November 2020 Brangus Journal

Brangus N OVE M B E R 2 0 2 0

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November 2020

5 s! s -1 u 10 ion in er c t Jo mb Au ve t o r N ma S n o

The Santa Rosa Ranch is MAKING THE BEST BREED BETTER!

And now we are selling Brangus and Ultrablack bloodlines, never available before!

Join us November 10-15 on Smart Auctions for our inaugural “Making the BEST Breed Better!” Registered Female Sale!

Text “SANTAROSA” to 76278 for sale updates, visit srrbrangus.com or smartauctions.co for information on the available lots.

The Brangus Female:

Fertile. Maternal. Efficient. Adaptable. Disposition.

Growth. Longevity. Profit Driven.

These are just a few of the females we are offering Follow our website, Facebook or Instagram

Crockett and Navasota, Texas info@srrbrangus.com - 936.624.2333 www.smartauctions.co (937) 733-6000 info@smartauctions.co 3

CON TACTS 8870 U.S. Highway 87E, San Antonio, Texas 78263 • P.O. Box 809, Adkins, Texas 78101 210-696-8231 • Fax 210-696-8718 • info@gobrangus.com • gobrangus.com IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Chris Heptinstall 1st Vice President Allen Goode 2nd Vice President Vern Suhn Secretary/Treasurer Mike Weathers East Region Chris Heptinstall, Oneonta, Alabama cgstall@yahoo.com Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas jjackson101@gmail.com Darrel Law, Lafayette, Tennessee cklaw@nctc.com Rob Singleton, Seville, Florida singletons2002@yahoo.com Texas Region Lee Alford, Caldwell, Texas alfordcattle@aol.com Mary Douglass, Seguin, Texas twoheartsbrangus@yahoo.com Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas allen@triocattle.com Mike Weathers, Columbus, Texas mikeweathers@msn.com West Region Troy Floyd, Roswell, New Mexico tfloyd@leaco.net Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma shiloh518@yahoo.com Greg Romans, Vale, Oregon romansbrangus@yahoo.com Vern Suhn, Eureka, Kansas vern@geneplusbrangus.com

IBBA STAFF Executive Vice President Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., dwilkes@gobrangus.com Controller Brian Sadvosky, bsadovsky@gobrangus.com Director of Registry Jessie England, jengland@gobrangus.com Director of Genomics and Research Macee Prause, mprause@gobrangus.com Director of Member Services & Marketing Lori Edwards, ledwards@gobrangus.com Product Manager Andrew Sicotte, Jr., asicotte@goregstr.com Office Manager and Registry Assistant Mandie Garza, mgarza@gobrangus.com BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS, INC. STAFF Advertising Sales, Melanie Fuller mfuller@gobrangus.com, 979-255-3343 Brangus Journal Publications, Inc. Editor Lighthouse & Co. Communications editor@gobrangus.com IJBBA DIRECTORS OF YOUTH ACTIVITIES Tyler and Jessica Dean tylerwdean@gmail.com, 405-867-1421 IBBA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN Awards Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma Breed Improvement Mark Cowan, Detroit, Texas Commercial Marketing Finance Mike Weathers, Columbus, Texas International Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas Long Range Plan Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas Membership Cheramie Viator, Tomball, Texas Promotion Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas Show Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas MEMBER OF

@gobrangus | #gobrangus

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November 2020

INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS AUXILIARY BOARD President Brenda Brull, Atchison, Kansas 1st Vice President Tina Gardner, China Spring, Texas 2nd Vice President Ginger Pritchard, McLoud, Oklahoma Secretary Mary Beth Farris, Tuscola, Texas Treasurer Janet Greuel, Brooks, Georgia Historian Jodi Jackson, Waco, Texas INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS FOUNDATION BOARD President Bill Davis, Concord, Arkansas Vice President Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas Secretary/Treasurer Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D. Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas Chris Heptinstall, Oneonta, Alabama Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas Steve Densmore, Bryan, Texas INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BRANGUS BOARD 2020-2021 IJBBA Board of Directors President Jacob Jones, Stillwater, Oklahoma Ex-Officio Kendra Brull, Atchison, Kansas Queen Casey Harper, Haines City, Florida Director Samuel Belt, Gatesville, Texas Director Lauren Burton, Atlanta, Texas Director April Villareal, Brookshire, Texas Director Payge Dupre, Kathleen, Florida Director Briana Hicks, Danbury, Texas Director Brook Langford, Lawton,

Oklahoma Director Cassidy Eramo, Brandon, Florida Director Jaxon Allen, Haworth, Oklahoma

Brangus N OVEMB ER 2 0 2 0

Cover photo by Aush Rae Photography

For daily updates and pictures Follow us and like us:

Check out our new and improved website!

Black & Red Brangus availability online now with updated EPDs through DNA sampling:

www.tunarosaranch.com

JIMMY ELLIOTT Owner - jelliott@tunarosaranch.com KURT TRAMMELL Manager - 830-857-4943 - ktrammell@tunarosaranch.com TUNA ROSA RANCH GONZALES, TEXAS

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Brangus N OV E MB E R 2 0 2 0 / VO LU M E 6 8 / I S S U E 7

11 8 BRANGUS BREEDERS HIT THE ROAD TO IMPROVE BREED PERCEPTION

by Chris Heptinstall

Members of the IBBA Long Range Planning Committee

recently made a trip through feedlot country with a goal

to get opinions from feedlots pertaining to Brangus cattle.

10 ASSOCIATION BRIEF

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Texas Brangus Breeders News, Southern Classic Regional Brangus Points Show, West Texas Fair and Rodeo Junior Brangus Show Results, First-Annual Arkansas Youth Expo a Success, Southeast Brangus News, Brangus to Show at Cattlemen’s Congress in Oklahoma City, Point Show Cancellations, Molly McAdams Named Executive Vice President of the Texas Beef Council

November 2020

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17 RE-THINKING BRANGUS BUILT

by Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D. The IBBA tagging program, Brangus Built, gets a new spin with a feeder calf focus.

22 START EARLY, SPEAK OFTEN, AND HAVE GOOD CATTLE

by Ellen H. Brisendine

Four Louisiana Brangus producers hope their

experiences with their first, and hugely successful, bull

sale can inspire others to collaborate on marketing great cattle.

26 WORKING TOGETHER

by Katie Schrock Brangus breeders of Louisiana see close proximity as a benefit to creating a stronger Brangus breed.

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31 NATIONAL SHOW OF MERIT

Announcing a new date, time, and location for the National Show of Merit

34 BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES This year’s slate of candidates includes Mark Perry, At Large; Randy Schmidt, At Large; Trey Cuevas, East; Grady Green, East; Josh Walker, East; Allen Goode, Texas; and Greg Romans, West.

40 SEXED SEMEN: A TOOL TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

42 WESTERN NATIONAL SHOW RESULTS Results from the national point show at the Western National, held in Texarkana, Arkansas

50 REPLACEMENT HEIFER CONSIDERATIONS

by CattleFax, sponsored by Ritchie Industries Considering cows represent half of the herd’s genetics and are caretakers for the main revenue stream each year, producers cannot be frugal when it comes to females.

by Carson Anderson

Sex-sorted semen is a reproductive technology that

allows producers to generate the sexed calves they’re after.

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PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

BRANGUS BREEDERS HIT THE ROAD TO IMPROVE BREED PERCEPTION

by Chris Heptinstall, International Brangus Breeders Association president

It is my favorite time of the year. Fall harvest, cooler temperatures, and Brangus cattle sales! The fall sale season is in full swing, and so far, demand for Brangus genetics has been solid. I have been following the ads placed in the Brangus Journal, and the upcoming sales look to be full of quality seedstock. I look forward to seeing you on the road this fall as we travel to support our breeders. The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Board of Directors is working hard to be present at every event in support of the breeders, and I appreciate the time and dedication the board has given this year.

By now, you should have received your copy of the IBBA Long Range Plan with the October issue. I appreciate the hard work of the committee and staff in putting this plan together. Now it is up to us, the membership and committees, to make sure the plan takes root and prospers. If you have an interest in volunteering your time to a committee as we work through this plan, reach out and let us know. Talent is always needed in each of our committees.

Several members of the IBBA Long Range Planning Committee recently made a trip through feedlot country in the Texas Panhandle and Kansas. The goal was to get opinions from feedlots pertaining to Brangus cattle. We met with Cactus Feeders, Five Rivers, Hy-Plains, and U.S. Premium Beef and the stories were quite the same. We, as seedstock breeders, have done an outstanding job of improving carcass merit. The national average is over 80% Choice or higher.

This sets a bar for Prime to be a new target on grids. With that being said, the main topics were health (specifically mortality) and carcass weight. Not to be confused with carcass size, plants have raised the rails and moved the upper limit of carcass weight to 1,050 pounds. Back to the health topic, each feedlot manager had positive input on Brangus cattle, because they make money. The negative story is Brangus typically gets lost in the shuffle of “southern cattle” that are weaned on the truck and are at a higher risk. As a breed, we have an obligation to differentiate ourselves from the association with higher risk cattle. Dr. Wilkes and our committee system have a unique opportunity to be creative in ways to differentiate Brangus and drive demand for Brangus genetics at the feedlot level, as well as breeding stock. I look forward to hearing 8

November 2020

more on this subject in the near future.

The IBBA Breed Improvement Committee recently met in Fort Worth, Texas. Unfortunately, I could not attend because of prior commitments, but I understand some exciting news will be coming from that committee very soon with the release of Neogen’s new Genomic Profiler™ Bovine 100K which adds 50,000 more SNP’s to the current technology. I am looking forward to hearing reports from this meeting thinktank soon.

In closing, I would like to wish good luck to all the breeders having sales this fall. I know the hard work each of you put into making these sales successful. Also, to those of us traveling to and from these events, Godspeed!

Don’t be afraid to go where the data takes you,

CGH

The newly formed Cattlemen’s Congress, hosted in place of the canceled National Western Stock Show, will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in January 2021. The Cattlemen’s Congress has graciously welcomed the Brangus breed to their show and tentative Brangus show dates are January 10-14. The show will offer a junior, open, and pen show. The entry deadline will be November 20. Junior show ownership deadline is December 1. Late entry and substitution deadline is December 10.

Committee meetings will be January 11 and Board of Director and membership meetings will be January 12.

Hotel details and a full schedule are coming soon.

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ASSOCIATION BRIEF

ASSOCIATION BRIEF TEXAS BRANGUS BREEDERS NEWS Submitted by Jodi Jackson, Texas Brangus Breeders Association president The Texas Brangus Breeders Association (TBBA) is excited to announce an online semen sale, The Best of Brangus, featuring some of the most sought-after genetics in the Brangus breed. Sale date is Monday, November 23, 2020. The sale will be carried on SmartAuctions.co and managed by Hi Point Sales and Marketing. Some of the sale lots include: DMR Crossroads 795F7, DDD Wallstreet 150C, TRIOs MLS Cortez 175C6, TRIO Aristotle 175A, DMR Cashflow 535F30, DMR Investment 535F40, CCC/DDD Unlimited 74C7, DDD/ Rafter L Full Throttle 157C5, SJCC TRIOs CEO 175C5, DMR Strategy 263C6, Skyhawks Presidente, TC Paragon 30D4, Briggs Gulf Coast 23F5, DDD Final Source 38D21,

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November 2020

CB Capital Gain 924D19, and JLS Prime 915Z61, and many more of the most influential and up and coming herd sires in the breed. Please contact Matt Willey for more information mattwilley223@yahoo.com or 409-781-7320.

Nominations for the TBBA Board of Directors are due by December 15. A board seat is for a three-year term beginning in April 2021. Board members meet during the annual TBBA convention in Salado, Texas, each April. Most of the association’s business is conducted by conference calls to save the time and expense of traveling. If you are interested in running for the TBBA board or know someone who is, please email frances@txbrangus.org.

SOUTHERN CLASSIC REGIONAL BRANGUS POINTS SHOW November 21 & 22, 2020, Suwannee River Fairgrounds, Fanning Springs, Florida Submitted by Emily Lettelier, Southern Classic Regional Brangus Show superintendent Due to the cancellation of the Jacksonville Agricultural Fair, a regional points show, the IBBA Show Committee recently approved an alternative show location to keep the IBBA Regional Show in place for the fall of 2020 in Florida.

ASSOCIATION BRIEF PJ Budler, who was previously selected to judge the Jacksonville Fair, has agreed to judge the newly formed Southern Classic Regional Brangus Show on Sunday, November 22 in Fanning Springs, Florida. The show is open to anyone with registered Brangus, Red Brangus, or Ultra cattle that have DNA on file with IBBA and are parent verified. The show will be an awards only show with no cash premiums.

Late entries will be accepted until Sunday, November 1; the entry form can be found on the Southern Classic Regional Brangus Show or the International Brangus Breeders Association Standard of Excellence Shows Facebook pages.

The event will be held immediately following the Junior Florida Cattlemen’s Association (JFCA) Big Chief Classic Youth Show open to youths aged 8 – 21 who are members of the JFCA. The JFCA show has a registered Brangus division including black, red, and Ultra cattle and is open to anyone who is a paid JCFA member. The JCFA show will be held Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21. Please contact Laura Lee Taylor at 836-409-6789 or Emily Lettelier at 352-598-3338 for more information on the JCFA show.

Entry fees for the Southern Classic Regional Show are $15/head and can be made payable to Southern Classic – IBBA. Entry fees and forms can be mailed to Sandra Marvel, 28616 NW 142nd Ave, High Springs, Florida 32643.

