August 2024 Brangus Journal by International Brangus Breeders Association

Brangus JOURNAL

8870 US Highway 87E, San Antonio, TX 78263 • P.O. Box 809, Adkins, TX 78101 (210) 696-8231 • Fax (210) 696-8718 • info@gobrangus.com • gobrangus.com

IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Shiloh Hall, Oklahoma

1st Vice President Grady Green, Arkansas

2nd Vice President Josh Walker, Ph.D, Arkansas Secretary/Treasurer Jeremy Jackson, Arkansas

CONTACTS

EAST REGION

:: Trey Cuevas :: treycuevas3@yahoo.com Purvis, Mississippi

:: Grady Green :: grady@dragginmranch.com El Dorado, Arkansas

IBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas

IBBA STAFF

:: Jeremy Jackson :: jjackson101@gmail.com Gentry, Arkansas

1st Vice President Rob Singleton, Florida

2nd Vice President Shiloh Hall, Oklahoma

Secretary/Treasurer Allen Goode, Texas

IBBA STAFF

:: Executive Vice President ::

Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D. :: dwilkes@gobrangus.com

:: Director of Field Services & Strategic Projects :: Kyle Caldwell :: kcaldwell@gobrangus.com

:: Director of Shows & Youth Activities :: Lori Edwards-Dunkerley :: ledwards@gobrangus.com

:: Director of Media & Marketing | Editor :: Jessie England :: jengland@gobrangus.com

:: Director of Genomics & Research :: Macee Wagner :: mprause@gobrangus.com

:: Director of Registry Services :: Callie DeLarm :: cdelarm@gobrangus.com

:: Member Services :: Mandie Sadovsky :: msadovsky@gobrangus.com

:: Controller :: Brian Sadovsky :: bsadovsky@gobrangus.com

:: Product Manager ::

Andrew Sicotte Jr. ::

:: Software Developer ::

Executive Vice President

INT BRANGUS AUXILIARY BOARD

:: President :: Tina Gardner, China Spring, Texas

:: 1st Vice President :: Tami Jones, Stillwater, Oklahoma

:: 2nd Vice President :: Marlene Schwerin, Gentry, Arkansas

:: Secretary :: Sami Roop, Grapevine, Texas

:: Treasurer :: Connie Smart Runge, Texas

:: Historian :: Jodi Jackson, Waco, Texas

:: Social Media Coordinator :: Jennifer Walker, Ben Lomond, Arkansas

INT BRANGUS FOUNDATION BOARD

:: President :: Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas

:: Secretary/Treasurer :: Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D.

INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS

AUXILIARY BOARD

Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., dwilkes@gobrangus.com

:: Rob Singleton :: rsingletoncattle@yahoo.com Seville, Florida

East Region

Trey Cuevas, Purvis, Mississippi treycuevas3@yahoo.com

TEXAS REGION

Grady Green, El Dorado, Arkansas grady@dragginmranch.com

Controller

Director of Registry

:: Editor in Chief ::

Brian Sadovsky, bsadovsky@gobrangus.com

Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas jjackson101@gmail.com

:: Joe Fuller :: jw.fuller@yahoo.com Willow City, Texas

Rob Singleton, Seville, Florida singletons2002@yahoo.com

:: Mike Weathers :: mikeweathers@msn.com Columbus, Texas

Texas Region

Mary Douglass, Seguin, Texas twoheartsbrangus@yahoo.com

Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas allen@triocattle.com

WEST REGION

Andrew Scamardo, Bryan, Texas scamardobrangus@gmail.com

:: Shiloh Hall :: shiloh518@yahoo.com Okmulgee, Oklahoma

Gary Adamek, Schulenburg, Texas gary@fayettecountryhomes.com

BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS, INC. STAFF

President Brenda Brull, Atchison, Kansas

Jessie England, jengland@gobrangus.com

Registry and Records Assistant

:: Mary Douglass :: twoheartsbrangus@yahoo.com Seguin, Texas

Callie DeLarm, cdelarm@gobrangus.com

Director of Genomics and Research

Macee Prause, mprause@gobrangus.com

Director of Shows & Youth Activities

Member Services

Product Manager

:: Gary Adamek :: gary@fayettecountryhomes.com Schulenburg, Texas

West Region

Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma shiloh518@yahoo.com

Greg Romans, Vale, Oregon romansbrangus@yahoo.com

AT-LARGE

Vern Suhn, Eureka, Kansas vern@geneplusbrangus.com

Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas

Chris Heptinstall, Dothan, Alabama

Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas

Jessie England :: jengland@gobrangus.com

1st Vice President Tina Gardner, China Spring, Texas

2nd Vice President Ginger Pritchard, McLoud, Oklahoma

Secretary Mary Beth Farris, Tuscola, Texas

:: Advertising Sales :: Kyle Caldwell :: kcaldwell@gobrangus.com

Treasurer Janet Greuel, Brooks, Georgia

Historian Jodi Jackson, Waco, Texas

IBBA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

:: Awards ::

Lori Edwards, ledwards@gobrangus.com

Mandie Sadovsky, msadovsky@gobrangus.com

Andrew Sicotte Jr., asicotte@goregstr.com

Software Developer

Social Media Coordinator Jennifer Walker, Ben Lomond, Arkansas

INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS FOUNDATION BOARD

Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma

:: Breed Improvement ::

Senior Software Developer

Marcel Vieira, mvieira@goregstr.com

President Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas

Secretary/Treasurer Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D.

Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas

Chris Heptinstall, Marianna, Florida

Josh Walker, Ph.D., Ben Lomond, Arkansas

Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas

:: Commercial Marketing :: Cody Glenn,West Point, Mississippi

Raul Ramos, rramos@goregstr.com

:: Finance ::

BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS, INC. STAFF

Advertising Sales, Melanie Fuller mfuller@gobrangus.com, 979-255-3343

:: Matt Barton :: rangeroptics@gmail.com Stillwater, Oklahoma

:: Warren Young, DVM :: wbydvm@hotmail.com Blanchard, Oklahoma

At-Large

Randy Schmidt, M.D., Texarkana, Texas doctorrand@me.com

:: International ::

Brangus Journal Publications, Inc. Editor Jessie England | editor@gobrangus.com

Traci Middleton, Puryear, Tennessee

Cindy Blazek, Leona, Texas

David Wood, Magnolia, Mississippi

Nic Cornelison, Flat Rock, Alabama

Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas

IBBA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

Awards Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma

:: Randy Schmidt, M.D. :: doctorrand@me.com Texarkana, Texas

Josh Walker, Ph.D., Ben Lomond, Arkansas | josh@redbudfarms.net

@gobrangus | #gobrangus

MEMBER OF

INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BRANGUS BOARD

2021-2022 IJBBA Board of Directors

Garrett Thomas, Waxahachie, Texas

:: Long Range Planning ::

Breed Improvement Randy Schmidt, M.D., Texarkana, Texas

Commercial Marketing Cody Glenn, West Point, Mississippi

Finance Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas

:: Josh Walker, Ph.D. :: josh@redbudfarms.net Ben Lomond,Arkansas

:: Promotions ::

International Garrett Thomas, Waxahachie, Texas

President April Villarreal, Brookshire, Texas

Ex-Officio Jacob Jones, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Queen Payge Dupre, Florida

Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas

Director Briana Hicks, Danbury, Texas

:: Membership & Education :: Karen Adamek, Schulenberg, Texas

Long Range Plan Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas

Raul Ramos :: MAY 2022 Brangus

Director Samuel Belt, Gatesville, Texas

Director Tyler Towns, Bryan, Texas

Traci Middleton, Puryear, Tennessee

Cindy Blazek, Leona, Texas

David Wood, Magnolia, Mississippi

Nic Cornelison, Flat Rock, Alabama

IJBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

:: President :: Emma Tittor, Texas

:: Ex-Officio :: Jaxon Allen, Oklahoma

:: Queen :: Camille Burns, Texas

:: Director :: Aubrey Meador, Texas

:: Director :: Savannah Hanson, Texas

:: Director :: Gracie Johnson, Texas

:: Director :: Isabelle Parkey, Texas

:: Director :: Kade Whiddon, Texas

:: Director :: Carter Aucoin, Louisiana

Director Jaxon Allen, Haworth, Oklahoma

Director Jayden Pinkston, Shefner, Florida

Director Kaily Warren, Lufkin, Texas

Megan Greenwood, Plantersville, Texas

:: Show :: Mark Perry, Waco, Texas

Membership Marty Lavender, Melrose, New Mexico

Promotion Lisa Neal, Morganza, Lousiana

Show Gina Gill, Beckville, Texas

:: IJBBA Advisory :: Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas

IJBBA Advisory, Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas 8870 U.S. Highway 87E, San Antonio, Texas 78263 • P.O. Box 809, Adkins, Texas 78101 210-696-8231 • Fax 210-696-8718 • info@gobrangus.com • gobrangus.com

:: Director :: Grant Goree, Mississippi

:: Director :: Emily Jackson, Arkansas

Cover photo by Kelsey Gibson, Town Creek Inside photos by Sarah Tisdel, Triangle K Ranch, Kelsey Gibson, Town Creek and Matt Roppolo

THE 75TH BRANGUS CELEBRATION PROGRAM COMMITTEE proudly presents this dynamic group of speakers on Saturday, August 10 at the 75th Brangus Celebration in Fort Worth, Texas. The morning will kick off with Randy Blach CEO of CattleFax discussing the fundamental changes in the beef industry that reversed a downward demand curve and projections of changes moving forward. Donnell Brown, Gabriel Connealy, Mark Gardiner and Jack Holden will talk about the common denominators of iconic seedstock programs in a panel discussion. Lee Leachman will round out the program with his look at the next 25 years.

RANDY BLACH

LEE LEACHMAN

DONNELL BROWN GABRIEL CONNEALY MARK GARDINER JACK HOLDEN

A Leader at the Right Time

As he reflects on the last year as president of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Board of Directors, Rob Singleton summarized his experience.

New Rules for Salaried Employees

A big change is coming for all employers in the United States, and it quite possibly could have an effect on your business.

