IBBA SEEKS BREEDER AWARD NOMINATIONS

Each year, the IBBA awards three distinguished awards: Breeder of the Year, Pioneer of the Year, and Commercial Producer of the Year. Nominations for the 2021 year are being sought, with a deadline of

December 15. To nominate a fellow breeder, nominations should include name, award for nomination, and a brief summary of why the nominee should receive the award. Nominations can be sent to IBBA awards chairman, Shiloh Hall, at shiloh518@yahoo.com. Awards seeking nominations: • BREEDER OF THE YEAR: The Breeder of the Year recipient is a current member of the IBBA deserving of recognition for his/her successes and advancements made utilizing and promoting Brangus purebred cattle. • PIONEER OF THE YEAR: The Pioneer Award recognizes an IBBA member, past or present, for his/her service, loyalty, and contributions to the Brangus Breed • COMMERCIAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR: The Commercial Producer of the Year award highlights a commercial producers achievement incorporating Brangus genetics into their breeding program. For more information, contact IBBA director of membership, Mandie Sadovsky at msadovsky@gobrangus.com, or IBBA awards chairman, Shiloh Hall at shiloh518@yahoo.com.

CAVENDER RANCHES 2020 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

From humble beginnings to a southern household name, the Cavender family has seen decades of success in their family-owned business, Cavender’s Western Store. But behind the boots and hats of the retail store, Joe and Nancy

Cavender have a passion for raising good Brangus cattle. For many years, the Cavenders ran Brangus commercial cattle and only began the purebred business to support the operations bull needs. But, by 2005, the registered herd had grown large enough to host their first bull sale. Today, Cavender Ranches is the sixth largest Brangus breeder by registered numbers in the breed and the second largest embryo transfer breeder. “We’re just trying to be the best at what we do. We’re trying to get better year after year and see progress in our genetics from one production sale to the next. We have a true commitment to making this breed better,” says Joe Cavender.

VOREL FARMS 2016 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Mike Vorel and wife, Robin, own and operate Vorel Farms in central Oklahoma, named the association’s 2016 Breeder of the Year. Vorel began raising commercial cattle, but soon transitioned into the seedstock business, retaining his commercial females as recipients. Through the utilization of DNA testing, parent verification, data collection, and extensive A.I., the Vorels have strived to make their Brangus and Ultrablack cattle predictable and consistent in their makeup, adding value to not only their own operation, but ultimately, their customers. The Vorels are blessed to live on a farm that’s been in the family for over 100 years, a place that has seen multiple species of agriculture production. With four children and 12 grandchildren, the Vorels hope the family ranching heritage will prosper.

2020 PIONEER OF THE YEAR

Doug Williams owns and operates L&W Cattle Co. in Mocksville, North Carolina alongside his wife, Glenda, and family. From a young age, Williams began managing Angus and Charolais cow herds in Georgia. In 1988, Williams found an entry into the Brangus breed when he began managing the Cow Creek Ranch in North Carolina, earning the IBBA Herdsman of the Year Award in 1993. Together, with his fried Jim Latham, they formed L&W Cattle in 1990. The majority of their stock are marketed to cattlemen in the Southeast, namely Alabama and Florida. Though private treat is their standard, cattle are frequently consigned to Brangus sales. “I’ve been involved in the management of many breeds - Angus, Charolais, and even a few Simmental,” he recalls. “But the Brangus cow just does the best job in this part of the country,” says Williams.

SCHMIDT FARMS

2018 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Dr. Randy and Karen Schmidt, Schmidt Farms, of Texarkana, Texas, purchased their first registered Brangus bull in 1995, and purchased their first registered female in 1999, which served as the gateway to a passion that has driven their operation for over 20 years. Understanding the growing pains faced by breeders entering the purebred business, in the early years Schmidt marketed bulls by private treaty. As growth allowed, they hosted a bull sale at the ranch in 2004, and did so for two years. As the program developed, the Schmidts had the opportunity to be a founding partner in the GENETRUST alliance and was an integral part in its decade of success. Most recently, the Schmidts joined four close friends in founding the next generation marketing alliance, GENEPLUS. “It is always an honor and humbling to be recognized by your peers for a job well done,” comments Schmidt.

BAR G RANCH

2020 COMMERCIAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Brent and Sandra Gundy, of Bar G Ranch in Walker, Missouri run approximately 700 cows on several thousand acres, around 90 miles due south of Kansas City. Their primary income revolves around the sale of source-verified, backgrounded steers to the Joplin Regional Stockyards. They also have begun to find a niche in selling developed replacement heifers and first-calf pairs by private treaty on the farm. Over the years, the Gundys have retained ownership on hundreds of cattle through to the feedyard, seeing great success in the carcass quality of their Brangus-influenced fat steers. Data from several pens of cattle sourced from the Bar G operation showed cattle grading 95100% Choice grade, or better. “We have really tried to build up our reputation with our feeder cattle,” prides Gundy. “We want buyers to know that the cattle we bring to the sale barn are healthy, honest, and will perform well in their feedyard,” says Brent Gundy.

