If you are at least 18 years old and wish to be a member but do not have any cattle, you may apply to be an Associate member. Associate members do not have voting privileges.

Life

This category is no longer an option for new members. Life memberships were issued prior to June 30, 1980.

TRANSFER OF MEMBERSHIP

A Regular membership is transferable in accordance with Article VIII of the Association By-Laws.

How To Become A Member

Complete an Application for Membership form. The two most important pieces of information on the application form are your Membership Name and your Tattoo Code.

Membership Name

First you must decide on a name for your membership. You may be a member as an individual, or you may have a joint membership with one or more family members or other individuals. All parties constituting the partnership, and at least two officers of a corporation, must sign the application.

A membership name may be changed later upon written request and for a fee.

Tattoo Codes

Please list three possible Tattoo Codes in order of your preference. Each possible Tattoo Code may have up to four characters (letters and/or numbers) but must end with a letter. A Tattoo Code is unique to a membership, so your code will be assigned as available.

Once used, a Tattoo Code may not be changed unless a new membership is purchased.

Date of Birth

Only Junior members are required to include their date of birth.

Joining Fee

Pay the required joining fee. Regular, Associate and Junior members pay joining fees.

Dues

Members will be assessed dues each July 1. Dues are assessed to Regular, Associate and Junior members.

Animal Assessments

Members will be assessed each year for every animal on their Active Inventory, in accordance with the Associationís Total Herd Reporting policies.

Sign the application

By signing the application you agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Association and to release all animal data collected by the Association for use in breed-related programs. All partners or at least two officers should sign the application.

E-Mail Address

Please supply your e-mail address to the body of the application.

Benefits And Responsibilities Of Being A Member

BENEFITS

Regular or Life Member

You will be able to register and record all qualified animals in the RAAA Herdbook. You will also be able to exercise one vote per membership and to participate at all membership meetings and in Association programs. You will receive the breed magazine, American Red Angus, and the annual Sire Evaluation and Membership Directory. You will also receive performance reports along with other computerized reports and forms from the National Office.

Junior Member

You will be able to register and record all qualified animals in the RAAA Herdbook and will receive performance reports along with other computerized reports and forms from the National Office. You may vote and hold office in the Junior Association and will receive the Junior Newsletter, The Red Generation.

Associate Member

You will receive the breed magazine, American Red Angus, and the annual Sire Evaluation and Membership Directory, along with other mailings from the National Office. You may not vote or register cattle.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To remain a Regular member of the RAAA, you must maintain at least one animal on active inventory and/or maintain a current dues status. The RAAA fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30; if you have not paid your membership dues by December 1, you will be given until the end of the month to pay them or your membership will be inactivated on December 31. You must also abide by the Constitution and By-Laws and the Rules and Regulations. Failure to comply with the rules set forth in these documents will be grounds for suspension and/or expulsion from the RAAA. (See Article IX of the By-Laws.)

egistration Requirements

OWNERSHIP/MEMBERSHIP

The person submitting the application for registration must be a member of the Association, and must be the recorded owner of the dam at the time of calving.

RED ANGUS ASSOCIATION CATEGORIES

There are 4 Categories in the Red Angus Association of America:

Category 1A

Category 1B

Category II

Category III

What is required for registration in each of these categories?

Category 1A

To be eligible for Category 1A registration, calves must be 100 percent Red Angus. The calf must be solid red in color and polled with no disqualifying characteristics (See Rules and Regulations, Section C4). Birthdate, permanent tattoo, and actual weaning weight and date weighed are required.

Category 1B

To be eligible for Category 1B registration, calves must be from 87 percent to and including less than 100 percent Red Angus and the parents must be registered. The calf must be solid red in color and polled with no disqualifying characteristics (See Rules and Regulations, Section C4). Birth date, permanent tattoo, and actual weaning weight and date weighed are required.

Category II

To be eligible for Category II, calves must be equal to or greater than 87% up to

and including 100% Red Angus blood content having one or more disqualifying

characteristics. (See Rules and Regulations, Section C5).

Category III

Calves that are less than 87% Red Angus blood content. (See Rules and Regulations,

Section C6).

Total Herd Reporting

Historically, many beef breed genetic evaluations were based on progeny weaned and/or registered and did not require that data be recorded from females that failed to reproduce or whose progeny were not registered. By contrast, inventory based Total Herd Reporting (THR) requires collection of annual production and performance records on all cattle within a herd.

Total Herd Reporting (THR) is a simple, straightforward system designed to promote collection of performance records on all registered Red Angus cattle produced. It does not, however, seek to control which animals will be registered. That remains a decision of individual breeders.Ý With THR, performance records (or disposal codes) are required on all calves produced by each breeder, but whether any or all of those calves receive registration papers is the breederís decision. Rather than a calf-based fee structure that discourages complete reporting, the THR fee, or annual assessment, is charged on each animal in the breeding herd. Payment of the annual assessment on a cow entitles the cow owner (breeder) to register one calf born to the cow during a 12-month period and to transfer that calf to a new owner if the transfer occurs before the animal reaches 24 months of age, if a female or 30 months of age, if a male. ET birth calves are charged equivalent fees. Payment of the assessment on a bull entitles the bull owner to register calves sired by that bull and to purchase A.I./non-owner bull permits for that bull (if otherwise entitled).

Major benefits of THR include:

1. Complete reporting improves the quality of the EPDs on all Red Angus cattle.

2. Free transfers of current-year calves will ensure more complete reporting of transfers. Improved identification of bull owners increases the likelihood of participation in marketing programs and the feeder calf certification program thereby increasing marketing opportunities for Red Angus commercial cattle and subsequent demand for Red Angus seedstock.

3. Total Herd Reporting is a prerequisite for herd-reproduction and production management calculations. These calculations are meaningless with incomplete reporting.