BEEF AUSTRALIA

Beef Australia is considered the premier event in Australia for the beef industry. The event offers both educational seminars and cattle exhibitions in addition to an industry-wide trade show.

2024 Show Animal of the Year

Meet the International Brangus Breeders Association's 2024 Show Animals of the Year.

2024 Texas Invitational Results

The results for the 2024 Texas Invitational.

PLATINUM CORPORATE SPONSORS

Neogen

Southern Ionics, Inc.

GKB Cattle

GOLD CORPORATE SPONSORS

Cavender Boot City

Trans Ova Genetics

DIAMOND CELEBRATION PARTNERS

Central Life Sciences

Galloway-Chandler-McKinney

Gulf Coast Cattleman

Doak Lambert Auctioneer

Orman Welding

Purina Mills

Slate Publishing

Southern Livestock Standard ST Genetics

Texas Brangus Breeders Association

Vytelle

Weekly Livestock Reporter

ABBA board members gather for a meeting at the home of Frank Daniel, Orange, Virginia on May 30, 1953.

DIAMOND CELEBRATION FRIENDS

CattleMax

Hy-Plains Feedyard, LLC

International Red Brangus Breeders Association

Qualico Steel

Ranch Hand Analytics

Southeast Brangus Breeders Association

FRIENDS OF BRANGUS

Oklahoma Brangus Breeders Association

PRIME 1949 TABLE SPONSORS

The Branch Ranch

Cavender Ranches

CDP Brangus x 2

Cross F Cattle and Eagles Crest Cattle Co.

Fenco Farms and Phillips Ranch

GenePlus Brangus x 2

L.G. Herndon, Jr. Farms

Midsouth Cattle Co.

Mill Creek Land and Cattle

PRIME 1949 TABLE SPONSORS

Mound Creek Ranch

MP Brangus

TRIO Cattle and Genetics

Villa Ranch

CHOICE 1949 TABLE SPONSORS

Far Niente Farms

Romans Brangus and Angus

SELECT 1949 TABLE SPONSORS

Cross N Farm

Farris Ranching Co.

Greuel Family Brangus

WHITETAIL DEER HUNT

Circle Lee Farms-Buyer

Quail Valley Brangus-Donor

IJBBA REUNION BREAKFAST

Villa Ranch

By Shiloh Hall, International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) president

I had the privilege of attending

Beef Australia in May. This weeklong exhibition was an inspiring event, bringing together producers, scientists, chefs, students, exhibitors, and enthusiasts from around the globe. Despite the unpredictable weather, the turnout was remarkable, underscoring the resilience and dedication of our global beef community. The vendors were all contracted to serve only beef and it had to be Australian beef. I came home with jetlag, increased enthusiasm for Brangus cattle and the industry as

a whole and a belly full of delicious beef dishes that I ate all week.

One of the biggest takeaways from the event was the significant emphasis on DNA technology amongst producers. DNA testing has emerged as a crucial tool for advancing the industry, offering insights into breeding decisions, traceability, and overall herd improvement. The Australian producers showcased numerous examples of how integrating DNA into their breeding programs has yielded substantial benefits. For our association, this presents a tremendous opportunity.

As we look to the future, incorporating DNA requirements into our breeding programs could propel us forward, enabling more informed decisions and improving the quality and sustainability of our cattle. The success stories from Australia provide valuable lessons, and we can look to their practices to guide our own implementation strategies.

It was also clear that while our breed was prominently represented at Beef Australia, there is room for advancement. Embracing DNA technology could be a significant step in bridging this gap. By leveraging genetic information, we can enhance our breeding practices, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry.

I encourage all members to consider the potential of DNA technology in their operations. Let us take note from our Australian counterparts and explore how we can integrate these advancements into our own practices.

On the flip side, there is an opportunity for the Brangus breed to lean into the Australian beef sector. During several ranch visits in the country it was obvious that Bos indicus cattle were thriving, even in the wide variety of climate conditions we experienced in our travels from ranch to ranch.

I saw time and time again the appetite for U.S. genetics in these Australian herds. Some Australian producers were still referencing Brangus sires that were popular two decades ago and some were eager to find ways to get fresh embryos and semen out of today’s leading Brangus and Ultrablack cattle. The opportunity to expand our U.S.

leading Brangus genetics down under is huge. On the ranch tours, I would hear producers boast about U.S. genetics and how our genetics increase the fertility of their cow herds and produce earlier maturing progeny. Knowing that fertility is a selling point for these international customers and partners, let’s continue focus on this trait and make it a priority.

We also have an opportunity to convince our Aussie friends that the taller framed Brangus cattle they think they want (there is an older mindset that bigger is better in Australia) are not the highest performing. Once you begin talking with these breeders, they will admit that the moderately framed offspring from their U.S. genetics perform better, but that older mindset lingers amongst many of them.

Our partnership with Australian breeders is only increasing. In 2024, the Australian Ultrablack genetic evaluation will be ran alongside our U.S. Brangus population. This will allow their cattle to be compared apples-to-apples to our cattle and will hopefully open doors for us to export more U.S. Brangus genetics to the country.