Check-in will be from 5:00 – 7:00 pm on Saturday, November 21. The show will be held at 10:00 am on Sunday, November 22. Recommended hotels are in the Gainesville, Florida area. Shows will be held for black, red, and Ultra divisions in heifers, bulls, cow-calf pairs, and group classes.

For more information on the show, contact: Sandra Marvel at 352-226-0539, Michael Ward at 321-200-3628, Emily Lettelier at 352-598-3338, or Laura Lee Taylor at 863-409-6789.

WEST TEXAS FAIR AND RODEO JUNIOR BRANGUS SHOW RESULTS Submitted by Danny Farris, West Texas Fair and Rodeo Junior Brangus Show superintendent Photos compliments of Devin Sisk Photography The West Texas Fair and Rodeo Junior Brangus Show was held in Abilene, Texas on September 13, 2020. The West Texas Brangus Breeders Association (WTBBA) was excited to have 23 junior Brangus breeders exhibit 31 head of fine Brangus cattle evaluated by Mitch Thomas. A special thank you to the members of the WTBBA for adding prize money for division winners and sponsoring the buckles awarded to youth.

Congratulations to Megan Perry, Waco,

Texas for exhibiting the Grand Champion Female, MP Miss Ultimate Source 38F. Caryn Smart, Runge, Texas exhibited the Reserve Champion Female, Smart Ms JLO 804H. Isabelle Parkey, Archer City, Texas exhibited the Third Best Female, IRP Ms Fancy Network 1927G. The winner of the Senior Showmanship buckle was Kennedi Gordon, Waco, Texas and the Junior Showmanship buckle was awarded to Truitt Marks, Waxahachie, Texas. The West Texas Fair and Rodeo Junior Brangus Show is open to members of the Texas Junior Brangus Breeders Association and International Junior Brangus Breeders Association ages 7 – 21.

FIRST-ANNUAL ARKANSAS YOUTH EXPO A SUCCESS Submitted by Chrisie Smith, Arkansas Junior Brangus Breeders Association Photos compliments of Legacy Livestock Imaging The first annual Arkansas Youth Expo was held October 4-7, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The show was evaluated

by Ryan Rathmann, Ph.D., of Lubbock, Texas. The Grand Champion Brangus Female was awarded to Ms DMR Three D 222F28 exhibited by Hoyt McClain, Cove, Arkansas. The Reserve Champion Brangus Female was SF Miss Reba 58G exhibited by Paden Smith, Gentry, Arkansas.

SOUTHEAST BRANGUS NEWS

Submitted by Michael Childers, Southeast Brangus Breeders Association secretary/treasurer The Southeast Brangus Breeders Association (SBBA) had a very productive and busy weekend September 25-26 with their general membership meeting, banquet, fun auction, and awards presentation. The 2020 SBBA Achievement Award went to Shane Cooper, ranch manager, and Stacie Cooper, office manager, from Lake Majestic for their tireless and endless work and devotion to Lake Majestik Farms. The SBBA inducted into the Hall of Fame, Joe Reznicek and Joy Reznicek Sundbeck of Cow Creek Ranch, Aliceville, Alabama for their diligent and infinite labor and commitment and influence in the Brangus breed. The SBBA dedicated the 2020 Showcase Female Sale to them for their contributions. (continued on page 12)

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ASSOCIATION BRIEF (continued from page 11)

BRANGUS TO SHOW AT CATTLEMEN’S CONGRESS IN OKLAHOMA CITY The newly formed Cattlemen’s Congress, hosted in place of the canceled National Western Stock Show, will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in January 2021.

The Cattlemen’s Congress has graciously welcomed the Brangus breed to their show and tentative Brangus show dates are January 10-14. The show will offer a junior, open, and pen show. The entry deadline will be November 20. Junior show ownership deadline is December 1. Late entry and substitution deadline is December 10.

POINT SHOW CANCELATIONS Two Brangus regional points shows have been canceled.

The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Livestock Show, held in Fort Worth, Texas each January has been canceled. The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, held in San Antonio, Texas each February has canceled their open breeding shows only.

MOLLY MCADAMS NAMED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS BEEF COUNCIL News Release Courtesy of the Texas Beef Council Molly K. McAdams, Ph.D., has joined the Texas Beef Council (TBC) as its new executive vice president. McAdams replaces Richard Wortham, who will retire from the position in December after 30 years of leadership with TBC. McAdams will be responsible for providing vision and strategic planning, ensuring TBC’s fiscal health, optimizing staff recruitment and development, overseeing programs, serving as a staff liaison to several committees, and numerous other duties.

Prior to accepting her new position with the TBC, McAdams was the president and co-founder of Om3, where she used her in-depth knowledge of food and animal science, marketing and manufacturing to help small to mid-sized meat producers grow their businesses. She also spent nearly 13 years with Texas grocery chain H-E-B, starting out as the cooked meats business development manager, then moving on to the director of business management role before eventually becoming vice president of the company’s “Own Brand” and its corporate health and wellness officer.

McAdams is a former member of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics 12

November 2020

Board, as well as a former member, vice chair and committee chair for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) Product Enhancement Committee. McAdams received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science/meat science from the University of Florida before achieving her doctorate in agriculture from Texas Tech University.

“The role of the executive vice president at the Texas Beef Council is extremely important, and we knew it would be a challenge to replace Richard when he announced his retirement earlier this year,” said Brad Hastings, TBC chairman from Amarillo, Texas. “Molly brings many years of beef industry experience to the table, as well as a truly entrepreneurial spirit. Her fresh perspective and outlook will be invaluable as we continue to drive the Texas beef industry forward in the years ahead.”

For more information about Beef Loving Texans and the Texas Beef Council, visit beeflovingtexans.com.

The Texas Beef Council (TBC) conducts the $1 per head national checkoff program for Texas beef producers and is also the contractor for the Beef Promotion Research Council of Texas (BPRCT), which administers the $1 per head Texas state checkoff program. TBC’s mission is to increase beef demand in the state through programs of beef promotion, research and education. TBC also helps fund national and international beef checkoff programs to increase marketing opportunities around the globe. The BPRCT’s mission is to improve Texas producer profitability by strengthening and expanding beef demand. The TBC and the BPRCT are directed by a 20-member board of cattlemen and women representing the state’s beef producers.

IBBA FACTS in a flash in the past 30 days

20 New Senior Members 16 New Junior Members 1,322 New Female Registrations 1,003 New Bull Registrations 1,519 New DNA Submissions

NOVEMBER 20-21, 2020 Cavender’s neChes river ranCh

neChes river ranCh road • JaCksonville, TX 250 BRANGUS AND ULTRABLACK BULLS: 150 Coming Two-Year olds, 100 Yearlings

25 CHAROLAIS BULLS

80 HAND-SELECTED, FRONT-END

BRANGUS AND ULTRABLACK FEMALES We didn’t hold anything back selecting cattle for this event.

550 COMMERCIAL FEMALES 200 85 75 50 100

Sorted-to-suit in groups of 5-10 head

Brangus & Super Baldy - Pairs and Heavy Breds Open Brangus - Ready to Breed AI Bred Brangus - Early Spring Calving F1 Tigerstripe - Mostly Pairs and Heavy Breds F1 Black - Heavy Bred to Cavender Ultrablack Bulls

SEE OUR SALE VIDEOS ON CDPBRANGUS.COM OR IDEALVIDEO.COM

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19 8:00 AM

Cattle Available for Viewing

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 8:00 AM

Cattle Available for Viewing

12:00 PM

Commercial Female Sale Begins

5:00 PM

Registered Female Sale Begins Dinner to Follow

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 8:00 AM

Cattle Available for Viewing Breakfast Will be Served

11:00 AM

Lunch

12:00 PM

Bull Sale Begins

REQUEST A CATALOG: CDPBrangus.com info@CDPBrangus.com 903-747-1136 13

YEARLING CLASS OF 2020 150 COMING TWO-YEAR OLDS AND 100 YEARLING BULLS SELL. Numerous herd sire candidates that will become the next breeding stars of the purebred industry!

795G26

CAPITALIST X CORONADO

535G45

EMPIRE X CORONADO

166G5

MONUMENT X THREE D

2051G11

CAPITAL GAIN X CONSENSUS

30G36

EMPIRE X CHAIRMAN

415G8

CAPITAL GAIN X CAPITALIST

2051G8

CAPITAL GAIN X CONSENSUS

63G8

BEACON X PASSPORT

FREE FREIGHT

on

302G44

EMPIRE X LANDAU

103G13

CAPITAL GAIN X CHISHOLM

2051G9

CAPITAL GAIN X CONSENSUS

607G7

TRAIL BOSS X FINAL CUT

10 head of bulls or more

PROVEN GENETICS, TRUSTED BRAND 14

November 2020

INAUGURAL FALL FEMALE EVENT Premier Breed Event - Many females out of famous donors and great Brangus legends in the CDP Sire Group – plus highly proven Angus sires and dams!

4D79F3

THREE D X LUCY

535H3

EMPIRE X TEXAS STAR

392G18

EMPIRE X FINAL CUT

63G10

THREE D X BENCHMARK

331G6

EMPIRE X CAPITALIST

535D7

CHAIRMAN X ROCK STAR

129G

BRICKHOUSE X TRADITION

415H5

CHILL FACTOR X THREE D

9743G2

BRICKHOUSE X FINAL CUT

103H6

SPECIAL DELIVERY X TRADITION

9U8G10

CAPITAL GAIN X SOMETHING EXTRA

2H8

COWBOY CUT X THREE D

Legends such as Three D, CB Tradition, Coronado, DMR Louisana Purchase, DMR Empire, CB Capital Gain and Brickhouse. Plus some exciting young females, pairs and services by new future direction sires such as DMR Cash Flow, DMR Crossroads, DMR Investment, CB Prime Cut, CB Oracle, CB Masterpiece and CB Special Delivery out of the CDP programs represented.

M O R E F E AT U R E D F E M A L E S S E L L !

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We are the new brand standard of excellence and your go-to resource for navigating this fast-moving and ever-changing industry.

• FEATURE COMING TWO-YEAR OLD BULLS •

30G82

CROSSFIT X CHAIRMAN

166G3

RESOURCE X THREE D

40G2

BEACON X PASSPORT

415G35

EMPIRE X CORONADO

FREE FREIGHT

on

60G8

BRICKHOUSE X PASSPORT

7139G10

CAPITAL GAIN X EVER ENTENSE

10 head of bulls or more

SEE OUR SALE VIDEOS ON CDPBRANGUS.COM OR IDEALVIDEO.COM

Sale Contacts 16

Craig Green 870-834-1976

Grady Green 870-314-3673

Joe Cavender 903-571-1209

Justin Matejka 903-521-1070

John Milam 870-310-0781

Auctioneer Doak Lambert

November 2020

REQUEST A CATALOG: CDPBrangus.com info@CDPBrangus.com 903-747-1136

EXECUTIVE CORNER

RE-THINKING BRANGUS BUILT

by Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., International Brangus Breeders Association executive vice president The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) tagging program known as Brangus Built™ has been around a few years but, frankly, has failed to gain much traction. The only requirement for an animal to earn the Brangus Built tag is that they have one Brangus parent. Some breeders have used the program successfully and believe that it has helped them achieve higher prices for their Brangus-influenced cattle. From what I can see, it appears that the most success is centered around replacement heifers that come from reputable programs. The tag has little or no recognition further downstream in the feeder calf market.

We need to change that if we want feedlots to aggressively ask for Brangus-influenced cattle.

On a recent tour of feedlots in the Texas Panhandle and southern Kansas, one theme stood out above all others – cattle HEALTH is absolutely essential to profit. Regardless of how good the genetics are in a set of cattle -- genetics for growth efficiency and carcass value -- any opportunity for profit is lost if there is a health break.

Moreover, the buyer of a set of unhealthy cattle will likely never offer a bid on the same cattle again. It’s been said that elephants have great memories although I’m not sure how that theory is provable. I can guarantee that feedlot managers have

perfect memories, aided by sophisticated computer systems and comprehensive databases. As the old saying goes, “Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me.”

Since we’re in the genetics business, it also makes sense to me that anything carrying a Brangus tag of any kind should have an estimate of the animal’s genetic potential. If it’s a replacement heifer, we want to know the genetic potential for maternal performance and, secondarily, terminal performance. If it’s a set of feeder steers, the buyer wants to know the genetic potential for the traits of importance to them which are really quite simple (and high or moderately heritable) being growth rate, muscling, carcass weight, and marbling ability.

We need to think about a Brangus tag as both an asset and a liability. If the cattle carrying the tag hit a home run in the feedlot or the pasture (in the case of replacement females), the tag is an asset. If the cattle have a health wreck in the feedlot or poor maternal performance on the ranch, the tag is a liability – a blemish on the entire breed. If we want to build up a Brangus tagging program to the point where buyers INSIST on tagged cattle, the program behind it needs to have teeth – real teeth.

if we want to build up a brangus tagging program to the point where buyers insist on tagged cattle, the program behind it needs to have teeth – real teeth.

(continued on page 19)

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EXECUTIVE CORNER (continued from page 17)

The IBBA Breed Improvement Committee has a subcommittee charged with “making Brangus genetics invaluable to commercial producers.” That’s a tough challenge. Something that is invaluable is something that you simply cannot do without. Two long-term Brangus enthusiasts comprise that subcommittee, Danny Farris and Vern Suhn. These gentlemen recently digested all the facts learned on the feedlot tour, coupled with their lifetime experience in the cattle business, and suggested that a Brangus tagging program must have high standards for a pre-feedlot health/nutrition protocol, and should also carry a genetic evaluation for key traits.

