There are nearly 70 USDA-recognized branded beef programs. Two-thirds of those programs are reserved exclusively for animals that meet the program specifications for “Angus.” Suffice it to say, there are ample opportunities for premiums and improved profitability for producers who are able to market cattle into those product lines. Red Angus producers are now one step closer to those premium opportunities due to an update from USDA.
In November 2021, the Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) negotiated an update in the Red Angus breed’s Live Animal Specification form. These specifications set the requirement for live cattle eligible for certification in approved beef programs and, by updating, laid the foundation for Red Angus cattle to be accepted into Angus-labeled branded beef programs, at the request of each individual brand program.
Red Angus cattle have always been “Angus,” and USDA officially acknowledged that fact by enabling Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle that meet certain requirements to join black-hided animals in as many Angus beef brands as decided in favor of their inclusion.
[inline_image file=”9e6300b8652faa3a585a3029679b3211.jpg” caption=”CJ Blew”]
CJ Blew, rancher and co-owner of the Blew Partnership in Hutchinson, KS, is excited at this development in the beef business.
“Blew Partnership retains and feeds all steers, non-exposed heifers, open heifers and heiferettes; so, for our operation, this live animal specification should give us market access to schedule GLAs that are packer-based ‘black Angus’ program premiums that previously we were not eligible for. This one change, and RAAA’s commitment to create market access for Red Angus cattle, potentially add significant top line revenue to our operation.”
Beef demand is expected to remain strong this year and beyond. Cattle markets are receiving a welcomed boost due to a year-over-year increase in beef exports for the first 11 months of 2021. Additionally, a decline in cattle numbers last year due to drought-influenced liquidation has set the stage for increased prices for producers from all beef industry segments.
The addition of Red Angus-influenced cattle to high-quality Angus-based branded beef programs fills a need which will benefit cow-calf producers, cattle feeders, packers and consumers.
“The new live animal specification is a first step in creating the pull-through demand required from a commercial producer perspective going forward. Starting with the consumer, everything runs downhill through every segment of the beef industry,” explained Blew. “Market access and pull-through demand will add incremental value to all classes of cattle.”
[inline_image file=”eb6f37b97909104c5c5bf2333836d76f.jpg” caption=”Hanging carcass quarters”]
Adding Red Angus to existing Angus beef programs is a simple process—brand owners simply need to contact USDA and request the inclusion of the RAAA live animal specification as part of their program’s schedule GLA specs. RAAA can assist in this process, which in most cases, takes very little time to prepare and is followed by a short correspondence period with USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
“We are excited for this update but know there is a lot of work to be done in making arrangements with packers to ultimately let those cattle in,” said Blew. “It’s important that the inclusion process is turnkey for packers, which will be a win-win for everybody involved.”
“This development will give us the opportunity to approach a couple of packers that know our cattle, and wanted to buy them in the past, but couldn’t because they weren’t black, and hopefully get them to open some of their product lines to our Red Angus cattle,” added Blew.
RAAA is pleased that USDA recognizes that Red Angus are genetically Angus and looks forward to working with many branded Angus lines in the coming months. Our goal is to help these brands grow, both in quality and volume, ultimately making them even more successful. — Brandi Buzzard Frobose, RAAA editor and director of communications