Together, we can ensure the Brangus breed continues to lead and innovate in the purebred cattle industry for another 75 years and beyond. I look forward to seeing the strides we will make as we embrace these new opportunities.

GO BRANGUS

Key Decisions

by Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D., International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) executive vice president

As the Brangus community celebrates its 75th anniversary, it is interesting to look back at key decisions that were made by the membership and previous boards of directors that set the stage for where we are today as a breed and as an association. One of the subcommittees working on the 75th anniversary event is called the Brangus History and Past Member Engagement subcommittee. They have developed a bulletpoint summary of key things that took place in each of the 7+ decades of Brangus. I want to publicly thank this group, chaired by Martha Hollida Garrett and supported by Jodi Jackson, Lea Weinheimer, Mary Douglass, Bill Davis, Janet Greuel and Jessica England. They’ve done yeoman’s work. Thank you.

If you haven’t figured out by now, I am a genetics junkie. So, as I read the summarized history of Brangus, I was naturally drawn to the decisions and actions that support genetic improvement. Some would argue that my perception of the seedstock business is too, well, pragmatic. To this, I plead guilty. I view the seedstock industry as the means to an end, not an end in itself. To state this in plainer language,

seedstock cattle don’t have added value because they’re “papered”. They have added value because they are supported by data that drives genetic improvement. And, in many cases, multiple generations of solid data.

The purpose of the seedstock industry is to enable genetic improvement by the much larger commercial beef industry. Period. All the other frill and fancy is just that. It has no intrinsic value.

Genetic improvement of economically important traits has real value – literally billions of dollars of real value. And, predictable genetic improvement for any trait requires disciplined measurement of those traits followed by selection of and reproduction by the superior animals.

Back to the history of Brangus. The year was 1960. IBBA signed an agreement with Performance Registry International (PRI) to process performance data. This was way before we had computerized systems to process performance data but the leaders of IBBA at the time understood the root value of seedstock being anchored in objective data – data on fertility, data on growth, data on end product value. PRI was eventually dissolved, likely replaced by data collection systems that were integrated into

breed registry services. But, the key point remains the same. Brangus was an early leader in performance data.

In 1968, IBBA became a charter member of the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF). Today, BIF is a strong and vibrant organization focused on genetic improvement of beef cattle. Honestly, it’s my favorite meeting every year, and I think I have attended it 36 times. It would be impossible to measure the value that BIF has added to the beef industry over the last 56 years. Brangus pioneers were so forwardlooking that they saw the value in BIF from the very start. Impressive.

A performance program was approved by the IBBA board in 1971 and an instruction book for the performance program was published in 1972. In 1976 the outline for the first Brangus Herd Improvement Records (BHIR) was completed.

Since I wasn’t there, I can only read between the lines of what was going on from 1960 to the mid-70’s. I suspect two words describe how the IBBA leaders felt: determined, and frustrated. They were determined to make performance data a central part of Brangus, and they were probably very frustrated because efficient systems for data collection and processing were simply not available. They were thinking of the future, but the future wasn’t there yet. They had to work from scratch, and they obviously never gave up because, in 1983, they made a deal with the University of Georgia to initiate a National Sire Evaluation program. In reality, Brangus’ deal with Georgia kick-started what would become the primary genetic evaluation center in the country for at least a couple decades. In 1985 the first IBBA Sire Summary was published. National Sire Summaries were a big deal in the early and mid-80’s and IBBA was right there, on the leading edge.

Brangus was a pioneer with regard to parent verification. As early as 1987, IBBA made a rule that A.I. sires must be parent verified in order for their A.I. and ET calves to be registered. Blood typing, not DNA, was used back then.

Ultrasound data for marbling and rib eye area was accommodated in the database as early as 1989, and was used for EPD calculations as early as 1994 for rib eye and backfat, and 1999 for marbling (IMF). IBBA was among the first adopters of ultrasound EPDs. In 2004, members were allowed to submit performance data on-line.

Total Herd Reporting, which allows for much better computation of fertility EPDs, was approved in 2006.

Genomically-enhanced EPDs were produced in 2014, with IBBA being among the very first breed associations to utilize the single-step BLUP procedure for computing EPDs. It is standard procedure now.

IBBA, with funding from the Brangus Foundation and individual members, set out to beef up our database of feedlot and carcass data and, in 2024, completed Round 3 of the Brangus Value Project – proving that Brangus and Ultrasired feeder cattle perform well above industry averages in the feedlot and produce premium carcasses.

In 2024, IBBA will produce EPDs for the Ultrablack cattle registered with the Angus Association of Australia. Their EPDs will be apples-to-apples with ours.

This essay could go on much longer, but I hope I have made the point that Brangus does not take a back seat to anyone when it comes to progressive and forward-looking strategies to drive genuine genetic improvement based on data. Along the way, the leaders of the association had to base their decisions on a vision. They could see a picture that hadn’t been painted yet – that’s what vision is. With this vision and a good dose of tenacity and downright stubbornness, fueled by natural leadership, they set the stage for where we are today. We cannot take that for granted. This is a tip of the hat to those leaders who set these things in motion over the past decades. We wouldn’t be where we are today if they hadn’t been there when they were. Pioneers matter!!!!!

