When the CAB program was started, and a very humble start it was, they had a simple goal, to increase demand for angus cattle. They picked a pretty good time to start, some of you will remember the ridiculously tall giraffes winning the cattle shows in the 80’s. Legs and hair never got my digestive juices flowing, to me it seemed as an industry we lost our way. The CAB program has a simple base, quality and consistency, a pleasurable eating experience every time. We’ve all noticed how the beef at home is much better than what comes from the store, no wonder beef demand has eroded. Growing up, my family had both Herefords and Angus. I can vouch that under the hide they look and taste the same when fed side by side. But I also know it cost the same to raise them and today that black hide brings more money at market, thanks to the CAB program. I would note there was no law stopping any of the other breed associations or anyone else from starting a similar program and today there are imitators, why didn’t they start earlier?
As to your experience starting an angus herd, it is my observation that many folks who consider themselves purebred breeders and spend the time and money to register their stock then think every calf born is a breeding animal. Which takes us back to where this thread started.
I agree that the tall lanky cattle of the 80’s were a problem. They came about because people wanted more frame and performance in their calves. Every breed including Angus and Herefords somehow entered the frame race too, how I believe they did that is another conversation. Every breed has followed every trend to some degree.
I agree that CAB is a good product, and I recommend it often to folks as far as store bought. I will say however it is NOT always a consistent product, as far as steaks and roasts. The CAB ground beef is the best quality ground beef of store bought that I have had and that has been consistent.
To your question why other breeds didn’t start a program like CAB, I don’t have an answer except that I don’t have much confidence in any breed Association to accomplish much.
I also agree with you that many purebred breeders don’t cull as heavily as needed. The reality is that there are Angus breeders everywhere and the usual breeding philosophy is to AI breed to the latest and greatest young bull of the month from a handful of xyz prefix breeders. It’s my belief that this along with too much reliance on EPDs in unproven animals and breeding for traits that are antagonistic to maternal traits has hindered the breed in a significant way, and other breeds to an extent as well.
I cull very hard, and my breeding program is commercial but managed like I used to when I had registered cattle when it comes to selection. Bulls that don’t hold up due to feet or other issues, cows that don’t breed/calve regular, don’t milk or stay in shape get culled. I pick replacements from those that do what is required. I purchased registered Angus cattle from several different farms and have 2 out of around 20. No doubt other people have great results with Angus, and I am happy for them, the breed has not been impressive to me at all. I am only basing these statements on my experiences and not meaning to bash anyone as I have a lot of respect for some of the Angus breeders in my area and some of the posters on here that have them have some fine looking cattle and no doubt top quality herds.
In closing I believe that the aforementioned AI breeding to unproven bulls, heavy reliance on unproven EPD’s and some types of selective breeding are ultimately going to be detrimental to the breed and the industry as a whole as other breeds have been reduced in numbers. There will soon be a need for the traits that other breeds possess and my hope is that they will still be enough available to o maintain a good selection pool if or when that point comes.