Cattle Hide Color Requirements – Red Angus

Posted: February 25, 2026 in For Cattle Producers

Share
Three brown cows in fields, each with a green check mark indicating desirable features; yellow lines on the left cow.

Acceptable Marked Red Angus at UIB

Per the Red Angus Association of America Live Animal Specifications

2.1 Genotype:

Cattle eligible for Angus influence beef programs based on the genotype portion of the requirement must have positive identification (ear tags, tattoos, brands, etc.) and be traceable back to provable (e.g.,registration papers) Red Angus parentage. Cattle enrolled in the RAAA, Red Angus Feeder Calf Certification PVP qualify by being traceable to one registered parent (typically sire) and have the Red Angus Feeder Cattle Certification Program yellow tag (program compliant visual, EID and/or EID combo tag).

Not Acceptable Cattle at Upper Iowa Beef

Per the Red Angus Association of America Live Animal Specifications

A brown and white cow standing on dirt, with a red "no" symbol over its back left leg.
Brown and white cow with a red prohibition symbol in the bottom right corner.
Brown cow standing on grass with a red prohibition symbol in the bottom right corner.

Points to Remember

  1. UIB only accepts black and red Angus cattle. Cattle shall be solid black or red with no other color behind the shoulder or above the flanks, tail
  2. NO Red Roan (shorthorn), Brindle, Charolais influenced, or Hereford marked
  3. Must have red or black nose
  4. NO cattle of dairy confirmation

NOTE: Cattle of non-program conformance will be discounted $55.00/cwt of hot carcass weight.

Downloadable PDF Resources

Recommended for you…

Side-by-side example of a dark-cutter piece of beef.

For Cattle Producers

Prevention of Dark-Cutting Beef

  • February 26, 2026
A black and white cow with yellow lines on its body, standing on dirt with a green check mark symbol.

For Cattle Producers

Cattle Hide Color Requirements – Black Angus

  • February 25, 2026
Upper Iowa Beef producers filling out self assessment form.

For Cattle Producers

Self-Assessment Question Master List

  • February 25, 2026
All Blog Posts
Share