Under Total Herd Reporting, members will pay a single annual assessment on each animal of ìassessment age.î Males and females of all categories (IA, IB, II, III) will be assessed a fee. In addition to animal assessments, membership dues will assessed.

Assessment Age

Assessment age is defined as females at least 16 months of age and males at least 30 months of age or older on the date of inventoryóSpring calving: January 1; Fall calving: July 1.

Payment of the annual assessment makes that animal ìactiveî for the following 12 months and entitles the breeder to: 1) register one calf born to each female during that 12-month period; and 2) transfer that calf to a new owner if the transfer occurs before the animal reaches 24 months of age, if female, or 30 months, if male.

… Assessment paid on a bull allows the owner to register calves sired by that bull and purchase non-owner bull permits from the Association for that bull. The bull permit fee remains a separate charge.

… Bulls under assessment age that are kept for sale will not be assessed. However, annual assessments must be paid on bulls that are younger than 30 months of age on the inventory date before any progeny can be registered or A.I./non-owner bull permits purchased. Only a member may release non-owner bull permits and an annual assessment must be paid before A.I./Non-Owner Bull permits are purchased.

… Cattle entering the inventory during the 12 months following the inventory date will be charged the full annual assessment.

Note: A.I. sires will be assessed as they become parents of recorded calves, if not assessed previously during the current year. Association rules require that A.I. sires be blood or DNA typed prior to their use.

Transfer Of Cattle On Inventory

Transfers of cattle "on inventory", i.e., of assessment age, are charged current fees. The first transfer of a young animal not yet on inventory is not charged the transfer fee, but will be charged the monthly surcharge if not transferred within two months of the sale date as described above. Subsequent transfers of young animals will be charged the same fees as cattle "on inventory".

Joint Owners

Any joint owner wishing to register and transfer progeny from a jointly owned parent, or sign non-owner bull permits for a sire during the subsequent year must pay an annual assessment.

Leased Animals

Assessments on leased animals will be charged to the lessee. If the lessor(s) and lessee(s) each desire to have an animal appear on their inventories and receive information on that animal and its current progeny, each must pay the annual assessment.

ET Calves

An assessment fee must be paid on each ET calf unless the recipient dam is "active" (i.e., current year assessment already paid), in which case no additional assessment is due. If the annual assessment on the donor dam has been paid, the owner of the donor dam is allowed one calf registration, whether natural or ET. Conditions governing registrations and transfers on these calves will be identical to those for single, natural-birth calves. Assessments paid on ET calves entitles the breeder to transfer the calf to a new owner at no additional charge if the transfer occurs before 24 months of age if a female or 30 months of age if a male.

Multiple-Birth Calves

In the case of multiple births; twins, triplets, etc., no additional assessment beyond the cowís annual assessment will be incurred on a dam.

Tracking Recipient and Foster Dams

Breeders are encouraged to submit registration numbers and/or animal identification on all recipient and foster dams. Future enhancements to our National Cattle Evaluations may allow calculation of EPDs on ET and multiple-birth calves.

Total Herd Reporting Requirements

During each 12-month period one of the following must be received for each cow on inventory:

… A calf record with all required information, including a disposal code for calves that die before weaning

… A disposal code for the cow

… A reason code for the cowís failure to produce a calf (e.g., open, embryo transfer program, moved to the next calving season).

Any cow on inventory will be inactivated unless one of these three items is reported. A reactivation fee will be required for reinstatement. If a cow goes off a memberís inventory and subsequently reappears in later years, the reinstatement fee plus the current year annual assessment will be required to reinstate the cow. Cattle may also be inactivated by the Association if a memberís account becomes delinquent. The per head reactivation fee will be charged on each inactivated animal that is reactivated, even if the animal is sold to a new owner.

If the calf dies before weaning, the breeder is required to provide the appropriate calf disposal code plus sire information, calf sex, birth date, mating, color, and HPS code.

Bulls can be inactivated and reactivated without charge. Current year assessments will be required before progeny can be registered or permits purchased. Date of death will be required on dead bulls to terminate natural service registrations at the appropriate time. AI permit purchases will have no time limit as long as the annual assessment is paid.

Adjusted weights, ratios, and EPD calculations are part of services received through the THR program. A memberís herd EPD report is mailed out to all members in January or February at no charge. Additional herd EPD reports will continue as a separate charge.

Breeding Herd Inventory

An annual inventory will be sent from the breed association to the breeder in December or early January for spring calving herds (January 1^st ‚June 30^th) and in June for fall calving herds (July 1^st ‚December 31^st). Breeders will identify those animals to be removed from inventory, add new animals of breeding age not found on the inventory report (e.g., new purchases, leased animals, etc.), and return the completed inventory report to the national office. Do not mark animals which have been or will be transferred with a disposal code. The transfer will remove an animal from inventory. These inventories will list all animals the breeder will be collecting production data on for the next 12 months.

The two-inventory system described above is recommended over single inventory systems that encompass both calving seasons. To identify which cattle will be expected to calve in the coming year, the two-inventory times, spring and fall, allow breeding inventories to be determined when cows are at the same relative stage of production ‚ regardless of calving season. The inventory times, January for spring calving and June for fall calving, are desirable because they follow weaning and pregnancy testing but precede the peak of the calving season. This allows both reproduction and production to be tracked in a uniform manner.

A member may have both spring-calving and fall-calving herds. The member may move cattle from one herd to another by designating the move as a reason code (moved to Next Calving Season) on the inventory report. Bulls may be carried on either inventory ‚ as long as the assessment is paid before any calves are registered.

Breeders must complete and report herd inventories to the association on a set schedule. The objective is to record performance data from the entire herd. Therefore, the fee assessment structure must encourage complete and unbiased reporting of data. Inventory based THR, 1) removes all financial disincentives to submitting complete production and performance data; 2) encourages producers to maintain an accurate active inventory; and 3) promotes the registration and transfer of seedstock destined for use in commercial production.

