Ginette Kurtz
The Source
Why haven’t you enrolled?
American Angus Association members and the commercial cattlemen who purchase their bulls are truly the backbone of this association. I greatly enjoy working with cattlemen, registered or commercial.
This past week I trekked to Big Sky country and visited a few long-time AngusSource® customers. The Midland Bull Test sale is a great place to visit with a large group of producers, so it was also on my list to visit.
Another longtime AngusSource customer was at the Midland sale. Their production sale was right around the corner. They believe in the advantages AngusSource gives them in the marketplace. They sell their steers that don’t make the cut for bulls and have a commercial herd, too.
This year they plan to give their bull-buying customers the option to enroll in AngusSource or AngusSource Genetic. For every bull purchased they will pay the enrollment cost for 25 feeder calves into either program. They want producers to realize the marketing benefits that come with enrollment.
More than one person lately has asked me, “What benefit do I get from enrollment?”
My question to them is where can you get that much advertisement for the cost of enrollment? How can you reach more than 600 potential buyers with information on genetics, vaccinations and other claims for the cost of enrollment?
What would you rather buy? Calves that are out of Angus bulls that started calving sometime early this year and maybe some purchased cattle (though you can’t be sure)? Or receive documented information that verifies the sires used, what day the first calf came and the month the last cow calved. The markets are becoming more data-driven every day.
I would respond, “Why aren’t you enrolling is the question.”
There isn’t a better way to advertise a seedstock operation while partnering with your commercial customers. Once producers enroll and know when and where they plan to sell their calves, they can complete the Marketing Document online or call the AngusSource department. Weekly emails are generated and sent to potential buyers who want to know when and where these Angus-sired calves will be selling. Here is a sample of the weeks’ email that went out April 7.
Check out the brief information listed, like the weaned calf value index ($W) and beef value index ($B), location of sale and number of head.
Potential buyers just need to click on the producer’s name to pull up an unofficial verification certificate. This document lists all the sires that were used on this calf crop and their current expected progeny differences (EPDs). Notice the dollar value indexes ($Values) that are highlighted at the top of the page and their percentage rank. (Click here to see a larger version.)
Some producers test one-third of their enrollment group and have the option to include the average GeneMax® (GMX) Focus™ score on their Marketing Document. This is another great option that further validates how the enrolled calves will perform and potentially grade on the rail.
I know buyers are looking for quality calves that will yield and gain. I get the calls. Prices are good. However, if you have invested in quality genetics, then advertise your feeder calves and replacements. The cost to enroll is just $50 per group and the tag costs. Visit www.angussource.com today to download your enrollment form or call the AngusSource department. We want you to realize the best prices possible for your calves. Call today!
Editor's Note: Ginette Kurtz is the director of commercial programs at the American Angus Association.
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