I have been accused from time to time of being old-fashioned as I take notes with pen and paper and still prefer to write checks to pay bills.  Recently, I have conformed to the times and have even quit carrying a Rand McNally map in the car and do most banking online now.

The American Angus Association membership is a very diverse group, and as an Association we strive to conform to all preferences that our membership needs whether that is electronic or paper.

Electronic storage of registration certificates is a service that the Association provides that grows every year. There are several options once you select this preference on what you can do with certificates in a convenient manner.  

 Members and affiliate members can simply update their current settings online through their AAA Login account: Click on MY HERD > scroll over Registration Certificates > click on Registration Certificate Storage Preference.

From here you can check the box to set your default to electronically store your registration certificates on any future registrations and transfers into your account.

For registration certificates you currently have, simply drop them in the mail to us, and we can convert them to electronic storage for you, free of charge. 

When members are submitting registrations, they will either be printed or electronically stored according to current settings. When submitting registrations online through your AAA Login account, each registration application will give you the option to “Store Electronically: Yes or No.”  

If you select “Yes,” you will not receive a printed registration certificate. This animal will be available online for corrections and transfers. If you select “No,” you will receive a printed registration certificate on that animal in the mail.

Any member or affiliate member can create their own online portal with the American Angus Association by going to www.angusonline.org and submitting the required information. This service is provided as a member benefit at no charge.  

Electronically stored certificates

Electronically stored certificates are eligible for online transfer and online corrections through AAA Login. Remember, once an animal is transferred to another breeder, the certificate is either printed or electronically stored depending on the settings your buyer has selected. 

Also, producers can request electronically stored certificates to be printed and mailed at any time at no additional cost. Note — if a paper certificate is printed, it will be mailed to the seller according to the Association’s policy, unless otherwise directed by the seller.

As members of the American Angus Association, I would encourage you to talk to your commercial customers on the benefits of having their own Login profile within the portal system.  Again, this is free service and great customer service. As the expected progeny differences (EPDs) and $Values are updated every Friday, your customers can view their updated EPD profiles and make breeding decisions based on the needs of their operation. Also, when an affiliate member has their own profile and would like to participate in any of the services provided by the American Angus Association such as AngusLink^SM and AngusVerified^SM it makes the entire process seamless.

Paperless billing is another option that any member or affiliate member can access through Login. In July 2024 the American Angus Association implemented an ACH option. This allows for direct payment from a personal or business banking account that gives the members new options, where in the past all they could do was mail a check or use a credit card.