THIRTY YEARS OF VISION AND LEADERSHIP

THE INTERNATIONAL RED BRANGUS BREEDERS ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY.

by Emily Lochner

“Our directors took a long-term view of association business and squarely faced the issues raised with open minds and foresight. The Brangus breed faces the coming years in a strong, aggressive position as a result of board actions.”

These words were penned in the executive perspective article in the December 1991 Brangus Journal by Neil Orth, then executive vice president of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) in regard to the recent fall board meeting. At the meeting, held October 31, 1991, the 27 members of the IBBA board of directors had voted on a number of issues that would affect the course of the association, namely the adoption of Red Brangus into the IBBA registry system. Now 30 years later, vision, strong guidance, and leadership of tenacious Red Brangus breeders has afforded the International Red Brangus Breeders Association (IRBBA) a legacy of worldwide renown.

In the early 1990s, a group of Red Brangus breeders began to seek a structured advancement of Red Brangus cattle knowing the need for accurate performance records and data keeping systems.

“I remember sitting down with a few other Red Brangus breeders and meeting with Neil Orth at a restaurant in Schulenberg, Texas, in the spring of 1991 to explore the option of registering 3/8 x 5/8 red cattle in the IBBA registry,” says Don Cox, now past IBBA and IRBBA president. “Orth said he would approach the IBBA executive committee and board of directors in short order.”

It didn’t take long for both the Red Brangus breeders and IBBA to see the value in joining forces. An excerpt from the 1991 IBBA fall board meeting minutes read, as follows:

“J. Neil Orth, IBBA executive vice president, addresses the board informing the members of a developing interest by Red Brangus breeders to register cattle with the IBBA.

After brief discussion, Lanny Vinson, Abilene, Texas, made a motion to allow Red Brangus cattle to be registered with the IBBA; allow the cattle used in breeding up to Red Brangus to be enrolled and certified with the IBBA; and allow Red Brangus breeders to become members of the IBBA and enjoy the same service and programs as existing members do, including advertising in the Brangus Journal. Vinson requested the president appoint a transition committee consisting of

Red Brangus breeders and IBBA board members to adopt the proper rules and wording to allow Red Brangus cattle to be registered and the necessary foundation cattle to be enrolled and certified. After discussion, the IBBA board passed the motion with a unanimous show of hands.”

“When Neil Orth first approached the executive committee [the president, vice president, secretary and exofficio] with the idea of adding red cattle into the registry system, we didn’t even think twice about it,” says Dr. Robert Vineyard, 1991 IBBA board of directors’ vice president. “The consensus we came to was a positive one. We were able to see the vision of the Red Brangus breeders right from the start; no matter the color they raised, these were just good cow people and we knew we needed to surround ourselves with more of that. Months later, when the executive committee presented the pitch to the full board for approval, we presented it with an outlook that spanned many decades. We wanted the IBBA to lay the groundwork for a successful Red Brangus incorporation, but the work to build it would be up to the red members themselves.”

Initially, it was agreed upon that the IBBA would provide registration services and EPD calculations on Red Brangus cattle for $2/head. Previously, no certain percentage of Angus x Brahman mix was required for Red Brangus registration. Pete Keeling, a prominent Red Brangus breeder of the time, took on the arduous task of hand reviewing and calculating percentages by hand on every single Red Brangus animal to determine if they met the 3/8 x 5/8 threshold before passing onto the IBBA.

In the spring of 1992, the red division of the IBBA was formed, now known as the International Red Brangus Breeders Association (IRBBA). Ten breeders: Don Cox, Jim Hunt, Pete Keeling, Johnny Kopycinski, Dennis Kmiec, Gordon Miller, Harry Simon, Clarence Reynolds, John

