Neogen, Top Dollar Angus bolster marketing opportunities for commercial producers

LINCOLN, Neb., April 16, 2020 — Neogen Genomics and Top Dollar Angus are teaming up to provide an industry-first marketing opportunity for cattle producers who leverage Igenity® Beef in their selection and breeding decisions.

Through the Igenity Beef genomic platform, Neogen will identify groups of cattle that qualify for Top Dollar Angus — the first and only genetic verification program focused on commercial Angus and Red Angus cattle that rank in the top 25% of growth and carcass traits.

“For Igenity Beef customers targeting superior growth and carcass merit with commercial Angus and Red Angus genetics, this partnership is a win-win,” said Kenny Stauffer, Neogen’s Director of Beef Sales. “We see our partnership with Top Dollar Angus as means to identify a powerful marketing pipeline for producers looking to differentiate their high-quality genetics.”

With multiple verification programs available to producers, Top Dollar Angus stands out by providing second-to-none marketing support through a variety of channels to help producers differentiate their superior genetics, most often resulting in $30 to $50 per head premiums on qualified cattle.

“Cattle feeders are looking for superior genetics that grow rapidly and grade well,” said Tom Brink, Top Dollar Angus founder and CEO of the Red Angus Association of America. “These cattle dollar-up better for everyone in the supply chain from rancher to feeder, and on to the packer and consumer. They are worthy of premium prices at every stage of production.”

To qualify for Top Dollar Angus, the cattle must be at least 50% Angus or Red Angus. After that producers have two pathways they can choose:

• Test 30% of calf crop on Igenity Beef with a group average score of 6.25 or above for Average Daily Gain (ADG), Marbling (MARB) and Ribeye Area (REA).
• Or they can submit seven years of sire registration data with an average rank in the top 25% for the American Angus Association®’s $Beef index ($B) or Red Angus Association®’s GridMaster index (GM).

The commercial herd enrollment fee for Top Dollar Angus is $250 annually, which is most often paid by one of Top Dollar’s nearly 150 Seedstock Partners in support of their bull buyers. Meanwhile, the per head fee for cattle marketed through the Top Dollar Angus program is $4 per head.

“Igenity Beef is a risk management tool for producers looking to make better selection decisions,” said Stauffer. “Cattlemen and women who have made investments in this technology have seen real improvements in genetic progress. Now it’s time to further bolster the value of these high-quality cattle down the supply chain by partnering with an organization that knows a thing or two about capturing premiums for the producer.”

To leverage Igenity Beef in your herd call 877.443.6489. Or, to learn more about Top Dollar Angus and their certification programs, go to topdollarangus.com.

Top Dollar Angus, Inc. was founded in 2014 with the sole purpose of bringing differentiated identity and market recognition to Angus- and Red Angus-influenced feeder cattle that objectively rank in the top 25% of the population for growth and carcass traits. During 2019, Top Dollar Angus conducted business in 26 states and Canada and continues to expand its core business by encouraging cow-calf producers to produce superior genetics and through helping them get rewarded on sale day.

Neogen Corporation (Nasdaq: NEOG) develops and markets products dedicated to food and animal safety. Neogen’s worldwide genomics operations deliver innovative, affordable DNA testing for the discovery and commercial application of genomic advances that enhance the safety and abundance of life. DNA testing services are provided for food safety, animals, aquaculture, agronomy, forestry and horticulture, as well as supporting the research institutions and organizations serving these industries. See more at http://genomics.Neogen.com/en/.