The Data Driven Herd program moved from ideation to fruition in 2025, recognizing 129 herds for their commitment to data collection. Many of the herds who achieved Gold, Silver and Bronze levels in the first year, including Grassy Valley Angus of Tennessee, have been avid data collectors for many years. As a second-generation Angus breeder, Lee Duckworth says backing his herd with data has helped Grassy Valley deliver reliability to their customers. 

“If someone knows what they’re buying with a higher degree of accuracy, having a favorable outcome in their program is a lot more likely,” says Duckworth, who believes his family’s efforts to earn Gold recognition in 2025 is an extension of their goal to better describe their cattle. “That’s the way I see the role of our EPDs (expected progeny differences) and our data systems. It gives us an advantage to predict outcomes for our customers.” 

The 2025 recipients represent a large swath of the American Angus Association membership with herds from 32 states ranging in cow inventory size from 10 to more than 4,000 head. Involvement and the diversity of herds participating is expected to grow in the program’s second year, based on positive feedback, updates to the program and a full year of data collection opportunities.  

“It’s worked. It’s worked very well,” says Paul Bennett, member of the Association’s Board of Directors, who served on the Breed Improvement Committee when the initial idea was floated a few years ago and is the chair of the committee for 2026.

He says the intention was to not only provide a way to recognize those doing the work but encourage others to consider adding or expanding the practice in their operation. 

The Data Driven Herd program stands apart from other Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR^®) programs by focusing on the collection and submission of data sets for multiple traits. Members can earn Bronze, Silver or Gold level recognition by submitting data for 8, 10 or 12 traits, respectively, during the year. Each trait has a minimum required number that is tailored both to the specific trait and to the individual herd’s size, which is determined by the herd’s enrollment of females in the Inventory Reporting program. 

“What’s most exciting to me, is the way in which breeders are taking part in the program, Bennett continues. “They don’t just want to be recognized; they want to be recognized because they got it right. It’s sparked a lot of conversation around best practices for data collection.” 

The additional dialogue also prompted discussion on how the program could be adjusted to better fit the natural rhythm of data collection on most operations. As a result, the program’s collection period will now run August 1 – July 31. This year, data submitted between Aug. 1, 2025, and July 31, 2026, will count towards 2026 Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. To allow for a larger variety of herds to participate, the minimum registration requirement has also been removed. 

Additionally, moving forward, herds who have earned MaternalPlus^® distinction for the year will automatically meet the Data Driven Herd requirements for weaning weight and breeding records. As the second tier of Inventory Reporting and a requirement of Data Driven Herd’s Gold Level, MaternalPlus requires herds to account for each female’s calf by submitting a weaning weight or disposal code, in addition to breeding records on all retained heifers. This change considers operations selling pairs or open heifers. 

The value created by the program and the expected increase in data submitted ties back to one of the breed’s biggest advantages in the market — the largest, single-beef-breed database. Built over the decades by the commitment of Angus breeders, the database is the foundation of a suite of tools which allows producers to make informed selection decisions. 

“Submitting complete, comprehensive phenotypes, is the ultimate service to our breed,” Bennett says. “Our database is the greatest, most valuable tool that Angus breeders and the American Angus Association has. Now we can recognize breeders that are focused on breed improvement and doing the things that they need to do to improve the quality of the genetics that they’re creating for the Angus breed.” 

Data Driven Herds can be identified by the Gold, Silver and Bronze program logos placed on an operation’s website, in their sale book or in other marketing materials. Annually, recognized herds will have access to their respective level logo for personal marketing use. Herds will also be recognized among their peers at Angus Convention and listed on Angus.org.  

Interested in becoming a Data Driven Herd? The first step is enrollment in Inventory Reporting which allows AHIR to determine minimum trait requirements that are unique to the individual operation’s size through the cow inventory process. Fall-calving herds have the opportunity to enroll in the upcoming May 1–July 15 enrollment period. Spring-calving herd enrollment runs Nov. 1–Jan. 15.

Once enrolled, members can track their progress using the dashboard in their AAA Login account. A newly redesigned version of the dashboard will be available in late April and will allow members to quickly see how many records have been turned in for each trait and their progress towards Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Additional information about the program and specific trait requirements can be found on the Data Driven Herd program page of Angus.org.

Get Started:

• Data Driven Herd Program 
• Step-by-Step Data Collection Guides  
• Inventory Reporting

Related Links: 

• Find a 2025 Data Driven Herds
• New Program Highlights Data Collection
• Board of Directors Chat Data Driven Herd Feedback & Updates