Riding for the Brand...

Even though Wolf Creek Angus Ranch is in the business of producing seedstock, and its direct customers are primarily in the commercial cattle production business, we believe all segments of the industry must remember that they're all really in the business of producing beef for the world's consumers. And, consumers are becoming increasingly finicky, with the greatest demand and, consequently, greatest profit potential being for beef products that are tender, juicy and flavorful. That's why 100 percent of the A.I. sires we use have positive EPDs for marbling, the primary contributor to beef palatability.

One reason Wolf Creek Angus Ranch pays close attention to carcass traits stems from its close association with the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) Program, and we'd be glad to help you learn more about how commercial cattle producers can reap rewards from being involved with this highly successful branded beef marketing enterprise.

Approximately 80% of the U.S. fed cattle population is processed at packing plants licensed to market Certified Angus Beef TM products, and over 643 million pounds were marketed during 2008 as Certified Angus Beef product.

This translates into approximately 14 million head of Angus and Angus-type cattle that will be purchased by U.S. packers licensed to market Certified Angus Beef products. And, with the increased use of value-based pricing "grids" between feeders and packers, most U.S. packers offer premiums for cattle meeting CAB Program specifications on the rail. Since 1998, Certified Angus Beef packing plants have paid over $250 million in premiums to cattle producers, with an average premium of $40 per head being paid to those who have sold their finished cattle on various grids.

This represents more than a mere "niche" market and a significant advantage over other branded beef marketing programs or alliances which work through only one or two packing plants, and it provides a wider marketing window with less risk to producers who would like to have more than only one buyer bidding on their cattle.

For more information about the CAB Program, contact: Certified Angus Beef, LLC, Supply Development Office, 1107 Hylton Heights Rd., Manhattan, KS 66502  (ph: 785-539-0123).