Werner, and Bryan Rabon each paid $1,000 as charter “At the time, there was an American Red Brangus Show at members and the IRBBA was born. This arrangement allowed Houston, but it allowed any percentage of Brahman x Angus the red breeders to have their own officers and board of cross to enter the show; we wanted our own 3/8 x 5/8 show directors, and to operate with registration papers and EPDs under the IRBBA umbrella. For over three hours we sat in without any financial overhead. Jim Hunt had served as Don Jobes’ office and tried our case, hearing the word ‘no’ president of the group for the two years prior to creation of quite frequently. Finally, he leaned over his desk, pointed his the IRBBA. Pete Keeling served as finger at us and said, “I’ll let you have president for the first three years, followed by Don Cox and Dennis “THE IRBBA EXISTS TO a show, but if you come with one animal less than 40 head, you’ll never Kmiec for three years each. Pete Keeling returned as president for PROVIDE MARKETING show here again!’” The spring of 1993, HLSR saw its one more year and Marcos Borges Jr., a Brazilian citizen and rancher in AVENUES FOR REGISTERED first 3/8 x 5/8 Red Brangus show, thanks to the leg work done by Wharton, Texas, has served since. “When the IRBBA first joined RED BRANGUS CATTLE WITHIN forward thinking breeders. “A lot of the IRBBA breeders packed our the IBBA, we were actually the only country in the world that had red and THE CONTINENTAL UNITED trailers and brought more head than we would’ve ever considered taking black Brangus cattle registered in two different associations. Every other STATES AS WELL AS TROPICAL to a show, just to meet the minimum number requirement,” says Cox. country had reds and blacks under the same roof. So that really helped AREAS AROUND THE WORLD.” The 1993 HLSR IRBBA show had 43 head. They had a standalone show solidify the fact we were making the right decision to join the IBBA,” -MARCOS BORGES JR., for many years, until 2006 when the IRBBA and IBBA show became notes Cox. In the summer of 1992 at the WHARTON, TEXAS one and the same, showing red and black alternating divisions. Several IBBA summer gathering in Kerrville, decades later, Don Jobes retired from Texas, Red Brangus bulls and females were on display for the HLSR, he sold all of his commercial cattle and purchased the first time. A Dogwood Creek bred female became the registered Red Brangus. He became an IRBBA member and first Red Brangus to sell in an IBBA sanctioned sale. She was supporter after a compelling argument made by Red Brangus purchased by Whitehall Plantation in Louisiana. breeders many decades prior. “Some of the founding sire lines are still seen in cow herds In 1995, the directors decided to host their own IRBBA across America,” notes Bruce Buffaloe, long time Red Brangus sponsored sale. The sale was named the “Genetic Edge Sale” breeder. “The bloodlines of Chief Cardinal, Predominate, and was planned for March 1996 in Brenham, Texas. The Premier, and Red Jack helped lay the foundation for the Red Genetic Edge I attracted bidders from four states and the Brangus cattle of today.” Republic of South Africa. Thirty-three lots sold for $99,000

“In 1992, Johnny Kopycinski, Jim Hunt and I met with and a tradition was born. In 2000, the sale was moved to the Don Jobes, then livestock coordinator of the Houston Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). To this Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR),” recalls Don Cox. (continued on page 28)

(continued from page 27) day, it is held during the international week at the HLSR to accommodate the many international breeders that attend.

In 2005, after 15 years of registering and receiving EPDs from the IBBA, the next step in inclusion was seen. The IBBA proposed to IRBBA a membership merge into one parent association – IBBA. While debating the offer, IRBBA Director Jim Hunt stated, “Isn’t that what we have been working for all these years?”

The IRBBA board agreed to support joining, and the membership soon after solidified the decision. In 2006, current IRBBA President Marcos Borges signed the agreement for red and black Brangus breeders to become full partners in one breed association, the IBBA. Don Cox and Marcos Borges Jr. came onto the IBBA board as transitional nonvoting board members to serve a three-year term in facilitating the merger. In 2009, Don Cox was elected to a board seat on the IBBA board, and in 2010 became the first Red Brangus president of the IBBA; followed by Allen Goode in 2021.

In 2008, the Genetic Edge XIII saw a new chapter in history, offering both red and black lots in the sale. The IRBBA is no longer a breed registry organization, but it lives on as a promotion organization for Red Brangus and a reminder that commitment is fundamental to progress.

“The IRBBA Annual Meeting was held at breeders’ ranches until 2010 when the venue was moved to the Texas A&M Beef Center,” recalls Buffaloe. “Breeders from all over the world attend the IRBBA Annual Meeting. The evening before the meeting, the IRBBA scholarships are awarded. Generally, three to four senior academic scholarships are awarded and a junior scholarship for use in sports or other endeavors is awarded. During the annual meeting, the association fiscal resources and other committee reports are reviewed. The morning meeting is culminated with breeders selecting the Breeder and Member of the Year. In the afternoon, the Divas in Red Sale is conducted which showcases 10 to 15 premier International Red Brangus heifers.”

“The IRBBA exists to provide marketing avenues for registered Red Brangus cattle within the continental United States as well as tropical areas around the world,” says Marcos Borges Jr., IRBBA president. “Marketing is achieved through member website listing, advertising, private treaty sales, breeder production sales, yearly shows, gain tests, and an annual association sponsored sale known as the Genetic Edge Sale for members to market their cattle. It is a big accomplishment that the Genetic Edge sale now promotes and markets both red and black cattle together. The IBBA has brought Red Brangus breeders technology for registrations and genetic data analysis that increased the value of Red Brangus cattle to breeders across the globe.”

From the moment red options were added to the color score menu at the IBBA, Red Brangus breeders put their foot on the gas pedal and haven’t let off since.

“The breeders that came in were just progressive and aggressive,” remembers Vineyard. “And truthfully, if it weren’t for Don Cox and Neil Orth, the IRBBA would have never become what it is today.”

It was a broad, worldly industry approach the Red Brangus breeders headed, well past the show rings of America.

“We traveled all over the world, especially Mexico, to help establish their red association, now known as Brangus Rojo de México. The red breeders have always found it important to travel internationally. A core group of breeders has traveled to every World Brangus Congress; with the help of Neil Orth, we were pleased to host the first World Brangus Congress in Houston in 2000,” comments Cox.

