The Link
It’s been a successful year for AngusLink.
October 7, 2026
AngusLink® wrapped up another year serving commercial cattlemen and American Angus Association members, while continuing to provide the industry with valuable tools to communicate the genetic value of not only feeder cattle, but replacement females and harvest-ready cattle in the feedyards.
Throughout the year, producers across the country utilized AngusLink programs to differentiate their cattle in the marketplace and provide buyers with objective information to make informed purchasing decisions. The AngusVerifiedSM and Genetic Merit Scorecard® (GMS) programs are facilitated through a partnership with IMI Global, offering additional opportunities to producers to add value to their calf crop.
One of the most significant milestones that the AngusLink program achieved this year was surpassing 1 million head of cattle enrolled in AngusVerified. This milestone represents the commitment made by commercial cattlemen and seedstock breeders focused on improving genetics, documenting management practices and capturing additional value.
This milestone also indicates growing industry adoption of the tool throughout the supply chain with additional premiums being paid at the packer level and growing use of the Maternal Score to bring value back to replacement-quality females.
The AngusLink program success is reflected not only in enrollment numbers but also in producer profitability:
- 2026 marks the third largest enrollment year to date, with 249,955 head enrolled across 756 enrollments.
- Texas remained the top state represented with the greatest number of head enrolled utilizing the value-added program.
- AngusLink enrolled cattle earned an average premium of $21.07 per hundredweight (cwt.), equating to approximately $128 per head.
- Premiums for 2026 totaled more than $24.1 million.
- Since the inception of the AngusLink program, enrolled cattle have returned more than $100 million in premiums paid to commercial producers utilizing registered Angus bulls.
The continued adoption of AngusLink reflects a growing demand for documented genetic information throughout the entire beef industry. Today’s cattle buyers are seeking more information than ever, and programs such as AngusVerified and the Genetic Merit Scorecard allow producers to market cattle with confidence and documented genetics.
Fostering profitability of the cow-calf producer continues to be the focus for the Association and its breeders. As a result, AngusLink remains committed to providing commercial cattlemen with innovative tools and opportunities to communicate genetic merit, strengthen buyer confidence and maximize profitability for the industry.
Interested in enrolling your next calf crop? Reach out to the AngusLink team in the office, your Association regional manager or your seedstock supplier for more details. For more information about commercial programs offered by the American Angus Association visit click here.
Editor’s note: Sarah Dreyer is commercial programs lead for the American Angus Association.
Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, Vol. 18, No. 10-A
Topics: Business , Feeder-Calf Marketing Guide , Marketing , Genetics , Success Stories
Publication: Angus Beef Bulletin
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