics during which he never actually AI’d a single cow, but he made up for it with other skills.
In 1991, Graeme and well-known Holstein breeder Phil Malcolm created ABS Australia, the precursor to the current ABS, which he continued until 2007.
“That was really enjoyable, spending a lot of time on the road creating relationships with people at farm and reseller level and trying to work out what worked best for what people were trying to achieve,” Graeme said.
It was also a time of learning life lessons that have stuck with him.
“One farmer said: If you come down my driveway and haven’t thought of some way you’re going to make my business better, the best thing you can do is turn around.”
Another lesson came at a bull night.
“A young lady about 13 or 14 turned up asking questions, but was basically ignored by everyone in the room,” he said.
“I got talking to her father later and he asked how my conversation went with his daughter because she was the one making all the decisions on the breeding program.
“The lesson I got was that you never ignore people and don’t take things for granted.”
“I like everyone until they prove differently.
“Another piece of sage advice was ‘you have two ears and one mouth - use them in that proportion’.”
Graeme spent time with Eli Innovation and in 2010 joined Alta Genetics before returning to Holstein Australia for six years as CEO before retiring from full-time work in 2020.
During his various career incarnations, Graeme always felt the need to contribute to industry growth.
He was on the advisory committee for ADHIS, a director for NHIA for more than 10 years, including time as chairman, and HISSG, the industry committee that helped formulate DataGene, and was nominated by NHIA as one of three inaugural directors of DataGene, alongside Dairy Australia and Australian Dairy Farmers representatives.
In earlier years, many farmers looked offshore for reliable genetics, but Graeme said that had changed dramatically since the inception of DataGene.
“The major overseas companies have invested in the Australian industry and strongly support the Australian breeding values,” he said.
The introduction of ABVs more than 40 years ago and the more recent development of genomics rank as the most significant changes Graeme has witnessed.
“It’s not something that stands still,” he said.
“The work that has been done to constantly improve the system is quite significant.
“The last eight years of DataGene and the years leading up to it brought me great satisfaction and pride in what has been achieved.
“Bringing all the data together and providing breeding values that are credible results in a $16 return for every dollar invested.
“Genomics has given the industry the opportunity to accelerate what we’ve been trying to achieve and to focus on fertility, polled cattle and other important traits. It started with some scepticism but the changes that have occurred because of genomics are amazing.”
Graeme said the introduction of ABVs was another huge stepping stone, replacing the previous state-based systems.
And he said the breeding indexes would continue to evolve to address emerging issues, such as heat tolerance, sustainability, survival, calf vitality and reducing methane emissions.
Production remains an important part of the equation and Graeme points out that while new indexes have been added and developed, production has also been increasing.
With the demographics of the dairy industry constantly changing, Graeme said DataGene would continue its close relationship with researchers in Australia and around the world to stay ahead of the game.
Graeme said there was “no comparison” between the cows of 1974 and today.
“The ability of these animals to produce milk and respond to the changes is amazing,” he said.
Despite the technical advances, Graeme sees some headwinds.
“There are challenges ahead and the industry has stalled in some respects when you look at milk production.
“A lot of places where our herds were at one stage might have a golf course or market garden on them now.
“Staff has always been a challenge, but the dairy industry is still an amazing way to accumulate capital, though it can be an asset-rich and cash-poor industry, which is not a great.”
At 68, Graeme wants to spend more time with his wife Mary, who has been his backbone support for the past 37 years, and let the next generation tackle the evolving challenges.
“I think you should contribute when you can and move aside when people are there to continue,” he said.
Graeme welcomed the election of Tim Jelbart as the new DataGene chair and the election of new directors, Queensland dairy farmer and nutrition consultant David Barber and Gippsland beef producer and agribusiness banker Josie Zilm.