PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE
OPTIMISM IS MY BIAS! by Allen Goode, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) president
Optimism is my bias! While rewarding in many ways, agriculture and the beef industry can be challenging at times to say the least. However, when we choose to approach each day with optimism, challenges become opportunities. When we choose to find solutions, rather than just identifying problems, we set a course for ourselves as individuals, businesses, and an association that will find us in a stronger position. I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as your president this year. I hold tremendous respect for every one of our members, for your skills as cattlemen and cattlewomen, and deep admiration for the years and lives of commitment to the Brangus breed and the association. Our year has started fast and strong with the IBBA Annual Membership Meeting in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the Cattlemen’s Congress. On the IBBA Board of Directors, we welcome the return of Greg Romans to represent the Western Region and installed two new directors in Trey Cuevas from the Eastern Region and Randy Schmidt in the At-Large seat. I want to extend appreciation to the retiring directors – Darrel Law and former President Doyle Miller. I can assure the membership that your board of directors works diligently and deliberately for the greater good of our association to make us strong and in a position to deliver the services and tools that you, as a breeder, need to be successful in your business. At the annual meeting we bestowed three honors to Brangus breeders who have positively impacted the Brangus breed: Commercial Producer of the Year, Gundy Cattle Co., Brent and Sandra Gundy, Breeder of the Year, Joe Cavender, Cavender Brangus and Pioneer of the Year, Doug Williams. Our breed stands better today because of the stewardship and dedication of these Brangus breeders. The committees of the IBBA are the forums that will make this year a success. All of the standing and ad hoc committees are led this year by chairmen and chairwomen that wholeheartedly accepted their roles. They have a vision
for what they want to achieve and an agenda to do it. Every committee is filled by members who are passionate about the specific tasks of their committees and have a determination to make a positive contribution to the IBBA and our great breed. It is in our committees that solutions to challenges are found, where lasting programs are developed, and the future of our breed is set. The IBBA has long been a leader in the Brangus world. Perhaps, more than ever, we are in a position to elevate the Brangus breed to a higher level in the global purebred industry. We are and will be leveraging our technology to form alliances for joint genetic evaluations. We are fostering new associations in emerging countries and proposing cross border collaborations that open up opportunities for all Brangus breeders. Beef is in demand! A result of the pandemic that now steers our outlook as producers, is that, as families and consumers spend more time at home cooking, beef is their preferred protein source. Beef is recognized to be a consistent, high quality product. Our Brangus cattle and genetics are part of, and contributors to this, thanks to the generations of IBBA breeders studying genetics and generations of measuring advancements. This is resulting in our Brangus cattle growing in demand across the purebred and commercial industry due to the focus of our breeders. Our Brangus females are the crown jewels of the industry. Our Brangus bulls are proving themselves to sire the end product that is wanted by feeders, packers, and ultimately the consumer. The IBBA’s Long Range Strategic Plan is the road map that the board and the executive leadership are following to further develop our cattle, prove our genetics, and increase the industry recognition of them. Brangus, Red Brangus, and Ultra cattle are the ties that bind us together. There is a place for everyone in the IBBA and in our future. Whether you are a seedstock or commercial producer, junior or senior, lifelong cattlemen or new to the industry, you are a vital member of the Brangus breed and your association. If we all seek to contribute with optimism, together we will find solutions to today’s challenges and ideas from which we can build an exciting and prosperous future.
BRANGUS, RED BRANGUS, AND ULTRA CATTLE ARE THE TIES THAT BIND US TOGETHER. THERE IS A PLACE FOR EVERYONE IN THE IBBA AND IN OUR FUTURE.
8
March 2021
