Association Commentary
RAAA National Office
18335 E. 103rd Ave., Suite 202 Commerce City, CO 80022 (940) 387-3502 • FAX (888) 829-6069 Email: info@redangus.org RedAngus.org
Chief Executive Officer Tom Brink Ext. 4 - tombrink@redangus.org
Director of Breed Improvement Ryan Boldt Ext. 12 - ryan@redangus.org
Director of Office Operations Halla Pfeiff Ext. 10 - halla@redangus.org
REDSPro & Registry Specialist Billie Boyd Ext. 6 - billie@redangus.org
REDSPro & Registry Specialist Nicole Rebitski Ext. 5 - nicole@redangus.org
Tags and Show Program Specialist Jeananne Drouhard Ext. 18 - jeananne@redangus.org
DNA Data Programs Coordinator Alana Skelton Ext. 14 - alana@redangus.org
DNA Customer Service Specialist Kai Miranda Ext. 24 - kai@redangus.org
Database and Registration Consultant Kenda Ponder Ext. 15 - kenda@redangus.org
Director of Commercial Marketing Harold Bertz (816) 661-2289 - harold@redangus.org
by Tom Brink, RAAA Chief Executive Officer
Resilient Reds: Leading the Pack in Female Fertility The 2021 drought in the western and northern regions of the U.S. has been challenging to say the least. Some reports indicated that, by late summer, 99% of all land west of the Rocky Mountains was experiencing moderate to severe drought. The Northern Plains was not much different. Minnesota, both Dakotas and eastern Montana have been significantly impacted. Beef cow slaughter increased 8% nationally through the first seven months of 2021 versus a year ago, with drought-affected areas offloading cows significantly faster than other parts of the country. For example, during July this year, beef cow cull rates rose 12% over the same month in 2020 throughout the western third of the lower 48 states.
Commercial Marketing Coordinator Katie Martin Ext. 16 - katieochsner@redangus.org
Commercial Marketing Specialist Nolan Woodruff Ext. 9 - nolan@redangus.org
Commercial Marketing Specialist Rachael Oliver (406) 480-1569 - rachael@redangus.org
Tag and Show Programs Coordinator Chessie Mitchell Ext. 20 - chessie@redangus.org
Director of Education and Junior Programs
Because drought started before the breeding season in many locations, pregnancy rates are bound to be lower than normal this fall. The “fedin” fertility that makes some breeds look good in abundant grass years has not been available to prop up cowherds that are genetically weak in fertility-related traits, such as fleshing ability.
Four Quadrants of Fertility
Genetic Fertility
RAAA National Staff
1
3
2
4
Higher Nutrition and BCS Levels
The chart provides a reminder that fertility outcomes, like all traits, are a combination of genetics and environment. When nutrition levels are high, and most cows in the herd are in good body condition (Quadrants 3 and 4), pregnancy rates can be favorable for females with either high or low genetic merit for fertility. Ample nutrition becomes the rising tide that lifts all boats. Tan shading represents favorable pregnancy rates. Red shading indicates poor pregnancy rates.
Dr. Kim Heller (515) 851-2019 - juniors@redangus.org
Publisher & Advertising Director Tracey Koester (701) 391-5440 - tracey@redangus.org
Editor & Director of Communications Brandi Buzzard Frobose (785) 448-0239 - brandi@redangus.org
Communications Specialist Lisa Bryant (405) 766-8942 - lisa@redangus.org
Accounting Director Janet Russell Ext. 11 - janet@redangus.org
Receptionist Margaux Midas Ext. 3 - receptionist@redangus.org
Cows with greater built-in fertility can withstand less-than-ideal nutritional situations. 10
RED ANGUS Magazine October 2021
