| In 1994, twenty-five Brangus breeders from nine states and Mexico met in Dallas, Texas to discuss ways to improve the Brangus breed. This meeting occurred under the watchful and encouraging eye of Glen Brinkman of “Brinks Brangus”, a strong advocate of needed change. Glen had been observing the Brangus ratio of 5/8 Angus and 3/8 Brahman for years. In order to make improvements, the group 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 and predictability. 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. | |
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Rockbrook Ranch immediately began “testing the waters” on what some considered a radical idea, breeding our registered Brangus to registered Angus. Because Rockbrook 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 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 size and easier fleshing ability; fertility increased. Our critics told us that all of this was a result of the 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 have continued to mate our Angus Plus to Angus Plus and Angus, each subsequent generation of calves continues to make improvements over the first cross, proving that it is genetics which is their strength, not heterosis”. | |
Sauer Cattle Company now operates through a “closed herd” mating system. While the Angus Plus breed can be registered within a percentage range of 65% to 96% Angus, the majority of our herd ranges from 80-90% Angus, with a long term goal of 85% Angus and 15% Brahman influence achieved through the Brangus breed. |
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| The American Red Angus Association owns the name Angus Plus and maintains all registration and performance data, thereby requiring the Angus Plus breed to comply with “total herd reporting” on cattle in the registry. | |
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