Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Youth Development Programme Senior Conference

This year, the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society Youth Development Programme Senior Conference went international, hosted by Bernhard Delle and the Delle family at their Donaumoos Angus farm in Germany. It was a truly remarkable weekend filled with learning, networking, and unforgettable hospitality and the collaboration with the Czech youth team added a truly memorable international element to the weekend

The conference provided attendees with valuable insights into the Delle family’s farm-to-fork business model, their dedication to quality beef production, and their innovative approaches to herd management and marketing.

We are grateful to the Godfrey Neale Award Fund for its generous support of the Senior Conference. This funding provides a significant opportunity to enhance the learning experiences of young farmers, helping to shape the future of the beef industry.

Day One

Morning Session: A Farm-to-Fork Journey

The first day began with a guided tour of the Delle family’s butchery and hotel kitchen. We enjoyed a traditional German breakfast before exploring the heart of their operation. The butchery, established in 1999, was the starting point of the Delle’s farm-to-fork vision. Bernhard explained that the family wanted to take control of the entire process, from breeding to processing to selling their own beef.

Martin Delle, Bernhard’s son and the lead butcher, guided us through the butchering process, showing how they use high-marbling genetics to ensure top-quality beef. The group was shown how cuts like the spider steak, which would typically be used for mince, can be marketed as a premium product at a higher price. For instance, a cut typically priced at €15 per kilo as mince could be sold as a spider steak for €30 per kilo.

The family also explained the importance of dry-aging beef, emphasizing how the external fat cover is crucial for this process. We learned about the different cuts used, with Martin demonstrating the creation of burgers with a 23% fat content mix, which gives the burgers an incredible flavour and texture.

The morning ended with a tour of the cold storage facilities, followed by a look at the hotel kitchen, where the family applies their butchering skills to prepare dishes for their guests.

Afternoon Session: A Visit to Donaumoos Angus Herd

In the afternoon, we visited the Donaumoos Angus herd, where we had the chance to see the cattle firsthand. Established in 1998, the herd has grown to 150 breeding females, with genetics sourced from around the world, including embryos and semen from Canada, Australia, and the USA. The Delle family aims to produce medium-sized, easy-to-manage cattle with high carcass performance and premium beef quality from a predominantly grass-based diet.

We were shown several groups of cows and calves, including a particularly impressive group of two-year-old first-calvers with calves at foot. The herd is also focused on continuous improvement, and the young heifers on display gave us an insight into their breeding programme.

The tour also included an introduction to some of the stock bulls, with a particular focus on Donaumoos BD Transcend Z018 ET, one of the bulls from the herd’s Embryo Transfer Programme. The Delle family explained how these bulls are used to maintain the high genetic quality of the herd.

We concluded the day by seeing some of the bulls destined for the annual Donaumoos Angus Bull Sale, which takes place in April 2025. The sale is growing in prominence and continues to attract attention from buyers across Europe.

Day Two

Morning Session: Visit to the Ulm Farmers Market

Saturday morning began with a visit to the farmers market in Ulm, where Bernhard shared the story of how the Delle family began selling their products at markets. In 1990, Bernhard started with a refrigerated van and began selling at local markets. Over time, they expanded to a fleet of beef vans, which now visit various markets from Tuesday to Saturday.

Bernhard explained that their beef vans have a loyal customer base, many of whom are older customers who may not have the means to travel to larger stores. The cost of maintaining a stall at the market is relatively low, as the city authorities encourage market participation, but it’s competitive to secure a space.

Around 80% of the beef is sold at the markets, while the remaining 20% is sold through the family’s restaurant. Bernhard discussed how the demand for high-quality, sustainably produced food is growing in Germany, with customers increasingly concerned about animal welfare and the sourcing of their food.

Afternoon Session: Bull Judging and Final Discussions

On arrival we were once again warmly greeted by incredible hospitality shown by the Delle family throughout the whole weekend. We started off by sampling some of their beef burgers where we were all in agreement that they were some of the best that we had ever tasted which just goes to show the time and effort they have put into product they are producing.

The afternoon session involved a bull judging competition, where we had the opportunity to assess 40 bulls. The bulls were grouped by sire, and participants evaluated them independently, ranking them in first, second, and third places using a simple judging system: three points for first place, two for second, and one for third.

Once all the scores were collected, we identified the top bulls from each group, and then the group of first-place winners was judged to determine the overall champion. After much deliberation, the overall champion bull was selected: Donaumoos MD Kansas Z022 ET, an embryo transfer son of GAR Kansas.

The session started discussions about the different types of bulls we viewed and how the Donaumoos herd is producing bulls suitable for various markets, emphasizing the importance of genetics and selection for market demands.

Godfrey Neale Trophy

The Godfrey Neale Trophy for Endeavour for the Senior Conference will be awarded at the February Bull Sales in 2025. The Trophy recognizes exceptional potential, knowledge, and enthusiasm, celebrating the future leaders of beef farming.

Conclusion

The 2024 Senior Conference was an incredible experience that showcased the Delle family’s innovative and inspiring approach to Angus farming. We left with new ideas, stronger connections, and a deeper appreciation for the possibilities within the Aberdeen-Angus breed.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Bernhard and the Delle family for their hospitality and to all participants for making this event a resounding success.