Sara Snider
The Source
AngusSource® calves continue to earn more.
The AngusSource program continues to add value to Angus-sired cattle, according to recent data from Western Video Market.
Western Video Market auction prices collected throughout 2010, show age- and source-verified calves sold through AngusSource earned higher prices compared to calves not age- and source-verified.
Calves enrolled in the American Angus Association's program, which documents source and group age of Angus-sired genetics, brought $2.57 more per cwt. than non-verified calves.
Data also show calves sold as primarily Angus brought $2.60 more per cwt. than English-to-English crosses, and $3.12 more than English-Continental crosses.
"The price difference in this study was almost identical to the 2010 Superior study," says Sara Snider, AngusSource director, referring to Superior Livestock Auction data released December 2010 showing a $2.58-per-cwt. price advantage. "This speaks to the continued increasing value of Angus genetics in the marketplace."
In fact, the number of cattle enrolled in AngusSource continues to grow. More than 21,400 head of Angus-sired calves were enrolled in April alone — the largest number registered in a single month. Year-to-date enrollments in AngusSource are up 6% compared to this time last year.
"We have some producers enrolling their tenth calf crop, a testament to the value they see in the program," Snider says.
Producers with cattle not meeting AngusSource genetic requirements can enroll calves in Gateway, a second-tier program that verifies age and source. Enrollments in that program — now in its second year — have nearly doubled.
Both AngusSource and Gateway allow ranchers to take advantage of the program's online listing service, which is available at www.angus.org/angussource and features stocker/feeder cattle and replacement females available for sale. The list is distributed via email to more than 600 potential buyers each week.
Visit www.angus.org to learn more about AngusSource, Gateway or the many other American Angus Association programs designed to help commercial producers market their calves.
[Click here to go to the top of the page.]