Ranchers are taking advantage of value-added programs to increase the profitability of their calf crop, and each year more producers are enrolling their Red Angus-influenced calves in the Feeder Calf Certification Program (FCCP).

The Red Angus Association of America (RAAA) reported the FCCP is on track to break previous enrollment records by selling more than 100,000 tags for the third consecutive year. Enrollment exceeded 20,000 tags each month in January, February and March, and sales have continued to be strong.

Enrollment in the FCCP program entitles producers to tag their Red Angus-influenced calves with the yellow tag, satisfying USDA age, source and genetic verification requirements for all four major packing plants – Cargill, Tyson, JBS and U.S. Premium Beef.

"Traceability to age, source and genetics continues to be important for cattle markets,” said Myron Edelman, RAAA director of added-value programs. “Feeder cattle are reaching new highs and market-ready cattle are capable of generating more dollars than ever before. However, cattle that have age and source verification maximize revenue for all classifications of cattle, making them the most profitable."

The FCCP is the beef industry's oldest USDA-verified genetic, age and source program, originating 17 years ago.

"Since 1993, the FCCP ‘Yellow Tag’ has been adding value to Red Angus customers' calves and granting access to branded product lines for Red Angus fed cattle," said Clint Berry, RAAA commercial marketing director. “By verifying Red Angus bloodlines, producers are providing a more consistent end-product than cattle selected on a simple hair coat color.”

The USDA age and source verification also adds marketing options to FCCP-tagged cattle, making them eligible for U.S. export markets.

"Experience pays off,” added Berry. “We are working on two decades of adding value to Red Angus-sired cattle and we've learned that to be successful, a program must be user-friendly and inexpensive.”

Red Angus producers do not have to pay an enrollment fee for FCCP. The only  cost is the tag itself. “We focus our efforts into keeping the program as simple as possible," said Berry, “ and assisting our commercial cattlemen in achieving the highest possible value for their Red Angus calves.”

The FCCP "Yellow Tag" is available in two options. First, as the traditional visual tag at only 99-cents each, or as a combination visual and RFID tag for $3 each.

Calves must have at least one registered Red Angus parent and ranchers need to answer a few calving and breeding management questions. “Producers can still enroll this year’s calves into the FCCP program,” said Mikalena Randazzo, RAAA commercial marketing specialist. “Calves just need to be tagged before they leave the ranch of origin.”

Producers can call the RAAA office at (940) 387-3502 to enroll in FCCP, making them eligible to purchase the Red Angus "Yellow Tags." The enrollment process is simple and easy, taking less than 15 minutes. For additional information on Red Angus marketing programs, visit RedAngus.org.

Sidebar:

Association offers tools to market Red Angus cattle

The FCCP ‘Yellow Tag” adds marketability to Red Angus-influenced calves through USDA approved genetic, age and source verification, and the RAAA offers additional tools to help producers find a buyer for their cattle.

Every Red Angus bull customer has access to a variety of RAAA marketing programs such as FeederFax, an email-based notification for Red Angus-sired calves marketed by video auctions, through private treaty sales or at livestock markets. FeederFax is distributed to RAAA’s active buyer base.

The Red Angus Stockyards, a web-based listing on RedAngus.org, has marketed nearly 100,000 head of replacement females, Red Angus bulls and/or Red Angus-influenced cattle.

In addition, RAAA sponsors several of the major video auctions, including organizing special sections featuring Red Angus cattle throughout the summer video sale season.

For ranchers looking to market their calves in a more traditional manner, each fall and winter, RAAA staff helps organize Red Angus Feeder Calf Sales held in livestock markets spread across the U.S.

"All of these marketing options give producers the opportunity to add value to their calf crop and, along with the use of the FCCP ‘Yellow Tag,’ can secure Red Angus bull customers’ continued success," said Berry.