The Red Angus Association of America completed negotiations with the USDA for the breed’s Live Animals Specification Form that would allow them to be included in Angus-labeled beef programs. Cattle can qualify for the breed influence specifications by meeting genotype or phenotype requirements. Red Angus Association of America CEO Tom Brink says it’s a huge step for the breed. “I think it’s a good development for the industry because the industry really needs to move beyond superficial value estimates and that is what hide color is. It really doesn’t tell us much about cattle anymore. Maybe there was a day 20 years ago where it meant something more than what it means today, but we have a lot better tools at our fingertips in terms of objectively valuing groups of feeder cattle, whether that is genetic history, health information, the program that they’re involved in, or genomic information.” Red Angus Association of America President Steve Koester says it should help increase demand for Red Angus genetics. “Tom Brink and the USDA did a fantastic job at negotiating the wording on the form for officially recognizing Red Angus as Angus now phenotypically as well as genotypically. As more and more Angus brands start accepting Red Angus cattle, it gives the breed the opportunity to showcase their superior genetics, whether that’s through feedlots, packers, and ultimately the consumers.
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