AMERICAN ANGUS ASSOCIATION - THE BUSINESS BREED

AngusLink® Consignors Earn Top Beef and Maternal Score Recognition

Seven consignors recognized at Superior Livestock Video Royale Sale.

By Emily Grund, Communications Specialist

August 7, 2026

AngusLink® consignors recognized for Beef Score and Maternal Score awards joined Mark McCully, chief executive officer of the American Angus Association®, during Superior Sunrise on July 29 in Winnemucca, NV.

AngusLink® consignors were recognized for their commitment to genetic improvement through the Genetic Merit Scorecard® Beef Score and Maternal Score awards during the Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale Sale in Winnemucca, Nev., July 29.  

The awards were selected based on consignors with the highest score for Beef and Maternal on the Genetic Merit Scorecard. The Scorecard draws on the industry’s largest database to evaluate calf genetics and communicate genetic merit to potential buyers. Beef Score predicts the genetic potential for feedlot performance and carcass value, while the Maternal Score demonstrates an enrollment group’s genetic potential for use as replacement females in the marketplace.  

“These awards recognize consignors who are committed to showcasing the genetic merit of their calf crop in the marketplace,” says Sarah Dreyer, commercial programs manager for the American Angus Association. “We are honored to celebrate the years of dedication to genetic improvement that these producers have invested in their operations to achieve these scores.” 

AngusLink® consignors recognized for Beef Score and Maternal Score awards joined Mark McCully, chief executive officer of the American Angus Association®, during Superior Sunrise on July 29 in Winnemucca, NV.

Doug Burgess, Homedale, Idaho, was recognized with the top Maternal Score award during the AngusLink Genetic Merit Scorecard awards presentation at the Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale Sale July 29 in Winnemucca. The Burgess family consignment earned a Maternal Score of 168, the highest score among AngusLink consignors participating in the sale.

Beef Score award recipients:  
  • Robert and Terry Fretwell, Jordan Valley, Ore., Beef Score 146  
  • Quinn River Crossing Ranch, Winnemucca, Nev., Beef Score 143* 
  • 9 Mile Ranch, Orovada, Nev., Beef Score 143* 

*Tie was broken using Grid Score.  

Robert and Terry Fretwell have enrolled in the program for four years. “It was exciting to get our scorecard and see the score we earned,” Terry Fretwell says. “It’s exciting to see our priorities show up in our cattle and that buyers recognize it.” 

Maternal Score award recipients:  
  • Doug and Janice Burgess, Homedale, ID, Maternal Score 168 
  • Rebel Creek Ranch, Orovada, NV, Maternal Score 133  
  • O6 Livestock, LLC, Jordan Valley, OR, Maternal Score 127 
AngusLink® consignors recognized for Beef Score and Maternal Score awards joined Mark McCully, chief executive officer of the American Angus Association®, during Superior Sunrise on July 29 in Winnemucca, NV.

Robert and Terry Fretwell, Jordan Valley, Ore., were recognized with the top Beef Score award during the AngusLink Genetic Merit Scorecard awards presentation at the Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale Sale July 29 in Winnemucca. The Fretwells earned a Beef Score of 146, the highest score among AngusLink consignors participating in the sale.

Doug and Janice Burgess have been longtime participants in AngusLink, enrolling cattle since the program’s origin as AngusSource. They have invested in Angus genetics since the early 1990s, placing significant emphasis on cow docility. To them, receiving the top Maternal Score was about seeing their work be measurable.  

“It was very satisfying to receive this award, not just for recognition, but the fact that we’ve been doing and working for all this time paid off and was measurable,” said Janice Burgess.  

In addition to recognizing the highest Beef and Maternal scores, Bidart Livestock was recognized as a first-year AngusLink enrollee for their commitment to adding value to their offering through participation in the program at the Video Royale sale.  

Presence at Video Royale 

AngusLink participation was showcased across 179 lots and 20,177 head of cattle, accounting for 14% of the cattle offered in the Video Royale sale. A full list of consignors and sale results can be found on the “Find Cattle” page. 

The full award presentation can be viewed here .   

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