Breedplan is widely recognised as a valuable tool for genetic evaluation, but if it wasn't a small group of breeders and researchers, it may not have become as widely recognised as it is today.
James Litchfield OAM, the fourth generation to manage the Hazeldean business started by his great grandfather, James Litchfield, in 1862, played a major role in the development of Breedplan, after establishing the Angus stud in 1952.
"As we had gone through the pioneering stage of incorporating measured genetic differences for productive traits in the selection of replacements in our Merino stud, beginning in 1960, it was a natural progression to apply the same principles to the Angus herd," he said.
Mr Litchfield was part of the push for Breedplan after working with Department of Agriculture beef cattle officer Lloyd Williams, who had travelled to the US to where the American Angus Society was developing a genetic assessment program for its members.
He continued that push when he became a member of the breed society's NSW State Committee, but he wasn't successful until a conference held at the University of New England for the purpose of establishing a national scheme covering all beef breeds.
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"The idea received strong support and those charged with the responsibility for formation came from the Australian Business Research Institute and the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit at the university plus a group of active beef producers," Mr Litchfield said.
He was chairman of that group, which created the National Beef Recording Scheme, which was later renamed Breedplan.
Breedplan was formally launched at the Hazeldean Angus bull sale in 1985, and the genetic assessment grew rapidly in the Angus breed, Mr Litchfield said.
"The beef industry particularly in the southern states was dominated by the Hereford and Shorthorn breeds.
"Angus were very much in the minority, the underdogs, and suffered a discount in the market place.
"This situation probably led to a more open minded view of innovative ideas. The example set by the Americans would also have had an impact and morale was boosted by the preference for Angus beef that had developed in the Japanese export market. All of these factors contributed to the incredible expansion of Angus members across southern Australia and the continuing march to the north."
