LEADING FOR THE GREATER GOODE

by Mollie Dreibrodt

Passionate. Enthusiastic. Intelligent. Visionary. purchase of their foundation female, Dos XX’s Miss Maria These are all words that have been used to describe 112/4, otherwise known as Daphne, named by the Acord’s Allen Goode, the newly elected International Brangus daughter, Allie. Breeders Association (IBBA) president. “Early on, we recognized the importance that Brangus

And while he is now well-known and respected and Red Brangus cattle could bring to the beef industry. throughout the Brangus breed globally, his roots in agriculture And we realized the opportunity for us to have a positive actually began outside of Brangus. influence, specifically in Red Brangus,” Goode said. “With A SOUTH TEXAS UPBRINGING the 112/4 female as our foundation, we set out to bring a new

“I grew up in San Benito, Texas, actively involved in 4-H perspective to the Red Brangus breed. Our goal was and still and FFA,” Goode said. “I showed steers, heifers, and hogs and is to produce seedstock and genetics that combine quality was active in leadership roles in both organizations.” phenotype with true genetic performance.” This upbringing, rooted in a For Goode, the desire to community and organizations that fostered “THE IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS become elite emphasized the need to learn as much an understanding of and appreciation for agriculture COLLECTIVELY WORKING FOR THE as he could from as many breeders around the world as at a young age, ultimately led Goode to Texas A&M University on a scholarship SUCCESS OF EVERY MEMBER AND BREEDER. THERE ARE NO INDIVIDUAL possible. He has seized every chance through the IBBA, International Red Brangus from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. AGENDAS, AND OUR SHARED INTEREST Breeders Association (IRBBA), and other Brangus breed events At Texas A&M, Goode received his bachelor’s in animal science. As an IS WHAT DRIVES US TO PROMOTE OUR BREED AND GROW OUR MEMBERSHIP.” and activities to do just that. “Attending the last five World Brangus Congress events undergraduate student, he was active in the Saddle & -ALLEN GOODE, IBBA PRESIDENT has introduced me to Brangus breeders from across the globe,” Sirloin organization, serving he said. “I quickly learned how as chairman of the Saddle & Sirloin Futurity for two years much opportunity existed for expanding Red Brangus and and winning Champion Beef Cattle Showman at the Little Brangus genetics internationally and the importance, impact Southwestern – a tradition of the Texas A&M Animal Science and performance that these cattle have beyond the U.S.” Department. In addition to his leadership and involvement in Over the years and generations of cattle, TRIO has vastly Saddle & Sirloin, Goode was also a member of the livestock expanded its genetic footprint – and breed impact – around judging team. the Brangus world. So far, TRIO genetics have been exported

In fact, it was through relationships he established as a to four continents and 12 countries. member of the judging team – and a shared appreciation for Foundation cattle in the herd, like 112/4, III Miss Fancy a Red Brangus heifer named Daphne – that led Goode to the 175/4, Lazy 3 Statesman 100S, and CX Tanque 23/T led Brangus breed. to the production of internationally renowned genetic THE FORMATION, EVOLUTION, AND EXPANSION contributors, including TRIO’s Yucatan 175Y, TRIO’s OF TRIO CATTLE Wildfire 175W, TRIO’s ER Zamy 175Z2, SJCC TRIO’s

In 2004, Goode, alongside his life partner Scott Whittall, CEO 175C5, TRIO’s ER Cortez 175C6, and TRIO’s fellow judging team member Cheramie Viator, and friends Aristotle 175A, just to name a few. Damon and Jill Acord, formed TRIO Cattle with the To date, TRIO Cattle has claimed 10 IBBA National

Grand Champion titles, eight IBBA Reserve National Grand Champion titles, four Show Heifer and Show Bull of the Year awards, and five Show Dam and Show Sire of the year awards. This success is due in large to “Team TRIO,” the partners and extended family who have contributed over the years to developing TRIO Cattle to reach to their full genetic potential. Jessica Maxwell in Ponder, Texas, has been an instrumental member of this team through her involvement in and management of the program.

As his cattle operation has grown, Goode’s involvement in the industry has also expanded through leadership in the IBBA, the IRBBA, as well as memberships in the Texas Brangus Breeders Association (TBBA) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA).

He has been a member of the IRBBA Board of Directors since 2007 and a vice president since 2017, serving on the IRBBA Marketing and Scholarship Committees. He also serves on the board for the IRBBA Memorial Scholarship Foundation.

“As I became more involved in the IRBBA it was right around the time that the organization was becoming more integrated with IBBA,” Goode said. “I wholeheartedly believed that joining forces would give both organizations and breeds, more opportunity for expansion and growth and I wanted to be involved in this.”

