2020 HERDSMEN OF THE YEAR

from May 2021 Brangus Journal

by International Brangus Breeders Association

THIRTY YEARS OF VISION AND LEADERSHIP

2020 RED BRANGUS HERDSMAN OF THE YEAR: VILLA RANCH, HEMPSTEAD, TEXAS

The 2020 Red Brangus Herdsman of the Year Award given to Villa Ranch, Hempstead, Texas, is owned and managed by Milton Villarreal and coordinated by daughter, April. Though relatively new to the Brangus breed, the Villarreal family brand holds decades of history tracing back to Mexico in the early 1900s. Villa Ranch began in 2010 under the original name, Kindred Ranch, raising commercial cattle. The family chose Kindred Ranch signifying the connection to a person’s relatives collectively, kinfolk and kin. In 2016, the Villarreal family began searching for the right breed when they stumbled upon Oak Creek Farms in Chappell Hill, Texas. From disease resistance to heat tolerance, the Villarreal family was impressed with the Brangus marketing opportunities surrounding their Texas location. In 2018, they began growing their registered herd through the Genetic Edge Sale in Houston, and in 2019, they changed their name to Villa Ranch, boasting their great great grandfather’s brand being the first to bring the brand to America. The Villa program is made up of three strategies: show cattle, red performance, and black performance. They’re on the growth track to expand their cow family presence through lines such as 30, 74, 541, 924, 535 and 381 families in the blacks, and red cow families from 71, 101, 135, 204, 59, and selective 20 cow family.

“To us, the word ‘herdsman’ means the ranch has been recognized by their fellow breeders. It means hard work, and a quality of both cattle and people,” says April Villarreal. “The award means everything to us. I remember watching shows with my dad and dreaming of the day we might have the opportunity to receive the award. It was an honor to receive the award from Allen Goode, Gina Gill and Dr. Wilkes, thank you to our fellow breeders for the selection. We hope to continue working just as hard to live up to this great award.”

2020 BLACK BRANGUS HERDSMAN OF THE YEAR: ALLEN CATTLE COMPANY, CROCKETT, TEXAS

Michael, Jennifer, Cleavie and Kate Allen of Allen Cattle Co., Crockett, Texas, received the 2020 Black Brangus Herdsman of the Year Award. The Allen Cattle Co. story began in 1995 when Michael and grandfather, Harold, originally purchased their foundation cows from the 3G Land and Cattle dispersal. Decades later, after multiple generation advancement, the 649 and 674 cow families of today still date back to the original herd of cows founded in the mid 90s. The Allens believe that Brangus cattle simply thrive in their part of the country, they make the best foundation mama cow – making a multi-generational commitment to the breed an easy choice.

Today, Michael serves as a primarily cow-calf veterinarian in a mixed animal vet practice in Crockett, Texas. They sell a little of everything from on-farm replacement heifers to online show heifers sales and bulls for commercial and registered breeders alike. The goal of Allen Cattle Company is to produce performance oriented cattle that excel and appeal not only in the show ring but also focus on EPDs. The highlights of the 2020 show season was ACC Harold 673H3 being named Grand Champion Bull at the inaugural Cattlemens Congress in Oklahoma City and later being name the Junior Calf Champion at the 2021 International along with his maternal half brother ACC Fearless 674F3 being named the 2021 International Grand Champion Brangus Bull.

“For me, a herdsman is someone who sets a good example for other breeders and is committed to the breed,” says Michael Allen. “It’s just a true honor to be recognized as such by my peers.”