Benefit # 1: Color

(Excerpt from The History of Red Angus by the Red Angus Association of America)

* Red is the most populous color of cattle breeds world wide. Red Angus provides continuity and uniformity of color to any crossbreeding system.

* Red is more heat tolerant than black and the bronze pigmentation gives great resistance to cancer eye and sun burned udders. The majority of the world's cattle are in areas that need heat tolerance, so the red color is a definite advantage.

* Being crossed red always breeds true. Red Angus carry no diluter genes and thus avoid the grays that result when crossbreeding with blacks.

Benefit #2: Leader in Production

(Excerpt from "Red Angus Today" by the Red Angus Association of America)

 

* Maternal

* Fertility

* Disposition

* Heat Tolerance

* Efficiency (grass & grain)

Due to numerous natural advantages, "Angus" serves as the common
denominator in crossbreeding pro-
grams throughout the country.

Red Angus delivers live, vigorous, trouble free calves. Reproduction is the number one driver of profitability. The number and value of the calves on the ground at the end of calving season represents the potential economic return you will receive from your herd bull investment. Red Angus breeders have focused on increasing the performance of their cattle, but have not lost sight of the importance of calving ease. As a result, the genetic trends of Red Angus show a strong increase in growth with only a negligible change in birth weight.

Red Angus replacement females are moderately framed, easy calving and easy fleshing. The docile disposition and maternal ability of Red Angus females has made them a favorite among commercial cattlemen across the country who are looking to increase the fertility and profitability of their cow herd. They are early puberty cattle that do not need excessive nutrients and management to calve on time as two year olds. Red Angus are efficient, and are known for their milking ability, fertility and longevity.

Red Angus cattle are well adapted for hot climates. The red color reflects sunlight better than black. The absence of cancer eye, sunburned udders, and the insect resistance of Red Angus make them well suited for areas of the world that require heat tolerance.

Because Red Angus have maintained a moderate frame size they can produce ideal carcasses at industry acceptable weights whether they are backgrounded or go straight into a feedyard. In addition, Red Angus are considered trouble free cattle in the feedyard; they start easily on feed and have outstanding appetites. The quiet disposition of Red Angus cattle is especially appreciated by feedyard managers. Research and experience has shown that mild disposition cattle usually have higher average daily gains and lower incidence of dark cutters. On the rail, the carcasses consistently meet industry demands.

When you are getting ready to invest in a herd sire or replacement females, invest in the future. Red Angus meet the demands of today's cattle industry and offer the greatest number of advantages for profit minded producers.

Benefit #3: Leader in Prediction

(Excerpt from "Red Angus Today" by the Red Angus Association of America)

 

* Total Herd Reporting

* EPDs

* Fertility

* Growth

* Carcass

Red Angus is the best objectively described breed in the industry, and are equipped with unbiased and reliable genetic predictions.

Genetic predictions in the form of EPDs are a cattle producer's most powerful tool for making informed breeding decisions. The Red Angus Association implemented Total Herd Reporting (THR) in 1995 which requires that the production and performance of all animals in the Red Angus herd book be accounted for annually. THR results in Red Angus having the most unbiased and reliable EPDs in the industry and allows producers to make selection decisions with confidence.

The RAAA has focused its efforts on developing EPDs for Economically Relevant Traits (ERTs). ERTs are those aspects of fertility, growth, and carcass which directly affect your bottom line.

Fertility: Red Angus is the only Association that completely describes female fertility. The RAAA publishes a Calving Ease Direct (calving ease of a sires' offspring), Heifer Pregnancy EPD (predicts the probability differences in the expected pregnancy rate of a bull's daughters developed and exposed to calve as a two-year old), Calving Ease Total Maternal EPDs (predicts the probability differences that a two-year old will calve unassisted), and a Stayability EPD (probability differences that a sires' daughter, once in production, will raise a calf after reaching six years of age).

Growth: Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, Milk and Yearling Weight Growth EPDs have been published since the first RAAA sire summary was released. THR insures that RAAA Growth EPDs are calculated using complete and unbiased data.

Carcass Traits: Marbling, Rib Eye Area and Fat Thickness

Differences in carcass merit are predicted using EPDs for Marbling, Rib Eye Area and Fat Thickness. In addition to traditional carcass data, real time ultrasound is incorporated to enhance the accuracies of the Red Angus carcass EPDs.

Backed by the most progressive breed association in the industry, Red Angus breeders offer the genetics, services, and programs that will ensure the profitability and success of your operation for many years to come.

Benefit #4: Leader in Profit!

(Excerpt from "Red Angus Today" by the Red Angus Association of America)

* Cow/calf Producers

* Cattle Feeders

* Packers

The consistent performance and predictability of Red Angus cattle in the pasture, the feedyard and on the rail provides producers an opportunity for increased profit.

On The Rail: The Finished Product

Industry efforts continue to align producers, feeders, and packers, and introduce quality and consistency through branded beef products. "Angus" influenced cattle and their carcasses have many inherent advantages, as documented in industry research. "Angus" cattle produce well marbled, tender, and uniform carcasses. Based on these advantages, many branded beef programs target Red Angus cattle to consistently supply great tasting beef to consumers.

Red Angus females make outstanding mother cows. Commercial producers are looking to Red Angus to increase the fertility and performance of their cow herd. Red Angus heifers represent profit potential whether you sell them as replacements or retain them in your own herd.

Whether you decide to sell your calves at weaning or retain ownership of replacement females or feeder cattle, Red Angus genetics increase your marketing options and the value of your calf-crop.

Feedyard managers across the country are looking for Red Angus influenced feeder cattle to go into their yards. High quality Red Angus feeder cattle are selling at the top of the market regardless of the marketing method.

Packers are demanding the quality that "Angus" cattle can provide. On the rail, Red Angus produce consistent carcasses that receive premiums and return profits.

* Carcasses consistently fit within the 550 - 950 lb window of industry acceptance

* Over 70% of the carcasses qualify for the USDA Choice grade

* Of those grading Choice, over 1/3 qualify for several approved "Angus" products and other premium branded beef programs

* Carcasses produce minimal YG 4s and YG 5s, while achieving a consistent level of YG 1s and 2s.

Red Angus Marketing Programs Feeder Calf Certification Program (FCCP)

Through a unique yellow ear tagging system, the certification program offers marketing alternatives from Red Angus sponsored feeder cattle services to packing plant programs. Ultimately, Certified cattle are eligible for approved "Angus" branded beef product lines.

The Red Angus Marketing Programs houses several services that provide producers using Red Angus genetics with marketing options for their calves, while simultaneously helping to meet the increasing demand from feedyards wishing to locate and purchase Red Angus influenced feeder cattle.

Marketing Programs Services

* Feeder Fax

* Superior Livestock Auction

* Certified Red Angus Feeder Calf Sales

* Red Angus Bulletin Board