About Angus Plus

In 1994, twenty-five Brangus breeders from nine states and Mexico met in Dallas, Texas to discuss ways to improve Brangus. In order to make improvements, we felt it was necessary to first identify weaknesses. The major problems were with excessive leather (sheath, navel), extended growth (too much frame at maturity), not enough fleshing ability, and lack of uniformity & predictability. We felt that there was not a problem with calving ease, milking ability, or ribeye area. Therefore, in order to correct the problems, it seemed logical that Angus genes needed to be increased. Subsequently, the result of this 1994 meeting was Angus Plus.

We immediately began “testing the waters” on what some considered a radical idea, breeding our registered Brangus to registered Angus. Because we had such a large investment in Brangus, being one of the top 10 largest registered Brangus breeders, we started slowly, wanting to make sure this was the right direction to go. It didn’t take us long to make a full commitment and devote our entire breeding program to producing Angus Plus. What made up our minds for us so quickly? The Angus Plus, themselves! From the very first calf crop, the Angus Plus were thicker, cleaner, more moderately framed, and more consistent. Culling for sheath was virtually eliminated. Development cost for bulls and heifers alike was significantly reduced. The bulls reached “breeding readiness” at an earlier age. In addition, as the heifers moved into the cowherd, our maintenance cost lowered because of the lower frame and easier fleshing ability; fertility increased. Our critics told us that all of this was a result of heterosis from the first cross of Angus and Brangus and that we would not be able to maintain these improvements. Again, the cattle did the talking. As we began to mate Angus Plus to Angus Plus, the second and third generation calves continued to make improvements over the first cross, proving that it was genetics, not heterosis, that was their strength.

Females: To produce early maturing, fertile, easy keeping females that can wean a heavy calf and breed back.

Bulls: To produce easy fleshing bulls with optimum carcass merit (ribeye, marbling, back/rump fat), sound legs and feet, and the ability to breed cows at an earlier age under range conditions.

We are constantly striving to improve carcass value. After all, the reason we raise cattle is to produce beef. But it is important to note that most genetic change needs to be slow and continuous. Pushing one trait too hard and too fast most likely will adversely affect another trait. For this reason, we try to avoid extremes in any single trait. In order to achieve the results we want, we breed for phenotype and for balanced maternal, performance and carcass traits. The two primary tools that we use in making mating and buying decisions are actual performance of the individual and visual appraisal. We use EPDs only as an indicator of the genetic trend/direction of a trait, i.e., below average, average, or above average. Basing buying decisions solely on EPDs can be deceiving.