Winter/Summer Calving

Having animals move back and forth from Spring to Fall inventory is a problem for members who winter/summer calve.Ý For herds affected by this problem, a system was developed that allows a 45 day window of opportunity for those animals that calve 45 days prior to or 45 days after their respective Spring and Fall inventories.Ý For example, a spring inventory female may calve December of one season and then in January of the next calving season.

Members who take advantage of this system will need to designate on their respective Spring/Fall inventories "45 day window" for notation to the national office. An example of dates would be - designated Spring herds could calve as early as November 15^th of the previous year - designated Fall herds could calve as late as February 15^th of the following year.

Compute Option

The Compute option can be used by breeders who do not wish to register calves but want to record data. Non-owner Bull Permits will not be required on computed calves. The Compute option fee is charged per calf record submitted and is intended for progeny data from commercial cattle in grading-up programs, or animals from other breeds or registries. Examples would include records on calves from commercial dams sired by registered Red Angus bulls, or records on black Angus calves who are contemporary grouped. with Red Angus calves and whose parents are registered with the American Angus Association or the Canadian Angus Association. All complete records on Computed animals will be entered into the Association database and used in the National Cattle Evaluation and other performance calculations.

No Performance Certificates will be issued on computed animals, and they will not have EPDs.

Progeny of cows registered in the Herdbooks of the Red Angus Association may be entered in the Compute option in order to avoid using non-owner bull permits on poorer quality calves that the breeder feels are not worthy of registration. . However, no adjustment will be made on the assessment charged on the dams of such calves.

TOTAL HERD REPORTING ANNUAL SCHEDULE

Spring Calving	Fall Calving	Event
January 1	June 1	The Association sends each member a preliminary inventory based on the previous yearís inventory plus disposal and transfer information reported to the Association by this date. Barnsheets will be included for yearling age animals.
January 31	June 30	Member returns the inventory to the Association with all changes, additions and corrections.
March 15	August 15	Association sends "No Progeny Application Report" to those members who have cows without either a calf record or reason code.
April 15	September 15	ìNo Progeny Application Reportî due back to Association.
May 15	November 15	Association will send a preprinted inventory to determine a memberís yearling heifer inventory. Member indicates breeding season dates, exposure information, contemporary group designation, and disposal information.
July 1	December 1	Association sends billing report for annual THR assessments based on your herd inventory. This is billed at 20% per month July through November for Spring calving herds, and December through April for Fall calving herds. Members with less than 8 animals will be billed the total amount in July or December. the full amount.
August 15	February 15	Member returns the heifer exposure inventory to the Association with all exposure and disposal information.
November 30	April 30	THR assessment must be paid in full by this date.

how to register a calf

To register a calf, the following information must be submitted on the Registration Application/Report, registrations via the website or through an electronic program compatible with RAAA.

Registration Application/Report

The following are detailed instructions for the Registration Application/Report. Always use appropriate codes when necessary.

Dam Data (box 1-16)

… Pre-listed Registration Application/Reports will list your active registered dams that appear on your inventory. If any of your dams are left off, just add them: see next step.

… If the worksheet is blank, use the damís registration number.

… If the dam is registered in another Association use the registration number and universal breed code. A photocopy of the pedigree must accompany the calf's registration application to verify cow ownership.

… If dams are non-registered, use breed(s) and percentage(s). Please use appropriate Universal Breed Association Codes (refer to universal codes list in the Appendix, AP13). For example: HH 100% indicates the dam is 100% Horned Hereford. AR 50% and SA 50% indicates the dam is 50% Red Angus and 50% Saler. If the entire known breed type does not equal 100%, please use XX (unknown) for the remaining percentage.

Reason Code (box 13): If there is no calf record or disposal code this year, enter the appropriate Reason Code (1-5).

Sire Data (box 17-24)

… Use the sireís registration number.

… If the sire is registered in another Association, use his registration number and universal breed code. Enclose a photocopy of his pedigree to verify ownership.

… If the calf is produced by a multiple sire group, a list on the proper multiple sire form of all bulls in the multiple sire group and their registration numbers must accompany the calf's registration. Reporting of multiple sire groups aids in more accurate EPD calculations on resulting progeny.

… If a non-registered sire is used, list the breed(s) and percentage(s). Please use appropriate universal breed codes list (AP 13). For example: HH 100% indicates the sire is 100% Horned Hereford. AR 50% and SA 50% indicates the sire is 50% Red Angus and 50% Saler. If the entire breed type is not known to calculate 100%, please use XX (unknown) for the remaining percentage.

… A calf produced by a non-owned sire will require an A.I./ Non-owner Bull Permit from the owner of the bull. If a Breeding Service Record was issued when the female was purchased, please submit the record with the calf's registration application. The A.I./Non-owner Permit may accompany the calf's registration application. Exceptions are: 1) family owned bulls, 2) lease agreements on sires, or 3) females bought bred to a sire owned by the seller. Females bought bred to a bull that was not owned by the seller will still require bull permits from the owner of the bull used.

Calfís Disposal Code (box 25)

The following codes are to be used for calves that died between conception and yearling. Please use the number listed below that corresponds to the reason for the disposal.

2 = Stillborn/full term

3 = Died at birth due to a birth defect

4 = Died at birth for other reasons

5 = Born alive, but died before weaning due to disease

6 = Born alive, but died before weaning due to other reasons

7 = Died after weaning due to disease

8 = Died after weaning due to other reasons

Calf Tattoos (box 26-27)

The calf's tattoos: left ear number, right ear breeder prefix (breeder prefix may already be listed).

Birth Date of Calf (box 29)

The calf's birth date (Month/Day/Year)

Sex Of Calf (box 30)

Codes for calf's sex:

1 = Bull

2 = Heifer

3 = Steer

On weaning worksheets only, it is advisable to list steer calves as bulls unless they were cut prior to weaning.

