State of the Angus Business
The industry’s largest beef cattle breed surpasses records and continues to lead the marketplace.
There’s never been a better time to be in the Angus business, according to the latest data from the American Angus Association. Despite historically low cow-herd inventories, business has grown for Angus breeders and the member-driven organization reports growth in nearly every category in fiscal year (FY) 2014.
From registrations to sales data to cattle qualifying for the Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand, numbers are up and signal positive news for the business breed.
Angus value. “An intentional focus on quality has become apparent in the cattle market this year,” says Bryce Schumann, Association CEO. “Whether it’s cattlemen looking to rebuild herds or a consumer purchasing beef for their dinner table, quality reigns supreme, and the Angus breed delivers on that expectation.” Read more.
Jake Troutt
Association Perspective
Split-feed cows to minimize feed cost.
Feed costs are the single largest expense in any cow herd on a per-year basis. In a traditional grazing setting, the vast majority of this expense occurs during winter months, when forage is often dormant and of low quality. According to research collected at Oregon State University, this equates to 62% of the annual cost of managing a mature cow. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that if winter feed costs could be lowered, expenses should decrease and profit should increase. Read more.
Steadfast Demand, Sales Growth for CAB
Performance does not waiver in the face of record prices.
When change and uncertainty are everywhere, that which remains the same stands out. Perhaps that’s why, with the highest beef prices the world has ever seen, the 17,000 Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand partners in 47 countries celebrated eight straight years of record sales and the 10th consecutive year of growth.
Fiscal year (FY) 2014, which ended Sept. 30, saw a 400,000-head decline in the number of Angus-influenced cattle available at the brand’s 30 licensed packing plants across North America. However, a greater share of those featured Angus influence and a record proportion met the 10 CAB carcass specifications, resulting in a net gain of more than 80,000 additional cattle accepted. Read more.
WTO COOL Decision
World Trade Organization rules on Canada/Mexico COOL challenge.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled Oct. 20 on a challenge Canada and Mexico made to the current U.S. country-of-origin labeling (COOL) requirements that certain meat product labels in the United States reveal the origins of the product.
The panel found that COOL does accord Mexican and Canadian livestock less favorable treatment than U.S. livestock. It also concluded the amended COOL measure does contribute to providing U.S. consumers with information on origin, countering the complainants’’ assertion that COOL did not serve that intended purpose.
The WTO has requested the United States come into compliance on the livestock issue. Read more.
What’s Inside …
In this October edition of the Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, you'll find valuable articles devoted to the management, marketing, and health and nutrition of your beef enterprise. Select from the tabs at the top of the page to access this month's entire offering by category. A few select features include:
- Forage's Role in Rebuilding
- Managing the Herd When Pasture is Limited
- Beef Talk: Do the math
- Vital Vitamin E
- Ridin' Herd: Sample Forages for Quality
- Seeking Top Dollar
- The Source: Invest Your Profits in Your Cow Herd
News Briefs …
The American Angus Association and its subsidiaries generate a wealth of information to keep members and affiliates informed of what's happening within the industry as well as with the programs and services they offer. Click here for easy access to the newsrooms of the American Angus Association and Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus Journal Daily archive recently made available in the API Virtual Library.
A Supplemental Checkoff?
Forty-five cattlemens’ associations tell USDA: Don’t hijack the checkoff.
On Oct. 14, 45 state cattlemens’ associations representing more than 170,000 cattle breeders, producers and feeders sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging him not to issue an order for a supplemental beef checkoff under the 1996 General Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act. Bob McCan, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president and Victoria, Texas, cattleman says the strong turnout of signatories to this letter demonstrate the concern across the country with the secretary’s stated intention.
R-CALF cries foul. Read more.
Improving Youth Awareness of Zoonotic Diseases
Education grant provides funding for improving youth awareness and understanding of zoonotic diseases.
Julie Thelen, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension educator for Michigan 4-H Livestock and Veterinary Science Programs, and partners in the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) have received the Michigan Youth Zoonotic Disease Education Grant.
The $20,000 grant will provide an educational program that will implement two strategies to increase awareness of zoonotic diseases and risks to the youth of Michigan. Read more.
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