I submit that none of this can be done on the honor system, in my opinion. To quote President Ronald Reagan, “trust but verify.” This implies some sort of verification process. The standard in the industry are programs known a Process Verified Programs (PVPs). PVPs are approved and audited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) but are carried out on a daily basis by private parties. Some of the more common PVPs are for Age- and Source-Verification. PVPs can be fairly simple and straightforward, such as Age- and Source-Verification, or they can be quite complex such as claims for organic. In essence, the private party determines the claims they want to make, and they develop protocols for verifying the claims. The USDA simply ensures that the parties consistently do what they say they’re going to do.

If we want a Brangus tagging program to have real value to people downstream, in this case feedlots, it should be backed

up with a prescribed vaccination protocol, coupled with mineral supplementation and parasite control, as parasites and mineral deficiencies can make vaccines totally worthless. It should include at least 45 days (preferably 60) of post-weaning management before being loaded on a truck in route to a feedlot.

All these things would need to be verified – copies of receipts for approved products and copies of records showing when and where and by whom they were administered.

Finally, if we want the Brangus tag to truly drive demand for Brangus feeder cattle, we should require above-average Brangus cattle in the program. In other words, we should have a genetic standard that requires the animals carrying the Brangus tag to be in the top 50% of the Brangus population for some sort of terminal index. The genetic “score” would be based on the EPDs of the bulls in service at a commercial operation, or DNA testing, or a combination of the two. We can debate the percentage cut-off, but for a genetics enterprise like IBBA to not have a measure of expected genetic merit seems contrary to our mission.

If you think this sounds like a lot of work, you’re right. But there is no shortcut to leaping out of the indicus-discount marketplace without some hard work and high standards. If we will do these things and do them well, we can build a market for Brangus-tagged feeder cattle that is truly a premium market.

By the way – if you have sisters to the top-dollar Brangus feeder steers to sell, there will be no shortage of buyers because you’ll have all the data needed to back them up.

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Rob Singleton rides through the herd checking cattle.

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November 2020

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FEATURE ARTICLE

EARLY, Speak OFTEN, Start AND HAVE GOOD CATTLE Four Louisiana Brangus producers hope their experiences with their first, and hugely successful, bull sale can inspire others to collaborate on marketing great cattle

by Ellen H. Brisendine If your customers are asking when you’ll have your own bull sale, but you’re short on numbers, take a look at how four registered Brangus producers in Louisiana solved this dilemma.

They called in professional help, kept an open mind, looked outward for options, planned, prayed, collaborated, created, and met their own quality and management standards, called customers before and followed up after, and hosted the 2020 Louisiana Bull and Commercial Female Sale, March 14, at Alexandria, selling Brangus and Ultrablack® bulls and commercial Brangus females.

Mark Cowan and his colleagues at American Marketing Service managed the sale. Tony and Lolita Westbrooks, Bushley Creek, Olla; Randy and Samantha Nugent, Cross N Farm, Olla; Ronnie Link, The Eagle Ranch, Evergreen; and Thomas Soileau, Bunkie, were the core four breeders from Louisiana.

“Good cattle producers can get together and accomplish anything they want,” says Cowan. Link agrees, “To get everybody on the same page, and agree to the same thing is not a small feat. But the one thing we do have in common is we have cattle to market. When we stand shoulder-toshoulder, we surely benefit.”

The sale results are proof of the success of this first sale. Fifty-eight bulls sold for an average of $3,239, and 66 commercial Brangus pairs, bred, and open females sold for an average of $2,144, $1,268, and $912, respectively.

DEFINE THE NEEDS OF THE BUYERS AND SELLERS, FIND THE RIGHT TIME FOR THE SALE “Louisiana has a really good herd of Brangus cattle. The breed is well-adapted to that country,” Cowan says, “and there is a very strong demand for the bulls.” The core four ranchers needed an outlet for bulls born in the late fall. A mid-March sale was the perfect solution.

The ranching experience of the core four ranges from a handful of years to a handful of decades. They all want to identify Louisiana as a source of leading Brangus and Ultrablack genetics, and they want to grow their own market share. Samantha Nugent says, “Our cattlemen shouldn’t have to go out-of-town to get top-quality Brangus bulls. Our goal 22

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in coming together on this sale was to show buyers that they don’t have to go far away to buy bulls.”

The core four have kept current with leading Brangus genetics, adding complementary qualities to their own herds through artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and by partnering with leading producers around the country.

“We’ve done the homework for you,” Samantha says to the commercial rancher wanting to add registered Brangus and Ultrablack genetics to his or her herd.

AGREE ON QUALITY STANDARDS, START PLANNING AND PREPARING 12 TO 18 MONTHS IN ADVANCE Link says the first step is to make a list of outstanding cattle breeders. “They don’t have to be the largest producers, but are those with a good reputation, and someone who doesn’t have their own private sale. Those ranchers will be your core group on the first go-round. Then encourage the core group to reach out to participants in their locale for the following years,” he advises.

Give yourself 12 to 18 months to plan and prepare for your sale, Cowan suggests. This gives the consignors time to select and develop their sale cattle. It also allows consignors the time to compare, contrast, and adjust sale cattle management protocols, if needed. Buyers will appreciate knowing the sale offerings have been managed under comparable herd health and development programs.

“The go/no-go meeting was about four to five months ahead of the proposed sale date,” Cowan says. At that time Cowan and the core four met in Alexandria to decide if they had enough bulls to have a sale and to evaluate the sale facility.

They chose the Woodrow DeWitt Livestock Facility at the Louisiana State University campus because its central location made it convenient for buyers. Unfortunately, this facility was damaged by a tornado, and it remains unavailable for the 2021 sale. The group has found a sale venue nearby that will accommodate them.

Making the go/no-go decision four to five months ahead of the sale date allowed American Marketing Service to develop the advertising campaign and support materials for the sale and to start the marketing process.

FEATURE ARTICLE Offer at least 60 to 70 lots for a worthwhile sale, Cowan says. “With advertising, the sale catalog, and other expenses of hosting a sale, you must have 60 or more lots,” he says.

They set high standards for the bull offering, requiring them to be selective in what they could offer from their own herds.

Each registered bull had to: • Have complete performance data submitted to International Brangus Breeders Association • Have genomically-enhanced expected progeny differences • Be Johne’s- and bovine leukosis-free “Everyone agreed those were reasonable standards that would set their sale apart,” Cowan says.

To reach their target offering, the core four and Cowan looked outward, inviting consignments from Gary and Lorrie Tanner, Tanner Farms, Ellisville, Mississippi; Wyatt Marshall, Hayes Brangus, Horatio, Arkansas; and L.G. Herndon, Herndon Farms, Lyon, Georgia.

ADHERE TO QUALITY STANDARDS AND DEVELOP THE BULLS TO DRAW BUYERS Soileau says as soon as the planning process began, he and his colleagues went home, picked their bulls, started developing them for the sale, and started to collect the data the buyers would want. Based on his experience with this first sale, he suggests, “Keep the needs of the buyer in mind. Start your bull development program early and start gathering your data in advance,” he says.

Stevie Tingle, foreman for Tony Westbrooks, agrees and suggests “always be thinking of which bulls you’re going to sell. Manage them so they are in the best shape. It’s easier on the cattle and easier on your checkbook to prepare year-round than wait until the last 90 or 120 days to get them ready.”

Having your cattle screened for a sale may challenge friendships and the owner’s notions about the quality of his or her herd production.

Link says, “The only way the sale could benefit was to bring in quality cattle,” which means some interested

individuals didn’t participate in the first sale.

“Some producers will be offended if their cattle are not accepted,” Link says, “but others will understand and will step up their genetics and quality. I always think how I would like to be treated in that particular scenario,” Link says. “Work with the ranchers in a caring fashion. We have an open invitation to other producers to participate,” Link says. “In the cattle industry, everybody has a common interest. We help one another without reservation and marketing cattle is what it’s all about.”

USE ALL YOUR RESOURCES TO INFORM BUYERS Everyone had a hand in getting the word out about the sale. They contacted their customers and explained what was being offered. Westbrooks credits Tingle and Cowan with doing most of the legwork and the client calling in preparation for the sale. Tingle was equally complimentary of his boss, crediting Westbrooks with supporting his hours in the truck and on the phone.

Cowan and the core four share their gratitude to Reggy McDaniel for advertising the sale on lighted billboards outside his chain of grocery stores for the two weeks prior to the sale.

Soileau, who runs 15 farm implement businesses in Louisiana, is familiar with client contact. “We reach out to farm equipment clients, so we used those same techniques to reach out to bull buyers. We wanted them to know we were offering solutions to our producers.”

Randy Nugent says post-sale follow up is important.

“Our standard practice is to talk to the buyers after they get the bulls home. We want to make sure the bulls were working for our buyers,” and the others agree.

BE OPEN-MINDED, CONSIDER GROWTH AND LOOK OUTSIDE FOR OPTIONS The limiting factor the core four faced in hosting a bull sale was not quality of cattle but numbers of cattle. They adopted a growth mindset and looked outside their group for (continued on page 24)

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GET TO KNOW THE IJBBA BOARD

PAYGE DUPRE

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options to address their limitations. As a result, they found three additional ranchers to complement their offering.

Cowan offers this suggestion for the next sale, and to others who might want to try a similar event, “Perhaps get together and develop your bulls all at one location so they are all very uniform come sale day.”

“One of the things we talked about,” Cowan says, “is how difficult it is to start a sale. With a first-time sale, there is no track record, there are no customers who are used to coming to a particular location on a particular day to buy bulls.” Typically, it takes a minimum of three years to get a sale established in the minds of buyers. The core four and American Marketing Service are “ecstatic over first year’s results and expect greater things in 2021,” he says.

As Cowan says, and the core four agree, “Start early, speak to each other often, and have good cattle.”

HANDLE THE HUMAN STRESS OF A CATTLE SALE WITH PERSONAL RESILIENCE Looking back at the 2020 Louisiana Bull and Commercial Female Sale in March 2020, everyone agrees it was a great success.

However, on Friday night before the Saturday sale, things looked grim.

Randy Nugent, Cross N Farm, Olla, a member of the core four Louisiana ranchers organizing the sale, explains. “The night before the sale we were going to provide supper for those who came to look at the bulls.

Nobody showed up for the meal. I about fainted. I told my wife God’s going to have to do it, because it looks like, at this point, we have failed,” he says.

On Saturday, people started showing up, “and it was awesome,” Randy’s wife Samantha remembers.

“All the bleachers were full. We put out chairs and they were full. We put out more chairs and people were still coming in were standing around the walls.”

Randy continues, “I’m telling you God did it all. It looked very dim the night before and then the next day the sale facility was full, and people were bidding online. And that was right at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.” Samantha says, “It was amazing and a blessing.”

Ronnie Link, The Eagle Ranch, Evergreen, another of the core four, agrees and expresses the gratitude of all the consignors to the buyers who came to support the sale.

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2020-2021 IJBBA Reporter

Where are you from? Kathleen, Florida

How old are you? 15

Where are you going to school? Lake Gibson High School If you’re in high school, University of Florida where do you plan to attend college?

Are you involved in any I am involved in the Zero Gravity extracurricular clubs/activities Youth Ministry and I also serve outside showing cattle? as the Vice President for my FFA Chapter What is your major? Agriculture Education and (Or future major?) Communication What field do you hope to Marketing attain a career in?

Why do you have an interest in I love getting to talk to new your future career choice? people and share my knowledge, so I can use that to market.

How have the NJBS educational contests {public speaking, livestock judging, showmanship, etc.} helped you become the person you are today?

After competing in NJBS contests, I began to come out of my shell and always want to talk to new people.

What is the most valuable It takes hard work and dedication lesson you’ve learned while to be successful. You can’t expect showing cattle? to have cattle that will do good if you don’t put in the work everyday at home.

What advice do you have for Don’t be afraid to try something younger members? new.

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Working Together

Brangus breeders of Louisiana see close proximity as a benefit to creating a stronger Brangus breed

by Katie Schrock, Western Insights Media “If all of your friends were doing it, would you do it too?”

That’s the common question posed by parents with small children and this question is the same when neighboring ranchers are breeding purebred cattle. Cross N Brangus, Bushley Creek Cattle Co., and McDaniel Brangus are located in Louisiana, all within a few hours of each other. Their range of experience covers a few years to a few decades but none of them, however, see neighboring breeders as a detriment to their business.

In fact, Reggy McDaniel admits that, “It hasn’t ever crossed my mind - I never thought about anyone else [nearby] in the business.” The reason being that when you’re breeding a quality product, like registered Brangus, the cattle are going to sell.

For any breeder getting their start in the Brangus breed, or cattle in general, having neighbors that can provide mentorship and wisdom is an asset to starting an operation with quality and efficiency. Being able to go see those genetics and bloodlines working in an operation is also a plus in deciding the genetic direction of your operation. It’s also a plus if one of the rancher’s introduces a new genetic line and the performance can be analyzed for either the purchase of offspring or a relative.

“If they need help, we help and vice versa,” says Tony Westbrooks with Bushley Creek Cattle Co. about his neighboring Brangus ranchers. “They are just a phone call away.”

It also means, as Randy and Sam Nugent with Cross N Farm explain, that if it isn’t feasible to buy a bull or female for the price being asked, they’ll partner to bring him or her home with their neighbors. It allows the higher quality animal to provide benefits to all their breeding operations, their combined bull sale and private treaty animals.

Having a multitude of quality purebred animals in one area means that they were able to start their own bull sale in 2020 and will hopefully include heifers and/or cows in 2021.

