River Creek Farms Inc. is a family-owned seedstock cattle operation in the heart of the Kansas Flint Hills. Established in 1890, the farm has deep agricultural roots spanning multiple generations and a reputation for producing high-quality SimAngus genetics built to work in real-world conditions.

The registered cow herd was founded in 1970 by Joe Mertz and utilizes some of the first Simmental genetics imported into the U.S. Soon after, River Creek Farms became an early member of the American Simmental Association (ASA). Today, the operation is managed by Joe and his son, Abram.

The current cow herd consists of 800 cow-calf pairs, including 500 registered Simmental and SimAngus cows and 300 commercial recipients dedicated to the embryo transfer (ET) program. Crossbreeding is a key focus to enhance hybrid vigor while complementing the predominantly Angus-based cow herds of their customers. Advanced reproductive technologies, including artificial insemination (AI) and ET, play a crucial role in accelerating genetic progress, with hundreds of embryos transferred annually. Each year, River Creek Farms markets 200 Simmental and SimAngus bulls, with most selling at the annual spring bull sale the second Wednesday in February.

“A strong desire for progress drives the Mertzes to raise the bar on quality year after year,” says Matt Teagarden, Kansas Livestock Association chief executive officer. “Following their annual bull sale, the family closely analyzes every data point from each lot to determine which traits their customers place the highest value on. As customer priorities shift over time, River Creek Farms adapts its program to meet demand. Their tremendous record keeping, and organizational skills have been paramount to maintain the volume of data they’ve compiled over the years.”

Beyond the cow herd, the Mertz family farms 3,000 acres of corn, soybeans and select cover crops to support the seedstock operation’s sustainability. Precision ag technology is leveraged to maximize efficiency across both farming and cattle operations. Additionally, Abram and Dani Mertz own and operate LivestockDirect, a seedstock marketing business that helps more than 400 seedstock producers market their bull sales annually.

The award is presented by BIF and sponsored by Drovers.

Approximately 400 beef producers, academia and industry representatives attended the organization’s 57th Annual Research Symposium and Convention in Amarillo, Texas. BIF’s mission is to help improve the industry by promoting greater acceptance of beef cattle performance evaluation.

For more information about this year’s symposium, including additional award winners and coverage of meeting and tours, visit BIFSymposium.com.

The Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) is an organization dedicated to coordinating all segments of the beef industry — from researchers and producers to retailers — in an effort to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of beef production. The organization was initiated more than 50 years ago to encourage the use of objective measurements to evaluate beef cattle. Continuing the tradition, BIF is now the clearinghouse for developing standardized programs and methodologies for recording of performance data for all traits, from birth weights to carcass traits. Its three-sided logo symbolizes the link between industry, extension and research.

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DENVER – The Red Angus Association of America has officially rebranded its Feeder Calf Certification Program as Angus Access. More than just a fresh look, Angus Access reflects a bold evolution of the beef industry’s first genetic, age and source verification program – built to USDA-approved standards and trusted by Red Angus producers for more than 30 years.

Red Angus cattle undeniably produce high-quality Angus beef, which remains one of the most sought-after beef products among consumers. The new Angus Access name accurately reflects this identity, while supporting broader industry efforts to secure recognition of Red Angus cattle within Angus-branded beef programs.

“This program has always been about creating opportunity for commercial cattlemen. Angus Access builds on that legacy, giving Red Angus producers a clear path to premium markets and rewarding those who invest in quality and accountability,” said Kyley DeVoe, RAAA president.

The rebrand is more than cosmetic – it’s a deliberate move to position Red Angus producers for success in the evolving landscape of beef production and retail. In a marketplace that is increasingly adopting private labels and case-ready beef solutions, Angus Access equips Red Angus producers to meet that demand by offering the traceability, verification and data integrity desired today.

This evolution builds on a powerful history. Launched in 1995, the Feeder Calf Certification Program was developed in response to market disadvantages Red Angus calves faced compared to black-hided counterparts. FCCP was built with the goal of providing Red Angus-sired calves greater access to market premiums. Through a low-cost, data-driven verification model, the program revolutionized value-based marketing for Red Angus genetics.

What began as an ambitious vision quickly took root across the country. With the program’s signature yellow tags and USDA-backed verification, FCCP-tagged calves quickly gained industry recognition for feedlot performance, carcass consistency and quality. By focusing on the profitability of commercial cattle producers, FCCP built a lasting connection between Red Angus genetics and market success. Today, more than 3.5 million calves have been enrolled through FCCP and its counterpart, Allied Access, launched in 2011 to extend source and age verification to crossbred calves. These programs have proven effective across diverse markets, earning the trust of buyers and the loyalty of producers nationwide.

RAAA is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for current FCCP customers. Previously purchased dangle or combo tags are valid through July 1, 2027; however, beginning Jan. 1, 2026, 840 EID tags will become the only program-compliant tags issued for both Angus Access and Allied Access. This shift to EID technology is designed to improve traceability, reduce tag loss and meet the evolving requirements of domestic and export markets. For producers who value visual identification, optional Angus Access and Allied Access logo tags will be available to purchase alongside the EID.

EID technology enables automated reading and data collection throughout the production chain, minimizing the need for manual visual reads at the backgrounder, feedlot and processor. The low-profile design decreases the risk of accidental removal and improves tag retention. EID technology also supports the capture of detailed animal-level data, such as birthweights, health protocols and genetic inputs, resulting in operational gains and downstream marketing advantages.

The level of transparency enabled by EID technology is increasingly expected in vertically aligned beef supply chains. Programs that deliver verified, transparent production practices not only help meet the requirements of processors like Sustainable Beef, but also improve consumer trust. Studies show that programs backed by transparent production practices can increase consumer favorability by more than 80%, boosting brand loyalty and repeat purchases.

“Angus Access makes it easy for producers to voluntarily enroll calves in a program that delivers verified genetics, age and source, while unlocking opportunities for additional value-added certifications,” said Jeananne Drouhard, RAAA value-added department team lead. “Enrollment is quick and with the tag as the only cost, the return on investment is strong.”

Ultimately, the Angus Access rebrand reflects RAAA’s commitment to position Red Angus producers at the forefront of a more transparent, data-informed and retail-connected beef industry. As scientific identification and verified production practices become the industry standard, Angus Access ensures that Red Angus cattle – and their producers – are ready to lead.

To enroll in RAAA’s value-added programs, contact tags@redangus.org or call 940-477-4593. For more information on Red Angus and upcoming RAAA events, visit www.RedAngus.org.

The Red Angus Association of America serves the beef industry by enhancing and promoting measurable advantages of Red Angus and Red Angus-influenced cattle. RAAA provides commercial producers with objectively described cattle by implementing innovative technologies and scientifically sound principles that quantify economically important traits to beef producers across all segments of the industry. For more information, visit www.RedAngus.org.

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