Adam Conover
Association Perspective
How many calves do I need to have to enroll in AngusSource®?
During the past year AngusSource, a program for any commercial producer who sells feeder calves and replacement heifers sired by a registered-Angus bull, has enrolled groups of calves ranging from six to 3,200 head.
In 2015, Missouri was ranked sixth in the country for total cow numbers; more than 79% of producers in the state have fewer than 50 head of cows. The American Angus Association started the AngusSource program to assist producers in marketing their calves, regardless of herd size.
Leland Browning, an AngusSource customer from Missouri, is glad his calves are part of the program and has sold approximately 18 sets through AngusSource. He merchandizes cattle in both spring and fall, retains his own replacement heifers and buys new bulls every two years. Each set of feeder calves Browning sells ranges from 10 to 12 head and is enrolled in the program.
Says Browning of AngusSource, “It allows me to sell small groups of cattle at the same price as non-sourced large groups.”
Many people think age verification programs have faded away, but that is not the truth in reality. Buyers seek out calves enrolled in a program because those calves generally have quality genetics behind them, and have been vaccinated and managed very well. During the summer of 2015, calves enrolled in an age-verification program received $4.07 per hundredweight (cwt.) more than calves not enrolled. This past summer, age-verified calves garnered $2.16 per cwt. over non-verified calves. This data was derived from load lots sold on a known video sale.
How much does it cost to enroll in AngusSource?
The cost of the program is the cost of the tag plus a $50 enrollment fee. If you sell a 600-pound (lb.) calf and you receive $12.96 per calf, why would you not enroll? I always get questions about how to enroll. It’s simple: Download the enrollment form from the website, www.angussource.com, or call 816-383-5100 to request a form. When you’ve completed the enrollment form and sent in copies of your calving records, an AngusSource administrator will call to complete your training.
The AngusSource marketing document is the backbone of the program. Document all the important information on your calf crop like weight, sex, vaccinations, weaning date, preconditioning, nutrition or any other information you feel will tell the buyer how valuable your calves will be to him. Don’t forget to list the sale location and date. AngusSource emails more than 700 potential buyers who have signed up to know when and where AngusSource calves are selling. Emails go out on Sunday the week your calves will be marketed and the Tuesday after you first list your calves for sale.
Buyers are looking for quality genetics not only from Missouri but from each and every state. They look to the American Angus Association and AngusSource for quality, genetically superior feeder calves. Find out how you can enroll your calf crop in the most well-respected age verification program, AngusSource, on our website www.angussource.com or call Adam Conover at 816-676-8560.
Editor’s Note: Regional Manager Adam Conover covers Region 5, including the states of Iowa and Missouri. Click here to find the regional manager for your state.
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