Vern Frey
Association Perspective
After all you've done, one of the most important things left to do is market your calf crop.
Work is all but finished, and now is the time to put this year's calf crop in the bank. You've selected the genetics to make a profitable calf crop, and ensured that you've had enough bull power to get the cows bred to calve in a timely manner.
You've followed a health program to assure a healthy calf crop, you've watched the cows calve, and you've worked long hours without rest to save as many as possible.
You've vaccinated the calves after birth, and provided good pasture, mineral, and water. After all of this, let's not let up yet. One of the most important things left to do is market this calf crop. I know this is a busy time of year what with harvesting crops and school activities starting for your students, but let's not lose focus.
The American Angus Association has process verified tagging programs, AngusSource® and Gateway, that can help you gain a premium for your calves. For a few cents over a dollar per calf and even if you have a limited amount of time, it can be well worth your time and effort. AngusSource is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Process Verified Program (PVP) for Angus-sired calves that documents source, group age, and a minimum of 50% Angus genetics. A second tier of the AngusSource PVP called Gateway verifies source and group age only.
To enroll in AngusSource or Gateway producers must submit the completed AngusSource/Gateway Producer Participant Enrollment Form/Agreement and complete the training and cattle enrollment process. Once calves are enrolled they are identified with an official program tag and an AngusSource or Gateway Verification Certificate is generated listing the source, age and genetic (AngusSource only) information for the lot.
There is a $50 fee for each enrollment. AngusSource fees are $1 per visual tag, $2.25 per radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or $3.25 per Choice set (includes visual and RFID tag). Gateway fees are $2 per visual tag, $3 per RFID tag or $5 per Choice set (includes visual and RFID tag). Whether you're marketing privately in the country, selling at your local sale barn, have a marketing association, or listing on a video auction, let's get as much value for this calf crop as we can.
Visit the American Angus Association website www.angus.org, e-mail angus@angus.org or call 816-383-5100 and ask for information on the AngusSource and Gateway programs.
Editor's Note: Regional Manager Vern Frey covers Region 8, including the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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