Effective July 1, the Total Herd Reporting fee increased from the $20 fee to $27.50 annually per active cow (16 months or older). This was voted on by RAAA Board of Directors in June 2022.

When was the last time the fee increased? 2010, when it was increased from $15 to $20 with a majority of services being combined to be an all-inclusive fee for services (see below.) Before 2010, bulls were subject to the same assessment as females. The fee originally started at $11.50 for categories 1A,1B & 2 in 1995 at the inception of THR.

What does this fee include?

• Reporting annual data for the cow–calf data or a reason code for THR compliance for reporting year
• Transfer of animal 120 days from the date of sale (effective July 1, 2023, previously 60 days) at no cost
• Additional data reporting at no added cost, i.e.: yearling, heifer exposure, foot and leg, etc.
• Correction on cow or offspring
• Unlimited printing of registration certificate on either cow or offspring
• Access to online database for reporting, transfers, RAAA-generated reports and EPDs
• RAAA staff support, programs and resources

How does this support the financial stability of the organization?

• Allows RAAA to be aggressive with the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.
• Helps RAAA to maintain its current level of service.
• Supports the RAAA budget to be kept at breakeven or better than approved budget.
  • The Consumer Price Index is up 32% (July 2022)  since 2010, while the Producer Price Index of wholesale-level prices is up 39%. Operating costs have risen significantly in all businesses, and RAAA is no exception.

Association changes since 2010:

• No DNA department in 2010 (three people currently)
  • Increased Parentage Verification
  • Genomically-enhanced EPDs
  • Genetic Defect Monitoring
• Increased size of marketing team
  • From four to seven (including tags)
  • Attendance of 100 + bull sales annually in 2022
• Doubled in size of tag department
  • Tag program growth
  • Increased mandatory audits
• Two geneticists vs. one in 2010
• Added director of education
• IT department growth - three vs. two in 2010
• Operating and maintaining our own online software package (REDSPro)
• Dedicated communications team
  • March 2010 magazine 106 pages vs. March 2022 132 pages
  • Buckle and Banner/junior newsletter
  • Increased amount of eBlasts and media releases
  • Social media platforms to maintain
• Genetic evaluation weekly vs. bi-annually
• Online database vs. paper only
• Decreased registration staff-four in 2010, down to two currently
• More direct work with feedyards and packers
• Greater attendance at industry events
• Serving a much larger membership (currently at a record high of more 4,000)
• Expanded rules and regulations to track and execute
• Registering of gene-edited animals
• Animal permanent identification-added EIDs
• Including various other miscellaneous items not listed here

How does RAAA compare to other associations?

Very similar in cost. No association can be compared apples to apples due to the fact that every association is different in how the total herd reporting requirements are structured in regard to data reporting. Red Angus, however, is the only mandatory reporting association for all females on inventory — meaning that all females are opted into the program based on calving season, and RAAA doesn’t have an outside program to pick and choose which animals data is submitted on.