Birth Weight Of Calf (box 32)

The calf's actual birth weight, only if weighed within 24 hours following birth. If the calf was not weighed, leave blank.

Calf's Birth Management Group (box 33)

A contemporary group should consist of calves of the same sex and that were raised under the same management and environmental conditions.

… All calves that are treated alike and have the same opportunity to perform should be included in the same management group.

… Calves from two-year-old heifers and cows will be ratioed together at birth, but not at weaning.

… Bulls and heifers will automatically be ratioed separately.

… The maximum age range for a management group is 90 days.

Calfís Twin Code (box 37)

Twins or calves of multiple births are eligible for registration providing all registration requirements are met, and the application for registration must indicate the calf is a twin, or of other multiple birth. Please note that in a vast majority of twinnings, a female born with a bull is usually sterile; therefore it is recommended that these affected females (e.g;Ý Twin Code 2) be computed and not registered. When registering twins out of a non-owned sire, a bull permit is needed for each calf.

Codes for twins follows:

1 = single calf

2 = twin to bull

3 = twin to heifer

4 = other

Note: Twins will not receive ratios, and are considered "irregular."

Calf's Name (box 38)

Name must not exceed 28 characters, including spaces between words. Names in excess of 28 characters will be abbreviated.

Mating Code (box 39)

1 = Artificial Insemination-Non-owner Bull Permit required if non-owned bull is used

2 = Natural Service

3 = Embryo Transplant-Embryo Transplant Certificate required

Color (box 40)

1 = Solid Red

3 = Black skin pigment

4 = Ineligible white

5 = Any other

8 = Black hair coat

HPS Code (box 41)

H = Horned

P = Polled

S = Scurred

Category (box 42)

A = IA: 100% Red Angus, no disqualifying characteristics

B = IB: 87% through 99% Red Angus, no disqualifying characteristics

2 =Ý II: 87% up to 100% Red Angus, having one or more disqualifying characteristics

3 = III: 0% through 86 %Ý Red Angus blood content

Total Herd Reporting Status (box 43)

T = THR

Registration Status (box 44)

R = Register now

… Have met all the requirements for registration listed under the rules and regulations for Category 1A, 1B, II or III beginning on page RR-10.

… Animals at registered status are eligible to be transferred and may have progeny recorded.

… Animals are eligible for a registration certificate if requested.

… Animals are eligible for performance pedigrees.

… Animals at registered status will receive adjusted weights, ratios, and EPDs.

… Exception: Twins and Embryo Transplant calves do not ratio.

I = Incomplete

… Indicates the animal is being pre-registered and has met all the requirements for registration listed under the rules and regulations, except weaning weight and date information.

… Animals listed at incomplete status are eligible for registration certificates, if requested, however it will be noted on the certificate as "INCOMPLETE".

… These animals are eligible to be transferred.

… They are not eligible to record progeny until the weaning weight and date information is submitted, and the animal is moved to registered status.

… Animals at incomplete registered status will receive adjusted birth weight information and ratios, (if birth weight is provided) as well as EPDs.

… For additional information on pre-registrations, reference page RR-14.

H = On Hold

… Indicates that the animal has met all the requirements for registration, except that a non-owner bull permit/AI certificate has not been submitted.

… A Non-owner bull permit/AI certificate is required on progeny registered out of a sire that the member registering the calf does not own.

… Animals on hold are not eligible for transfer, registration certificates, or performance pedigrees.

… Animals on hold are not eligible to record progeny.

… Animals on hold will receive adjusted weights, ratios and EPDs.

… For additional information on AI/Non-owner bull permits, reference page RR-21.

C = Compute

… Intended for 1) submitting calf data to fulfill THR progeny performance requirements in the case when the calves are not intended to be kept as registered breeding stock; 2) progeny data from commercial cattle in designed progeny test programs; or 3) animals from other breeds or registries.

… No performance certificates will be issued.

… They will not have EPDs, nor will they be eligible for transfer.

… Calves at a compute status may be moved to registered status provided they have met all the requirements for registration status.

… For additional information on animals that are computed, reference page RR-16.

Z = Blood/DNA

… Indicates that Blood/DNA requirements have not been met on either the sire or the dam of the calf being recorded.

… An animal is not eligible for registered status until the Blood/DNA requirements have been completed.

… For additional information on animals that are pending registration due to Blood/DNA requirements, reference page RR-25.

Print Certificates (box 45)

To be used for registered and pre-registered only

Y = Yes-The certificates will print with the registration

N = No-The certificates will not print until they are requested

Calving Ease (box 46)

1 = No difficulty, no assistance

2 = Minor difficulty, some assistance

3 = Major difficulty, usually mechanical assistance

4 = Caesarean section or other surgery

5 = Abnormal presentation

Private Herd Number (box 47)

This is a wit hin herd identification number.

Weaning Date (box 49)

The actual date calf was weaned (Month/Day/Year)

… Category IA and IB calves weighed under 100 or over 365 days will be registered as Category II without weaning information.

… Category IA and IB calves submitted without weaning data will drop to Category II.

Weaning Weight (box 50)

The actual weight of the calf. Adjusted weights and beef tape measurements will not be accepted.

Damís Weight At Weaning (box 51)

The actual weight of the dam when the calf is weaned. - optional

Damís Hip Height At Weaning (box 52)

Damís hip height in inches. - optional

Damís Body Condition Score (box 53 ) for full explanation see AP-12

THINÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ BORDERLINEÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ OPTIMUM/MODERATEÝÝÝÝ FAT_________

1-EmaciatedÝÝÝÝÝ 4-BorderlineÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 5-ModerateÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 7-Good

2-PoorÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 6-High ModerateÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 8-Fat

3-ThinÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝÝ 9-Extremely Fat

Feed Code (box 54)

1 = No creep feed was given to the calf

2 = Creep feed was available to the calf

3 = Foster dam or bottle fed

Calves raised by foster dams must be so indicated on the application for registration. Such calves will be considered ìirregularî and will not receive a ratio.

