|
|
|
|
|
A recent survey of commercial cow-calf proucers found that Angus genetics are becoming more dominant in commercial cow herds and for commercial producers purchasing bulls for breeding programs. The survey, conducted by ABG Inc, Indianapolis, Ind., was a project of Farm Journal Inc., and the American Angus Association. A total of 400 commercial cow-calf producers participated in the survey, which was conducted by telephone, with an average herd size of 117 cows and an average farm or ranch size of 1,627 acres. When asked what major breeds or breeds of bulls for breeding they had purchased in the past 12 months, 59 % indicated Angus, while 13% indicated Charolais an 8 % answered Simmental. In comparison, results from a similar survey done by Rockwood Research in 1998 showed 47% of producers had purchased Angus, 19% Charcolais and 11% Limousin, respectively. Producers were also asked about the breeds of bulls for breeding they planned to purchase in the next 12 months. Angus topped this category as well with 56% response, followed by Charcolais at 14% and Limousin with 8%. Results from the same question in 1998 indicated producers buying intentions as Angus 46%, Charcolais 14% and Limousin 12%. The genetic makeup of the United States’ commercial cow herd is also influenced more by Angus than any other breed. When asked what major breed or combination of breeds their cow herd was primarily composed of, 43% of survey participants answered Angus, 43% answered crossbred and 11% answered Charcolais. Of the 43% of producers whose herds were identified as crossbred, 68 % indicated Angus was represented in those genetics. "This survey confirms the increased demand Angus breeders have seen for their genetics locally and what we’ve seen in our annual statistics here at the American Angus Association," says Richard L. Spader, executive vice president of the American Angus Association. "Commercial producers are beginning to see that the trend toward black-hided cattle wasn’t a color issue, it was a quality issue, which resulted in increased demand for the performance, maternal and carcass traits found in the Angus breed." "We feel the dominance of Angus genetics in commercial herds can be attributed to two things,’ Spader adds. "The first being the success of several branded beef programs that identify their product as Angus, including the Certified Angus Beef LLC, and second, the predictable genetics cattlemen are able to find in the American Angus Association’s genetic database, which includes more than six million individual animal records." For a complete summary of the commercial producer survey, contact the American Angus Association at 3201 Frederick Ave., St. Joseph, MO 64506, 816-383-5100 or www.Angus.org.
The American Angus Association is the world’s largest beef breed organization with headquarters in St. Joseph, MO. It provides programs and services for more than 34,000 adult and junior members nationwide.
|