FARRIS RANCHING CO. 2015 BREEDER OF THE YEAR

Danny and Mary Beth Farris, of Tuscola, Texas got their start in the Brangus business in 1984. At the time, Farris has began working for the Clark family of Escoba Cattle Co. The Clark family eventually sold their cows, and in 1996, Farris Ranching Co. began on leased land, borrowed money, and a lot of hope and prayer. The Farris’ have had success through determination, resourcefulness, hard work, and by building a tremendous customer base of ranches who depend on Farris bulls and females to be as honest as the folks who raised them. The Farris family can say their livelihood depends upon ranching and Brangus cattle. When the award was presented, Danny was serving on the IBBA Board of Directors, and on the committee that selected the Breeder of the Year. The committee collectively decided to give the award to the Farris’, and told Danny a different breeders had won the award. At the awards banquet a couple months after the award had been “decided,” the Farris family was in shock to find the committee had told a white lie and the award recipient was themselves. “To this day, I’m still just as honored as I was that day to be recognized with so many breed leaders,” reports Danny Farris.

SALESummaries

GENEPLUS AT CHIMNEY ROCK CATTLE COMPANY CONCORD, ARKANSAS | NOVEMBER 5-6, 2021

A perfect fall weekend combined with great camaraderie, genuine fellowship, and southern hospitality filled the iconic Chimney Rock facility as bidders and buyers were greeted with an exceptional set of Brangus and Ultrablack cattle. With cattle traveling from Florida and the Carolinas to Oregon and Mexico, North America was well represented in Concord, Arkansas, in person and online. Headlined by a fantastic registered female event Friday night, November 5, followed by rapid fire bull and commercial female sale on Saturday, November 6, high sellers for the weekend were as follows.

Registered Female Highlights – Friday, November 5th

Lot 1 – A proven herd sire, Vorel Abstract 25E9, from Suhn Cattle Company commanded a final bid of $40,000 for 2/3 interest and full possession from Sunshine Acres, Trussville, Alabama, 3G Cattle, Dongola, Illinois and CJC Farms, Quebeck, Tennessee.

Lot 9 – A phenotypic gem, and the female chosen as the special “Lot 2 Pick of the Female Sale,” Suhn’s Ms Tradition 30F18 from Suhn Cattle Company was selected at $30,000 by Fenco Farms, Floral City, Florida.

Lot 87 – An elite carcass and performance source from Suhn Cattle Company, Suhn’s Ms Trail Boss 919H12, was the $19,500 choice of Bogue Stephens, Mt Laurel, Alabama.

Lot 58 – A donor prospect by the deceased Business Line, Suhn’s Ms Business Line 416H43 from Suhn Cattle Company, was chosen at $19,000 to highlight the new program for Bogue Stephens, Mt Laurel, Alabama.

Lot 42 – One of the great power females of the offering from Chimney Rock, CRC Ms Beacon 302H44, landed at $18,000 with Bogue Stephens, Mt Laurel, Alabama.

Lot 15 – A daughter of the high selling donor in 2020, and the popular Business Line, Suhn’s Ms Business Line 30H51 from Suhn Cattle Company, was the $18,000 choice of Sunshine Acres, Trussville, Alabama and 3G Cattle, Dongola, Illinois.

Lot 95 – A picture perfect gem from Chimney Rock Cattle Company, CRC Ms Currency 9U8H38, was selected at $16,000 by longtime Brangus enthusiast Oskar Juarez, Gold Creek Brangus, Marietta, Georgia.

Lot 53 – A highly proven donor from Suhn Cattle Company, Suhn’s Ms Fortress 416A37, was selected for $15,000 by Villa Ranch, Brookshire, Texas.

Lot 16 – A curve bending yearling female from Lake Majestik, LM Ms Signal 30H61, received a $14,000 hammer price from Doug McLaughlin, Columbia, Mississippi.

Registered Brangus and Ultrablack Bull Highlights - Saturday November 6th

Lot 164 – A picture perfect specimen with tremendous data to boot, GACC Data Bank 102H3 from Gariss Ranch, was the $52,000 selection of Suhn Cattle Co., Eureka, Kansas, Chimney Rock Cattle Co., Concord, Arkansas, Schmidt Farms, Simms, Texas, and Lake Majestik Farms, Flat Rock, Alabama for full interest and full possession.

Lot 199 – An extraordinary high performer and son who mirrors his sire, Suhn’s Ultimate 30H157 from Suhn Cattle Company, was the $20,000 2/3 interest, full possession choice of Hicks Ranch, Alto, Texas.

Lot 208 – A calving ease and carcass outlier from Jack Moore, TJM Epic 59H13 was the $16,500 full interest, full possession choice of Enrique Medina, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Lot 158 – A powerhouse and high maternal herd sire from Chimney Rock and Suhn Cattle Co., Suhn’s CRC Alliance 30H20, was the $15,500 selection of Lawman Brangus, Okmulgee, Oklahoma for 2/3 interest and full possession.

Lot 184 – A deep sided outcross package from Giffin Brangus, AG Upgrade 894H3, was chosen at $15,000 for full interest and full possession by Pride Ranch, Plano, Texas.