Calf's Weaning Management Group (box 55)

The management group against which this calf will be compared and ratioed from birth to weaning. Calves from first calf (two year old) heifers and mature cows will be ratioed separately.

… Calves that are less than 160 days or greater than 250 days of age at weaning will be grouped separately into one of the following groups: group 1, 100-129 days; group 2, 130 to 159 days; group 3, 251 to 280 days, or group 4, 281 to 310 days. Calves that are less than 100 days of age or greater than 310 days at weaning will be classified as having ìIrregularî weaning weights. Data from calves weaned at less than 130 days of age or greater than 280 days of age will not be included in the RAAA National Cattle Evaluation.Ý Calves who naturally fall into single-animal contemporary groups will receive weaning ratios of 100. Calves who are forced into single animal contemporary groups because of age or other restrictions will not receive a weaning ratio.

Postweaning Test Date (box 60) and ÝPostweaning Weight (box 61)

Do not use these boxes. If this animal was entered in a postweaning gain test, so indicate with a Yearling Management Group code (box 64) common to all animals in the test group.

Yearling Weight Date (box 62)

Actual date calf is weighed for yearling data (Month/Day/Year)

Yearling Weight (box 63)

The actual weight of calf in pounds for yearling data

Yearling Management Group (box 64)

Yearling contemporary groups are formed using the weaning contemporary group along with a yearling management code and yearling weigh date.

Calves that are less than 320 days or greater than 410 days of age at yearling will be grouped separately into one of the following groups: Group 1 ‚ 260 to 289 days of age; Group 2 ‚ 290 to 319 days of age; Group 3 ‚ 411 to 440 days of age; Group 4 ‚ 441 to 470 days of age. Calves that are less than 260 days of age or greater than 470 days of age at yearling will be marked 'IRREGULAR'. Data from calves less than 290 days of age and greater than 440 days of age will not be included in the RAAA National Cattle Evaluation.

YEARLING MEASUREMENTS

Scrotal Measurement Date (box 70)

The date this bull was measured for scrotal circumference (Month/Date/Year) -optional

Scrotal Measurement (box 71)

The scrotal measurement for bull in centimeters-optional

Hip Height Date (box 73)

The date calf was measured for hip height (Month/Day/Year) -optional

Hip Height (box 74)

The measurement of hip height in inches for calf-optional

Pelvic DateÝ (box 76)

The date calf was measured for pelvic data (Month/Day/Year) -optional

Pelvic Height (box 77)

The pelvic height for calf in inches-optional

Pelvic Width (box 78)

The pelvic width for calf in inches-optional

Transfer On Entry (boxes 91-93)

For transferring the calf at time of registration. Buyerís name and complete address (box 91), and the date of sale (box 93) are required. Provide the buyerís member number if known (box 92).Ý Animals owned by multiple owners must be accompanied by a Joint Owner Application (JOA), and signed by the seller.

REGISTERING CALVES OUT OF NON-OWNED SIRES

A.I./Non-owner Bull Permits are required to register calves produced by AI or natural service from non-owned bulls. Applications for A.I./Non-owner Bull Permits are available from the National Office, and will be issued only to recorded owner(s) of the bull or an agent of the owner on file with the national office. To purchase a permit for a non-owned bull, you must contact the owner of the bull or the seller of the semen. Exceptions to this are: 1) having a Lease Agreement on file, 2) using a bull owned by a member of the immediate family of the recorded owner of the dam, or 3) females bought bred to a sire owned by the seller.

Note: Calves by non-owned bulls that are only ComputeÝ recorded do not need A.I./Non-owner Permits. However, EPDs will not be calculated on Compute calves.

Ordering A.I./Non-owner BULL Permits

A.I./Non-owner Bull Permits are issued by the National Office for a fee. Permits will be issued only to bull owners who have the right to purchase A.I./Non-owner certificates. Before A.I./Non-owner permits will be issued for AI-sired calves, the bull must be either DNA or Blood typed. It is the bull ownerís responsibility to secure non-owner bull permits from the National Office.

Cow owners must obtain A.I./non-owner bull permits from the bull owner.

Permits can be sent directly to the bull owner requesting the permits, to the cow owner, or held in the National Office. If held in the National Office, notification indicating the number of available permits is sent to the cow owner.

How To Register An Embryo Transplant (ET)

To register an ET calf, the sire and donor dam must be DNA or Blood typed. Flush date must be submitted to complete the Registration Application for each ET calf.

An A.I./Non-owner Bull Permit may accompany the Application for Registration if a non-owned bull sired the calf.

HOW TO REGISTER ANGUS PLUS ANIMALS

ANGUS PLUS DEFINITION

Angus Plus cattle will be defined as those cattle that are Brahman/Angus derivatives with a minimum of 50 percent red or black Angus, a percentage Brahman, excluding those cattle that are 87% or higher Red Angus, Category IA/IB cattle. Those Angus Plus cattle that have been bred-up, i.e. with commercial cattle in their pedigree, will be differentiated from those derived from entirely purebred lines (Red Angus, Angus, Brahman, Red Brangus, or Brangus) by having an ìXî appear at the end of Angus Plus (i.e. Angus Plus X) on the registration certificate.

Registering your animals

… Animals registered in other breed associations are referred to as foreign animals by the RAAA National office. In order to register progeny out of foreign animals, a registration application must be completed.

… Reference section ìHow to Register A Calfî ‚ pages HT-14 to HT-22.

… Birth weight and Yearling weight information are not required for registration, but if submitted must be actual, not adjusted information.

