what it is
Angus Link is the new American Angus Association® feeder cattle program.
There is a tremendous amount of variation in the way cattle perform in feedlots, and many things
contribute to this variation: climate, weather, season, feed quality, management, breed, genetic merit,
stress and the list goes on. All of these factors can affect your bottom line. Cattle feeders who have
been in business for a long time have learned to survive the ebbs and flows of market volatility by managing
risk.
Enter Angus Link. The new American Angus Association feeder cattle program was built to help you further
manage risk to make profits more predictable. The program’s three simple scores, that can be used at the speed
of commerce, identify the genetic performance potential of cattle from ranch to feedlot. The scores work across
multiple breeds from coast to coast and north to south.
Not only does the program allow you to utilize a group of cattle's genetic merit while making purchasing decisions,
but in order to be eligible to enroll, it is required that cattle receive at least one viral vaccine, one blackleg
vaccine and one Pasteurella vaccine prior to shipment.
how it works
The Angus Link scores will appear in a three-celled box referred to as the "Angus Link Scorecard". The
three scores are determined by the genetic merit of the bulls used to sire the current enrollment group, as well
as the genetic makeup of the cow herd. The cow-side contribution is based on a description of the breed composition
(example: 80% Angus, 20% Hereford) and the genetic merit of bulls used historically that have influenced the genetic
makeup of the females retained in the herd.
When used in tandem with common cattle procurement practices—sound structure, good feet and legs,
evidence of good management—Angus Link enables you to identify sets of cattle that have the inherent
ability to meet your marketing objectives.
understanding the scores
Each of the three scores are on a scale of 0-200 with a score of 100 representing the genetic performance potential of the industry average feeder calf.
The three scores are defined as:
Beef Score
Predicts genetic potential for feedlot performance and carcass value by looking at EPDs such as carcass weight, marbling and feed efficiency.
Feedlot Performance Score
Signifies the enrollment group's potential for post-weaning performance in the feedlot and takes into account average daily gain and dry matter intake EPDs.
Grid Score
Predicts the enrollment group's performance potential for carcass grid merit, referencing marbling, fat and ribeye area EPDs.
Example Scorecard
Each animal in the marketing group must be predominantly solid black and meet the live-animal specification for Angus branded programs.
Click here
to view the USDA Government Live Angus Specification.
Angus Link enrollment groups that are sired by 100% registered Angus bulls will have this logo appear on their marketing certificate.
What to look for
Cattle enrolled in Angus Link will receive a neon-green ear tag that contains the Angus Link logo and a unique certificate ID (enrollees also can opt to include farm management ID on the tag).
Click here to see the Angus Link tag.
Enrollees also get a marketing certificate that includes their Scorecard and allows them to customize the document to detail the health protocol used,
where and when they plan to sell their cattle, and their contact information. Certificate Example
You can find enrollees' marketing certificates, using their unique certificate ID, by viewing all active listings, performing a filtered search, or you can sign up to receive
bi-weekly emails by clicking the "FIND CATTLE" button below and at the top of the screen.
Enrollment groups' Angus Link Scorecards will also appear in internet/video sale catalogs and on the screen during video auctions and in sale barns.
Find Cattle >