Letter from the editor

LETTER from the editor

There’s never been a better time to be in the Red Angus breed! There’s plenty of reason for cattle producers, and Red Angus breeders in particular, to be optimistic.

First, the beef industry is starting to realize the rebounding prices we’ve been promised in every media outlet’s columns for months. We have moved past the backlog of heavyweight cattle caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and processing plant shutdowns. At the time of writing, fed cattle prices are up $25/cwt from last year and feeder calves are selling at many auction barns for a 40-cent premium per pound from last year.

CattleFax’s Randy Blach explained at the 2022 Cattle Industry Convention & NCBA Trade Show that beef demand is the highest in 33 years. With the smallest national cow herd in years, CattleFax is predicting strong prices in 2022 for all classes of cattle.

Now that early spring bull sales are underway, our commercial marketing team is reporting strong sale numbers for Red Angus cattle. Commercial marketing specialist Racheal Oliver recently reported one sale that was “on fire” despite ice covered roads and -20°F temperatures.

The Red Angus breed is growing as well. Registration, membership and enrollment in RAAA value-added programs continue to increase. In November, the Successful Farming magazine listed Red Angus as the leading U. S. beef breed used in artificial insemination around the world.

The recent National Red Angus Open Show at the Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City was the largest national show in breed history. A tremendous set of cattle were shown in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

In the upcoming months, there’s some exciting research news coming down the pike for the Red Angus breed as well.

At the end of 2021, USDA officially recognized that Red Angus cattle can now be included in Angus-labeled branded beef programs. It will take some time to implement, but this is perhaps the most ground-breaking development for the breed today and will lead to much greater marketing opportunities in the future.

Our social media accounts continue to grow from people expressing interest in the breed. As I travel around my area in south central Oklahoma, I see more and more Red Angus cattle in pastures. I’ve even talked my 84-year-old very traditional, sixth-generation ranching dad into looking at Red Angus bulls when we make our next purchases.

Yes, we still have challenges with input costs and rising inflation, but I truly believe the breed’s best days are ahead. So, give yourself a pat on the back. You’re part of something special in the making!

“The promise of spring is that it’s still early enough in the year to make my dreams come true. Or, I can change my mind, push the reset button and start anew” — Lois Joy Hofmann, author