Red Angus Releases Red Angus Association of America Acquires Interest In Top Dollar Angus New EPDS The season for bull sales is here and busy cattlemen will now have the most up-to-date information available as they make genetic selections to be used in their herds. The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) has released the 2016 Spring EPDs that evaluate traits from calving ease to performance to carcass merit. The suite of numbers includes tools to select cattle with optimum economic relevance such as stayability, heifer pregnancy and maintenance energy requirements. The Red Angus breed has been dedicated to Total Herd Reporting (THR) for two decades, creating an accurate database of Red Angus genetics and subsequently, EPDs trusted by ranchers. EPDs are displayed with their in-breed ranking percentile to assist cattle producers with their trait selection decisions. “With THR data, we are provided with comparisons between all animals in each contemporary group,” said Larry Keenan, RAAA director of breed improvement. “Since EPDs rely on measured variation within a contemporary group, THR provides for reliable EPDs and faster gains in EPD accuracy by ensuring that the variation in the performance of each calf is counted.” Red Angus’ strong foundation of THR data combined with genomic data from high-density DNA tests provides EPDs with unsurpassed reliability. The information from the genomic data can be as informative as a bull’s first calf crop or a cow’s lifetime production record. And, since the genomic data is incorporated directly into the EPDs, cattle producers don’t have to learn how to interpret new data. The information will be delivered in the form of higher accuracy EPDs. For more information on EPDs, visit the “Genetics” page on the RAAA website, RedAngus.org. Producers can also access individual animals’ EPDs and breed percentiles, or calculate the projected EPDs of specific matings on the website. 34 California Cattleman March 2016
The Red Angus Association of America recently acquired a major share in Top Dollar Angus, Inc. RAAA President Kim Ford made the announcement at BrainTrust during the Red Angus activities held in conjunction with the National Western Stock Show. “This is a tremendous day for the RAAA to become directly involved as an owner in Top Dollar Angus,” said Ford. “The Red Angus breed believes strongly in value-added genetic programs and has a long history of innovative thinking as a breed association. Top Dollar Angus is a pioneer in bringing distinct feeder calf marketing based on superior genetics to the U.S. beef business. We view this purchase as an investment that will bring greater rewards to cow-calf operations that consistently purchase high-geneticmerit bulls and match those genetics with good health management and nutrition programs. And if it’s good for commercial cattlemen and women, it’s positive for Red Angus.” Tom Brink, founder of Top Dollar
Angus Inc., will retain an ownership interest, and will continue to serve as president. The firm will operate as a separate, stand-alone entity from the Association. “In working with ranchers and farmers across the nation over the past two years, it is apparent that cattlemen with superior Red Angus and Angus beef genetics are actively seeking to differentiate their calves,” said Brink. “Top Dollar Angus helps accomplish that important task. By partnering with the RAAA, the program will be strengthened, become more visible, and be more able to successfully serve commercial ranchers and farmers. Those men and women raising the beef industry’s best calves deserve a premium price, and Top Dollar Angus is now in an even better position to help make that happen.” In the future, Top Dollar Angus will seek to raise additional capital from a limited number of outside investors.
Boogie Sperry Ranch For Sale Paradise Valley, NV • 1,000 ACRE RANCH FOR SALE BY OWNER • • ALL WATER RIGHTED • • MANY IMPROVEMENTS • Ranch would make excellent summer pasture, purebred ranch, alfalfa ranch, horse ranch or run a cowherd year around. Call Duane Boggio (775) 578-3547 PO Box 34, Paradise Valley, NV 89426