This desire for involvement and engagement led to Goode’s active participation in the IBBA over the last seven years. He has served as chairman of the Show Committee and the International Committee, as a member of the Long Range Strategic Planning Committee and has represented IBBA as a delegate to FIBRA (Federation of International Brangus Associations). He has also been a member of the Membership and Education and Breed Improvement Committees.

Since 2018, Goode has served on the IBBA Board of Directors and he is proud of the unique perspective he brings to the board and association.

“My involvement and business in the breed represents some aspects of the broader Brangus breed that are typically less represented on the national level,” said Goode. “I think this unique perspective allows the IBBA to truly do what it is intended to – serve the greater good of Brangus breeders everywhere.”

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Now, as he steps into the role of IBBA president, service – and the bigger picture – are at the root of his leadership style.

“A key role of being a leader is the ability to facilitate thoughts and ideas and collaborate to develop solutions for challenges and issues that will arise,” said Goode. “We, the IBBA, have a shared vision, identified through our Long Range Strategic Plan, and the most important objective of my tenure as president will be to facilitate the implementation and execution of this wide reaching plan.”

Short term, there are challenges and immediate opportunities that rise to the top of Goode’s to-do list for the association.

“First, we need to continue to address the development and rollout of Regstr,” he said. “This has been a frustration for all members, myself, the board and staff alike for some time. We have a process and committee in place now that have identified the priorities and set the timeline for the major components of the program to be fully launched. The board is working closely to support our executive vice president and staff. Members should be confident that we will continue to build and improve our programs, tools, and processes for the benefit of them. Programs like Regstr continuously evolve and improve. Once fully launched, Regstr is going to be an asset to the IBBA in many ways, for our members and associations across the Brangus world.”

Also of vital importance, Goode wants to reinvigorate member enthusiasm and optimism, which he believes will, in turn, increase registrations and demand for Brangus, Red Brangus, and Ultra genetics in all aspects of the beef cattle industry globally.

“Beef is in high demand, and growing. Brangus are the optimum choice for an American beef breed,” Goode said. “Our females are fertile, have longevity, and are the ultimate mothers. Our bulls have all of the traits needed by cattlemen and are siring the types of calves that will perform in the feedyard and provide the beef product that consumers want.” This shared belief in the value of the Brangus breed will guide all decisions under his helm.

“The IBBA Board of Directors is collectively working for the success of every member and breeder,” Goode said. “There are no individual agendas and our shared interest is what drives us to promote our breed and grow our membership. The greater good is truly our mantra.”

Along the way, he hopes to pay forward the knowledge, support, and mentorship he has received from the breeders and educators who have inspired him.

“My involvement in our great breed has given me relationships of a lifetime from all over the world,” Goode said. “I have immense respect and admiration for the cattlemen and cattlewomen who I have had the privilege to work side-by-side with – in pastures and in our associations. They have taught me so much about cattle as living genetic creatures, our industry as vital to the global economy, and the value of lifelong relationships. The honor of serving as president is an opportunity to continue to learn from and serve my fellow IBBA members and Brangus breeders around the world.”

“Allen, in addition to being a great friend, represents our brand and is a fundamental part of Brangus genetics development, with more than 15 years of experience producing truly outstanding Brangus cattle. He is passionate about the breed, his virtues, and is a worldwide promoter of Brangus cattle.” – Victor DeLeon, Mexico “From observation and working with Allen in the past on the IBBA Board of Directors and Long Range Planning Committee, he is always very passionate, dedicated, and enthusiastic about what he does. It is apparent that he has a great desire to make all aspects of the breed better and keeps an open mind to the improvement of all IBBA programs for the betterment of the breed. I appreciate his ability to communicate with membership and look forward to serving on the board under his leadership in 2021.” – Vernon Suhn, Suhn Cattle Co., Eureka, Kansas

“Allen’s passion for Brangus cattle is incredible. He loves to travel, both domestically and internationally, to promote our breed. Domestically, he understands that we have to continue to strengthen our performance and genomic database, grow relationships with those who can help increase Brangusinfluenced feeder calf value, and at the same time build our leadership base for the future of IBBA. Internationally, he has first-hand experience with customers and knows there are big opportunities for IBBA members. He is willing to listen to breeders of all sizes and sees the Brangus breed as one, irrelevant of hide color. All of this combined will lend to his success as IBBA president. I look forward to him helping strengthen our association, membership, and breed.” – Cheramie Viator, National Marketing Manager, Westway Feed Products and Owner, Lazy 3 Cattle

“Allen is the Brangus man across the world. Promoting and showing some of the finest cattle I have seen, he is an excellent breeder. I had the opportunity to do business with him a few times, and he’s a professional pleasure to work with every time.” – Ignacio Llano, Paraguay “Allen Goode embodies the very best of what the seedstock industry can be. Intelligent, thoughtful, professional, and honest – the Brangus community, in the U.S. and worldwide, is blessed to have him at the point of the arrow.” – PJ Budler, International Business Manager, Trans Ova Genetics