Being just a phone call away, the assistance of extra cattlemen and women to move, sort, weigh, and vaccinate cattle is always an advantage. The ability for neighboring ranches to work together to provide high-quality stock is important for each of their bottom lines, but anyone in the Brangus breed can see the added bonus that collaboration and teamwork 26

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brings to breeders everywhere.

BUSHLEY CREEK CATTLE CO. Just one decade ago, Westbrooks bought his first Brangus cattle from Cross N Brangus and, after a lot of hard work, the hiring of a great employee, and the utilization of great genetics, it has all come to fruition in 2020 with their first bull sale. Westbrooks’ background with cattle started in his childhood, where his family raised crossbred cows free range, prior to the passing of the Louisiana Stock Law, for the purpose of extra liquidable assets.

“It was a poor man’s operation,” says Westbrooks with a chuckle. Bushley Creek Cattle Co. is the result of a childhood passion for raising cattle and officially came into business when Westbrooks and his wife purchased her family’s 450 acre place in Aimwell, Louisiana. Each year, they work hard to clear more land to expand their cattle operation and currently run a total of 300 head.

“I enjoy and love working with and breeding cows,” says Westbrooks, who has worked hard to get good cattle to build his program. “I am there every day and every evening with them.”

Alongside Westbrooks is his right hand man, Stephen “Stevie” Tingle. Tingle was born into the cattle business where his father and grandfather ran 500 head of crossbred range cattle. Like many things can, the cattle business found root in Tingle’s blood and he couldn’t stay away. After working for a variety of Brangus operations in Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas, Tingle thought it was time to move on in his career, but the oil fields weren’t for him and found himself back to cattle work. Through a chance hauling offer, he delivered a set of high-quality Brangus cows to Westbrooks, who hired him back in the fall of 2019 to A.I. his cows, and then full time for Bushley Creek Cattle Co. shortly afterwards.

Making the decision to hire Tingle full time was what Westbrooks needed to expand his operation. Buying two elite donor cows, Bushley Creek capitalized on A.I. and embryo work to build their entire Brangus herd off of those two cows.

Constructing their own embryo flushing facility was a big next step for the operation, allowing them to do all of the work in Louisiana versus sending the cows to Texas.

Westbrooks’ challenge was to find the best genetics you could spend your money on. They looked for balanced EPDs

FEATURE ARTICLE with a good phenotype, while encompassing a wide variety of Brangus genetics. The cows must have good maternal instincts and good fleshing ability. The bulls must have a good conformation, moderate frame, and good weights at both weaning and at a year of age.

Selling bulls was never an issue for Bushley Creek Cattle Co. as they would sell out between Westbrooks’ and Tingle’s connections; they sold 100% of their bulls private treaty prior to 2020. After seeing success at a few specialty sales with their bulls, a marketing tactic that worked well, they joined with other Louisiana breeders to hold a sale in fall 2020.

Louisiana breeders purchased 75% of the bulls but the other bulls scattered throughout Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. Most of the buyers at the sale were repeat buyers who had purchased private treaty in the past, but they were also able to see both new-to-them and new-to-Brangus customers as well.

When Westbrooks made the decision to breed Brangus, it was focused on the breed’s ability to handle the Louisiana country that he lived in. Heat-tolerant, insect-tolerant, and hardy animals, they would be the perfect fit for their operation. The new customers felt the same but have also seen the benefits that the breed has garnered over the last decade.

Brangus females have multiple outlets; she can bring a premium as a feeder heifer or be retained for breeding as a replacement heifer. The breed is fertile, milks well, and is hardy with little expense to upkeep a steer to feed out and grade on a carcass. Customers have also noted an improvement in durability out on the coastal areas below Lake Charles in the bulls holding up to the harsh conditions of poor weather, flooding, swamps, insects, heat, and humidity.

As Bushley Creek Cattle Co. moves into their second decade of business, they have big goals to continue improving the quality of the Brangus genetics in their area and abroad.

Westbrook hopes to include heifers in their 2021 sale, making it a well-rounded production sale that could see as many as 45 purebred Brangus bulls sold by himself, Cross N Brangus, McDaniel Brangus, and a few others. By using aggressive culling tactics and selective mating, cross-referencing genomic testing, performance data, and carcass data, Bushley Creek Cattle Co. looks forward to sharing their quality cattle with current and future Brangus breeders.

“We haven’t had any trouble or call back with our bulls,” says Westbrooks. “Whatever it takes to make the customer satisfied, on my end, [I’ll do]. It is a money back guarantee on the bulls.”

Westbrooks believes that with the three Brangus breeders in close proximity, it has allowed them to have enough animals to take a chance on a Brangus bull and production sale - a chance that proved successful for the breeders as well as the breed. The other benefit is the ability to get eyes on different genetics and to research from your neighbors what bulls they are using for A.I. Just a phone call or short drive away from other purebred Brangus breeders questions can be

asked of, “What do you think about this bull?” or “How is this genetic or strategy working for you?”

“You may want to use them, you may not,” says Westbrooks. “We just constantly help each other; if they need help, we help and vice versa.”

Westbrooks and Tingle both agree that Brangus are a great breed to get into, but to not get in a hurry. Their advice is to be selective of what you are purchasing. If you are going to be in for the long haul, save your money and buy one great cow versus three “okay” cows. One great cow will give you a faster return on your investment so, if you’re looking for a great Brangus cow - make sure to swing by their 2021 production sale.

McDANIEL BRANGUS Reggy McDaniel is proud to say that he’s owned a cow since the first day he hit the ground and, in the entirety of his 71 years on earth, he’s owned one ever since. Moving through a variety of commercial crosses and a few distinct breeds here and there, all of that changed at the start of 2019. Picking up two commercial bulls from his neighbors, the Nugent family at Cross N Farm, McDaniels’ eye was caught by their goodlooking Brangus cattle who were made for their Louisiana countryside and her unique environmental factors. It almost seemed predestined that McDaniel and his wife, Michelle, would see a good-looking Brangus heifer at the Houston Livestock Show, and that the heifer would subsequently be purchased and head back to Columbia, Louisiana with them.

A small town in Caldwell Parish, Columbia is home to not only the McDaniels, but also one of 16 of an extremely popular grocery store chain called Mac’s Fresh Market. Mac’s Fresh Market is McDaniel’s job outside of the ranch and is focused on the mindset of being a good neighbor and providing high quality food. McDaniel’s ability to grow in the Brangus breed early means that he pulls lessons learned both from a lifetime in the cattle industry and the grocery store business.

“It’s a lot of the same, but to start with, it’s determination,” says McDaniel about comparing the grocery store management business to the cattle business. “If you aren’t determined to be in the cattle business or grocery business, then you aren’t going to make it. God blesses us in our life with what we got and the places we have, you can apply general principle to any business.”

The McDaniel’s began to actively seek the formation of their own registered herd of purebred Brangus cattle. Despite being young in his purebred cattle operation, McDaniel’s lifetime experience working with commercial cattle has provided him the ability to build his Brangus herd quickly and efficiently, utilizing quality genetics from both next door and in neighboring states. The list of Brangus operation’s that they have sourced their seedstock genetics from is long and includes both cattle and embryos to build their herd from places like Quail Valley, Chimney Rock, GENETRUST, a variety of bull and heifer sales, and, of course, his neighbors, (continued on page 27)

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FEATURE ARTICLE (continued from page 28)

Bushley Creek and Cross N. Large neighboring Brangus ranches don’t bother the McDaniel’s, as McDaniel says, “I will sell my cattle for what I can get and what they are worth.” In fact, the nearby vicinity of other seedstock operations is beneficial for someone starting out to be able to see the genetics they may be looking at online.

“I want to raise good beef that will hang in the cooler and grade out Choice,” he says, who describes his Brangus as fat with the Brangus look. Starting at a young age, his calves are creep fed and then fed to have great body conditioning.

All of his cattle are expected to maintain that great body conditioning. Temperament plays a key role in the longevity of an animal at McDaniel Brangus as they are handled often.

The herd needs to be docile, allowing the McDaniels or their two hired hands, to walk through and inspect them daily.

As the herd continues to develop, he has two goals that he hopes to achieve with the addition of at least two top quality, cutting edge female bloodlines a year. He has set up for success in these goals with the addition of four top Monument heifers from Midsouth Cattle Company, one female from the Dragging M Ranch, and an Empire daughter to round out his core female lineup.

For his first goal, McDaniel hopes to produce strong, good-footed bulls between two and two-and-a-half years of age. At an older age than most, his hope is that these bulls will have been built up in size and body with an expectation to be at the same quality shape when they return from being turned out to breed. Managing his breeding program by selecting animals based on how they convert feed and how they keep their body score is how McDaniel hopes to achieve these bulls.

The second goal goes with the first goal - he wants to produce bulls and females that will produce commercial bulls, steers, and heifers that can go to the feedlot and finish out at choice. This is a hill that he’s begun to climb when selecting bulls for his breeding operation, but, in a few years, McDaniel Brangus may be producing the exact bull that he is currently searching for that others starting in the industry can purchase to build their own Brangus herd.

When it comes to working with other Brangus breeders, both near and far, McDaniel takes a page from the grocery business in that, “We [in the grocery business] don’t always agree with everything but we are always friends at the end of the day.”

He is taking this mindset into McDaniel Brangus and hopes to not only learn from those that have been doing it for decades, but to also provide feedback to those just starting out. A big aspect is the customer care in picking up the phone and checking on those that you work with in the cattle business.

From a relatively new purebred breeder in Brangus to another new breeder, or someone interested in breeding registered Brangus, his advice is to “buy your cattle from 28

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really good genetics.” Become a student of genetics, know the defaults that you want to avoid, and look at several different cattle sources prior to buying an animal. If you get your eyes on seven or eight places, he explains that you’ll see which style or bloodlines interest you the most.

Visiting a variety of operations will also help showcase those breeders that genuinely want to help you grow. If they have time to show their herd and talk about it, learning what you are hoping to gain from your cattle operation or their genetics, it can showcase who will be a great mentor for your operation.

“Whoever goes into the business needs to have someone to help them,” he advises. Whether it’s to help find what bulls to breed to what cows, there are breeders with exceptional cattle and years of experience and knowledge that are willing to share. The Brangus breed is ready to help those who are interested in taking their current cattle operation a new direction or to get started!

CROSS N FARM Like many cattle owners, Randy and Samantha “Sam” Nugent, can’t remember a time where they didn’t own cattle.

In fact, over the years, they have specialized in a variety of breeds, ranging from Angus to Herefords, Brahman to Beefmaster, and even Charolais. The cattle breed of choice for Cross N Farm’s officially changed for good in 2000, when a chance purchase of a Brangus bull at a Camp Cooley Production Sale changed the trajectory of not just their commercial herd, but the bulls that they were breeding and selling.

“We remembered from our notes about the calf crop,” says Randy, “that our calves from the Brangus bull were the best ones we had.”

Simultaneously, the Louisiana Stock Law came into effect and they realized that Cross N Farm’s needed quality, over quantity, to strategically continue successfully raising cattle.

The Brangus breed had great longevity and were hardier for the area, with the ability to withstand insects, diseases, the humidity, and the moisture. More than that, “they are the most maternal cow out of any cow out there of anything I have ever tried,” says Nugent.

While Cross N Farm resides on high ground, there are a few low areas and the occasional calf can get separated, via a creek, from their mothers. Walking the pastures and fence lines daily, Sam caught a unique experience in February of 2020. Sam witnessed the exemplary maternal instincts of their purebred Brangus at work when a mother cow had found herself and her newborn calf stranded on a small timbercovered island after a night of torrential downpours. The cow looked at her calf, gave it some gentle nudge of advice, the calf moved up-current from the mother, and together they swam across the creek, safely to the other side!

Breeding Brangus for the past two decades, the Nugents’ have stayed firm in their mission of always producing something better than what they already have. Building (continued on page 30)

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FEATURE ARTICLE (continued from page 28)

their herd from genetics purchased at GENETRUST, Quail Valley, Blackwater Cattle Company, and more, they gained experience in the Brangus breed early on by touring farms and ranches in Georgia, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Florida and Louisiana. They not only laid eyes on different operations and genetics at work, but also saw entire herds of Brangus genetics - not just the choice few selected for sale day.

Cross N Farm looks for Brangus females that are the total package and the first thing they look at are the EPDs and if she is phenotypically correct. She must have sound feet, good bone structure, good udders, and be docile - with these core basics set in place, the goal is to then fix any holes with A.I. work.

Brangus bulls, while also being the complete package, need to retain good feet, temperament, and moderate birth weights coupled with a high growth rate. Bull tests have become technologically advanced over the years, and a bull that can pass a scan test is also necessary meaning they will produce a good carcass to sell. The commercial breeders want the biggest ribeye for pounds and meat with a high IMF ratio.

“You aren’t going to be able to sell bulls without scans,” says Randy. “Nobody wants a bull without it.”

Docility is key to the Nugents, who manage their entire herd as a two-man team. Occasionally that team gets larger when their two sons, Jaycee and Charlie, daughter-in-law Mallory, and grandson Bryson come to help. The gentle disposition is key to ensure that everyone stays safe and can manage the herd efficiently. If they aren’t gentle, those individual animals are culled out for commercial beef.

“You are always trying to build your herd up to make something good, better,” says Sam. “Every time we go out to buy something, we want to know that it’ll compliment what we already have. It’s got to complement our donor cows especially, as well as our herd cows. We are always looking to improve what we already have.”

