Jeff Mafi
Association Perspective
Take advantage of the Association’s resources for commercial cattlemen.
I joined the American Angus Association as regional manager for the Oklahoma and Kansas territory back in late May and would like to introduce myself to the many readers of this publication. I am a native of Oklahoma, and a graduate of Oklahoma State University (OSU) with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and a master’s degree in meat science.
I previously served as senior herdsman for the OSU Purebred Beef Cattle Center in Stillwater, Okla. For eight years my general responsibilities included managing genetic selection and breeding of all females, developing bulls for registered and commercial breeders, and managing the annual production sale. I have also served as a member of the OSU Animal Science Alumni Association Board of Directors, a past president of the Intercollegiate Livestock Judging Coaches Association, and an instructor for the Michigan State University Department of Animal Science for six years.
My primary responsibility with the Association will be to assist the membership and users of Angus genetics in understanding Association rules and guidelines, as well as implementing and utilizing the programs and services offered by the Association. In addition, I represent Angus Productions Inc. (API), an affiliate of the American Angus Association that publishes the breed’s official publication, the Angus Journal, as well as the Angus Beef Bulletin, the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA and the Angus Journal Daily.
During the last two months I have been traveling throughout my territory, making herd visits with mostly purebred breeders and some commercial operations. I have seen some really good groups of bulls that will be for sale this fall!
I will be the first to tell you that this position with the Association has been very rewarding. It is without question a great organization to work with and this vast membership of people in my territory have been rewarding to work for. I will continue to make herd visits and have begun to focus on the commercial side even more.
I would like to share with you the many opportunities the Association has to offer to help you manage your bull battery and female inventory, assist in replacement female selection, marketing opportunities for your calves, and, ultimately, allow your cow herd to be more profitable.
Angus Optimal Milk Module
The Angus Optimal Milk Module, available online at www.angus.org/Performance/OptimalMilk/OptimalMilkMain.aspx, allows you to input your current average cow weight and cow herd milking level, as well as your annual estimated pasture and feed cost, to arrive at a target range of milk expected progeny differences (EPDs) matched to your needs.
AngusSource® Genetic
This program is for commercial cow-calf producers who want to increase the value of their cattle. This program documents genetics, source and group age of feeder cattle and replacement females. Enrolled calves will be identified with a visual, radio frequency identification (RFID) or ChoiceSet program tag. Producers can document when they plan to sell their calves and health/management information on each enrollment groups’ marketing document. Learn more about the program in “The Source” column published each month on the Marketing page of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA and online at www.angus.org/AngusSource/AngusSource.aspx.
Commercial Angus sales
“Special” sales of feeder cattle or replacement females at auction markets or ranches, or on video/Internet.
Beef Record Service
The Beef Record Service (BRS) provides a system for commercial producers to keep performance records on their animals, regardless of breed composition. These records can help producers make selection decisions on their cow herd, while supplying information to help market the calf progeny as steers and replacement heifers. Producers can submit information on their cow herd, including sire information, breeding records, calving and weaning data, and any additional performance or carcass data collected on their calves.
These data can be submitted, viewed and sorted via your computer on the BRS Online site at www.angusonline.org/logon.aspx, or can also be submitted and returned on paper forms, printable from this site, or available from the Commercial Programs Department at the Association. The BRS program provides a tool for serious producers who wish to link the end product to the ranch of origin by identifying genetics that work in their operation.
GeneMax Advantage
GeneMax® Advantage™ is a genomic test for 75% and higher commercial black Angus females. The test ranks heifers for net return using three economic index scores, identifies genetic outliers for four additional traits and facilitates multi-sire assignment from candidate Zoetis HD 50K-tested sires. GeneMax Advantage delivers more dependable information for heifer selection, mating and marketing decisions. To learn more, download a helpful Q&A at www.angus.org/AGI/GeneMaxAdvantageFAQ4-17-14.pdf.
Feedlot listing available
Responding to requests for information on operations feeding cattle, the Commercial Programs Department has assembled a list of feedlots interested in Angus genetics. This resource includes vital information, services available and marketing options on each of the feedlots that responded to an association mailing. The listing is available at www.angus.org/Commercial/Links/CommFeedlotRpt.aspx.
Sire Evaluation search
The online, searchable version of the most recent Angus Sire Evaluation report is available at www.angus.org/Nce/SireSummarySearchCriteria.aspx.
If you have questions about these opportunities please contact your regional manager or the Commercial Programs Department at 816-383-5100.
I look forward to working with you!
Editor’s Note: Regional Manager Jeff Mafi covers the states of Kansas and Oklahoma.
[Click here to go to the top of the page.]