By Josh Taylor, RAAA commercial marketing specialist

This year’s bull sale data has seen similar trends in selection pressure compared to the previous two seasons. Buyers of Red Angus bulls have found significant value in performance and carcass traits, which has led to an increased emphasis for the GM and ProS indexes. With the current trends within the packing industry and the pressure they have applied to the feeders for heavier cattle and increased red meat yield, many of our commercial producers have begun the process of transforming the genetic makeup of the cow herd to better reflect these trends.

Fall 2023 sale averages saw an increase of $1,200 on 1,200 head to finish at $6,821. Spring 2024 found an increase of $400 on 6,200 head for a final average of $6,216. The highest trending EPD values for these two seasons were GM, WW, YW, ADG and Marbling. The least amount of correlation to sale prices were BW, HB, Stay and Actual BW. So, what does all of this mean and how does it translate to the future of the breed?

Obviously, the commercial cowman has responded to the industry trends with their purchasing power and the seedstock suppliers are reciprocating by advancing the genetic selection components to increase the most popular traits with their buyers in mind. Does this leave us in a position for a major change in the functional phenotype of the cattle we are producing due to this increased emphasis on performance and carcass merit? That is a question that needs to be asked by each producer. Do we really need a major change? Or can we supply the type of cattle to the marketplace that the industry will accept while maintaining the maternal strength of the Red Angus cow?

It’s like driving down a two-lane highway. You can drive in either lane and guess what? You’re still on the road. Now, if you continue to drift left or right too far and the tires go in the ditch it can be extremely difficult to pull back onto the road. Small corrections and changes are the best course of action to keep the functionality of the breed intact. While remaining cognizant of the trends today, the traits that made these cattle what they are must remain at the front end of the selection process. We have all seen what has happened to others and how long it has taken for them to correct the issues. Breed for what has made Red Angus so great over the last 70 years and with small genetic adjustments or corrections these cattle will continue to impress every segment of the industry.

Be on the lookout for the full bull sale data presentation at this year’s national convention in Lincoln, Nebraska.  The marketing team looks forward to seeing you all there. I hope you all have a great ending to your summer!