TOP DOLLAR ANGUS

Genetic Verification & Sale Marketing Assistance

Focus: Angus and Red Angus cattle ranking in the Top 25% for growth & carcass traits.

Recognizing the Top Dollar Angus Late-Summer Seadstock Partner Standouts

Meet the Elite 11 Cattle Producers

These Top Dollar Angus Seedstock Partners are leading the way when it comes to helping their customers earn more for their genetic investments.

Since January 1st, 2025, each of the seedstock producers listed below (alphabetical order) has had more than 250 head of their customers’ cattle genetically verified and promoted through Top Dollar Angus—proving their commitment to customer success.

This is our mid-summer update of the Elite 11. Later this fall, we’ll release an updated list to recognize those who continue to rise and set the standard for customer service excellence.

If you’re already on this list—congratulations on delivering real value for your customers.

If you’re not there yet—there’s still time to join the ranks of the elite in 2025.

A Global First: Top Dollar Angus and Kun Ranch Make Beef Genetics History

It all began nearly 18 months ago when my phone rang and Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt’s name popped up on the screen. Tigger and I have known each other for a few years, and as always, I knew he had an idea he was excited to share. But on that January day, I never would’ve guessed what he was about to propose.

“Nate, I’ve got an interesting one for ya. I have a friend in Hungary who wants to learn more about the Top Dollar Angus program. He’s doing things right—focusing on genetics and working to improve both beef quality and genetic merit in Eastern Europe, very much on the cutting edge. I’ve talked with him several times and he is as good as they come.”

At the time, we were deep into bull sale season, busy reviewing performance data from our seedstock partners. Still, the idea of collaborating with a seedstock producer overseas piqued my interest. I told Tigger to go ahead and introduce us by email when he had the chance.

In February 2024, Tigger made the introduction. The very next day, Peter Kun and I began learning more about each other’s operations. Peter shared that his ranch, located inside a national park in Hungary, utilizes both Angus and Red Angus cattle—all registered with the American Angus Association and Red Angus Association of America. I let out a sigh of relief knowing his herd was already aligned with U.S. genetic standards.

Over the last five years, Peter had been using U.S. AI sires, and just in the past year had incorporated embryo transfer into his program. He was clearly serious about advancing genetics. But that wasn’t all—he also owned and operated a beef harvesting and processing plant. It quickly became clear that Dr. Kun had a comprehensive understanding of the entire beef supply chain in his country.

With the consumer in mind, Kun Ranch set its sights on earning the Certified Angus Beef (CAB) logo on their next generation of certificates—a lofty and commendable goal.

Now that I had a better understanding of his program, it was time for me to learn more about the broader beef industry in Europe, particularly the segment in which he operates. Rather than paraphrase or interpret that myself, I’ve asked Dr. Kun to share his perspective directly in the next section.

From Dr. Kun:

“The beef industry headed on a totally different way than what is usual in the States or in Australia. Here continental breeds are leading, such as Limousine, Charolais, Blond Aquitane, Simmental. They want bigger and bigger, more muscular animals that grow very fast.

But this goes against quality beef production. Too muscle on an animal ends up in calving problems and reducing intramuscular fat.

I choose Angus for its traits.

Reaching the goal of mine to produce CAB and TDA branded registered bulls and heifers is a game changer episode in Europre. And still the Kun Ranch is the only one who can do it…but I am pretty sure that in a few years we will see a sharp changing of breeds and more demand for quality beef.

This 2-step verification system helps for breeders and commercial cattle ranchers to choose better and also helpful for feedlot owners.”

After learning more about his program, we started evaluating his herd against Top Dollar Angus genetic requirements. At the time, his current live cattle just missed the mark. However, he soon shared mating plans for his next calf crop—and those calves did qualify.

That’s when our partnership truly began.

We proudly announced Kun Ranch as the first-ever international Top Dollar Angus seedstock partner. Since then, our collaboration has continued to grow. We’ve had ongoing discussions about timelines for bull re-evaluations and when they’d be ready to market as Top Dollar Angus-verified animals.

Then, earlier this summer, it happened. On July 5, 2025, the first overseas-born animals were officially verified as Top Dollar Angus. Even more exciting—these bulls were of age and ready to go to work.

The first one sold on July 22, 2025—marking the historic sale of the first-ever Top Dollar Angus-verified animal overseas.

This is more than a milestone—it’s the beginning of a new era in the global beef industry. And while change always takes time, partnerships like this one—with Kun Ranch and Top Dollar Angus—are laying the groundwork for global progress in producing high-quality, genetically verified beef.

We’re just getting started.

About Top Dollar Angus

Top Dollar Angus is the industry’s leading third-party genetic verification and marketing company, focused on identifying and promoting feeder cattle in the top 25% for growth and carcass traits. Through data-backed evaluations and targeted buyer exposure, Top Dollar Angus connects genetic investment to actual sale-day returns.

Media Contact:

Nate Smith
General Manager, Top Dollar Angus
nate@topdollarangus.com
www.topdollarangus.com