Sara Snider

The Source

When can I enroll?

Calves cannot be enrolled in AngusSource® until the first calf is born.

The program verifies “group age.”That is, all calves enrolled together share the birth date of the oldest calf in the group. Without a record of when the first calf was born, the enrollment cannot be processed and tags cannot be issued. We encourage producers to enroll after calving is complete to ensure an accurate head count. Tagging calves at weaning or preconditioning helps ensure that each calf has a tag that is easy to read when it is time to market.

Some producers, however, use the AngusSource program tag as the only means of identification (ID) and enroll with only one calf born. In order to enroll with only one or two calves born, you must be able to provide AngusSource with cow exposure numbers to account for the possible number of calves born. While this is allowed, it is not encouraged as there are several challenges, including challenges with lost tags and achieving an accurate head count:

• Accurate head count. It is hard to know exactly how many calves you will have until they are all born. Only one tag can be issued per cow exposed if you enroll prior to the completion of calving. This means that if you end up with several sets of twins, you will be short tags. Those extra calves will either not be enrolled in the program or they will have to be enrolled as a separate lot — with another $50 enrollment fee. If you end up with unused tags, they must be destroyed and documented on the ID 400 Tag Reconciliation Form.
  
  
• Lost tags. AngusSource tags are full-sized. This means that they are fairly large for a newborn calf's ear. Retention of tags decreases when the calves are tagged at birth. If a calf loses a tag it is “out of the program”until a replacement is issued. Without a secondary ID it is sometimes more difficult to qualify for replacements. Replacement tags must be requested with the ID 280 Replacement Tag Request form, and the appropriate fees must be paid.

If you have calves on the ground, you can start your enrollment at any time. We can always wait until you have an accurate head count to finalize the enrollment and issue tags. Starting early ensures that the enrollment will be complete when you are ready to sell, and you can take full advantage of our marketing support.

To get started today download an enrollment form at www.angussource.com or contact us at 816-383-5100 to request an enrollment packet. We look forward to helping you market this year's calves.