Both conventionally and naturally fed cattle are eligible.

112613 grid master 1Conventionally fed Red Angus cattle must be marketed in lots of at least 30 head, reach a minimum of 85 percent Choice and Prime, have a maximum of 5 percent Yield Grade 4s and a minimum grid score of 100.

Naturally fed Red Angus cattle must also be marketed in lots of at least 30 head, achieve 90 percent Choice and Prime, with a maximum of 10 percent Yield Grade 4s and a minimum Grid Score of 100.

According to Myron Edelman, RAAA director of added value programs, drought, feed cost and availability challenged feeders in 2013 to identify cattle that have potential for profitability in premium markets.

“Cattle that are efficient in the feed yards and still meet the hard-to-achieve specifications as Grid Masters are valuable at every stage of the beef supply chain,” he said.

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Cargill, Meyer Natural Angus, National Beef, Painted Hills Natural Beef, JBS Swift & Co. and Tyson Foods harvested the Red Angus Grid Master qualifiers. Cargill reported harvesting the most Grid Master cattle – 186 head – followed by Painted Hills Natural Beef with 141 head and Tyson Foods with 137 head of award-winners.

The following producers and feeders were awarded 2013 Grid Master Awards for conventionally fed cattle:

  • Anderson Land and Cattle Co., Oberlin, Kansas; Feed Yard: Anderson Land and Cattle Co, Oberlin, Kansas
  • Broseco Ranches, Omaha, Texas; Feed Yard: Ward Feed Yard of Larned, Kansas
  • Croissant Red Angus, Briggsdale, Colorado; Feed Yard: Croissant Red Angus, Briggsdale, Colorado
  • Feikert Red Angus, St. Francis, Kansas; Feed Yard: Century Feeders, Goodland, Kansas
  • Nelson Ranch, Richland, Montana; Feed Yard: Century Feeders, Inc., Goodland, Kansas
  • Schuler-Olsen Ranch, Bridgeport, Nebraska; Feed Yard: Schuler-Olsen Ranch, Bridgeport, Nebraska

The following producers and feeders were awarded 2013 Grid Master Awards for naturally fed cattle:

  • Christensen Brothers, Inc., Weldona, Colorado; Feed Yard: Christensen Brothers, Inc., Weldona, Colorado; (Christensen Brothers achieved Grid Master status in three separate load lots)
  • Bill and Nancy Moore, Unity, Oregon; Feed Yard: Beef Northwest Feeders, North Powder, Oregon
  • Murdock Cattle Co., Echo, Oregon; Feed Yard: Simplot Feeders, Pasco, Washington; Owner Lorenzen Ranches, Pendleton, Oregon
  • Skinner Ranches, Jordan Valley, Oregon; Feed Yard: Vale Feed Yard, Vale, Oregon.  end mark

—From Red Angus Association of America news release

PHOTOS

Top: Cindi and Travis Nelson of Richland, Montana, accepted a 2013 Grid Master award from the Red Angus Association of America during the its 60th National Convention in Lewistown, Montana, this fall.

Bottom: Stephanie, Susan and Butch Schuler of Bridgeport, Nebraska, also accepted a 2013 Grid Master award from the Red Angus Association of America. Photos courtesy of RAAA.