GO BRANGUS.

ROB SINGLETON A Leader at the Right Time

by Lindsay L Allen

As he reflects on the last year as president of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Board of Directors, Rob Singleton summarized his experience by proudly stating, “I feel truly blessed to have not only have been president of the association and to continue to serve on the board, but to be able to be involved in the greatest beef cattle breed in the world.”

From March 2023 to March 2024, Singleton lead the IBBA and a team of 12 other board of directors through various changes and with a demeaner that gained him respect and success all along the way.

“Rob was the right person at the right time for the job,” Dr. Darrell Wilkes, IBBA executive vice president, continued, “Rob is a calm and unchanging voice even when

the temperature around him is elevating. He is unflappable and a pleasure to do business with.”

Under Rob’s leadership, the IBBA navigated progress and change through various opportunities, all of which led to the promotion and betterment of the breed. As a reflection of the success experienced under Rob’s leadership, the IBBA reached the $1 million mark in receipts for total herd reporting!

During his presidency, Rob oversaw a contract signed between the IBBA and Mexican Brangus Association to provide services from the IBBA registry system. This is a big move for the improvement and demand of Brangus cattle. Equally as beneficial was the relationship formed with the Genetic Merit Pricing Task Force. This group

is tasked with developing methods to genetically score feeder cattle. Ultimately, it is a way to get past the eared discount in the feeder cattle market if the genetics are there. Another highlight from his 2023 – 2024 presidency was the beginning of a partnership formed with the Australian Angus Association to provide genetic evaluation services for the Ultrablack cattle registered in their association.

Trey Cuevas, an IBBA board member, said, “Rob cares about the breed and the growth of the breed. He has his own operation to manage, but he also cares about supporting other breeders and seeing them succeed. He has done an impeccable job of keeping this association growing for the future and headed north and when you look at the current sale averages and the demand for Brangus cattle, you can see how well he has led the IBBA as president.

It wasn’t just the business side of the association that Rob excelled at, but the people side too.

Cuevas continued, “He isn’t just a great business man or a great cow man, but he is a heck of a person. Rob invests in those around him and truly cares about people; I know this firsthand!”

“I dearly love the Brangus breed," Singleton shared, "I truly believe that Brangus cattle offer more to the beef industry in one package than any other breed in the world; but our breed could not have made the advances and improvements that have been made in recent years without the dedication and diligence of committed breeders. More importantly than that, some of the best friends I have ever had also breed Brangus cattle.”

Wilkes applauds Singleton’s ability to see the bigger picture in the beef industry and his understanding of the role of the seedstock producer and the need to drive

genetic improvement in this sector to meet the needs of the commercial producer.

“Going forward I want to see the market share of Brangus bulls increase, not only in number of bulls sold, but also to expand the geography of our bull market. We have to get out and tell the story of our Brangus cattle. Brangus cattle are already famous for adaptability, longevity, reproductive efficiency, and growth. Now, with the Brangus® Value Project,

we can prove wrong what some producers and feeders thought our cattle were lacking - carcass quality and feedlot performance,” Singleton stated, “We MUST tell our story.”

Clay Cooper, Fenco Farms, is quick to tout the “good taste” Singleton has for cattle. “He puts emphasis on structural soundness, eye appeal and performance and works to ensure the cattle he is breeding will go out and get the job done for the commercial producer and be profitable. He has a understanding of the breed and the foresight to forecast and plan for the future of the breed,” Cooper shared.

Clay Chapman has known Singleton for years from their time of working together on ranches and fitting cattle. “He has an eye for cattle and knows how to mate them,” Chapman said, “Rob is always working hard and will step up to do what needs to be done. His expertise in cattle combined with his work ethic are unbeatable.”

As the general manager of Phillips Ranch in Bunnell, Florida, Singleton is constantly putting his

expertise and work ethics to the limits. “We have a female sale in May and a bull sale in October with our partner, Fenco Farms. Our business model is to invest heavily in our donor herd and rely on embryos to produce the majority of the product we sell,” he continued, “Our location provides unique challenges; if it can sting you, stick you, bite you, or eat you, it lives on Phillips Ranch.”

The IBBA has benefited from Singleton’s foresight, not only in his role as president, but his service and commitment to numerous committees within the association too and over the years, he has not only made a positive impact for the Brangus breed, but also Brangus breeders. “I’ve made some of the best friends with Brangus breeders and those involved within the breed. There are so many kind people in this breed who are willing to help others accomplish their goals and help ensure we all succeed. It’s been an honor to be part of it all and serve as president of the IBBA,” Singleton said.

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WEANING VS CERTIFICATION PREMIUMS

CATTLEFAX TRENDS

by Matthew McQuagge

There is a multitude of factors that drive calf prices. This article discusses producer management practices and how to incorporate historical price data from video sales that can impact the price received for calves based on results from the annual CattleFax Cow-Calf Survey. Video auctions, in addition to targeting a larger audience than what local sale barns can typically reach, provide an opportunity for producers to take advantage of different programs that can increase the value of the calves sold. These marketing techniques are often based around areas like herd health and management, genetics, and nutrition. Further opportunities for third-party verification allow for inclusion within programs that impact how the beef will be marketed to consumers further down the line. The evolution of these different options, particularly in the case of certification programs, requires periodic reviews of these variables to determine their importance when it comes to calf pricing.

