We recently sat down with the American Maine-Anjou Association Executive Vice President, Blake Nelson to learn more about the up and coming breed that is Maine Angus, and what the overall goal for the breed is as a whole to the industry. The Maine Angus Program was created by the American Maine-Anjou Association, registering its first animal in January 2016. The breed showcases how crossing Maine-Anjou genetics with Angus or Red Angus genetics can complement each other. When prompted what the goal was for the breed Nelson stated “The Angus breed has a dominance in the Beef Industry and with the implementation of Maine-Anjou genetics the Maine-Anjou Association hopes that it will enhance the feed efficiency and red meat yield of the industry as a whole.” The Association hopes to show the industry what the modern Maine-Anjou can do for them and that they are not just a “club calf” breed, but can also be appealing to Commercial breeders as well. Blake Nelson states “I don’t see an end point to this breed once people recognize how well these two breeds (Maine-Anjou and Angus) work together. The goal is simple: to help increase red meat production.”
Blake Nelson, American Maine-Anjou Association Executive Vice President
What is the standard of Maine-Angus though? According Nelson and the American Maine-Anjou Association, both parents must be registered at the AMAA, and the American Angus Association or Red Angus Association of America will provide the validated lineage and genetic information along with the EPDs. From a characteristic standpoint the animal must have between 3/8 Maine-Anjou to 5/8 Maine- Anjou blood and have between 3/8 registered Angus to 5/8 registered Angus and/or registered Red Angus blood. As of January 1st, a color rule was implemented. The rule states that all qualifying individuals will be predominately solid black or red in color and any white markings are only to be allowed on the underline and switch of the tail. With such specific of criteria, Blake Nelson urges breeders to never hesitate to ask him or to call the Association with questions.
With the Maine Angus breed growing in popularity Major Shows are now include Maine-Angus as a separate show. The Maine-Anjou Junior National was the first show to include Maine Angus as its own show. Other major that have recently added the addition of the breed are the American Royal, which was the National Show this year, this years’ National Western Stock Show, and the 2019 North American International Livestock Show. “The American Maine-Anjou Association is excited to see where the Maine-Angus breed can go from a production and show ring standpoint” states Blake.
You can follow the link to read more about the rules on the American Maine-Anjou Association’s website.
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