Ginette Gottswiller
The Source
Farm show fascination.
Want a big crowd of farmers to show up? Display John Deere’s newest quad-track tractor and the crowd will come. During the Kansas City Farm Show, it was standing-room-only near this big green monster. I’m not sure who was more excited to crawl up in the driver’s seat — the big kids or the little ones. These shows are a great time to get more in-depth information about a product, no matter if you own it or not.
I love to see all the youth from FFA chapters, college ag groups and 4-H enjoying the latest technology and equipment. One parent had two boys in a little red wagon with a 4-H bumper sticker that said, “Making the Best Better.”
Angus feeder calves have commanded top prices since the Here’s the Premium report began in 1999. In the last 16 years, it has seen an upward trend of premiums for Angus feeder calves. Angus steers and heifers averaging 524 pounds (lb.) and 509 lb., respectively, brought a combined average of $6.93 per hundredweight (cwt.) over all other calves of similar size and condition.
As a producer, do you feel you have done everything possible to get the most premiums on your Angus feeder calves at marketing time?
How do you convey to potential buyers that your calves are Angus-sired from top-quality genetics that will perform in the feedlot and on the rail?
During the past 10 years, a video market has analyzed the premiums on age- and source- verified (ASV) calves. Packing plants paid a premium for ASV calves from 2006 to early 2013, but by May 2013 those premiums dried up. Take a moment to study Fig. 2. Premiums for ASV cattle were higher last year than they have ever been. Why? Buyers realize producers who enroll in value-added programs go the extra mile. Those are the producers who buy the best genetics, and who wean and vaccinate their calves while using a first-rate mineral program. Buyers want calves that will perform, but that also come with a few bells and whistles.
Take another look at Fig. 2. The data is not as fresh, but calves enrolled in AngusSource from 2006 to 2011 show their premiums outpaced ASV calves by more than 30% some years. The demand for quality Angus-sired calves has only increased over the past few years.
You may have the best Angus-sired feeder calves anyone has ever seen, but if that buyer doesn’t know your cattle or have additional information, he may not make the extra investment. AngusSource documents the genetics you used, and if you include vaccination records and other management practices, that will be added to the marketing document. Each week an email is sent to more than 600 potential buyers listing the AngusSource calves that are selling.
You have used the best Angus genetics, and weaned and vaccinated your best set of feeder calves. Now, “Make the Best Better” by enrolling your Angus-sired feeder calves in AngusSource by calling 816-383-5100 today.
Editor's Note: Ginette Gottswiller is the director of commercial programs for the American Angus Association.
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