Red Angus Association of America

It is time to update your Spring Herd Inventory.

We encourage you to update your Spring Inventory for the 2012 calving season on-line under Member Data-REDS. Up until last year, we have mailed the report to all members with active animals on the Spring Inventory. However, we are no longer mailing out the printed report. If you would like the report mailed to you, please let us know as soon as possible. Inventories should be updated no later than February 10, 2012.

Inventories are meant to be done in January for spring-calving cows. This time was selected because, for most producers, it is between weaning/pregnancy check time and the time they start calving. For most herds, a cleaned-up inventory can be obtained at this time, and the producer can accurately tell the Association the herd they are planning to keep for the coming year. In terms of billing, the inventory you send in for your spring-calving herd establishes your assessable females. The billing of these females will occur July 2012.

45-day window
This system allows a 45-day window opportunity for those animals that calve 45 days prior to, or 45 days after, their respective inventory without having to change calving seasons.

Spring Herd Inventory
      11/15 (45 days before 1/01) to 8/15 (45 days after 6/30). 

Fall Herd Inventory
       5/15 (45 days before 7/01) to 2/15 (45 days after 12/31).

Armed with industry-leading genetic predictions, Red Angus stakeholders now have access to updated tools that will enable them to achieve their ultimate goal … profit. While the record-breaking calf markets are increasing producers’ revenue, carefully planned selection decisions that focus on cowherd building traits have the power to positively impact long-term profitability.

Enjoy today’s success and use Red Angus’ selection tools for a sustainable future.

Animal Search
EPD Search

The DNA landscape has seen drastic changes in the last 5 years. Originally, parentage was performed at one lab. Today, multiple labs offer parentage using two different technologies. Trying to keep up with what sires/dams are on file at what lab using which parentage technology has become a daunting task. Another change has been the necessity for genetic defect testing. While some labs can perform all commercially available genetic defect tests, others can’t. To resolve these issues, RAAA leadership has decided to take a more active role in the DNA testing process by bringing it in-house. While RAAA will serve as the sample submission hub and test results distributor, the actual DNA lab work will be performed by the industry leader – GeneSeek. To learn more about this process visit DNA Parentage.

In an effort to expedite the delivery of DNA technology to Red Angus Stakeholders, RAAA leadership approved funding to share the cost of 50K genotyping. While the project is open to all RAAA registered animals, financial priority will be placed on animals that best contribute to the delivery of DNA-enhanced EPDs. This Discovery Population includes animals that ideally combine the characteristics of: active, young, high-accuracy genetic predictions. Following the release of the Spring 2012 EPDs, the Discovery Population was recalculated to account for new data submitted to the RAAA. This process resulted in new animals qualifying for cost sharing. Log in to your Member Data - REDS account to view animals in your ownership that are included in the Discovery Population.