FEATURE ARTICLE
Goode
LEADING FOR THE GREATER by Mollie Dreibrodt
P
assionate. Enthusiastic. Intelligent. Visionary. These are all words that have been used to describe Allen Goode, the newly elected International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) president. And while he is now well-known and respected throughout the Brangus breed globally, his roots in agriculture actually began outside of Brangus. A SOUTH TEXAS UPBRINGING “I grew up in San Benito, Texas, actively involved in 4-H and FFA,” Goode said. “I showed steers, heifers, and hogs and was active in leadership roles in both organizations.” This upbringing, rooted in a community and organizations that fostered an understanding of and appreciation for agriculture at a young age, ultimately led Goode to Texas A&M University on a scholarship from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. At Texas A&M, Goode received his bachelor’s in animal science. As an undergraduate student, he was active in the Saddle & Sirloin organization, serving as chairman of the Saddle & Sirloin Futurity for two years and winning Champion Beef Cattle Showman at the Little Southwestern – a tradition of the Texas A&M Animal Science Department. In addition to his leadership and involvement in Saddle & Sirloin, Goode was also a member of the livestock judging team. In fact, it was through relationships he established as a member of the judging team – and a shared appreciation for a Red Brangus heifer named Daphne – that led Goode to the Brangus breed. THE FORMATION, EVOLUTION, AND EXPANSION OF TRIO CATTLE In 2004, Goode, alongside his life partner Scott Whittall, fellow judging team member Cheramie Viator, and friends Damon and Jill Acord, formed TRIO Cattle with the
purchase of their foundation female, Dos XX’s Miss Maria 112/4, otherwise known as Daphne, named by the Acord’s daughter, Allie. “Early on, we recognized the importance that Brangus and Red Brangus cattle could bring to the beef industry. And we realized the opportunity for us to have a positive influence, specifically in Red Brangus,” Goode said. “With the 112/4 female as our foundation, we set out to bring a new perspective to the Red Brangus breed. Our goal was and still is to produce seedstock and genetics that combine quality phenotype with true genetic performance.” For Goode, the desire to become elite emphasized the need to learn as much as he could from as many breeders around the world as possible. He has seized every chance through the IBBA, International Red Brangus Breeders Association (IRBBA), and other Brangus breed events and activities to do just that. “Attending the last five World Brangus Congress events has introduced me to Brangus breeders from across the globe,” he said. “I quickly learned how much opportunity existed for expanding Red Brangus and Brangus genetics internationally and the importance, impact and performance that these cattle have beyond the U.S.” Over the years and generations of cattle, TRIO has vastly expanded its genetic footprint – and breed impact – around the Brangus world. So far, TRIO genetics have been exported to four continents and 12 countries. Foundation cattle in the herd, like 112/4, III Miss Fancy 175/4, Lazy 3 Statesman 100S, and CX Tanque 23/T led to the production of internationally renowned genetic contributors, including TRIO’s Yucatan 175Y, TRIO’s Wildfire 175W, TRIO’s ER Zamy 175Z2, SJCC TRIO’s CEO 175C5, TRIO’s ER Cortez 175C6, and TRIO’s Aristotle 175A, just to name a few. To date, TRIO Cattle has claimed 10 IBBA National
“THE IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS COLLECTIVELY WORKING FOR THE SUCCESS OF EVERY MEMBER AND BREEDER. THERE ARE NO INDIVIDUAL AGENDAS, AND OUR SHARED INTEREST IS WHAT DRIVES US TO PROMOTE OUR BREED AND GROW OUR MEMBERSHIP.” -ALLEN GOODE, IBBA PRESIDENT
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March 2021
