Sorghum Legislative & Policy Updates
FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Certified Angus Beef’s mission is to increase demand for registered Angus genetics. The brand is owned by the American Angus Association, but we don’t take funding from membership or registration fees. Our structure is unique, given we don’t actually own any beef. Only our trademarks and logo. We’re often asked: So, how does CAB generate revenue? 
Certified Angus Beef is funded by licensed packers and processors, who pay an average commission of 2 cents per pound of branded product sold. When an animal is certified, a packer can then choose to market it as Certified Angus Beef ® (most of the time they do). They can sell it for more money, because the distributors know they can sell it for more money, because the restaurants and retailers know a consistent eating experience has inherently more value to their customers. That pull-through demand has funded the brand for more than four decades. And it pays cattlemen nearly $100 per head above market average for CAB carcasses.
WHAT’S SIZZLIN’ AT CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF You Keep Raising the Bar, But There’s More Work Ahead Cattle genetics and management keep getting better, but there’s still plenty of room to grow. That’s our takeaway message from our recent Feeding Quality Forum. Good News: Cattlemen were commended for the rise in high-quality beef, with more Prime carcasses and strong consumer demand. In short, beef is booming. Specifically, Prime beef in grocery stores presents opportunities because there is demand for even more. “I can’t tell you what price will satiate the Gen Zs or the millennials. I just can’t. I don’t know what that price is,” said Dan Basse, the event’s annual opening speaker. Challenges: Red meat yield determination is getting attention by leaders across the cow-calf, feedyard and packing sectors. All signs say to feed cattle longer, resulting in heavier carcasses, increased backfat and poorer yield grades. Another concern: Are cattle getting too big for their hearts? Bovine congestive heart failure is complicated, but as Kelli Retallick-Riley said, “very few issues have been solved with genetics alone.” Management will be key.
Application: Other speakers emphasized a similar message: Manage what you can control, like health, genetics and your resources. Partnerships with Ducks Unlimited are helping ranchers improve land productivity and keep cattle on grass. Cattle feeders want to know the kind of cattle they’re getting so they can market them for the most value. For those using genetic tools, progress happens faster. “Establish your breeding objectives, stay focused on them. Don’t get lost in the mania of choices,” Brian McCulloh encouraged cow-calf attendees.
Optimism filled the room. Progress in genetics, management and technology will continue to equip cattlemen and women to meet evolving challenges and maintain beef’s premium status.