Local Angus Breeders recognized nationally in Pathfinder Report

Local angus breeders, Byrnes Bros. and Richard Bieber & Sons of Waukon, have been recognized nationally by the American Angus Association for having registered Angus cows included in the Association's 2005 Pathfinder Report. Byrnes Bros. was recognized for having eight recognized cows, and Richard Bieber & Sons was recognized for having one such Angus.

Only 2,055 of the more than 34,000 American Angus Association members are represented in this year's report, according to John Crouch, executive vice president of the Association with headquarters in St. Joseph, MO.

The Pathfinder Program identifies superior Angus cows based upon recorded performance traits that are economically important to efficient beef production. These traits include early and regular calving and heavy weaning weights, reports Bill Bowman, Association director of performance programs. More than 1,410,000 eligible dams were examined to determine Pathfinder status. All registered Angus cows that meet the strict Pathfinder standards are listed, along with their owners, in the Pathfinder Report that is published annually by the Association.

The 2005 Pathfinder Report lists 8,400 individual cows and 221 Pathfinder sires. It is published in the April issue of the Angus Journal, and limited copies are available from the Association. The reports appear on the website at www.angus.org. The largest number of Pathfinder cows from a single herd this year is 75. Started in 1978, the Pathfinder Program continues to recognize outstanding breeders participating in the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR) Program.