… If the dam is registered in another association, use the registration number of the respective breed association. A photocopy of the pedigree from the respective breed association must accompany the calfís registration application to verify cow ownership. If the sire is registered in another association, use the registration number of the respective breed association.Ý A photocopy of the pedigree from the respective breed association must accompany the calfís registration.

… If the foreign animal itself is being dual registered, in other words, in two breed associations, the foreign animal is considered a new registration in the RAAA and the national office requires a copy of the animalís registration certificate issued from the other breed association along with the registration application. The application must be completed according to pages HT-14 to HT 22.

… Once animals are registered in the Red Angus Association of America and on inventory, they will be billed an annual assessment for each year.

… The Total Herd Reporting (THR) annual assessments are billed on each animal.

… Category III animals are billed at a lesser fee than Category 1A, 1B and II Red Angus).

… Category III animals meeting Angus Plus criteria will be billed an additional amount at the time of assessment, and "Angus Plus" or "Angus Plus X" will appear on the RAAA certificate.

… If one of the parents is not registered in any breed association, the parent can be recorded at their exact breed percentage provided recordation of registered ancestry is documented.

… There will be a charge per back generation of recordation, in addition to the registration charge. This charge does not apply to pedigrees of registered animals.

Tattooing Procedures

Calves should be tattooed at a young age. Tattoos must not be duplicated for animals of the same sex and birth year within the same herd. We recommend that you do not duplicate tattoos at all.Ý Each tattoo should be unique within your herd.

Left Ear Tattoo

The calf's left ear should be tattooed with an identification number from the numbering system of your choice.

Right Ear Tattoo

The right ear should be tattooed with the first owner's tattoo code letters and may carry the last digit of the calf's birth year. (First owner is identified as recorded owner of the dam or embryo at birth of the calf.)

Tattoos must be provided at registration.Ý No animal can be registered or transferred without left ear and right ear tattoos.

Selling Your Cattle

There is more to selling your cattle than just settling on a price with the buyer. Among the many things to be considered are terms of sale, providing non-owner bull permits, a breeding guarantee and transferring the animalís registration certificate to the new owner.

Making a sale should be more than just a "handshake" deal. All parties involved must be aware of what the others' expectations are. The Association recommends that you establish Sale Terms and Conditions (preferably in writing) prior to making a sale because these terms and conditions protect both seller and buyer and provide a basis for settling disputes. RAAA Recommended Sale Terms and Conditions are described in Rules and Regulations (RR-33) section of this handbook.

How To Transfer A Registered Animal

The Application for Transfer is located on the back of the Registration Certificate. The application must be signed by the seller(s). The complete name(s) and address(es) of the buyer(s) or member number(s) must be submitted on the application. The sale date is also required. If any of this information is not submitted, the application is considered invalid and will be returned to the seller. Animals that are to be owned by multiple owners must be accompanied by a Joint Owner Application (JOA), and signed by the seller.

A Batch Transfer Form may be used for transferring animals. This form must be signed by the seller(s). Complete name(s) and address(es) of the buyer(s) and/or member number(s) must be submitted along with the date of sale. Breeding information for females sold bred must be included on the back of this form. Animals that are to be owned by multiple owners must be accompanied by a Joint Owner Application (JOA), and signed by the seller. A transfer will not be completed if the registration of that animal requires a Non-owner Bull Permit/A.I. Certificate.

Transfer on Entry box on the registration/application form may be used when submitting calf data located underneath each calf record. Animals that are to be owned by multiple owners must be accompanied by a Joint Owner Application (JOA), and signed by the seller. Sale date and signature of the seller are required.Ý A transfer will not be completed if the registration of that animal requires a Non-owner Bull Permit/A.I. Certificate.

How To Transfer A Calf At Side

The Application for Registration/Transfer of a calf at side is located on the back of the dam's Registration Certificate. It is the seller's responsibility to register and transfer any calves sold at the side of the dam.

The following information is required to register a calf at side:

… Dam and sire registration numbers

… Calfís tattoos (LE and RE)

… Calfís birth date

… Sex of calf

… Calfís birth weight (if known)

… Color

… Phenotype (horned, polled, scurred)

… Mating code (AI, natural service, ET)

How To Transfer Part Interest In A Bull

Bulls can have an unlimited number of owners on record. The total percentage of all owners must equal 100 percent. In order to transfer part interest in a bull, a Joint Owner Application (JOA) must be signed by the seller of that part interest and filed in the National Office. A divisible interestÝ may be transferred to any number of other parties without the consent of the other owners. An indivisible interest may not be transferred to more than one owner unless all other joint owners authorize consent by signing their registration certificate. No transfer will be processed until all registration certificates on the multiple owned animal are received in the national office authorizing consent. An indivisible interest may be transferred to one other individual without the prior consent of the other owners. The JOA includes the names of each owner, the percent each owns, and each owner's rights (Non-owner Bull Permit) and divisibility rights). Any time an interest in a multiple-owned bull is transferred, a record of this transfer will be sent to all owners and filed in the National Office.

How To Provide Service Information With A Transfer

If a cow is bred before it is sold, the seller must provide the breeding information on the back of the Registration Certificate or Batch Transfer Form.

The following information is required:

… Bullís registration number (Multiple sire group ‚ list all sire registration numbers)

… Type of service

… Service dates.

The service record information is listed on the registration certificate of the bred animal.

If the seller does not own the service sire, it is the seller's responsibility to provide an A.I./Non-owner Bull Permit for a calf resulting from the breeding unless terms of sale specify otherwise.

What Is Required To DNA/Blood Type

DNA/Blood Typing Requirements

The Red Angus Association requires DNA or blood typing on all bulls that are the source of semen for A.I. when the resulting calves are to be registered/recorded in the Red Angus Herdbook. Parent verification is not required. A copy of the DNA or blood type on such bull must be on file with the Association.

