After 138 years, the American Angus Association reaches 20 million registrations.

            When the American Angus Association^® was established in 1883, the founding fathers could have never imagined the power and impact registered Angus cattle would make by the year 2021. In the past 138 years, the Association has seen a lot of changes, but the constant that has remained the same has been the Association’s passionate members who are dedicated to improving the beef industry across the world.

            The headquarters of the world’s largest beef breed association in Saint Joseph, Missouri, surpassed 20 million registrations on March 17, 2021. Growing the breed to more than 20 million registered Angus cattle is no small feat. During that time, the Association averaged 144,927 registrations per year, topping the charts at 406,310 registrations in 1968.

            “This is truly an exciting day for the American Angus Association and our members as we cross the 20 million milestone for registrations,” said Jerry Cassady, Association director of member services.  “To think that it took 96 years for our Association to reach the 10 million mark back in 1979, we’ve added another 10 million registered Angus into our registry in less than half the time. This is a credit to the hard work and efforts of our members.”

            A registration certificate is more than a piece of paper. The registration paper creates demand and extra value in cattle that are powered by the qualities that the Angus breed brings to the table. Registration numbers signify the data behind the animal, tracing its lineage and potential to change the direction of cowherds. The registration paper allows members to join the Angus family. Using registered Angus bulls also unlocks additional premiums for every segment of the beef industry. If one registration paper can provide that much value – consider the impact of 20 million registrations.

“It’s pretty amazing to consider the amount of work and dedication that has been invested by our members over the years to get to this point,” said Mark McCully, Association chief executive officer. “Breeders of registered Angus cattle have stayed committed to the value of pedigreed seedstock and enjoy tremendous demand and market share today because of it.”

            To join the family and learn more about registered Angus cattle, visit Angus.org or call the Association office in St. Joseph, Missouri at 816.383.5100.

— Written by Whitney Whitaker, Angus Communications