In the past, Cross N Farms has taken Brangus cattle

to a variety of select sales. Bulls, post-weaning, are put on whatever feed they need and are kept until it’s time to sell.

The main goal is that when a breeder or family buys a bull and needs a new one in two years, they will become a repeat customer. Some of the Nugent’s repeat customers have come back eight times!

Their experience, both in the cattle business and in Brangus specifically, has also provided the Nugent’s the opportunity to become mentors and Brangus breeder teammates, of sorts, to a multitude of their neighbors who have also begun raising the breed. Specifically, if it wasn’t feasible to buy a bull or female for the price being asked, they’ll partner to bring her home.

“We have all benefited, for sure, by helping each other,” says Randy. One such benefit of McDaniel Brangus, Bushley Creek Brangus, and Cross N Farm’s all being close to each other is that they were able to host their first Brangus bull sale in 2020. The significance of this sale to commercial cattle breeders in Louisiana and her surrounding states is critical; commercial cattle breeders don’t have to go out of the state, or the country, for a bull when they’re breeding them right at home in Louisiana.

“We do appreciate our neighbors,” says Randy about their Brangus-raising neighbors. “We help them, they help us - everything is together. We really, really appreciate our neighbors.”

Randy and Sam encourage anyone interested in breeding Brangus, whether starting from scratch or creating your own purebred herd, to get out, go to sales, look at cows, and visit a variety of farms. They firmly believe that it’s more important to look at all the animals that breeders raise versus just what is at the sale pen.

“Biggest isn’t always best - [the breeder] has more to choose from but it doesn’t always mean the best,” warns Randy. “Don’t be too hasty - try to get something that is better than what you already have and that compliments your herd.”

Randy Nugent with his grandson, Bryson, checking out his calf crop.

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ANNOUNCING NEW DATE AND LOCATION

INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION 2020 | FORT WORTH, TX

Schedule

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

6:00 AM Barns open for cattle move in 6:00 PM Junior only cattle check in begins 8:00 PM All cattle must be in the barns

Saturday, November 14

9:00 AM Open cattle check in, weigh

and measure All bulls will be weighed and animals 18 months and younger will be weighed and measured 12:30 PM Showmanship followed by

Junior Show

Sunday, November 15 8:00 AM 9:00 AM

Begin cattle release Open Show

Host Hotel

Courtyard Fort Worth University

3150 Riverfront Drive, Fort Worth 888.236.2427 Block: International Brangus Breeders Association Deadline: October 22

• Entry deadline is November 1 • Junior ownership deadline is November 1 • Entry Fee is $40 per show or $80 for both junior and open show • Eligibility for the junior show: exhibitors must be paid members of the International Junior Brangus Breeders Association (IJBBA), who have reached their 7th birthday prior to January 1 of the calendar year, and have not reached their 22nd birthday prior to January 1 of the calendar year, to be eligible to exhibit • Late entry fee is $60 and entries will be taken up until the completion of check in • Animals must be DNA parent verified to show in the open show • Tie-outs spaces are complimentary, but shavings must be used (NO straw) • Junior show will follow the spring Texas majors class breaks • Shavings must be purchased through the facility when you arrive • Juniors can sign up for showmanship when they arrive 31

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BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES AT LARGE:

Mark Perry

Mark Perry and his wife, Tammy, and children, Mason and Megan, operate MP Brangus and MP Electric near Waco, Texas.

Perry’s love for cattle began at an early age as he would help his grandfather on his farm. At age six, he was given his first calf and from there his story begins. Perry raised commercial cattle through his school years. After graduation from high school and beginning his electrical career, he worked under Brangus breeder Othel Neely and began incorporating Brangus into his own herd. Perry eventually

AT LARGE:

Randy Schmidt

Randy Schmidt bought his first registered Brangus bull in 1995, and purchased his first registered female in 1999, which served as the gateway to a passion that has driven him for over 20 years. Schmidt became a member of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) shortly after his initial investment in 1999 when IBBA icon, Herb Murray, purchased Schmidt’s first membership after Schmidt procured several females from Murray’s MTG Partner’s Sale. Schmidt started attending the annual IBBA convention a few years later and has been heavily involved in the IBBA since.

Through the years, Schmidt has served multiple terms on the IBBA Finance, Membership and Education, Promotion, and most recently, the Breed Improvement Committees.

During this time, he served as the chairman of the prestigious IBBA Breed Improvement for two years. One of Schmidt’s greatest accomplishment within the IBBA was the honor of receiving the IBBA Breeder of the Year award in 2019.

Currently, he is serving on the IBBA Breed Improvement 34

November 2020

sold the commercial herd and focused on the Brangus breed.

At Neely’s retirement in 2007 Perry purchased his herd and purchased several from the legendary Camp Cooley Ranch.

Always working to improve the breed Perry has sought out some of the best cattle in the country.

In the fall of 2016, the Perry kids decided they wanted to show cattle and so a new journey began. With the friendships they have developed with the Brangus show family, the Perry’s were able to find new quality Brangus to build upon.

This past, summer the retirement of Mike Doguet, Perry was fortunate to get the opportunity to buy the DDD herd.

With the lease of the Doguet ranches in Poteet and McCoy, Perry is able to continue the famous DDD genetics and annual cattle auctions.

The Perry family has ranches in McLennan, Coryell, Comanche, and Atascosa Counties. Perry serves on the IBBA Show Committee.

Committee and the IBBA Long Range Planning Committee.

Understanding the growing pains faced by breeders entering the purebred business, in the early years Schmidt marketed bulls by private treaty. As growth allowed, he then hosted his first bull sale at the ranch near Simms, Texas in 2004, doing so for two years. As his program continued to develop, Schmidt had the opportunity to be a founding partner in the GENETRUST alliance and was an integral part in its decade of success. Most recently, as opportunities presented themselves, Schmidt joined four close friends in founding the next generation marketing alliance, GENEPLUS. Schmidt’s goal has always been to improve the quality of every generation of his cowherd through a very aggressive A.I. and E.T. program. He has been a tireless advocate for using all the tools at his disposal to accomplish that goal. In light of that, Schmidt has attended the annual BIF summer meeting for the last six years, something he believes all seedstock producers could benefit from.

The Brangus breed is an attractive breed of cattle that can perform in a variety of conditions. Breeders have selected, over multiple generations, for those genetics that can perform in the pasture and in the feed yard, but there is still room for improvement. As a breed registry, the association has to give its members as many tools as possible to improve their genetics. Whether producers prefer red or black, ranch (continued on page 35)

BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES (continued from page 34)

in Florida or California, the goal is the same. The genetics may not be the same, but the goal of the association should be to give its members reliable tools to improve their herd.

From accurate EPDs, selection indexes, DNA to a national marketing campaign, the IBBA has to give the membership the tools they need to improve their herd. And these tools

EAST:

have to be reliable. It then becomes the breeder’s job to learn how to use these tools to improve their product.

Schmidt is humbly asking for the support of the IBBA membership in seeking the At-Large IBBA Board of Directors position. Membership can rest assured that his door will always be open, and decisions will be made with sound science and the members best interest in mind.

Trey Cuevas

Trey Cuevas was born, raised and still currently resides in rural Purvis, Mississippi with his wife, Holly, and three-year-old daughter, Harrison Kate. As a child, his father had Brangus cattle and he was involved with the ranching activities and showing of some of their Brangus cattle. That early seed planted a passion for Brangus that continues today.

In high school and college, his focus turned to baseball where the importance of working with a team became a founding principle that is still used in business today. His love of baseball is also responsible for the name of T3 Brangus with T for Trey and 3 being his jersey number while catching for University of Southern Mississippi. While playing baseball, he was also afforded the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree in business administration in preparation for a career after baseball.

Currently, Cuevas is a regional sales manager for Waste Pro, where he manages sales representatives that market the company’s brand and provide dumpster service to commercial business customers. In addition, the company provides service for any type of waste and disposal at the local landfills.

His desire to work with family and build a cattle enterprise with a business focus led to the creation of T3 Brangus.

Ten years ago, with the help of his father, they designed a plan to utilize his current cowherd as recipients and work to find the best genetics they could find in the form of embryos and a few strategic female purchases. They started with purchases at the Camp Cooley Ranch Dispersal Sale and then

to the local Stars and Stripes Sale, hosted by fellow Mississippi Brangus breeder Gary Ishee, who was a big help in learning more about Brangus cattle.

Cuevas commented family is a big part of his life and he feels like he has grown a much larger family when showing up for cow sales. The people he has met across the country are truly stewards of the land and try for the same goal, which is to breed the type of cattle to maximize profit margins. Brangus is a breed that has the capability to grow in popularity and membership numbers and that is something that he wants to promote. No matter if a person has a 1,000 head or five head, they still have the ability to contribute to this breed. He believes we should look at the breed with a TEAM mentality and push and strive to make the breed and every breeder better. He wants to mentor and help new members and wants to continue to support regionalized efforts to give breeders an opportunity to market their cattle.

T3 Brangus currently markets around 50 bulls per year as a cooperator with Salacoa Valley Farms in Fairmount, Georgia. That team has been fair and helped T3 to develop their market, even while T3 topped that sale on several occasions, most recently with T3 Broadway 30E that was the selection of ST Genetics for $67,500. T3 also participates in multiple consignment sales across the Southeast to market our females. I want to be able to show this same support to other breeders in the area and assist in building market share for Brangus.

He wants to take this time to thank the nominating committee for the opportunity to run for the IBBA Board of Directors and represent the Eastern part of the United States.

Cuevas appreciates the breeders time to get to know him and thank each for considering him with your vote! He believes that he can represent this breed well and use his business and marketing skills to promote and help all breeders, regardless of size.

35

BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES EAST:

Grady Green

Grady Green is the general manager at Draggin’ M Ranch in El Dorado, Arkansas where he resides with his wife, Sara, and two children, Hadley and Breck. His passion for Brangus cattle is rivaled only by the love of spending time with his young family. Draggin’ M Ranch, owned by John Milam, is one of the most progressive Brangus operations in the United States and is also one of the founding partners of the Cavender-Draggin’ M and Partners Brangus program.

Born in Eureka, Kansas where his father, Craig Green, worked for the famed Brinks Brangus, Green was introduced to the Brangus breed early in life. From there, his experience with Brangus cattle continued to expand by moving with his family to other respective Brangus operations including Caldwell Farms, Jack Moore Ranch, and eventually Camp Cooley Ranch. While living and working at Camp Cooley, Green was exposed to all aspects of the production of Brangus cattle from setting up donors to flush and transfer embryos,

EAST:

Josh Walker

Josh Walker grew up in Southwest Arkansas in a rural town of 120 people. During high school he found his love for cattle when his parents purchased his first commercial Brangus females in 1992. In ninth grade, he began showing a Red Brangus bull and heifer.

That year he invested his life savings of $5/week allowances into two Red Brangus females at a local dispersal sale. And just like that, he was in the purebred Red Brangus business.

Upon graduation, he attended the University of Arkansas where he received his bachelor’s degree in animal science and a minor in agricultural business. Next, he moved on 36

November 2020

tagging calves, as well as being responsible for the health and wellness of yearling bulls on gain test, all while attending high school in Franklin, Texas.

After high school, Green attended Tarleton State University and eventually ended up in the prestigious Texas Christian University (TCU) Ranch Management Program in Fort Worth, Texas, where he graduated at the top of his class.

After graduating from TCU, Grady was immediately hired as the manager at Draggin’ M and took over day-to-day operations of raising some of the most well-accepted Brangus bulls and females in the breed. For the last ten years under Green’s control, Draggin’ M has bred and raised herd sires and donor females that have made and continue to make a tremendous impact wherever they’re used.

Green has been active in service to the Brangus breed, including serving on the IBBA Breed Improvement Committee, being a member of the Southeast Brangus Breeders Association, and is currently serving as on the board of directors for the Texas Brangus Breeders Association. If elected to the IBBA Board of Directors, Green will use his passion for Brangus cattle and wealth of experience to help make decisions that will move the Brangus breed forward in the future. He would like to thank all eastern region members for their consideration.

to Colorado State University for a master’s and Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences. Dr. Walker specializes in reproductive physiology and has applied his degree into the specific field of bovine reproduction. He has worked with Ovagenix, Flying Cow Genetics, Reprologix, and Gen Plus. His company, Red Bud Genetics, assists customers with artificial insemination, reproductive ultrasound, in vivo embryo collection, embryo transfer, ovum pick up, and in vitro fertilization.

During the past 27 years, Red Bud Farms has continued to grow with the help of his family. Walker and his wife, Jennifer, own and operate the ranch with their four children, Molly, Joshua, Natalie, and Julie. Red Bud Farms is one of the larger purebred operations in the state of Arkansas. “While we started with two females; we currently have 500 registered Angus, Brangus, Red Brangus, Ultrablack, and Ultrared females,” he explains. His marketing cooperative stretches from Kansas into Texas and currently markets progeny from (continued on page 38)

37

BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES

(continued from page 36)

around 1,000 head of registered females. Walker consistently works to improve the genetics of his own herd. By using production driven genetics he is able to help his customers with their operations and continually push to make the cattle better.

He accepted the nomination for the board in order to become more intricately involved in the business and operation of the Brangus breed. Walker has always had a passion for meeting new people and visiting with ranchers to learn about their operations. He especially likes to analyze the things he learns, challenging himself and others to think outside of their comfort zone to determine if opportunities in business can increase the bottom line. Through his travels and work experience, he has had the opportunity to work with

TEXAS:

Allen Goode

“Working Together for the Greater Good of All”. This is the mantra that Allen Goode has served under and is seeking a second term for the IBBA) Board of Directors.

