Many Rancers Seeing Red
Farmers and Ranchers are pretty particular about colors. When a farm runs green it means they use only John Deere equipment, other operations might run Red meaning Case I.H., and it’s kind of the same deal when it comes to cattle, color matters. I’m Susan Allen stay tuned for Open Range. There’s been a preponderance of black or angus cattle dotting pasture throughout the nation in this last decade are still ranchers who prefer crossbreds, Simmental, Herefords, Red Angus and other breeds. Yet with the prevalence of Black Angus it’s easy to forget that at one time Red and Black were both part of the same organization and both can be traced to the Aberdeen Angus of Scotland and England. The colors split in 1917 and because black hides were more popular the Red Angus breed nearly died out. Due to only seven ranchers who preferred Red and kept the genetics alive the Red Angus Association of American was was started in 1954 with less than 1000 head of red cattle. Today it’s one of the top five breeds in the US. Like Black Angus, Red are coveted for their temperaments, and maternal instincts . Many ranchers prefer to crossbred red cattle because they improve carcus quality meaning better cuts of meats like choice and above without extra feed or supplements, important when feed prices are as high as they are now. An extra bonus when crossed with Simmental REd angus won't produce unattractive grey hides. The Red Angus Association has experienced their largest calf crop ever this year meaning more ranchers are running Red to be in the Black.
