Andy Rest
Association Perspective
High-percentage Angus calves earn premiums as new white paper calls into question the rationale for crossbreeding.
As I write this article in the middle of November, we have seen all-time highs paid for commercial feeder cattle. It has been a truly amazing time to be in the cattle business. Today, more than ever, it is extremely important to do everything you can to ensure that your calves are at the top of the market.
In my travels, the calves sired by a registered Angus bull are still the most in demand. If they are out of an Angus-based cow herd, so much the better. These high-percentage "Angus Angus" calves, as the auctioneers like to call them, have the kind of growth, marbling, tenderness and feed efficiency characteristics that feeders and packers can depend on.
Along these lines, while in Louisville, Ky., for the annual meeting of the American Angus Association I heard an interesting talk given by Nevil Speer of Western Kentucky University. The presentation was entitled "Crossbreeding: a free lunch, but at what cost?" We all know that crossbreeding adds extra pounds to a calf crop, but Speer pointed out the potential for increased calving problems. That, along with the increase in premiums high-percentage Angus calves will bring at sale time should make a commercial cattleman think twice before implementing a crossbreeding program.
Speer went further, stating, "The Angus breed has caught up with Continentals in terms of growth and performance, so you just couldn't get the boost you were used to getting in crossbreeding." He also noted, "It just happens to be that Angus has the genetic base to meet consumer demands and the tools to help people drive that forward."
For more on this train of thought, see the "Still No Free Lunch" article on the Marketing Page of this month's Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA. Speer's full research paper can be found at www.CABpartners.com.
Uniformity plays an important part in the merchandizing process. Buyers will pay a premium for calves that all look alike. When choosing herd bulls, buying as many full or half brothers as possible will ensure your calves have the kind of the uniformity that will bring top dollar. If you merchandise your calves on video, make sure the video shows that uniformity.
Again this year, calves that have been age- and source-verified continue to top the market. The Association's AngusSource® program continues to grow and is the only age- and source-verification program that has a genetic component. It is a potential buyer's guarantee that the calves are truly sired by registered Angus bulls.
For commercial producers that also have calves sired by non-registered Angus bulls or bulls of another breed, the Association offers the Gateway age- and source-verification program. As export demand continues to expand in Asian Rim countries, like Japan and Korea, age and source documentation will continue to be a key reason your cattle receive top premiums.
These are exciting times in the cattle business, and the future looks extremely bright. The Angus advantage will help your cattle continue to top the market for years to come.
Editor's Note: Regional Manager Andy Rest covers Region 10, including the states of Alaska, Montana and Wyoming. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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