Program Cattle

What are third party verification programs?  These are programs ranchers can voluntarily participate in to assure consumers of a high-quality beef product that has been raised in a humane and ethical environment.  Most ranchers already do all of the things necessary to participate in these programs but third-party verification is an audit process to assure documentation, tagging with Electronic ID tags, and tracking of animals.  We also ensure employees take Beef Quality Assurance classes to become certified and knowledgeable about administering vaccinations and handling cattle.  The third party verification process assures you as a consumer of the highest standards of beef

Is there a cost?  While it does cost more to participate in these programs because of audit costs and the purchase of EID tags, we find that the premium we receive for raising cattle with these certifications more than offsets the costs.  For us, it is a way to increase our profitability in an already challenging price environment.  We didn't have to significantly change the way we were doing business, we just had to modify a few practices such as applying EID tags at branding and preparing documentation to travel with the cattle at shipping time.  It is a process to become more connected to consumers desires to obtain a quality product with assurances of what is stated on the product package.

Stoddard Ranch cattle have the following certifictions:

     GAP 4

     Verified Natural Beef

     Non-Hormone Treated Cattle

     BeefCARE

     Source and Age Verified

     Beef Quality Assurance

     China EV

We also participate in the IGS Feeder Profit Calculator program as well.  The IGS Feeder Profit Calculator utilizes the largest and most comprehensive set of genetic data available to calculate the Relative Value of feeder calves in a one-of-a-kind, breed agnostic, independent manner.  The evaluation and resulting value is based on both management and genetic criteria.  The Relative Value, as indicated on a formal certificate we receive directly from IGS enables us to benchmark our work to continuously improve management and genetic decisions in our herd.    For buyers of the cattle, it provides insight into projected feedlot and carcass trait performance and overall profit potential.  Because we utilize Simmental and/or SimAngus bulls, this is a service available to us at no cost.