Association Rules and Regulations require DNA or blood type to be on file for animals used as ET donor dams and ET Sires.

DNA or blood typing can be used to identify parentage of multiple-sired calves.

Either DNA typing or blood typing will fulfill the requirements of the Red Angus Association rules and regulations. DNA/Blood typing are two different procedures. DNA typing is more precise thus preferred over blood typing, but blood typing should be used if there is a possibility that the animal or its progeny will be exported. Each country has their own acceptable (blood/DNA) rulings. Please check with the country for their policies before typing an animal to avoid delays.

The Association has the right to test individual animals at random, or in the case of a protest for suspected animals, at Association expense.

DNA/Blood Typing Form

A copy of the request form is supplied by the respective lab. Charges for testing are the memberís responsibility and will be billed by the respective lab. The results will be sent to the member unless otherwise requested. A fee will be billed by the RAAA for recording each case record.

Collection Procedure

Collection procedures differ for each lab. Please contact the lab for detailed instructions.

It is very important that you follow the instructions when collecting samples for testing. An incorrectly identified sample may cause rejection of correct identity because one or more of the samples are from the wrong animal. Collect and label one sample at a time.

HEIFER EXPOSURE DATA COLLECTION------------OPTIONAL

Heifer Exposure Inventory ‚ To collect reproductive data on potential replacement heifers, a yearling heifer exposure inventory must be produced. This inventory will be sent in May for spring born heifers and in November for fall born heifers. On the inventory, producers should indicate breeding season start and end dates, individual exposure status, management group, and disposal information. Differences among management groups in post-yearling feeding, management, or mating practices should be recorded.

The data collection for the Heifer Pregnancy EPD is optional and very simple. Listed below are the steps necessary for breeders participating in this collection.

1. A preprinted inventory is sent to determine a member's yearling heifer inventory in May (Spring herds) and November (Fall herds).

2. The member indicates:

… Breeding Season Start and End Dates

… Whether or not the heifer was exposed or will be exposed to breeding. (Yes or No).Ý (Do not include palpation results.)

… Management Group designation (see # 3 below).

… Any coded disposal information (see codes below).

Applicable Disposal Codes

Ý7Ý =Ý Died after weaning - disease-13 = Culled - temperament

Ý8Ý =Ý Died after weaning - other-15 = Culled - other (incl.sold but not transferred)

10 =Ý Culled - physical defect-17 = Sold unexposed

12 =Ý Culled - performance-18 = Sold exposed open

*Do not mark animals which have been transferred.

3. The contemporary group is designated as all females that were in the same yearling contemporary group and managed the same from yearling through the breeding season. A management group designation code (member's choice) should be used to distinguish management groups. In addition to the usual management group designation reasons, heifers that are only pasture bred (i.e. - no A.I.) should be designated into different management groups if they are in different breeding pastures. Animals that are A.I.'d in the same management groups, but put into different cleanup bull pastures do not need to be designated.

4. In January (Spring herds) and July (Fall herds) of the following year, the national office will include those active heifers (which are now of assessment age) along with the mature cow inventory. At this point, the breeder will indicate which heifers will be retained in the herd. The inventory of heifers will be separate from the mature cows and bulls.

ultrasoundÝ program---------------OPTIONAL

… Ultrasound data is a tool used to enhance the accuracies of carcass EPDs.

… All ultrasound data is scanned and interpreted by the Centralized Ultrasound Processing (CUP) laboratory in Ames, Iowa.

Yearling Bulls

How to Manage: Bulls should be placed on a high-energy ration after weaning. This will be important for discriminating among bulls for fat thickness and marbling traits.

When to Measure: The best time to collect ultrasound images on bulls is at or near the end of their gain test.

Age of Bulls: Bulls should be between 320 and 440 days of age: same as yearling measures.

Traits to Measure: Rump Fat Thickness, Rib Fat, Rib Eye Area (REA), and Percentage Intramuscular Fat (%IMF).

Yearling Replacement Heifers

How to Manage: Normal heifer development program.Ý Preferably a high enough energy ration to allow heifers to express their genetic potential for fat thickness and percentage intramuscular fat.

When to Measure: Heifers may or may not express their full potential for fat and marbling traits at the same time as bulls. Therefore, the recommended time to scan heifers is prior to breeding.

Age of Heifers: Between 320 and 460 days or just prior to breeding.

Traits to Measure: Rump Fat Thickness, Rib Fat, Rib Eye Area (REA), and Percentage Intramuscular Fat (%IMF).

Management and Contemporary Groups

Contemporary groups are formed from the latest information recorded (weaning or yearling), and:

1. Three day scan period ‚ animals that are scanned more than three days apart will be grouped separately.

2. Appropriate age ‚ bulls younger than 320 days and older than 440 days and heifers younger than 320 days and older than 460 days will be considered irregular and placed in their own contemporary group.

3. Group code ‚ if animals are indicated as managed/fed differently, they will be contemporaried separately.

Requesting Ultrasound Data Service

1. Pre-listed Barnsheets of yearling animals are mailed with THR Spring/Fall Inventories. Animals not listed on the barnsheets should be requested from the RAAA national office by registration number. A barnsheet containing only the additional animals will then be faxed or mailed to the breeder. Barnsheets are to be given to the technician on the day of scanning.

2. Schedule an appointment with the CUP technician about one month in advance. A list of APTC certified technicians is available from the RAAA office.

3. Be sure that all animals in a contemporary group are scanned.

4. Weigh all cattle the same day they are being scanned.

5. Small herds in close proximity should coordinate their scanning times. Per head costs may be less expensive if technicians are able to scan large numbers of cattle in a small geographical area.

6. After the herd is scanned, the technician overnights images to the CUP lab.

7. Images are then interpreted by the CUP lab. Images that are not of an adequate quality to be a measure of a particular trait will be rejected. Table 1 lists guidelines that ensure optimum scanning conditions that are the responsibility of both the technician and the breeder.

