In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays spoke with Dr. Mark Johnson, American Angus Association board member from Orlando, Oklahoma, about the association’s upcoming annual convention, the success of its Angus Link program, and the growing demand for high-quality beef. With the annual meeting returning to Louisville, Kentucky, alongside the North American International Livestock Expo, Johnson says the association has several programs and opportunities to share with its membership.
American Angus Association Prepares for Annual Convention
Johnson, who has served on the American Angus Association board for two years, says the annual convention is an important opportunity for Angus breeders and members to come together, share information and discuss the direction of the industry. “We have a great convention planned this year,” Johnson said. “These things are always so beneficial to all of us to convene, talk, fellowship, get to share a lot of information, things that we’ve got going on at the association right now.”
The convention is scheduled for November 13-16 in Louisville, Kentucky. Activities will include educational programming, business meetings, the election of new board members and the association’s annual banquet. Johnson says the convention also provides opportunities for interaction among breeders and other members of the Angus community.
Angus Link Adds Value to Feeder Calves
One program Johnson highlighted is Angus Link, which he described as a game changer for the cattle business.
Angus Link allows producers to receive a genetic merit scorecard on a group of feeder calves without submitting DNA samples on those individual animals. “You have got a program there where you can get a genetic merit scorecard on a set of feeder calves to sell that does not require any DNA submission on those calves,” Johnson said.
He explained that the enrollment process uses the registration numbers of the Angus sires responsible for the calves. The program also verifies the calves as Angus-sired.
Johnson said approximately one million head of calves have gone through the program, with premiums averaging around $20 per hundredweight over the years. “It’s all about trying to add value back to that Angus producer,” Johnson said.
He added that the program is designed to benefit not only Angus breeders but also their commercial bull-buying customers.
Genetic Information Can Help Producers Select Replacement Heifers
Johnson also discussed the GeneMax Advantage program, which provides genetic merit information on replacement females.
The information gives producers another tool when making decisions about which heifers to retain as they replace cows or rebuild their herds. “The common currency of genetic values on those that is directly comparable to registered pedigreed animals, and very convenient tool,” Johnson said.
Johnson believes having access to additional genetic information can help producers become more precise in their selection decisions. “If we really want to be more precise in selection of replacement heifers, as we look to replace cows or rebuild a cow herd, the GeneMax Advantage program, that genetic information we can get back on a set of replacement heifers that’s going to help us be more accurate in our selection has got a lot of benefit,” Johnson said.
He noted that additional information about the program will be shared during the annual convention.
Prime Beef Production and Certified Angus Beef Demand Continue Growing
Johnson also pointed to strong consumer demand for beef, particularly higher-quality beef, as an encouraging sign for the cattle industry.
He said the industry is producing more Prime beef, with demand for that quality grade exceeding demand for the other quality grades. “There was a time that we used to commonly talk about 1 to 2% of our harvest mix of beef cattle reaching quality grade Prime. We’re seeing that in double digits this year,” Johnson said.
Johnson said the increased availability of Prime beef gives consumers more opportunities to try higher-quality products and is helping drive demand.
He also highlighted the continued strength of Certified Angus Beef, noting that the brand has tremendous demand across the beef market. “It’s a tremendous demand for it and it is a driving force for the value of black-hided feeder cattle and registered Angus seed stock,” Johnson said.
When discussing the Certified Angus Beef acceptance rate, Johnson agreed that the figure is around 37% this year, representing a high level of acceptance among cattle being evaluated for the program.
Angus Genetics Helping Meet Consumer Demand
Johnson said improvements in Angus genetics over the past two decades have helped increase the breed’s potential for marbling.
He believes those genetic improvements are showing up in the marketplace, particularly as cattle are being fed longer and marketed at heavier weights. “If you look at genetic trend in Angus cattle, and you see what Angus breeders have accomplished in the last 20 or so years in terms of improving that genetic potential to marble, we are seeing that bear out in the marketplace,” Johnson said.
With strong beef demand, continued interest in quality grades and opportunities to add value through genetic programs, Johnson said he remains optimistic about the cattle business. “As we think about the robust markets we’ve enjoyed, where our cow inventory is, where consumer demand is at for our product, and years to come, I believe we’re going to continue to see that,” Johnson said.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR above for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
