Certified Angus Beef’s (CAB) mission is to increase demand for registered Angus cattle, yet the brand doesn’t require carcasses trace back to documented Angus heritage. Why? Consider the industry 50 years ago. Angus had a declining presence, branded beef programs didn’t exist, and packers had little reliable information to confirm source, let alone breed composition. 

At the time, a USDA-certified beef program transferring live cattle eligibility standards to a carcass had never been attempted. The brand’s founders knew the program had to be practical, easy and affordable to implement. Strict parentage requirements would have been nearly impossible for the industry to adopt, as they would have hindered the creation of a scalable program and widespread value for the breed. 

In collaboration with USDA, hide color was established as the basis for determining live animal eligibility for CAB. Today, to be eligible for CAB, cattle must be predominantly solid black with no other color behind the shoulder, above the flanks or breaking the midline, excluding the tail. 

The “Is it Angus?” argument

There’s no denying CAB has helped dramatically expand the market share for registered Angus genetics. Arguably, that success has encouraged several other breeds to adopt a black hide color by incorporating registered Angus genetics into their breeding programs and registries. 

Today, with more than 70% of fed cattle being predominantly solid black, both Angus breeders and non-Angus producers inquire about the genetic composition of CAB carcasses, especially given the market preference and price disparity between cattle that are and are not eligible for Angus beef programs. 

Scientific sampling of the national supply of CAB carcasses reveals the average CAB carcass approaches 75% Angus genetics. Among CAB Prime, this average grows beyond 75%, nearing straight-bred Angus. 

This sample testing confirms CAB supply derives from high-percentage Angus cattle, even though it doesn’t require a specific percentage of Angus heritage. This makes sense thanks to a market dominated by registered Angus bulls and a mix of other sires highly influenced by registered Angus genetics being widely used on predominantly Angus-based commercial cow herds.

Room for improvement

This is not to suggest the system is perfect. However, it does support the contention that, under the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, determining live animal eligibility for Angus beef programs by hide color remains accurate, although admittedly imprecise at times. 

Thus, we should always remain open to better options. Significant progress in DNA technology, individual animal traceability and information exchange could each factor into a more precise method of determining live cattle eligibility for Angus beef programs moving forward. 

As we contemplate alternative approaches, we also need to keep in mind the U.S. beef industry identifies roughly 16 million fed cattle as eligible for Angus beef programs each year. From that, 5.8 million qualify for CAB. Transitioning to a more precise system reliant on DNA testing or traceability would add cost and needs to be factored into the cumulative return on investment.

Where this long-debated topic lands remains to be seen. However, looking at the 47-year history of CAB suggests the approach has benefited Angus breeders, supply chain partners and consumers. 

Some try to suggest CAB merely requires a black hide. That is simply false. The fact is, just being Angus or black hided isn’t enough. To qualify for CAB, eligible carcasses must meet 10 exacting carcass specifications. We will talk more about that next time. 

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