In a press reception at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association annual convention in Phoenix, Tom Brink, CEO of Red Angus Association, and Jack Ward, executive vice president of the American Hereford Association, announced the joint venture that has been 18 months in the making.
Premium Red Baldy is a tagging program designed to take advantage of hybrid vigor by maximizing the best traits of both Red Angus and Hereford, and providing commercial producers with premium replacement females. Ward said, “We wanted to support something better than average. It’s not enough to have just a red baldy cow. We want a Premium Red Baldy program.”
Premium Red Baldy is a heifer-only program, capitalizing on hybrid vigor. No steers will be used in this non-Process Verified Program tagging program. To qualify for Premium Red Baldy, females must be sired by bulls in the top 50 percent of the breed for Baldy Maternal Index (BMI$) or Herdbuilder Index (HB).
Targeted breed percentages will range from 25 to 75 percent for both breeds, with the balance being the alternate breed. Females must be red-bodied with either a bald or brockle face. No black-hided cattle will be admitted, regardless of genetic makeup.
Each organization will verify and catalog the F1 females through the breeder’s respective breed organization.
Ward said the program is essentially a “trickle-up” approach, instead of a trickle-down approach, to improving both breeds for use in the commercial industry. Animals that are verified will be tagged with specially branded tags. A breed registry will provide verification to potential buyers.
Brink noted, “It’s groundbreaking that two breeds and two boards would work together for the good of the commercial industry. We’re excited to announce this new program.” 
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Lynn Jaynes
- Managing Editor
- Progressive Cattleman
- Email Lynn Jaynes
PHOTO: From left to right – Shane Bedwell, director of breed improvement and chief operating officer of American Hereford Association; Tom Brink, CEO of Red Angus Association; Jack Ward, executive vice president of American Hereford Association; and Gary Fike, director of commercial marketing at Red Angus Association, gathered at the NCBA Phoenix convention to announce the collaborative Premium Red Baldy Program. Photo by Lynn Jaynes.
