Update on Red Angus Association's discussion with USDA

As mentioned at the 70th Annual Red Angus Convention, RAAA is continuing in its conversations with USDA about Red Angus’ current lack of access to Angus branded beef programs. To its credit, USDA has officially recognized that Red Angus is part of the Angus breed in the United States. This stance is codified in the introductory portion of RAAA’s USDA-approved Live Animal Schedule, part of which is shown below. To view the entire Live Animal Schedule, click here.

1 SCOPE 

This specification sets forth the requirements for live cattle eligible for certification in approved beef programs claiming Angus influence. Cattle may qualify for the breed influence specification by meeting the Genotype or Phenotype requirements specified below.

2 REQUIREMENTS 

Cattle eligible for Angus influence certified beef programs must meet the following:

2.1 Genotype: 

Cattle eligible for Angus influence beef programs based on the genotype portion of the requirement must have positive identification (ear tags, tattoos, brands, etc.) and be traceable back to provable (e.g., registration papers) Red Angus parentage. Cattle enrolled in the RAAA, Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification PVP qualify by being traceable to one registered parent (typically sire) and have the Red Angus Feeder Cattle Certification Program yellow tag (program compliant visual, EID and/or EID combo tag).

Using RAAA’s Live Animal Schedule, Red Angus cattle can theoretically gain access to Angus brands on a one-brand-at-a-time basis. However, different ‘Angus’ carcass identification is required for Red Angus versus what black-hided cattle receive.

Packers require efficiency and simplicity in their plant SOPs. Consequently, they are unable to administer more than one ‘Angus’ carcass identification protocol. The net result is that Red Angus, despite being genetically Angus, remain excluded from virtually all Angus brands.

Theoretical access that is unworkable in the real world is the same as non-access. Therefore, RAAA has requested that USDA support a change simplifying the ‘Angus’ carcass identification process. FCCP-tagged Red Angus are verified to be a minimum of 50% Red Angus/Angus. These cattle should be eligible to receive the common ‘Angus’ carcass identification that is widely used in U.S. packing plants.

While the specifics of RAAA’s request are important, it boils down to Red Angus asking to be treated the same as non-Angus blacks. This is not an unreasonable request. Red Angus could certainly contribute more ‘Angus’ to Angus brands than non-Angus blacks.

That Red Angus is working to gain access to Angus brands is not surprising. This effort, in fact, has a self-obvious point. “Red Angus seeking inclusion in Angus beef brands” gets shortened to “Angus seeking inclusion in Angus beef brands,” once the hide is removed at harvest. The logic supporting Angus cattle (black or red) being included in Angus brands is difficult to fault. The breed makeup and DNA inside the retail package should match the ‘Angus’ label on the outside.

Source: Tom Brink, RAAA CEO