We met with the Executive Director Javier Martinez Del Valle and Treasurer and Marketing Director, Alejandro Salemme (Dr. Gordon's contact), who showed us two videos on what the Angus Association does for producers in Argentina. Our main discussion allowed us to determine the differences between the Argentina Angus Association from the Angus Association here in the U.S.
In Argentina, they do not distinguish between red and black Angus cattle, either color can be registered in their system as Angus. In the U.S., that does not happen, each color of the cattle has it's own association. In Argentina, 70% of the cattle have Angus influence, 50% are in their Pure Control Angus program, and only 20% are registered in the Angus association based on their pedigree and registration papers. For the cattle to be referred to as Pure Control Angus, an inspector from the association must come to the farm and evaluate the livestock meet certain parameters such as they . must be sired by a registered Angus bull.
The benefit of being in the Pure Control Program or the full registry program is that the producer can receive a premium when they sell their livestock. To get this though, the producer needs to sell on a consigned auction. Producer's have to pay to be a part of the association programs.. This money is then covers costs of the association to keep the program running smoothly. This program is used for feedlot steers and heifers that go the human consumption market.
The benefit of being in the Pure Control Program or the full registry program is that the producer can receive a premium when they sell their livestock. To get this though, the producer needs to sell on a consigned auction. Producer's have to pay to be a part of the association programs.. This money is then covers costs of the association to keep the program running smoothly. This program is used for feedlot steers and heifers that go the human consumption market.
Overall, this visit was very interesting because their association is similar, yet has its own unique characteristics to the things we do in the U.S. with our Angus Association, is what Argentina uses as a guideline to grow their program in their country.
The association also has worked with McDonalds in Argentina to offer an "Angus Burger" and we all got a chance to taste one for lunch after our visit at the Angus office.
The office is also located directly across the street from the Palermo Fairgrounds which is the largest cattle exhibition in the country.
Justin Vanneman
Curt Nagorske
Ty Littau, SD Department of Ag; Executive Director of Argentina Angus Association, Javier Martinez Del Valle; Dr. B. Lynn Gordon, SDSU and Alejandro Salemme, Treasurer and Marketing Director, Argentina Angus Association.
The association also has worked with McDonalds in Argentina to offer an "Angus Burger" and we all got a chance to taste one for lunch after our visit at the Angus office.
The office is also located directly across the street from the Palermo Fairgrounds which is the largest cattle exhibition in the country.
Justin Vanneman
Curt Nagorske
Signage on McDonald's Burger Box and (below) on the signage in the restaurant. A combo meal would convert to $9.40 U.S. approximately depending on the exchange rate at the time.
