PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

OPTIMISM IS MY BIAS!

by Allen Goode, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) president

Optimism is my bias! While rewarding for what they want to achieve and an agenda to do it. Every in many ways, agriculture and the beef committee is filled by members who are passionate about the industry can be challenging at times to specific tasks of their committees and have a determination to say the least. However, when we choose make a positive contribution to the IBBA and our great breed. to approach each day with optimism, It is in our committees that solutions to challenges are found, challenges become opportunities. When where lasting programs are developed, and the future of our we choose to find solutions, rather than breed is set. just identifying problems, we set a course The IBBA has long been a leader in the Brangus world. for ourselves as individuals, businesses, and an association that Perhaps, more than ever, we are in a position to elevate the will find us in a stronger position. Brangus breed to a higher level in the global purebred industry.

I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to serve as We are and will be leveraging our technology to form alliances your president this year. I hold tremendous respect for every one for joint genetic evaluations. We are fostering new associations of our members, for your skills as cattlemen and cattlewomen, in emerging countries and proposing cross border collaborations and deep admiration for the years and lives of commitment to that open up opportunities for all Brangus breeders. the Brangus breed and the association. Beef is in demand! A result of the pandemic that now steers

Our year has started fast and strong with the IBBA Annual our outlook as producers, is that, as families and consumers Membership Meeting in Oklahoma spend more time at home cooking, City, Oklahoma at the Cattlemen’s beef is their preferred protein source. Congress. On the IBBA Board of Directors, we welcome the return of BRANGUS, RED BRANGUS, Beef is recognized to be a consistent, high quality product. Our Brangus Greg Romans to represent the Western Region and installed two new directors in Trey Cuevas from the Eastern Region AND ULTRA CATTLE ARE THE TIES THAT BIND US cattle and genetics are part of, and contributors to this, thanks to the generations of IBBA breeders studying and Randy Schmidt in the At-Large seat. I want to extend appreciation TOGETHER. THERE IS A genetics and generations of measuring advancements. This is resulting in our to the retiring directors – Darrel Law and former President Doyle Miller. I PLACE FOR EVERYONE Brangus cattle growing in demand across the purebred and commercial can assure the membership that your IN THE IBBA AND IN OUR industry due to the focus of our board of directors works diligently and deliberately for the greater good FUTURE. breeders. Our Brangus females are the crown jewels of the industry. Our of our association to make us strong Brangus bulls are proving themselves and in a position to deliver the services to sire the end product that is wanted and tools that you, as a breeder, need to be successful in your by feeders, packers, and ultimately the consumer. The IBBA’s business. Long Range Strategic Plan is the road map that the board and

At the annual meeting we bestowed three honors to the executive leadership are following to further develop our Brangus breeders who have positively impacted the Brangus cattle, prove our genetics, and increase the industry recognition breed: Commercial Producer of the Year, Gundy Cattle Co., of them. Brent and Sandra Gundy, Breeder of the Year, Joe Cavender, Brangus, Red Brangus, and Ultra cattle are the ties that Cavender Brangus and Pioneer of the Year, Doug Williams. bind us together. There is a place for everyone in the IBBA Our breed stands better today because of the stewardship and and in our future. Whether you are a seedstock or commercial dedication of these Brangus breeders. producer, junior or senior, lifelong cattlemen or new to the

The committees of the IBBA are the forums that will industry, you are a vital member of the Brangus breed and make this year a success. All of the standing and ad hoc your association. If we all seek to contribute with optimism, committees are led this year by chairmen and chairwomen together we will find solutions to today’s challenges and ideas that wholeheartedly accepted their roles. They have a vision from which we can build an exciting and prosperous future.