Association Commentary Red Angus Spearheads Creation of Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force

by Tom Brink, RAAA Chief Executive Officer

There is a new initiative underway that has the potential to make all segments of the beef industry stronger and more profitable. It is called the Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force and it started as an RAAA idea in alignment with the Red Angus 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.

The singular goal of the GMP is to identify ways to accelerate the uptake and use of genetic information in the feeder cattle and calf markets. These markets are largely animal appearance-based today, which is what the GMP Task Force will work to change.

If genetic merit pricing seems like a fuzzy concept, consider the seedstock market. A vast majority of bulls marketed in the United States. sell with accompanying information about their genetics in the form of EPDs and indexes. The genetic merit of each bull has been quantified by a third party – typically a breed association –and this information is presented with the animal on sale day to help prospective buyers more accurately assess its value as a breeding bull.

Bulls with better genetic profiles routinely sell at higher prices. Conversely, bulls with less genetic merit sell at lower prices. That’s genetic merit pricing in action, and almost everyone agrees it has done the seedstock segment a lot of good over time. Significantly better bull genetics are available today versus 20 or 30 years ago. Why? Because genetic merit pricing provides a strong catalyst for genetic improvement.

Commercial feeder cattle and calf markets, on the other hand, have not benefited directly from genetic merit pricing. A very high percentage of feeder cattle and calves are marketed without genetic information of any kind.

Association Commentary: Red Angus Spearheads Creation of Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force

From one load of feeder cattle to the next, almost nothing is known about the actual genetics of the animals in the group. Therefore, the default is to guess how each group will perform and grade, based on how the cattle look. Unsurprisingly, such an approach does not work very well. Cattle feeders identify “a lack of predictability” as their top problem when buying feeder cattle.

already been raised, with some additional financial support still needed.

Our current list of funding partners includes the following: American Hereford Association, American International Charolais Association, Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, International Brangus Breeders Association, Allied Genetic Resources/All Beef LLC, American Simmental Association, Neogen Corporation and Beefmaster Breeders United.

Other on-the-record supporters include the following: American Gelbvieh Association, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Livestock Marketing Association, North American Limousin Foundation, North American Piedmontese Association and American Shorthorn Association.

Enter the GMP Task Force, which intends to address this problem head-on by developing educational programs and other industry-wide initiatives to help the feeder cattle and calf markets advance toward constructive use of genetic information in its pricing practices.

The GMP Task Force has been in formation for more than a year. Top-notch commercial producers from throughout the beef supply chain will populate its seats when the first meeting is held in November 2023. Significant funding has

Look for many more important industry names to appear on this list as time progresses. Additional information will be forthcoming as plans for the GMP Task Force’s kickoff are finalized.

RAAA considers it a privilege to work with forward-thinking, like-minded people such as those in the partner organizations listed above. Their desire, like ours, is to make the beef industry better for everyone from seedstock to consumer. //

Red Angus Commercial Marketing Team and Value-Added Programs

COMMERCIAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Rachael Oliver

(406) 480-1569 | rachael@redangus.org

COMMERCIAL MARKETING SPECIALIST

Josh Taylor | josh@redangus.org

(918) 605-5139

VALUE-ADDED DEPARTMENT TEAM LEAD

Jeananne Drouhard Ext. 18 | jeananne@redangus.org

VALUE-ADDED PROGRAMS SPECIALIST

Lauren Weingardt laurenweingardt@redangus.org

ENROLL IN VALUE-ADDED PROGRAMS AND ORDER TAGS: tags@redangus.org

(940) 477-4593

Weekly Email Marketing Service of Feeder and Finished Cattle

The Red Angus show list informs feedyard managers, order buyers and other interested parties of Red Angus-influenced cattle. Producers can market feeder or finished cattle through this free service when selling through a sale barn, video auction or private treaty. The weekly show list is emailed to potential buyers through the Red Angus FeederFax email service. To upload information about cattle or to view cattle available, visit RedAngus.org/showlist.

To receive the weekly FeederFax marketing service that will highlight that week’s show list, please email tags@redangus.org.

Now More Than Ever

by Josh Taylor, Commercial Marketing Specialist

Implementing heterosis in a crossbreeding program is the simplest tool a commercial producer can take advantage of to increase performance and efficiency. This has been well documented over the last several decades and continues to be a valuable component to many progressive commercial programs.

The Red Angus breed has vaulted to the forefront of the industry in recent years and has become a hot commodity for commercial producers. In particular, the Red Angus female has proven herself to be the efficient option for a crossbreeding scenario. Regarding her advantages in maternal longevity and sustainable production, it is no mistake that the Red Angus cow has become the most-favored female across the country. Now more than ever, Red Angus seedstock genetics must strengthen the position of the breed in the commercial sector.

Commercial producers are offered a multitude of options when it comes to utilizing the Red Angus female in crossbreeding scenarios. Maternal strength and efficiency are well-established components of the breed and, when combined with performance and carcass capability, can create a female that will prove herself time and time again.

Producers rely on Red Angus cows to work overtime to produce progeny that will fit into different segments of the industry. Whether they choose to select an exotic, Bos indicus or English cross sire, these females will provide a return to the producer in every situation by capitalizing on the Red Angus breed traits. So, how can we ensure a commercial program can sustain the trends and growth within the industry?

The technology we have today can increase the ability to identify genetic trends and capitalize on those benefits to ensure a quality product. The Red Navigator commercial DNA test is an innovation that gives commercial producers an insightful look into the genetic trends within the cow herd.