During his first term, Goode has served as chairman of the show committee, the international committee, the long-range strategic planning committee, executive vice president search committee and is on the Brangus Foundation Board of Directors.

In all of these leadership positions, he has striven to expand the opportunities for all IBBA members in whatever aspect of the breed they want and need – genetic advancement; marketing and promotion; domestic and international; Red, Black and Ultra.

In additional Brangus breed organizations, he serves as an IBBA delegate to Federation of International Brangus Associations and serves the International Red Brangus Breeders Association (IRBBA) as vice president, chairing the marketing, scholarship and sales committees over the years.

He is also on the IRBBA Memorial Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors. Through these activities, his commitment has always been to do what will do the most good for the most membership and further the Brangus breed as whole.

A South Texas native, Goode grew up in San Benito down in the Rio Grande Valley. His passion for the purebred cattle industry was ignited as a junior raising heifers and 38

November 2020

some of the industry’s best operations in a variety of breeds.

Walker states, “Every operation I have visited or worked with has exposed me to new ideas and methodologies. “I feel that we as Brangus breeders have a unique opportunity to show the world what our cattle can do from ranch to rail. We have a place in the industry as a major provider of genetics for commercial producers and, ultimately, consumer products.” In addition, he believes with passion that we have an amazing product to offer our customers and knows we can truly improve their operations. If elected, he looks forward to representing his fellow Brangus enthusiasts and assisting with the business of promoting our cattle, managing our data, and working together as breeders to select the strategic direction for the future of our breed.

steers in FFA and 4-H. Goode received a Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Scholarship to attend Texas A&M University, majoring in animal science. While at A&M, he was on the 1992 livestock judging team. He returned several years later to complete his MBA. The years that have followed have been dual roads in the corporate and entrepreneurial worlds. His professional career as a consultant and analyst has taken him to both international and domestic assignments. Currently he is employed with Morgan Stanley in Dallas, Texas.

Goode’s passion and interest in the beef industry has never waned. In 2002, a unique gift brought him into the Red Brangus breed. Through this a partnership developed that became TRIO Cattle & Genetics. The TRIO brand has grown to become synonymous throughout the Brangus world for the highest quality Red Brangus and Brangus seedstock.

TRIO was founded on the principals of partnership and working together for common goals and objectives. To market and develop their genetics and cattle, TRIO is an active participant in Brangus exhibitions across the country. The TRIO herd prefix can be found on numerous National Red Brangus Grand and Reserve Grand Champions, including five grand champion females, three grand champion bulls, two reserve grand females and six reserve grand bulls. Several of these individuals went on to garner show bull, female, sire and dam of the year honors. TRIO genetics can be found in progressive herds across the U.S., South Africa, South America, Central America and Australia.

Goode understands the needs of commercial and registered breeders. He has worked to build domestic and international markets for the TRIO genetic program. With this, he realizes that Brangus seedstock demand is ultimately (continued on page 39)

BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES (continued from page 38)

driven by the commercial cattleman and their need for performance cattle that are needed by the entire beef value chain.

From the start, Goode has appreciated the global reach of Brangus genetics and worked to promote and bring the Brangus world closer together. He has represented U.S Brangus breeders at four World Brangus Congresses (WBC), in Paraguay, Australia, Mexico, South Africa and the U.S. Goode has also promoted Brangus genetics internationally through his partnerships on sires with ABS GLOBAL, Select Sires, and Genex Beef.

Goode’s experience in the financial advisory industry, business management, leadership roles and Brangus marketing experience all lend to his ability to serve as an effective and progressive minded board member of IBBA. With ideas to fulfill his objective of, “Working together for the greater good of all”, Goode has and will listen to

WEST:

the needs and ideas of all IBBA members and industry constituents. He believes that when an issue arises, a solution should follow that will create more opportunity for all Brangus breeders.

“I am grateful to the Texas IBBA membership for presenting me the opportunity and honor of representing them on the IBBA Board of Directors. I am most appreciative of the relationships I have had the opportunity to develop across our breed and the opportunities to contribute to the advancement of Brangus across the global industry. These past three years have had their challenges that will soon be behind us. But the past three years have also seen exciting and rewarding advancements in the development of our longrange strategic plan, an executive vice president that is leading our association to one at the front of the industry, a robust genetic platform and thriving show and junior programs.

Optimism is my bias and I wholeheartedly believe that working together we all go far.”

Greg Romans

Greg Romans and his wife, Sheryl, own and operate Romans Brangus in Vale, Oregon. Romans raises alfalfa, wheat, and corn, and he runs about 80 head of registered Brangus and Ultrablack cattle on the remaining pasture.

Romans started his registered Brangus herd in 1986 with a registered heifer he bought from Turner Brangus Ranch, the 2007 IBBA Pioneer of the Year Award recipient. This heifer started his FFA project. Romans received his FFA State Farmer degree in 1990 and graduated from Value Union High School.

Romans went on to college to study animal science and beef production. Romans graduated college with an associate degree in arts and sciences. He completed a work study program with Thomas Angus Ranch in Baker, Oregon, and also with Ben Houston at Aristocrat Angus in Platteville, Colorado. At the time, Houston was the president of the National Western Stock Show in Denver, Colorado.

Romans purchased his farm, which consists of 180 acres of irrigated ground, in 1993. The cattle are run on a large

section of crested wheat grass in the spring and fall.

In 1994, Romans purchased 43 head of Brangus cattle from Ben Houston. At the time, Houston was breeding 3/16th Brahman cattle (Ultrablacks). Houston was trying to breed the sheath off of the bulls due to the harsh winters in the West. This was requested by his buyers at the time. This was before anyone in the Brangus breed was even talking about breeding Ultra cattle. The downfall to this, at the time, was Romans was just starting and wanted to maintain the expected progeny differences on the cattle. So, he continued to breed the cattle as straight Brangus to build a reputation herd. Houston taught Romans many valuable lessons about cattle.

Romans has also purchased cattle from the Lettunich and Sons Dispersal Sale in 2000. He markets 20-25 Brangus and Ultrablack bulls every year in the West. He has served on the board of directors of the West Coast Brangus Breeders Association, and for three years on the IBBA Board of Directors. Romans believes in, and has a passion for, Brangus cattle. He also believes in supporting our youth. Romans pledges to have an open ear to all of the Brangus breeders and members. In addition, Romans pledges to always do his best to represent the membership. He thanks the membership for allowing him three years of service on the board, and for a continued vote of opportunity to serve again.

39

REPRODUCTION REPORT

SEXED SEMEN:

A TOOL TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

by Carson Anderson, University of Missouri graduate research assistant

Sex-sorted semen, or sexed semen, is a reproductive technology that allows producers to generate calves of a desired sex. Sexed semen is produced to contain either all X- or Y- chromosome-bearing sperm, with about 90% accuracy. While sexed semen has been readily used in the dairy industry, the beef industry has been slower to adopt this technology.

Sperm can be effectively sorted using a flow cytometrybased sorting procedure in which sperm is sorted based on DNA content between X- and Y- chromosome-bearing sperm. Sexed semen can also be produced using another method, in which eliminate sperm cells with the non-desired chromosome. Due to the sexing procedure and freezing of those sperm cells, sexed semen has a shorter lifespan. Because of this, sexed semen typically results in lower pregnancy rates to A.I. compared to conventional semen. Reductions in fertility can be greater when using sexed semen in fixedtime A.I. programs rather than performing A.I. based on detected estrus. Sexed semen will also cost more per unit than conventional semen—often $15-25 more depending on the sire used. A higher cost per unit for a lower pregnancy rate means a higher cost per pregnancy.

So why use sexed semen? Sexed semen provides the opportunity to either skew the sex ratio of the entire calf crop or selectively produce heifer or bull calves from specific planned matings within the herd. Sexed semen can allow a producer to produce elite animals to market as herd bulls or replacement heifers. However, there may be other benefits and costs you don’t immediately think of. For example, heifers could be inseminated with X-bearing sperm to produce heifer calves to further reduce incidence of calving difficulty in addition to using a calving-ease sire. Additionally, you may be able to capture a premium if selling lots of heifers with known-sex pregnancies. Depending on the scale of your operation, sexed semen may allow you to produce a certain quantity of quality steer calves and offer a more uniform set. The decision to use sexed semen depends on economics.

40

November 2020

Sexed semen may be a profitable opportunity when the cost is low enough and the value difference between calf sexes is large enough.

Sex-sorted semen is now available on more beef sires than ever before; however, not all bulls are good candidates for sexed semen. A bull’s sperm cells may be able to be collected and frozen successfully as conventional semen but unsuccessfully as sexed semen. Companies that offer sexed semen continually collect conception data from herds that use sexed semen in order to assess fertility and identify bulls that are underperforming. Identifying bulls with high and low fertility after sex-sorting is an exciting area for further research and will likely allow the expansion of beef bulls used for sexed semen in the future.

Due to the reduction of lifespan, some researchers have suggested that sex-sorted semen has increased sensitivity to the timing of insemination. It is critical that insemination be performed at the appropriate time in relation to ovulation.

Since cows do not tell us when they ovulate, we base timing of insemination upon when onset of estrus—standing heat behavior—was first observed. In fixed-time A.I. systems, however, cows either express estrus before the time of A.I. or do not. Cows that fail to express estrus prior to timed A.I. have particularly decreased pregnancy rates to A.I. when sexed semen is used, perhaps due to the reduced sperm lifespan and timing of ovulation not being optimally aligned. With this understanding, pregnancy rates to A.I. can be optimized by using sexed semen along among females that expressed prior to fixed-time A.I. Consider using an estrus detection aid (e.g., Estrotect breeding indicators) and restricting use of sex-sorted semen to only those with activated patches. Conventional semen could be used for the remainder of the animals.

Whether your goal is to quickly turn over females in the herd with superior genetics, produce elite animals to market as herd bulls or replacement heifers, or simply produce a greater quantity of quality feeder steers, sexed semen is a tool to have on your radar.

41

SHOW RESULTS

WESTERN NATIONAL BRANGUS SHOW RESULTS Texarkana, Arkansas

Grand Champion Female LR Ms Brooklyn 38G12 Lucherk Cattle, Falls City, Texas

Reserve Champion Female TCR Hit It Fergie 1214F1 Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas

Grand Champion Red Female KTS Ms Barbara 23H KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

Reserve Champion Red Female Ms MBJ-JM Gata 236G MBJ Ranch, Wharton, Texas

Grand Champion Ultra Female TCR Simone 634F Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas

Reserve Champion Ultra Female CT Ms Special Lady 814G Carlee Taylor, Lakeland, Florida

FEMALE DIVISIONS Junior Heifer Calf Champion: MP Miss Sweet Trophy 38H1, MP Brangus, Waco, Texas Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: SB MS Tank 10H2, Scamardo Brangus, Bryan, Texas Senior Heifer Calf Champion: ACC Golden Girl 25G5, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, Texas Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion: MP Miss Impress 767G6, MP Brangus, Waco, Texas Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: TCR Marilyn 302G2, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas Reserve Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: TCR Ravenna 302G3, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas Junior Champion Heifer: LR Ms Brooklyn 38G12, Lucherk Cattle, Falls City, Texas Reserve Junior Champion Heifer: Miss JLS Ruby 915G2, JLS International, Devine, Texas Senior Champion Heifer: TCR Hit It Fergie 1214F1, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas Reserve Senior Champion Heifer: DDD Girl Power 804F64, MP Brangus, Waco, Texas Red Junior Heifer Calf Champion: KTS Ms Barbara 23H, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas 42

November 2020

Red Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: KTS Ms Dixie 800H, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas Red Senior Heifer Calf Champion: KTS Ms Meathouse 124G, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas Red Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion: Sendero’s Gemini 424G2, TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, Texas Red Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: Ms MBJ-JM Gata 236G, MBJ Ranch, Wharton, Texas Red Reserve Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: Dos XX’s Miss Ruby Lynn, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, Texas Red Junior Champion Heifer: Miss JLS Reba 334G6, JLS International, Devine, Texas Red Reserve Junior Champion Heifer: CX Ms Legends Dream 71G, Villa Ranch, Brookshire, Texas Red Senior Champion Heifer: Dos XX’s T-N-T Twinkle, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, Texas Red Reserve Senior Champion Heifer: RBF Ms TNT 85F5, Tucker Burton, Bonham, Texas Ultra Junior Heifer Calf Champion: WC Miss Helene 378H, Wyman Creek Cattle, Summersville, Missouri Ultra Senior Heifer Calf Champion: TT Ms Basin Payweight 19G, Carlee Taylor, Lakeland, Florida Ultra Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion: WC Miss

SHOW RESULTS

WESTERN NATIONAL BRANGUS SHOW RESULTS Texarkana, Arkansas

Grand Champion Bull SB The Godfather 804G1 Scamardo Brangus, Bryan, Texas

Reserve Champion Bull Mr L Reload 157G2 Lucherk Cattle, Falls City, Texas

Grand Champion Red Bull KTS Mr Foundation 21F KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

Reserve Champion Red Bull TAJO Legends 101F4 Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, Texas

Grand Champion Ultra Bull OCR Fortune 487F Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, Texas

Reserve Champion Ultra Bull WC UB The Gangsta 910G2 Wyman Creek Cattle, Summersville, Missouri

