The Data Driven Herd program was launched in August 2025 to recognize herds committed to data collection across a variety of traits. During its inaugural year, 129 herds were recognized — 20 Gold herds, 27 Silver herds and 82 Bronze herds. 

From member feedback on the program, a few updates were made.

The time frame for data submission was updated. Data submitted from Aug. 1-July 31 will be considered for the year’s recognition. The 2026 recognition will include data submitted from Aug. 1, 2025-July 31, 2026. This updated time frame starts and ends when fewer activities are taking place from a data perspective (e.g., calving or weaning). Recognition will be announced annually in early August, and herds will be recognized at Angus Convention each fall. This allows for herds to know their status before fall and spring sale seasons to better take advantage of the marketing benefits.

Applying to all herds, the 50% registration requirement was removed. To accommodate a larger variety of herds, this requirement was removed entirely. To be considered for the recognition, herds still must be enrolled in Inventory Reporting, but there is no registration requirement. 

For herds earning MaternalPlus^® designation, breeding records and weaning weights will meet the minimum once the status is earned for the year. Earning MaternalPlus requires all heifers retained to have a breeding record submitted. 

Additionally, each calf reported is required to have a weaning weight reported or be disposed of if it died before weaning. This change helps the program fit within more operations. In some cases, there are herds that sell many pairs prior to weaning the calf or many open heifer calves, and may not have enough animals left in the herd to meet the minimum percentage required for the trait (i.e., 75% for weaning weights). By earning MaternalPlus, those traits can be met because they have accounted for every calf present.