Lot 194 – A curve bending sire with a premium pedigree from Lake Majestik, LM Opportunity 30H78, commanded $14,500 for full interest and full possession from Sunshine Acres, Trussville, Alabama and CJC Farms, Quebeck, Tennessee.

Commercial Female Highlights – Saturday, November 6th

Top Selling Pairs – 10 head of fancy 2-year-old pairs from 4L Cattle Company were selected at $2,600/pair by Sam Gariss, Lamar, Missouri.

Top Selling Bred Heifers – 10 head of spring calving bred heifers from Suhn Cattle Company were the choice of Addison Brangus Farm, Winfield, Alabama at $3,100/head.

Top Selling Open Heifers – Five head of fall yearling open heifers from 4L Cattle Company were selected at $1,850/head by Daniel Marcantel, Ville Platte, Louisiana.

Volume buyers on the weekend for registered females were Bogue Stephens, Mt Laurel, Alabama and McDaniel Brangus, Columbia, Louisiana. Volume buyers for the bull sale were T Quarter Circle, Winneumucca, Nevada and G1 Land & Cattle, Bastrop, Louisiana. Volume buyers for the commercial female offering were Williams Farms, Uvalda, Georgia and Henry Richardson, Keatchie, Louisiana.

The next offering of premium Brangus and Ultrablack genetics from the GENEPLUS partners will be at the historic Suhn Cattle Company in Eureka, Kansas, March 22, 2022 for their 30th anniversary event where 160 industry driven bulls will be offered. For more information on the GENEPLUS program, private treaty offerings or semen and embryos visit www.GENEPLUSBrangus. com.

CHIMNEY ROCK CHALLENGE PEN SHOW

Exhibitors from three states competed at the Chimney Rock Challenge Pen Show in Concord, Arkansas, on November 6, 2021, as part of the GENEPLUS Female and Bull Sale.

Kenneth Welch judged the competitive, high quality show of 18 pens. The show included eight Pens of One and five Pens of Two.

Winning Grand Champion Pen of One was Cross N Farm, Olla, Louisiana, with CN Ms Monument 924J5, born January 2021, sired by BWCC Monument 10D7. CN Ms Trinity 263H8, was named Reserve Grand Champion Pen of One, also owned by Cross N Farm. This fall 2020 born female was sired by Suhn’s CN Trinity 919E2.

Winning Grand Champion Pen of Two was Lawman Brangus Ranch of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, with spring born heifers, Lawman Ms Cowboy 918J3 and Lawman Ms Epic 909J10, sired by Vorel Cowboy Up 25F7 and Suhn’s Epic 331D16 respectively. Hatfield Brangus of Bentonville, Arkansas, took Reserve Grand Champion honors with two daughters of CRC Eldorado 561E22. These two females, CSH Ms Eldorado 087 and CSH Ms Eldorado 051, were born October 2020.

Exhibitors were entered into a drawing for credit with ReproLogix and $500 from Purina Animal Nutrition. Winning $500 credits with ReproLogix were Wyman Creek Ranch, Summersville, Missouri, Platte Valley Brangus, Burden, Kansas, and Giffin Farm, Rogers, Arkansas. The Purina credit went to Hatfield Brangus, Bentonville, Arkansas.

Steak Your Future on Brangus

The Brangus Value Project is a comprehensive progeny test which will follow AI-sired steers through the feeding and packing segments and will capture data on feed efficiency, all carcass traits, and tenderness. This is the absolute best way to gather genetically relevant data on traits that matter greatly in the modern, quality-driven beef industry. The data will filter through the EPDs of thousands of cattle in the Brangus herdbook. It’s a BIG DEAL!!!

IBBA members who are willing to invest $500 to sponsor one of the steers in this project will receive a Brangus strip loin, cut into individually packaged steaks, delivered to your door. You will also be invited to an invitation-only seminar where all the data will first be presented.

Your investment will be with the International Brangus Breeders Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation, (tax deductible).

The first group of steers will enter the feedlot this fall and will be harvested late next spring. You might have your steaks in time for a Father’s Day barbeque.

We’ll need about 110 sponsors. So far, the following breeders and Brangus fans have stepped to the plate. Please request a pledge form and brochure and your name will appear here monthly.

Join these breeders in investing in the Brangus Value Project

1. Allen Goode (first in), TRIO Cattle & Genetics 2. Gary Wente 3. Milton Villarreal, Villa Ranch 4. Nic Cornelison, Lake Majestik Farms (Two Pledges) 5. Tracy & Cindy Holbert, Blackwater Cattle Company 6. Traci Middleton, Mill Creek Land and Cattle 7. Brandon Belt, Belt Brangus 8. Chris Heptinstall 9. David Wood, Double W Brangus 10. Cindy Blazek, Mound Creek Brangus 11. Darrell Wilkes, beef lover 12. Mary Douglass, 2 Hearts Brangus 13. Shiloh Hall, Lawman Brangus 14. Dr. Randy Schmidt, Schmidt Farms (Five Pledges) 15. Jeremy Jackson, Jackson’s Double J Brangus 16. Phillips Ranch 17. International Red Brangus Breeders Association

All that is missing now is you!