“The involvement with breeders of Mexico in the early days of the IRBBA has been key to the growth and success of Red Brangus and the IRBBA,” mentions Buffaloe. “A couple to name are Guillermo Zambrano of Hacienda La Escondida, the Ballandrano Family of Rancho Los Nogales and many more. In 1999, Guillermo Zambrano, who was a progressive breeder of cattle in Mexico, recognized that Red Brangus were the best cattle to tolerate the extreme heat in Mexico. Guillermo invited the IRBBA board of directors to Monterrey, Mexico, for an introductory meeting with 40 progressive Mexican cattlemen. These cattlemen wanted to convert their herds to Red Brangus cattle. Guillermo provided a registration platform, office, executive director, and all funding required to initiate the registration of International Red Brangus in Mexico. Essentially, he formed, funded,

and promoted the Mexican Red Brangus Association. This generous support by Guillermo created high demand for International Red Brangus cattle in Mexico. Other Central and South American countries soon followed this trend.”

“The IRBBA members bring a lot of experience in international marketing,” says Borges. “The IRBBA members have traveled the world analyzing the needs of Red Brangus breeders in different countries and environments. The IRBBA connection worldwide is very strong. The relationships and friendships of IRBBA breeders have brought cattlemen from across the world to the U.S. and provided opportunities for the IBBA to increase its international presence.”

Based on population percentage, Red Brangus cattle are one of the highest exported breeds in the United States.

“The IRBBA works to promote the entire breed,” adds Allen Goode, IBBA president, IRBBA vice president, and Red Brangus breeder. “As a whole, Red Brangus breeders are very active when it comes to international involvement, they’re ambassadors of the breed and their involvement in other countries is pivotal.”

Alongside the breeder’s guidance, the Red Brangus cattle sing for themselves in international countries, namely Central and South America, Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand in hot, humid environments.

“The Red Brangus cattle are highly adaptable,” notes Goode. “The red cattle can go into the hot, humid climates and perform better than their contemporaries. They have the ability to shed their hair quickly, and still have the fertility and carcass merit that Brangus cattle are known for. IBBA Red Brangus breeders have continued to place focus on quality cattle backed with strong performance numbers and it’s led to our herds to be the leading source for genetics in the Red Brangus world.”

“Anyone who owns Brangus – black or red – knows it’s the best maternal breed,” adds Cox. “If you look at where the cattle numbers are across the globe, they fall into places like Brazil or India where Brangus cattle excel. When you start to add the numbers, eared cattle are, by some margin, the majority of the cattle in the world. Therefore, the future is in our hands. If we can continue to access hot and humid environments in Central and South America, we’ll grow this breed forever and ever.”

The vision and leadership of Red Brangus breeders today, and the vision and leadership of the IBBA three decades past have led to a powerhouse association the best breeders knew and expected.

“Going through this process over time has given me a very satisfying feeling of self-achievement toward a worthwhile goal,” says Dennis Kmiec, one of 10 original IRBBA founders. “I compare it to a person taking an under developed piece of property and developing it into a nice landscaped home place. This is more fulfilling than buying that home place already developed. It was and still continues to be a lot of work, but, I have enjoyed the journey.

Ironically, from 1990-1991, the IBBA board had been developing a 10-year long-term plan with five key objectives. Unbeknownst to them, an unforeseen annexation of Red Brangus cattle would quickly help elevate their ambitions. The 1992 IBBA Long Term Plan objectives included: 1. Learn from the Brangus customer what product is desired and aim the breed at delivering that product to the market 2. Address and pursue opportunities for increasing breed revenue 3. Review the structure, function, and effectiveness of the volunteer organization 4. Aggressively pursue international opportunities in Mexico and elsewhere 5. Maintain and strengthen the junior program

Each bullet of their core objectives could and would be advanced by the strengthening of the association’s addition of Red Brangus cattle and breeders into the IBBA. Neil Orth’s executive perspective article in the December 1991 Brangus Journal concluded 30 years ago with a truth that still stands today.

“The board unanimously voted to welcome Red Brangus breeders to the IBBA and to allow the registration of Red Brangus cattle. In the purebred industry in the past, strict adherence and loyalty to tradition caused other breed associations to pass by opportunities to expand their registries or initiate appendix programs for closely related breeds. When troubled times came in the purebred industry, many of those associations found themselves in jeopardy because of their long-standing ‘traditions.’

The IBBA board, in welcoming the Red Brangus breed, has expanded the influence of our organization and provided the flexibility to successfully meet future economic conditions and challenges. Though the decision is a historical mark for the Brangus breed, the philosophy behind the action is not. Early Brangus leaders set a good tradition of industry leadership and the 1991 board of directors continued in that same philosophy with this decision. A transition committee has been formed to develop the smoothest incorporation of Red Brangus into the IBBA and we are happy to welcome them.”