Grace 188G, Wyman Creek Cattle, Summersville, Missouri Ultra Summer Champion Heifer: MCC Gypsy 1028G, Maxwell Cattle Company, Ponder, Texas Ultra Junior Champion Heifer: CT Ms Special Lady 814G, Carlee Taylor, Lakeland, Florida Ultra Reserve Junior Champion Heifer: CT Ms Ryleigh 137G, Carlee Taylor, Lakeland, Florida Ultra Senior Champion Heifer: TCR Simone 634F, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas Ultra Reserve Senior Champion Heifer: RBF Nexus 17F, Red Bud Farms, Ben Lomond, Arkansas BULL DIVISIONS Junior Bull Calf Champion: DDD High Note 150H8, MP Brangus, Waco, Texas Reserve Junior Bull Calf Champion: SB Crosscut 924H14, Scamardo Brangus, Bryan, Texas Senior Bull Calf Champion: PP Giorgio 915G20, Pack Ponderosa, Boyd, Texas Reserve Senior Bull Calf Champion: MP Mr Hydro 767G3, MP Brangus, Waco, Texas Summer Champion Bull: SF Mr George 63G, Chrisie Smith/Schwerin Farms, Gentry, Arkansas Reserve Summer Champion Bull: SKYHAWKS Onstar 820G5, Skyhawks Brangus, Tyler, Texas

Junior Champion Bull: SB The Godfather 804G1, Scamardo Brangus, Bryan, Texas Reserve Junior Champion Bull: Mr L Reload 157G2, Lucherk Cattle, Falls City, Texas Intermediate Senior Champion Bull: ACC Freedom 674F8, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, Texas Reserve Intermediate Senior Champion Bull: LB Mr Black Spade, Lettelier Brangus, Citra, Florida Senior Champion Bull: KL Mr Coal Mine 820F, K&L Brangus, La Vernia, Texas Red Senior Bull Calf Champion: Villa’s First Hombre 71G, Villa Ranch, Brookshire, Texas Red Reserve Senior Bull Calf Champion: Dos XX’s Dynamite’s Fusion, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, Texas Red Summer Champion Bull: CX Dreams Royalty 3G, Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, Texas Red Reserve Summer Champion Bull: Mr MBJ Guapo 124G2, MBJ Ranch, Wharton, Texas Red Junior Champion Bull: GRC George L 101G, Diamond M/Marcela Garza, New Waverly, Texas Red Reserve Junior Champion Bull: Mr MBJ Guapo 77G, MBJ Ranch, Wharton, Texas (continued on page 46)

43

SHOW RESULTS

WESTERN NATIONAL BRANGUS SHOW RESULTS Texarkana, Arkansas

Grand Champion Cow-Calf Pair CHAMP Ms Chanel Champions Valley Brangus, Schulenburg, Texas

Grand Champion Red Cow-Calf Pair CX Ms Dream Forever 59F1 Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, Texas

(continued from page 45)

Red Intermediate Senior Champion Bull: MCR Turbo 600/9, TRIO Cattle and Genetics, Mabank, Texas Red Senior Champion Bull: KTS Mr Foundation 21F, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas Red Reserve Senior Champion Bull: TAJO Legends 101F4, Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, Texas Ultra Junior Bull Calf Champion: CHAMP Mr Salty Dawg 17H, Champions Valley Brangus, Schulenburg, Texas Ultra Junior Champion Bull: WC UB The Gangsta 910G2,

Reserve Champion Red Cow-Calf Pair Marvel’s Kateri 813 Marvel Farms, High Springs, Florida

Wyman Creek Cattle, Summersville, Missouri Ultra Intermediate Senior Champion Bull: OCR Fortune 487F, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, Texas GROUPS Champion Produce of Dam: Schwerin Farms, Gentry, Arkansas Red Champion Junior Get of Sire: Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, Texas Red Champion Breeders Herd: Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, Texas

FRIENDS WE WILL MISS

FELTON L. COGGINS

Felton L. Coggins, 78, of Lake Park, Georgia passed away on Saturday, October 3, 2020, following a brief illness after a period of declining health. He was a lifelong resident of this area, born in Echols County on October 26, 1941 to the late James Perry Coggins and Willie Lee Rogers Coggins. He grew up on a dairy farm in Echols County and graduated from Lake Park High School in 1959. He went on to graduate from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) in the early 1960’s with a degree in agricultural business. He returned to work on the family farm and at Coggins Farm Supply until his retirement in 2013. He continued working with his sons until his health prevented him very recently.

He loved watching dirt track racing, taking care of his 44

November 2020

cows, helping the crew at Blackwater Cattle Company, and fishing with Patches, his trusty companion. He was a member of Enoch Creek Church and was a true man of faith who lived to show his love for Jesus and his fellow man. A man of high character who positively impacted everyone he crossed paths with.

Coggins is survived by his wife of 57 years, Barbara C. Coggins, of Echols County; son and daughter-in-law Kevin L. and Amy Coggins, of Lake Park; son and daughterin-law Mike and Penny Coggins, of Echols County; his grandchildren Kiep (fiancée Cora) Coggins of Echols County, Colby Warren of Valdosta, Brinson Coggins of Lake Park, Callie Warren of Lake Park, Kameron (Cody) Harwell of Echols County, James Michael Coggins, II of Echols County; a brother and sister-in-law Gerald and Sara Coggins, of Echols County; several nieces and nephews; and a special sister-in-law Pat Coggins Butler, of Echols County. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Edwin Coggins.

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Gary Sewell, Owner | 870-814-3041 Isaiah Dark, Ranch Manager | 318-475-2638 Craig Green, Sales Consultant | 870-834-1976 El Dorado, Arkansas 45

GENEPLUS

GENEPLUS

NEXT STEP THE

IN TRUSTED GENETICS

GENEPLUS

$50 Per Unit

$40 Per Unit

$40 Per Unit

$40 Per Unit CED BW 4.9 1.7

$40 Per Unit

WW 54

1%

YW 113

1%

M 4

TM 31

10%

$50 Per Unit

CEM 3.6

SC 1.26

4%

REA 0.61

15%

IMF 0.06

FT -0.033

$40 Per Unit

VOREL ABSTRACT 25E9

$40 Per Unit CED BW WW 6.3 -0.4 37

YW 80

M TM CEM SC REA 13 31 4.4 0.88 0.63

20%

10%

15% 10%

30%

15%

10%

15%

10%

IMF FT 0.11 -0.032 35%

SUHN’S SURGE 416G11

$40 Per Unit CED BW WW 5.8 0.1 38

30%

15%

YW 69

20%

M TM CEM SC 7 26 4.4 0.15 25%

10%

REA IMF FT 0.52 0.26 -0.045 20%

15%

35%

GENEPLUS

NEXT STEP THE

IN TRUSTED GENETICS

VOREL CURRENCY 25E8

CRC FUTURE FOCUS 21244D4

$40 Per Unit

$40 Per Unit

CRC UPGRADE 55D3

$40 Per Unit

CATTLEFAX TRENDS

Considerations

REPLACEMENT HEIFER

The IBBA is proud to bring you the CattleFax Trends Publication that is sponsored by Ritchie Industries. Look for this article each month in the Brangus Journal and Frontline Beef Producer. If you would like to learn more about CattleFax, please go to www.cattlefax.com.

It’s no secret that quality females set the foundation for a cow-calf operation to be successful and stay in business longterm. Considering cows represent half of the herd’s genetics and are caretakers for the main revenue stream each year, producers cannot be frugal when it comes to females. Just like most things in the cow-calf business, an operation has a wide array of options as far as what type of females to focus on and how to incorporate them into the herd. The environment and marketing goals for calves are likely the two main factors that dictate what cows work best and whether to purchase or raise replacements. Because there is so much variation between operations around the country, there is not a “one size fits all” answer. Nonetheless, the following discussion should at least be thought provoking and challenge producers to evaluate their cowherd.

The first question to answer is, does your herd have the optimal genetic base to retain females? If emphasis was placed on growth and terminal traits the last several years when selecting bulls, then raising your own females likely doesn’t make sense. Heifer calves probably wouldn’t carry the maternal strengths needed to wean off a heavy and healthy calf year after year. Fertility and longevity are the most important economic traits for a cowherd. Some operations purchase two different sets of bulls, with one group expected to excel in the terminal arena and the other more maternally driven. The latter group should service cows that have the genetic potential and performance history to raise replacements.

This strategy is not practical for everyone but should be considered if you desire to retain your own heifers.

Another question that needs answered when making decisions about the cowherd is whether it is feasible to expand?

Economies of scale play a big role in profitability for the cow-calf segment.

If a producer can add inventory and spread major 50

November 2020

costs, such as equipment and facilities, over more animal units, there’s a better chance of having improved margins.

Certainly, the ability to expand relies heavily on Mother Nature and available grazing resources. Also, there’s no doubt the last couple years have been challenging from a financial standpoint for those involved in the cow-calf business and expanding always comes with financial implications. As a result, each producer needs to analyze their own operation.

With weaning already completed, culling will soon be the next major activity. Even if the decision was made to stabilize the herd, replacements are still necessary to replenish the open, aging, and low performing cows that are culled. Now, let’s assume females are retained from within the herd rather than purchased. Because of where the industry is within the cattle cycle, and the large supply of heifer calves being offered, the spread between steers and heifers is historically wide. Since heifers are essentially undervalued compared to steers based on past data, does an operation use this as a reason to cull harder and keep more replacements this year? This strategy brings down the average age of the herd and should be viewed as a long-term investment. In theory, the younger genetics would be an upgrade. This also causes the herd to make faster genetic improvement compared to having the same turnover

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CATTLEFAX TRENDS rate every year. However, there is no way this approach is financially feasible for all operations, as income over the next 12 months would likely be modified. Cash flow this fall may not be significantly impacted because additional cull cows, with some potentially marketed as bred females, will offset at least some of the revenue lost from selling fewer heifer calves.

However, next fall’s income could be more severely altered because fewer calves will sell. While poorer quality cows may not wean calves as heavy as the higher quality cows, the offspring still generate revenue. Just like most things, there are pros and cons.

For an operation that currently retains its own replacements, or one that is considering it, there are costs associated with developing heifers, even though the initial purchase price is avoided. First off, heifers that are kept back should be valued, which also measures the opportunity cost at the time of weaning. Assuming the U.S. average 550-lb steer price is roughly $165/cwt this October, and heifers are at a 13% discount, equates to $143.50/cwt, or approximately $789/hd for females.

This example and the accompanying chart compare steer and heifer mates at the same weight, which is probably not realistic but provides a benchmark. Also, that price represents commodity calves, whereas replacement quality females would likely bring a premium. As a result, the heifer is valued at $900/hd. The total expenses line in the table combines other variable costs until the first calf is weaned in fall 2022. Then, that calf ’s value of $935/ hd is added back in, along with the salvage value of the heifer, to come up with a net loss of $390.

The scenario above proves how critical it is for first calf heifers to breed back. Otherwise, money was poured into a 52

November 2020

heifer for two years to ultimately lose nearly $400 because she was open. The calf revenue and salvage value will change depending on market fundamentals, and of course the costs will vary between operations. Taking it a step further to show what poor breed back does to the entire group, the second table calculates how the costs are spread out over the females that remain in the herd. For example, if only 82% of the replacement heifers are bred after their first calf, then approximately $85/hd is added to those still in production.

There is not a single solution to improve pregnancy rates for first calf heifers; however, genetics, nutrition, calving length and timing, impact this very important metric. Even if open or bred heifers are purchased, there is no guarantee the pregnancy rate will be higher.

Although, if females are bought from a reputable herd, managed correctly, and possess superior maternal genetics relative to your own herd, some improvement could be noted. One alternative is to purchase young, running-age cows that have proven themselves or continued to breed back each year. As it is with any competitive market, quality females demand a premium – making the decision tough for producers.

To raise sale-topping calves, it all starts with a quality cowherd. Producers have a couple of options to create a solid female foundation. This article is not intended to advocate for one strategy over the other, but it should provide things to consider when making the critical decision and methods to analyze what is best for your individual operation. High margin producers never forget that the most important economic trait is fertility or reproduction efficiency for a cowherd.

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SERVICE DIRECTORY

SALESummaries

2020 SOUTHEAST BRANGUS BREEDERS SHOWCASE FEMALE SALE BRUNDIDGE, ALABAM | SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 Gross Average Lots 2 3-N-1s $4,700 $2,350 12 bred cows $32,796 $2,733 22 bred heifers $70,840 $3,220 1 donor $2,900 $2,900 3 flushes $48,000 $16,000 2 herd sires $6,000 $3,000 6 open heifers $31,098 $5,183 6 pairs $17,598 $2,933 54 total lots $213,950 $3,962 Highest selling 3-N-1 was for $3,100 sold by JRT Brangus, JRT Ms Atlanta 237E5, to Keely Marrs of Marrs Farms.

Highest selling bred cow was for $5,400 sold by Holley Farms, HF Ms Bocefus 468E28, to Derrick Miller of The Branch Ranch.

Highest selling bred heifer was for $7,000 sold by Draggin’ M Ranch, Ms DMR Empire 795G17, to Jim Fenton of Fenco Farms.

Highest selling donor was for $2,900 sold by Whitley Cattle Company, MS DMR Coronado 331C3, to Lee Johnson of RL Johnson Farms, LLC. Highest selling flush was for $20,000 sold by Draggin’ M Ranch to Johnston Brangus and Double W Ranch.

Highest selling herd sire was for $3,500 sold by Marshall Farms, MGB Capital Gain 2386F2, to Tanner Shepherd of Shepherd Farms.

Highest selling open heifer was for 14,500 sold by Vanna Farms, VF Miss Crossfit 468F12, to Gene Cleckler.

Highest selling pair was for $3,500 sold by Lazy One Farm, Miss LOF 307, to David Bowman of Big B Farms.

