Dec. 11, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


For more information contact:
Carrie Heitman, communications coordinator, at 816-383-5100 or cheitman@angus.org.

Complete fiscal year coverage from the Association can be found online.

Information for this release provided by NCBA and CattleFax.

Angus Ranches Ranked Among the Nation’s Top 25

Majority of the prominent U.S. cattle operations rely on Angus genetics.

Cattle herd inventory numbers remain somber this year; down more than 1.9 million from 2011 to 2012, according to recent numbers reported by CattleFax. Breeders are faced with tough decisions and need reliable solutions to keep their operations running.

Despite the downward industry trends, the American Angus Association^® reports a nearly 7% increase in registrations. A total of 315,007 animals were recorded during fiscal year (FY) 2012, which began Oct. 1, 2011, and ended Sept. 30, 2012.

“No doubt, it’s a challenging time to be involved in the cattle industry,” says Bryce Schumann, Association chief executive officer. “But we are finding that in order to make the beef cattle business better for the future, we need to keep our eyes set on raising reliable, high-quality animals that produce beef to meet consumer demands.”

And in many instances, that goal starts with the Angus breed. In fiscal year 2012, 625 Association members, representing 41 different states, registered 100 or more head of Angus cattle. The top 10 states for registrations were, in order: Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, North Dakota, Missouri, Idaho and Wyoming.

Top Angus Breeders

The Association also announced its FY 2012 members who registered 100 or more animals. The top 10 breeders for registrations were, in order:

· Express Angus Ranches, Yukon, Okla.

· Sitz Angus Farm, Harrison, Mont.

· Gardiner Angus Ranch Inc., Ashland, Kan.

· Connealy Angus Ranch, Whitman, Neb.

· Vermilion Ranch, Billings, Mont.

· Thomas Angus Ranch, Baker City, Ore.

· 44 Farms, Cameron, Texas

· Riverbend Ranch, Idaho Falls, Idaho

· Schaffs Angus Valley, Saint Anthony, N.D.

· Stevenson Diamond, Dot Hobson, Mont.

Top National Breeders

The value of Angus genetics is also being recognized on the national level. In a recent article in the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association publication, Directions, the organization published CattleFax reports on the top producers in each beef industry segment, in addition to other important cow-herd statistics.

According to the annual report, approximately 19 out of the top 25 seedstock operations use Angus genetics. Likewise, 17 out of the top 25 cow-calf operations incorporate the Angus breed.

CattleFax statistics also show JBS Five Rivers Cattle Feeding LLC as the largest feeding operation with 11 yards and a capacity of 940,000 head. Cargill Meat Solutions ranked as the largest beef packer. For more details from this report, visit the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and CattleFax.

The American Angus Association is the nation’s largest beef organization, serving nearly 30,000 members across the United States and Canada. It provides programs and services to farmers, ranchers and others who rely on the power of Angus to produce quality genetics for the beef industry and quality beef for consumers.

For more information about Angus cattle and the American Angus Association’s programs and services, visit www.angus.org.

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