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AngusSourceThe Source

Marketing with DNA.

GeneMax (GMX) and AngusSource® Genetic are teaming up to provide producers the opportunity to take their marketing program to a new level with DNA technology.


GeneMax Focus and GeneMax Advantage are multi-faceted tools that can be used to market and manage your commercial-Angus herd at an affordable price. The GMX suite of genomic tests was developed in collaboration by Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) and Zoetis for commercial cattle producers to identify superior replacement heifers or to sort Angus feeder cattle that have the highest gain and grade potential. Both GMX and AngusSource Genetic are tools for progressive commercial cattlemen who have high-percentage, Angus-based genetics.


Producers and buyers already know the added value of the American Angus Association’s AngusSource Genetic program as a marketing plan for commercial cattlemen. The Marketing Document, the backbone of the program, is generated for each enrollment group that records Angus-sired genetics, source and group age. Producers can customize the document to include vaccination history and sale information, as well as other valuable management practices that will increase the value of calves enrolled.


Now is the time to invest in your bottom line for the future. Enroll your feeder calves and replacement females in AngusSource® Genetic. Test your replacement heifer herdmates with GMX. Use those numbers as an indicator for how those feeder calves can potentially gain and grade while using the GMX scores to determine which animals you will keep or market as replacement females.

That same customized AngusSource Genetic Marketing Document that is emailed weekly to more than 600 potential buyers interested in purchasing Angus-sired calves can now convey GMX results to your potential buyers, too. You have invested in quality Angus genetics, so tell those buyers the gain and grade potential of your feeder calves before the calves step into the ring.


GeneMax Focus can give your potential buyers more confidence in their purchasing decisions with an overall score, a gain score and a marbling score. Feeding a calf that grades USDA Prime doesn’t cost any more than it does to feed a calf that grades USDA Choice — but we all know there is a difference in the bottom line.


Producers benefit from GeneMax Focus results, as well. The scores are an excellent tool to use in your herd-management toolbox for culling decisions. In a recent survey conducted by CAB, producers ranked carcass data and value along with feedlot performance as a top management concern. Obtaining that information can be challenging and sometimes impossible. The GMX tests can give producers good indicators about how their calves can potentially gain in the feedlot and grade on the rail.


The GMX overall score ranks each animal against the GMX database and gives you a score from 100 to 1. The GMX marbling and GMX gain score is a genomic prediction ranked against the database for each animal and gives you a score from 5 to 1. Use your herd-management information and GMX data in conjunction with the American Angus Association’s expected progeny difference (EPD) database when selecting your next herd sire, culling females or selecting replacement heifers to improve the genetic quality of your calf crop.


Now is the time to invest in your bottom line for the future. Enroll your feeder calves and replacement females in AngusSource Genetic. Test your replacement heifer herdmates with GMX. Use those numbers as an indicator for how those feeder calves can potentially gain and grade while using the GMX scores to determine which animals you will keep or market as replacement females.


These tools used in conjunction with the American Angus Association EPD database have the potential to increase the carcass value, gain and genetic quality of your herd each year. Enroll your calves in AngusSource Genetic and test your calves with GMX. Enjoy the marketing benefits from both of these programs this sale season.


Comment on the storyEditor's Note: Ginette Kurtz is the director of commercial programs for the American Angus Association.





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