PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE

Greener Pastures Ahead

By Jeremy Jackson, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) president

By the grace of God, lots of BRANGUS Country has finally received some needed moisture. Optimism seems high with lots of folks that were just sick about the situation in July and early August. Fall sale season kicked off on September 10th and the cattle seemed to trade quite well. Other guests and I visited a sale in Effie Louisiana where we were met with excellent hospitality, cattle, friendship, and Cajun food. I sure enjoyed it but I’m glad they don’t make boudin and cracklins in my area or I’d have to have bigger britches. The pastures are not just greener in the field, they are at IBBA as well. The office launched the new DNA module, and it appears to be firing on all cylinders. The staff and the Regstr Committee have now completed all the major module releases. The board is very pleased with the progress on Regstr and we are all excited to see the staff and Regstr committee begin prioritizing all the small issues that have been sitting on the shelf. The Long-Range Planning Committee met in August to continue the conversation on where we need to be in the foreseeable future. Dr. Wilkes reviewed what had been accomplished since the last plan was updated in 2020. It was very pleasing to see the number of things that had been accomplished that were just recommendations a couple of years ago. The committee will continue to meet through the next several months and produce an updated plan for mid2023. The BRANGUS Value project has processed its first set of steers. Dr. Wilkes will present the results of that to all of you in this issue. This research could put our breed in a different stratosphere than we have been in the past. Imagine being able to show this data to a large commercial Angus operation that feeds out their steers all the way through the plant. It shows them that they can use our bulls that have EPD’s in the top 35% of our carcass traits and add value to their steers. If we make sure that these operations also demand sires that keep their high maternal qualities, they will be proud to keep the heifers out of these crosses as well. There are several sires in the breed that make fine daughters and still have great carcass EPD’s. We should all strive to breed more of these. As Dr. Wilkes says, “they can have their cows and eat them too.” I think that’s awesome. Finally, we are currently sifting through applications for a Director of Field Services and Strategic Projects. The board and Dr. Wilkes plan on making this hire in early October. It’s been a long time since we’ve had someone effective in the field. Please pray for wisdom for Dr. Wilkes and the board in deciding who to hire. Thank you all for believing in me and our great breed. Go BRANGUS!

IBBA

BOARD & AWA Nominate RD NOMINATNow! IONS

Each Year the active "Senior" membership of the IBBA elects directors based on the region alignment and award receipients for the "Breeder of the Year" , "Pioneer of the Year" , "Commercial Producer of the Year" , and the "Top Hand of the Year" Email info@gobrangus.com for information or to learn how to nominate.

All board nominations are due by October 10, 2022 to your region chairman! All award nominations are due in the office by December 30, 2022!