The Certified Angus Beef® (CAB®) brand is more than just a label. It represents a promise of quality, backed by rigorous standards and a commitment to excellence from the rancher to the retailer. As a rancher-driven, not-for-profit business and a subsidiary of the American Angus Association, CAB has built its reputation on delivering top-tier beef while ensuring that its producers see financial benefits. The recent Certified Angus Beef Annual Conference held at the Turning Stone Resort in Verona, NY on September 18-20th, was a celebration of this success, but more importantly, it reinforced the brand’s mission to strengthen partnerships and elevate the entire beef industry.
Certified Angus Beef exists to support ranchers. It’s not just about meeting consumer demand; it’s about increasing profitability for cattlemen who invest in the genetics and management practices that produce CAB’s high-quality beef. The brand’s success translates directly into financial rewards for those who contribute to it, with $182 million in grid premiums paid annually. This is the result of a collective effort from breeders to feeders, and CAB’s Cattle Crew is devoted to ensuring that cattlemen get their fair share of these earnings.
CAB’s high standards go beyond the black hide of the Angus breed. While genetics are essential, it’s the entire package—best management practices, attention to detail in feeding and care, and a commitment to quality—that earns cattle the CAB brand logo and the premiums that come with it. The beef community is data-driven, and performance tracking is crucial. If a rancher’s calves consistently perform well in the market, it’s an indication that they’re already on the right track and positioned to take full advantage of what CAB has to offer.
The recent Annual CAB Conference brought together ranchers, feeders, packers, and industry partners to reflect on the brand’s successes and look forward to continued growth. The conference wasn’t just about celebrating what’s been achieved; it was about reinforcing the partnerships that drive the brand forward. With demand for premium beef continuing to grow, the CAB brand stands poised to help producers meet that demand while enhancing their profitability.
One of the highlights of the conference was a keynote address by NFL Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis, who spoke on the importance of teamwork and motivation. Bettis drew parallels between his experiences in professional football and the teamwork required in the beef industry. His message resonated with attendees: success is built on collaboration and shared goals.
Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, provided a comprehensive industry outlook, underscoring the increasing consumer demand for Prime andHigh Choice beef. With beef consumption trends shifting toward quality over quantity, CAB’s focus on delivering top-tier cuts positions its brand partners for continued success.
Chef Tony Biggs delighted attendees with culinary demonstrations featuring Certified Angus Beef cuts. His culinary creativity highlighted the versatility and unmatched flavor of CAB beef, reinforcing why consumers continue to choose the brand.
The Pratt Group of feedyards has long been a proud partner of the Certified Angus Beef brand, earning numerous Feedyard PartnerAchievement awards over the past 20 years. This legacy of excellence is a source of immense pride, as it reflects the group’s dedication to quality and its integral role in continually improving cattle feeding practices.
Being recognized with such accolades underscores the commitment to helping customers achieve the results they desire in their cattle feeding experience. As a vital link in the CAB supply chain, the Pratt Group’s efforts help drive success for the brand and its partners, ensuring that the highest standards are met, from the ranch to the plate.
Certified Angus Beef’s mission is to help ranchers, feeders, and packers maximize their returns. The conference emphasized how the brand will continue to create value for its partners through innovative programs, rigorous standards, and unwavering support for ranchers. The takeaway? Producing CAB beef is more than just a business decision—it’s an investment in quality, and it pays off.
As consumer demand for premium beef grows, CAB partners are positioned to meet that demand with confidence. By adhering to the brand’s strict standards and leveraging data-driven insights, ranchers can ensure their cattle not only meet the mark but surpass it, bringing more dollars back to their operations.
Together, CAB and its partners are shaping the future of premium beef. The Annual Conference was a reminder that success in this industry is built on teamwork, quality, and a shared commitment to excellence.And as the Certified Angus Beef brand continues to grow, so too will the opportunities for cattlemen across the country to benefit from its success.
~Tom Fanning
General Manager, Pratt Feeders Group