This analysis quantifies how different production and marketing practices impact feeder cattle prices. The table below displays price differences found in summer video sales across the last 3 years, encompassing over 15 thousand sale lots. These results are displayed as average premiums compared against commodity, non-program eligible calves. Calves in this dataset are first classified as either ‘commodity’ or ‘value added’ based on their vaccination and weaning protocol. Value added feeder calves are defined as those which have received at least two rounds of vaccinations and were weaned for a minimum of 45 days. They are compared to commodity calves which were either shipped straight off the cow or weaned less than 45 days. From there, sale lots are further sorted into ‘program eligible’ or ‘non-program’ eligible. Calves are considered program eligible if they are certified within one of the following programs: GAP, CARE, NHTC, or Verified Natural.

We can draw several conclusions from this table.

Foremost is that, over the last 3 years, the premium for a weaned and vaccinated 5-weight steer calf compared to an unweaned calf of the same weight has averaged $9/ cwt, or $49/head, for steers that not program eligible. When considering the same weight class of feeder heifers, the premium for a weaning and vaccination program is close to $4/cwt, or $20/head. When looking at 6-weight steers and heifers, the value added advantage comes to around $4.50/cwt, or $29/head. This premium comes on top of the additional benefit from increased weight gain that is typically noted in calves that are weaned for longer than 45 days. At current prices, an operation that is able to add 50 pounds through the weaning process can yield an additional $64/head by converting a 5.5-weight steer to a 6-weight. Add in the premium noted for weaning and vaccinating and an operation has the potential to receive over $110/head more than that straight commodity calf.

When considering the potential for inclusion within certification programs, calf price premiums jump even more. Over the last 3 years, premiums for commodity, program eligible 5-weight steers and heifers averaged around $10/ cwt, or $55/head, compared to non-program calves. When considering 6-weight calves, the premiums associated with program eligibility was around $7/cwt, or $45/head, for steers and $10/cwt, or $64/head, for heifers. Based upon these results, the market typically rewards inclusion within one of these four programs more so than simply being weaned and vaccinated. That said, these programs can be combined with a weaning protocol to result in even greater cumulative benefits. The mean premium for value added, program eligible 5-weight steers was $19/cwt, or $104/head, compared to commodity, non-program calves. When looking at 5-weight heifers with the same characteristics, the advantage is a slightly more modest $14/cwt, or $79/head.

While these trends have remained fairly consistent over the last few years, certain regional differences exist which are illustrated in the following chart. For the sake of simplicity, only price averages for 5-weight steers are shown from 2023 summer video sales. As expected, the highest average prices were found in the North while the lowest prices were in the Southeast, reflecting the increased freight costs associated with these calves. However, a

few interesting points stand out beyond this. Northern states place greater value on a weaning and vaccination protocol than enrollment in a verification program. This stands in contrast to other regions which all have higher premiums associated with commodity, program eligible calves than those with value added, non-program calves. Interestingly, southern states placed the greatest value on these commodity, program eligible calves, even over the same calves that were weaned and vaccinated. This likely reflects a difference associated with the desired genetics for feeding cattle in this region. Both the North and West followed the historical trend of placing the largest premiums on value added, program eligible calves. This category was excluded from the Southeast due to a small headcount there. Ultimately, these regional differences can better help producers consider which options might have the most potential for their operations.

While these price premiums compared against

commodity calves are fairly substantial, they do not come without costs. For value added calves, the additional expenses exist primarily in the form of feed, labor, and vet/med costs. The weaning process can be stressful on calves leading to increased morbidity/mortality meaning that a small death loss cost should also be penciled into any breakeven analysis. Different verification programs often have certain operational and monetary requirements. The 4 programs listed in this analysis all require strong record-keeping along with annual third-party audits. The tag and enrollment fees, along with the on-site audit costs, are typically priced on a diminishing marginal cost structure meaning that the fees decrease as headcounts increase.

The decision to enroll in a certification program and, to an extent, the choice to wean and hold calves, is oftentimes a longer-term decision. That said, it’s important to reevaluate these decisions on a regular basis to ensure that the best program is selected for your operation. Or that an appropriate weaning length is selected that fits both your schedule and the seasonal market cycle. Finally, it’s important that an appropriate marketing channel is selected in order to capture the hard work, time, additional risk, and resources put into these programs.

UPDATE from the Field

by Kyle Caldwell, Director of Field Services and Strategic Projects

It has been a couple of months since the last field update and even though the Brangus Journal staff took a break for the summer it has been busy for sure.

Starting at where I signed off in the May Brangus Journal, I made my way over to East Texas for visits with Adam Hicks at Hicks Ranch in Rusk and Alto, Texas. Adam and his family prioritize quality forage and pasture management which is plain to see when every pasture we walked in had rye grass up to my mid-thigh, and I’m 6’2. Later that evening I drove up the road to Jacksonville, Texas to the Cavender Ranches Spring Female Sale. Female sales in our current market conditions are usually strong and the Cavender crew rang the bell yet again.

