On sale day, at any auction ring, you could ask each cattle rancher what traits they are looking to add to their herd. Some may be primarily concerned with carcass traits, while others look at production value or perhaps, they’re after a particular phenotype. Rarely, will you hear a rancher that’s prioritizing the “docility” EPD when evaluating black angus cattle in the sale ring. But what if this EPD, reflective of a cattle’s temperament, is being overlooked? A recent peer reviewed article from Oregon State University Extension Service (OSU) highlights the important role management and temperament of cattle play in their production and carcass quality. 

In recent weeks, President Trump has received significant backlash from the cattle industry over comments directed at ranchers to “get their prices down”. This public commentary preceded a proposal outlined by the administration to increase beef exports from Argentina with the goal of decreasing retail prices for consumers at the grocery store. Naturally, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), the largest association representing beef producers in the United States, had strong feelings about this proposal. 

Earlier this summer President Donald Trump signed H.R.1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, into law. Despite its tumultuous journey, the law reflects many provisions that were central to President Trump’s second-term agenda, including spending cuts, sweeping tax reforms and immigration policy changes. For American ranchers and farmers, there were several notable, positive provisions included in the final bill, as well as significant changes from previous iterations.

Ranchers gamble each year on their ability to raise a profitable herd. There are many factors outside our control that have profound impacts on an operation, including wildfires, drought and even regulatory or policy changes. However, the biggest indication of success or failure can be seen when examining the cattle market. And in case you haven’t heard, it’s up.

Recently, the American Angus Association announced that their genetic subsidiary, Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), has received a $4.85 million research grant to study the impact genetics may have on methane emissions and overall feed efficiency in cattle. AGI will be joining several other research partners, including the University of New England in Australia, the Beef and Lamb New Zealand Genetics and Ag Research in New Zealand, Scottish Rural University in the United Kingdom and the Teagsac and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation in Ireland to examine the genotypes and phenotypes of more than 10,000 animals.

Over the weekend, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced they would be suspending live cattle, bison and horse imports from Mexico due to the rapid resurgence and spread of the New World Screwworm (NWS). 

Mother’s Day is around the corner, and the Angus breed is setting out to solve the age old question: Which breed of cattle produce the best mothers? By the end of the month, we may just begin to have our answer.