The first mob of Angus Verified cattle to sell in a commercial saleyard garnered plenty of interest when they attracted a top price of $1950/head at Gloucester last Thursday.
In a bid to stop "black hided Angus imposters" incorrectly piggybacking off the breed, Angus Australia recently launched its new commercially focused program.
Angus Verified records the use of registered Angus sires and verifies producer's claims by identifying their RFID is on the right PIC at the time of joining to authenticate the breeding program.
Mackas Pastoral Company at Salt Ash offered 84 Angus weaners last week debuting the bright-yellow verified ear tags which vendor Robert Mackenzie said brought considerable interest.
In addition to the ear tags, a QR code was placed at the front of each pen and offered interested parties details on the pedigree, health treatments and age of the weaners.
"There was definitely a considerable amount of interest because they presented well but they were carrying that Angus Verified ear tag," Mr Mackenzie said.
"The purchasers said it gives them some clarity that they have been looking for a long time and knowing they are purchasing the real thing.
"Being able to tell the story at the saleyard with the QR code also drew a massive amount of interest...even some of the older gentleman were scanning it."
Two pens of the eight to 10-month-old steers, including the top priced yard, was secured by Tamworth livestock agent Chris Patterson to return to the local district while Elders' Killara Feedlot accounted for another two pens.
"Now with Angus Verified, it gives you some more options down the track when producers go to sell them," Mr Patterson said.
"They were top quality steers as well...but it's a very good idea and hopefully it takes off."
Lucy Kinbacher
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
Raised on a cattle property at Biggenden, Lucy Kinbacher has spent 10 years working across metropolitan, regional and rural publications in both Queensland and NSW. Lucy has been the editor of the Queensland Country Life and North Queensland Register since 2021.