I hopped on a flight East to Atlanta with visits planned on the way down to the Phillips Ranch sale in Florida. The first stop on the trip was Circle F Farms with Woody Folsom in Baxley, Georgia. If you have attended any of the Brangus sales in the last year or so, you will no doubt recognize the Circle F name; and driving through Baxley, you can’t miss Woody’s impact on the town. To detail everything we saw on this visit would require another field report entirely, so I will give you the highlights. I met Woody at his Chevrolet dealership in town, one of the 4 dealerships

that Woody owns on this single stretch of highway, and we hopped in a brand new truck off the lot. We drove a halfmile down the road to Woody’s retail meat store, Circle F Meats, which sells beef from Woody’s cattle operation as well as other local Georgia grown products. When I asked where Woody harvests all the cattle necessary to supply the store, we hopped back in the truck and drove about a quarter mile down the road to the Circle F slaughter plant. This facility is USDA-inspected and handles Woody’s processing needs as well as those of the local community. A meat nerd like myself, I could have spent all day at this stop alone, but it was time to move on.

Woody and I got back in the truck and headed down another backroad to the start of Woody’s ranching

operations. As we drove, I saw hundreds and hundreds of registered Brahman cattle, and some top-notch Angus cattle he was using to produce some high-powered F-1’s featured in his annual fall production sale. Toward the end of our trip, we came upon the super deep herd of Brangus he has been

piecing together from sales and acquisitions alike. It was not until the end of the tour that I realized that every stop along the way was all a part of one large contiguous ranch. Woody has a lot going on and makes certain that every endeavor he jumps in to, he does it with both feet, fully committed. Be sure and keep an eye out for the Circle F Farms Fall Production Sale on October 12th, now featuring a stout set of Brangus and Ultrablack bulls.

The next stop on the south Georgia tour was Mr. Brad Davis in Uvalda. Brad has a growing commercial cattle operation where Brangus are heavily used and appreciated. We had some great conversations about placing some of his Brangus-sired calves on the Brangus Vigor program. From there, I headed south to Tallahassee, Florida and met up with Hunter Horne at Great Mark Western. Hunter is another one of the bright young minds coming up in Brangus today and anyone who has spent time going through cattle with him can easily see that.

The GMW operation is a unique one. They sell quite a few bulls to local commercial cattlemen and have consigned lots into some recent sales, but the GMW cattle operation originally started with Angus-based cows to supply a larger foodservice business with high-quality beef to sell

to restaurants. While the Angus were getting the job done on the rail, Hunter realized that the herd needed a shot in the arm in regards to maternal performance, and Brangus was the answer. I really enjoyed learning about the split operation, with roughly half of their cows being dedicated to raising replacement heifers and the other half reserved for the feedlot. Any cows that don’t pass a very stringent set of criteria, ones that “you wouldn’t want 10 more of just like her in the pasture”, are immediately moved to the terminal herd and bred to a high carcass bull. I had an excellent visit with Hunter and look forward to the next one.

My last ranch visit on the docket before the Phillips Ranch sale was a stop at Red American Cattle with Emilia and Sergio Carreno. Emilia and Sergio are originally from Venezuela where they owned a large Red Brahman herd. After moving to the United States, they recognized the need for a more marketable end product and bought a stout set of Red Angus females from R.A. Brown. Fast forward several years, and the Red Angus herd exploded to several hundred registered cows along with a very select group of Red Brahman focusing heavily on foot structure and maternal ability. When Emilia and Sergio originally purchased those Red Angus, they set out with a goal and vision to create some first-generation performance Red Brangus cattle. As any Brangus breeder will tell you, creating a first-generation Brangus from Angus and Brahman is a tall order filled with challenges, but when you finally get to an end product worth having it is one unique individual. After many years of trial and error, Emilia finally has her first set of Red Brangus on the ground. My plan is to work with her and Sergio and help them bring over their small herd of ½ and ¾ blood animals which would be a complete outcross from many of the Red Brangus in our current herd book.

The last stop on my tour of Georgia and Florida was the Phillips Ranch sale in Bunnell. The Phillips and Fenco

crews put together another outstanding lineup of females; and what’s more, Phillips Ranch and Fenco Farms have officially joined forces to create Florida Prime Brangus Genetics. Be sure to check out their bull sale coming up on October 22 in Bunnell.

Following that, I was off to Denver for a meeting with the Genetic Merit Pricing Taskforce. Although this was the first meeting I personally was able to attend, this was the third ever meeting of the group which is comprised of industry leaders in academics, cattle marketing, and feeding. We had some great discussions throughout the week, and I look forward to seeing where IBBA can go with this organization.

Afterward, I headed back home for a speaking engagement at the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Health Summit held this year at The Branch Ranch. While this event is called a “Health Summit,” it actually encompasses a wider scope of herd management education from animal health, body condition scoring, breeding soundness exams and of course the value better genetics brings to the herd, which is what I spoke on.