Table 1

Trouble Shooting Guide For Rejected Images

Problem	Breeder responsibility	Technician responsibility
No Squeeze chute with proper access to region of scanning	¸
Raining, misty, or bright sunlight:Ý cattle must be dry in the region of scanning and out of direct/bright sunlight	¸
Unsafe electrical supply:Ý a grounded outlet is required	¸
Poor Contact:Ý cattle must be clipped & cleaned in region of scanning	¸
Weight collected on day of scan	¸
Cattle outside age range	¸
Supplemental heat for equipment & oil	¸	¸
Improper equipment calibration		¸
Improper gain & focus settings		¸
Reference points not visible on images		¸
Poor contact ‚ insufficient couplant (oil)		¸
Correct # of images ‚ fewer than 4 IMF images		¸

8. Analyzed data is then sent electronically to the RAAA national office.

9. A summary report with measurements for Rump, Rib Fat, REA, and %IMF adjusted to 365 days is then sent to the breeder.

CUP CLIPPING POLICY

In an effort to obtain the most accurate ultrasound measurements possible, CUP will enforce a policy which states "hair must be clipped to ‡ inch in length or less in the area of the measurements." Evidence has shown that clipping greatly improves image quality and the accuracy of percent intra-muscular fat prediction.

CUP Lab Contact

Walter & Associates, INC. dba

The National CUP Laboratory & Technology Center

PO Box 627

Ames, IA 50010

Phone: (515) 232-9442

Fax: (515) 232-9578

UNDERSTANDING Work GROUP DETAIL REPORTS AND STATEMENTS

Reading Workgroup Detail Reports:

A Workgroup number is created each time a member sends in a work request. Workgroup Detail Reports are processed at the time the work is completed or billing for work is done. The Workgroup Detail Report is an explanation of the charges. The Workgroup Detail Reports are held until the end of each month and are sent with the Statement of Account.

The following is an explanation of all items that appear on the Workgroup Detail Reports:

Date - This is the date the account is billed for work completed.

WG Number - This is the workgroup number assigned at the time the work request is received or at the time an account is billed for items, i.e., advertising, promotional items, subscriptions, etc.

Member # - The unique account number assigned to an individual.

Name & Address - The name and address of the person(s) of the account billed.Ý

The following items explain the work for which the account is being billed:

Reg/Ref - The animalís assigned registration number is listed if the work is on an animal or animals. The check number is shown if the Workgroup Detail Report shows a payment.

LE & RE - The animalís left and right ear tattoo (used only when the work refers to animals.)

Description - This is the description of the work done or the work billed.

Quant. - This column shows the quantity of the work, i.e., 2 animals transferred or 1 subscription purchased, etc.

Cost - The cost of the work completed or billed.

Total - The quantity times the cost.

Total - The total for the entire Workgroup Detail Report. This amount will be billed on the Statement of Account at the end of the month.

Reading Your Statement of Account

The statement of account is a summary of all new and unpaid work summaries on your account. A Statement of Account is sent at the end of each month to all accounts carrying a positive or negative balance (as of the closing date). The last day of each month is the closing date for that month. Any payments or work requests not received by the closing date will appear on the following month's Statement of Account.

The Statement of Account is printed on yellow paper. All Workgroup Detail Reports for work done during the statement month are attached and are printed on white paper. These reports are the back up information for the statement.Ý You pay only from the yellow Statement of Account.

The following is an explanation of all items that appear on the Statement of Accounts:

Statement Date - This is the day of the month being billed, i.e., May 31^st for the May Statement.

Account No. - Members and all others who conduct business with the Association are assigned a unique account number. The account that is detailed in the statement is indicated by the account number.

Name & Address - The name and address of the account. If this information is incorrect, it is important to submit the change, in writing, to the RAAA office to ensure that you continue to receive mailings and the magazine.

Check No., Date Paid, and Amount - When making a payment, record the check number, date sent, and amount paid. This data is for future reference and should be retained for your records. Be sure to note the account number on your check.

The following are the items listed in the detail section of the statement:

If there is a balance carried over from the previous month(s) a Beginning Balance is shown. The amount shown is the total balance brought forward. A detailed description of these charges may be requested from the RAAA office if needed.

Date - The date the work request was completed or the date of the billing.

Work # - The work number assigned to the work request and billing which corresponds to the Workgroup Detail Report.

Description - General description of the items billed. Detailed description can be found on the Workgroup Detail Report with the same Work # attached to the statement.

Charges - This column shows the total charges for the Work #.

Payments/Credits - Payments made to the account during the statement month are shown in this column. The check number of the payment is referenced in the Work # column.

Balance ‚ This column is a running balance of the statement. The amount increases for each work group charge or decreases for each payment made during the statement month.

Near the bottom on the statement:

Beginning Balance - will show the amount that is 30 days past due and the amount that is over 60 days past due.Ý If there is an amount in the over 60 days past due column, the account is on hold until payment is received.

New Activity - The total amount billed for the statement month.

Previous Balance ‚ Amount of beginning balance.

Payments - Total payments made during the statement month.

Finance Charges - Finance charge for the month.Accrued for over 30 days balance.

*Finance charge of 1% per month will be added to balances that are 30 days past due.

Total Due - Total amount due for the current statement.

*Balance must be paid in full by the 25^th of each month to avoid a finance charge.*

"IF YOU HAVE A CREDIT BALANCE, DO NOT PAY THIS AMOUNT"

If you have a credit balance, the amount due will be a negative number and this statement will appear at the bottom of the statement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOTAL HERD REPORTING ANNUAL SCHEDULE

Applicable Disposal Codes

Yearling Replacement Heifers

Requesting Ultrasound Data Service

Trouble Shooting Guide For Rejected Images

Problem

Weight collected on day of scan

CUP CLIPPING POLICY