With the release of Angus Link, the American Angus Association looks to drive more value for Angus-sired calves with superior genetics. Kicked off on Aug. 28, the program will provide buyers and sellers with three easy-to-understand values on the genetic potential of feeder cattle, which includes overall Beef Score, Feedlot Performance Score, and Grid Score. Scores range from 0 to 200 with 100 representing the industry’s average feeder calf. This allows feedlots and order buyers to make a quick determination of the comparative genetic value of feeder cattle.
Angus Link Field Representative Frank Padilla thinks a program like this is the missing link in communicating value. He explains, “Commercial producers spend a year producing top quality feeder cattle, but their calves then change hands to a new owner after only being in the ring for 30 seconds. Angus Link gives buyers a way to assess the genetic merit of a lot at the speed of commerce, so buyers can then bid accordingly.”
Angus Link isn’t the only program the Angus Association is offering commercial cattle producers to help them market their feeder cattle. AngusSource, which has been offered by the association for 15 years, has expanded to include five USDA Process Verified Programs including age and source, non-hormone treated cattle (NHTC), Never-Ever three/verified natural (NE3), cattle care and handling, and calf management. This allows commercial producers utilizing Angus genetics one-stop shopping for value-added programs
As for Angus Link, it requires that a minimum of 50 percent of a producer’s bull battery be registered Angus bulls that have been transferred to the commercial producer. The remaining 50 percent of the producer’s bull battery can be comprised of non-Angus bulls—either bulls registered with another breed association or non-registered bulls. No more than 25 percent of the bulls can be non-registered. In the case a producer has used artificial insemination (AI), they must provide the number of straws they used and keep proof of purchase on file. To make the system more robust, producers can provide more information regarding the genetic merit of their cow herd. This includes the maternal grandsires of the calves, and this additional information will result in more accurate Angus Link scores. In addition to the genetic requirements, calves must meet minimum preconditioning standards of having one round of vaccinations for clostridial, viral, and bacterial.
The inputs into the Beef Score are carcass weight, marbling and feed efficiency, while the inputs into the Feedlot Performance Score are post-weaning performance and dry matter intake. Lastly, the inputs into the Grid Score are marbling, back fat, and ribeye area. For ease of interpretation, 100 will always remain average in the years to come regardless of genetic trend.
Padilla explains, “These straightforward scores take full advantage of Angus’ database, which includes more carcass records, genomic profiles, and feed intake records than any other dataset. Angus Link’s strength is also its simplicity that allows it to work at the speed of commerce, and has the full backing of the resources of the world’s largest beef breed association that literally provides services from conception to consumer with Certified Angus Beef.”
For those cattle that excel in the program, they are eligible for the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) “Targeting the Brand” logo. Qualifying cattle must have a minimum Angus Link Grid Score of 125 and meet the phenotypic standards to be eligible for CAB under the GLA schedule (www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/LS-SCH-GLA.pdf ).
[inline_image file=”cecac28f143aa63150ca6ddb85f3cafd.jpg” caption=”A black Angus calf enrolled in the Angus Link program. Angus Link helps identify the genetic merit of feeder cattle at the speed of commerce.”]
The cost to enroll in Angus Link is $4.50 per head or a minimum transaction fee of $225. However, the association is discounting the price of enrollment for the first 50,000 head to $4, and these early adopters will receive the $0.50/head discount on all future enrollments so long as they continue to enroll their calves into Angus Link each year. Enrollment is simple and can be completed over the internet at www.anguslink.com.
The association has also staffed up to provide the best services possible to commercial producers that use Angus genetics. These include Chris Engel, who is the director of feeder cattle programs. His duties range from day-to-day oversight of the program to its long-term strategic management. They have also brought on two long-time industry veterans—Padilla and Casey Cobb—to serve as field representatives. Their job is to take these programs out to the country, working directly with commercial cow-calf producers, order buyers, stocker operations, and feedlots.
Padilla reports that the program is being well-received. In a Beta test with 4,000 head at Northern Video Auction in July, Angus Link was observed to have driven more bidders to the cattle, which increased competition. Overall, the Angus Link program was reported to have had a positive return on investment.
Padilla not only sees Angus Link as a way to identify top feeder cattle, but also as a way to assist producers in improving their breeding program. He sees feedlots using it the same way, not only allowing them to pay up for top calves, but also pricing others accordingly. Overall, Angus Link allows feed yard managers to have a genetic hedge, as well as providing a tool for seedstock producers to assist their customers with marketing their calves.
Angus Link also has a marketing arm to assist commercial producers. This includes a website where producers have the option to list their calves along with when and where they are going to be marketed. In addition, the association sends email blasts on enrolled calves that are for sale to 800 interested feed yard managers, stockers operations, and order buyers. Padilla and Cobb also have extensive industry contacts, which should help drive buyers to enrolled calves through word of mouth.
With the industry becoming more and more objective and data driven, programs like Angus Link help bridge the transfer of information between industry segments. Padilla sums up the program saying, “It serves the purpose of tying all the information from sires’ and maternal grandsires’ genetics that commercial producers use in their herds and then summarizes it in a form that stockers and feed yards can use in making buying decisions. Most importantly, it does so at the speed of commerce. It also will lead to producers making better breeding decisions that will result in more valuable calves.” — Dr. Bob Hough
(Dr. Bob Hough is the retired executive vice president of the Red Angus Association of America and freelance writer.)