Volume buyers were Melissa Nichols and Carolyn Harrell, each purchasing four lots.

Great job and job well done by all the consignors!

Hats off.

GOBRANGUS.COM

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November 2020

STATE DIRECTORY

ALABAMA — ARIZONA — ARKANSAS — CALIFORNIA — FLORIDA

GALLOWAY BRANGUS BRANGUS SINCE 1978

LARRY

cell 256-603-1945 gallowaybrangus@comcast.net

LANCE

cell 256-924-5571 gallowaybrangus@gmail.com

Farm located at Gallant, AL 35972

Big D Ranch Phillip & Beth DeSalvo 173 Miller Lane Center Ridge, AR 72027 (501) 208-6119 www.BigDRanch.net

Brangus & Ultrablack Bulls Available Now at the Ranch and the fall Brangus & angus InvItatIonal Bull sale

Sat., September 26, 2020

Tulare Co. Stockyard, Dinuba, California bull Photos anD matings: www.spanishranch.net Follow Us on Instagram @spanishranchcuyama

SPANISH RANCH Brangus and Ultrablack Cattle

THD ©

Daniel & Pamela Doiron l 805-245-0434 Cell doiron@spanishranch.net l www.spanishranch.net

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 55

STATE DIRECTORY

FLORIDA — GEORGIA — KANSAS — LOUISIANA — MISSISSIPPI — MISSOURI

Brangus & Charolais CATTLE FOR SALE

L.G. Herndon, Jr. “Bo”, owner

Sky Herndon, manager

bo@vidaliasfinest.com

sky@vidaliasfinest.com

912/293-1316

912/245-0428

lgherndonjrfarms.com

David Wood Magnolia, MS 713-539-5715

dwood@woodcorporation.com

CDPBrangus.com

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 56

November 2020

STATE DIRECTORY

MISSOURI — NEW MEXICO — NORTH CAROLINA — OKLAHOMA — TEXAS

Commercial & Registered

Isaias Castillo 903-806-4711 icastillo903@yahoo.com Daniel Castillo 903-452-1052 castillotrucking903@yahoo.com

f

JOE & MELANIE FULLER - BEN & TRISH FULLER 14148 N State Highway 16, Willow City, TX 78675 C. 979-255-7747 E. jw.fuller@yahoo.com

REGISTERED & COMMERCIAL BRANGUS

Mike & Lisa Doguet, Owners Beaumont Ranch McCoy & Poteet Ranches (409) 866-8873 Records (210) 269-3220 Regan Elmore (210) 834-0034 Timmy Lucherk, Genetics Manager (210) 834-1247 Where Performance Meets Style!

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 57

STATE DIRECTORY

TEXAS Drake Land & Cattle 398 Drake Road Quanah, Texas 79252

Cell: (832) 331-2527 Ranch: (940) 663-6143 drakeranch398@gmail.com www.drakeranch.com

est. 1924 Quanah, Texas

Registered Red Brangus & Ultrareds show heifers, herd sires, and replacements available Megan (713) 492-6158 John (281) 740-0572 greenwoodcattleco@yahoo.com

J

ackson family brangus

JODI & DAVID JACKSON 3099 Horseshoe Bend Waco, Texas 76708 Jodi cell: 254.722.9138

jodiatbentwood@sbcglobal.net

JLS International, Inc. Where winning tradition and performance collide Brangus bulls and heifers available year-round at private treaty.

www.jlsbrangus.com Jeff Smith, Owner Myron Saathoff myronsaathoff@yahoo.com

251-947-5688 210-218-4804

MIKE SHELTON C: 713.560.8333 Colita Loop, Colita, TX 77351 www.brangusprofit.com Registered Brangus and Ultrablack Cattle

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces MikeShelton-DirectoryCard.indd 1

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 58

November 2020

10/19/17 7:32 AM

TEXAS

STATE DIRECTORY

RIO RANCH

Registered Brahman, Charolais and Brangus Raul Montez 832-331-6800 jraulmontez@ymail.com 39606 FM 1736 Hempstead, TX 77445 RIORANCHTX.COM

Randy Schmidt 903.278.7777

Richard Norris 903.276.1804

Schmidt Farms BRANGUS & ULTRABLACK

Garrett Hinds 417-880-2839

ZR

Zottarelli Ranches Angelo Zottarelli 2156 FM 2414 Evant, Texas 76525

www.zottarelliranches.com

REGISTERED & COMMERCIAL CATTLE Mailing Address PO Box 400 Evant, TX 76525

254-471-5675 Ranch 512-422-3123 Mobile zrbrangus@sbcglobal.net

Contact Melanie Fuller at mfuller@gobrangus.com or 979.255.3343 for advertising spaces

FIND A BREEDER NEAR YOU VISIT US AT G O B R A N G U S . CO M / B R E E D E R -S E A R C H 59

CALENDAR NOVEMBER 1 Entry and Ownership Deadline for National Show of Merit, Fort Worth, Texas 1 Late Entry Deadline for Southern Classic Regional Brangus Points Show, Fanning Springs, Florida 2 Entry Deadline for Arizona National Livestock Show, Phoenix, Arizona 6 GENEPLUS at Chimney Rock – Chimney Rock Challenge Pen Show, Concord, Arkansas 7 GENEPLUS at Chimney Rock Registered Brangus & Ultrablack Bull and Commercial Female Production Sale, Concord, Arkansas 7 Tanner Farms Pasture Performance-Tested Bull Sale, Shuqualak, Mississippi 7 Brands of Recognition Bull Sale, Columbia, Tennessee 10-15 Santa Rosa "Making the Best Breed Better" Sale, Hosted by Smart Auctions 10 Ad Reservation Deadline for December Brangus Journal 13 Briggs Ranches Bull Sale, Bloomington, Texas 13 Salacoa Valley Farms at the Briggs Bull Sale, Bloomington, Texas 13-14 Blackwater Genomic Extravaganza, Lake Park, Georgia 13-15 National Show of Merit National Brangus Points Show, Fort Worth, Texas *new location 14 Hill Country Brangus Breeders Association 45th Annual Brangus Bull & Female Sale, San Angelo, Texas 20 Entry Deadline for Cattlemen's Congress, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 20-21 Cavender-Draggin’ M and Partners Registered Brangus Bull and Female Sale, Jacksonville, Texas 60

November 2020

20-21 Salacoa Valley Farms Bull & Female Sale, Fairmount, Georgia 21-22 Southern Classic Regional Brangus Show, Fanning Springs, Florida 23 The Best of Brangus Online Semen Sale, Hosted by Smart Auctions 26-27 IBBA Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday DECEMBER 1 Deadline to Reserve Spot in 2021 Brangus Sire Directory 4 Entry Deadline for Florida State Fair National Brangus Points Show, Tampa, Florida 5 Southeast Brangus Breeders Association Bull Sale, Uniontown, Alabama 10 Ad Reservation Deadline for January Brangus Journal 24-25 IBBA Office Closed for Chirstmas Holiday 27-29 Arizona National Livestock Show Alex Dees Brangus Show, Phoenix, Arizona 31 IBBA Office Closed for New Years Holiday JANUARY 1 IBBA Office Closed for New Years Holiday 10 Ad Reservation Deadline for Spring Frontline 10-14 Cattlemen's Congress & IBBA Annual Membership Meeting, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 11 Late Entry Deadline for Florida State Fair National Brangus Points Show, Tampa, Florida 15-16 Southeast Brangus Breeders Association Board of Directors Meeting, Dahlonega, Georgia FEBRUARY 11 Florida State Fair National Brangus Points Show, Tampa, Florida

ADVERTISING INDEX ALABAMA Far Niente Farms ........................................55 Galloway Brangus ......................................55 Johnston Brangus .....................................55 Lake Majestik..............................................55 Quail Valley Farms......................................53 Saddle Hill Cattle Company.................. 32-33 Southeast Brangus Breeders......................55 TTT Brangus Farm........................................55 ARIZONA Carter Brangus ...........................................55 Parker Brangus...........................................55 ARKANSAS Big D Ranch ...............................................55 Chimney Rock Cattle Co. ............................55 Don Hall Brangus ......................................55 Draggin M Ranch ........................... 13-16, 55 Giffin Farms................................................55 Jacksons Double J......................................55 Mobley, Luke..............................................54 Pope Farms Brangus...................................55 Red Bud Farms...........................................55 Sewell Cattle...............................................45 CALIFORNIA Spanish Ranch............................................55 FLORIDA Fenco Farms....................................41, 53, 55 Hardee Farms ............................................56 Phillips Ranch.............................................56 W.E.T. Farms................................................56 Wynne Ranch.............................................56 GEORGIA Blackwater Cattle Co. ..................... 32-33, 56 Burke Brangus Farm ..................................56 Char-No Farm .............................................56 Greuel Family Brangus ..............................56 L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms, Inc. ......................56 Salacoa Valley Farms...................... 20-21, 56 The Oaks Farms...........................................41 IOWA Ritchie Industries........................................51 KANSAS Suhn Cattle Co ...........................................56

LOUISIANA Bushley Creek Cattle Co. ............................56 Cross N Farms ............................................56 McDaniel Brangus......................................25 MidSouth Cattle Company.....................9, 56 Neal Ranch................................................... 9 The Branch Ranch.......................................56 MISSISSIPPI 5K Cowbelle Brangus ................................56 Double W Ranch ........................................56 T3 Brangus..................................................56 MISSOURI Don Thomas & Sons ...................................57 GENEPLUS............................................ 46-49 Valley View Ranch.......................................57 Vitaferm......................................................62 NEW MEXICO Bobby and Bobbie Brangus .......................57 Brinks Brangus @ Westall Ranches ............57 NORTH CAROLINA L&W Cattle..................................................57 Peterson Brangus.......................................57 OHIO SmartAuctions........................................3, 19 OKLAHOMA Amrich Ranch ............................................57 Dotson, Wes................................................54 K & R Broken Bar Ranch .............................57 Lawman Ranch...........................................57 Perry Ranch.................................................57 Vorel Farms.................................................57 TEXAS American Marketing Services ........................ ..................................... 21, 32-33, 37, 41, 53 Bovine Elite, LLC .........................................54 C&C Brangus..............................................57 Cavender Ranches ......................... 13-16, 57 Cavender-Draggin’ M and Partners...... 13-16 Clark Cattle Services ...................................54 Cox Excalibur Brangus ...............................57 Cross F Cattle.................................. 32-33, 57 Diamond K Ranch ......................................57 Doguet Diamond D Ranch .........................57 Double Creek Brangus Ranch ....................57

Drake Land & Cattle ...................................58 E3 Ranch, LLC .............................................58 Elgin Breeding Services, LLC ................29, 54 Farris Ranching Company ..........................58 G Bar Brangus.............................................58 Gardner Cattle Co........................................58 Garry Clem Brangus ...................................58 Genesis Ranch .....................................37, 58 GKB Cattle ..................................................58 Greenwood Cattle Co. ................................58 Hi Point Sales + Marketing ............ IFC, 9, 19 Ideal Video........................................... 13-16 Indian Hills Ranch .....................................58 Jackson Family Brangus.............................58 JLS International ........................................58 K & L Brangus .............................................58 L Ray Ranch................................................ IFC Lambert, Doak............................................54 Mound Creek Ranch...................................58 MP Brangus..........................................58, BC Oak Creek Farms.........................................58 Oakley, Lakin..............................................54 OK Farms....................................................58 Old Colita Ranch.........................................58 Pennridge Ranch........................................59 Rafter 2 Ranch............................................59 Reagan, Terry..............................................54 Rio Ranch....................................................59 Roop Cattle Co. ..........................................59 Santa Rosa Ranch...................................3, 59 Scamardo Brangus..............................59, IBC Schmidt Farms............................................59 Star G Ranch...............................................59 Starwood Ranch..........................................59 Tajo Ranch..................................................59 Texas Brangus Breeders Association...........19 Trio Cattle & Genetics..................................59 Triple Crown Ranch.....................................59 Triple JR Cattle Co.......................................59 Tuna Rosa Ranch.....................................5, 59 Turner Brangus Farm..................................59 Vineyard Cattle Co......................................59 Williams Ranch Co................................18, 59 Zottarelli Ranches.......................................59

ABOUT THE BRANGUS JOURNAL The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) is proud to offer its members and industry affiliates the opportunity to promote themselves through Brangus Publications, Inc.’s (BPI) print and digital mediums. IBBA’s printed publications are produced by BPI and are distributed to a mailing list, comprised of addresses in Australia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Philippines, Thailand, and the United States; with a circulation of approximately 2,000.

The Brangus Journal (ISSN 0006-9132) is published by Brangus Publications, Inc. (BPI), 8870 US Highway 87 East, San Antonio, Texas 78263, monthly except February, June, July, and September. Periodicals postage paid at San Antonio, Texas and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: send address change to Brangus Publications Inc., P.O. Box 809, Adkins, Texas 78101.

The Brangus Journal is the official publication of the International Brangus® Breeders Association (IBBA). The Brangus Journal is published eight times annually, the purpose of the Brangus Journal is to serve the best interest of IBBA members by showcasing breeding programs, efforts, and achievements to other Brangus® seedstock producers. Lastly, the Brangus Journal serves as an outlet for the IBBA to provide updates by directly communicating with the membership. The claims made by advertisers in this publication are not verified by BPI or the IBBA. For subscriptions, contact Lori Edwards, ledwards@gobrangus.com, or 210.696.8231. Domestic periodicals (one year) $25; first class $55; foreign periodicals (one year) $25; air mail to Canada or Mexico $70; air mail to other countries $115.

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