Off to Kansas I went next, visiting the Brangus Value calves in the feedlot, which were developing very well. On the way back down, I stopped in for a visit with Mr. David Waits

in Stillwater, Zane Hilbig in Morrison and Dr. Warren Young in Blanchard, Oklahoma.

A few weeks later I flew back out to Kansas to see the Round 3 Brangus Value steers be harvested and assist with tag transfer at Cargill-Dodge City and hopped another flight from Kansas to Tennessee for the Beef Improvement Federation Symposium. The next week I boarded yet another plane bound for the Florida Cattlemen’s Convention in Marco Island, Florida. I had some great conversations with producers across the state regarding our strategic initiatives like Brangus Value Project and commercial programs like Brangus Vigor. To wrap up the summer activities, the IBBA staff attended the National Junior Brangus Show and Futurity held this year in Waco, Texas.

In July, I traveled to Winnemucca, Nevada to the Superior Livestock Auction Video Royale sale to see the first set of Brangus Vigor calves sell on the Superior platform. I'm now preparing to head to Fort Worth for the 75th Anniversary Celebration, and then on to Okeechobee, Florida to attend the FCA Quality Replacement Heifer Sale. A big thank you goes out to all those that have worked so hard to make the 75th celebration happen, and I look forward to seeing everyone in attendance.

GO BRANGUS

OUT WORK• OUT LAST

Bulls that help your bottom line.

Town Creek Farm bulls hold up, out-work, out-last and out-perform their peers. Fewer bulls to replace. Thirty years of developing proven bulls. They work!

√ Select your bulls from proven Brangus (selection of 1st gen 3/8-5/8 bulls) Ultrablacks, Vigor Max™ (Brahman x Angus half-blood), 3/4 Blood and Brahman Bulls.

√ Opportunity to buy bulls from a program that culls EVERY open female and EVERY female that doesn’t bring a calf to weaning pens.

√ Cattle fit the commercial world, backed by good cows behind our bull offering.

√ Maternal bulls develop superior replacement heifers that are fertile, long-lasting and have good udders.

√ Offering full two-year-old bulls.

√ Large selection of calving ease heifer bulls.

√ User-Friendly bulls.

√ Bulls are hard, ripped and toned; ready for breeding pastures.

√ Managed to be disease-free. ALL bulls are out of Johnes-free cows.

√ Environmentally adapted and acclimated bulls that withstand heat and humidity.

√ Longevity – of breeding bulls and of their daughters.

√ Fertility is our top priority. All other traits follow fertility.

√ Genetics developed and proven for more than 30 years.

Town Creek Farm Sale

Saturday, October 19, 2024 • 12 noon at the ranch near West Point, Mississippi

150 Brangus, VigorMax™ Half-Blood Bulls, and Ultrablack & Plus First Gen Brangus Bulls 250 Commercial Brangus Bred Heifers

Go to www.TownCreekFarm.com to request a sale catalog.

TOWN CREEK FARM

Milton Sundbeck, Owner

32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773-5207

Joy Reznicek Sundbeck (205)399-0221

Joy@TownCreekFarm.com

Cody Glenn (601)508-8689 Cody@TownCreekFarm.com

Logan Perry, Florida, (863)634-4810 www.TownCreekFarm.com

334K3 SELLS BRANGUS

5441K4 SELLS BRANGUS

51K SELLS - FIRST GEN 3/8-5/8 BRANGUS

956K10 SELLS BRANGUS

788K5 SELLS BRANGUS

EPD-OLOGY

Comparing EPDs Across Breeds

by Darrell L. Wilkes, Ph.D. Executive Vice President

This issue of EPD-ology is in response to a call from a member. I suspect it is something that many of you deal with.

The member noted that Brangus milk EPDs “look” low compared to Angus. He fully understood that EPDs cannot be directly compared across breeds, but his concern was that commercial bull customers who buy Brangus and Angus bulls may not be able to easily rationalize this – or their eyes cloud over when you try to explain it – and they are left with the nagging notion that Brangus don’t milk as well as Angus.

The member questioned whether we could make some sort of adjustment so that our Milk EPDs wouldn’t look so low. The answer is yes, that is possible. It is not difficult. We would simply come up with a number and literally add it to all the Milk EPDs. Simple math.

The Breed Improvement Committee discussed this very issue last summer at a meeting in Lubbock.

Ultimately, the committee voted against it because of concern that astute Brangus bull buyers – who understand the current range of Milk EPDs -- could be left with the impression that we are monkeying with the numbers. It could leave the impression that our EPDs are “arbitrary” and can be adjusted on a whim. They felt that the risk was not worth the reward.

From my perspective, there are two ways to explain Brangus Milk EPD to a commercial customer who has a concern about Brangus being lower than Angus. The first explanation is numerical, and the second explanation relies on basic cowman common sense.

First, the numerical explanation. According to the across breed EPD adjustment factors produced by the Meat Animal Research Center (MARC), you can add 13.7 to a Brangus milk EPD and then compare it to an Angus milk EPD. I don’t know of a single person who believes that these adjustment factors are perfect, and

the scientists at MARC, who are some of the brightest geneticists in the world, probably would not bet a steak dinner that the adjustment factors are perfect. They aren’t. They are estimates based on data, but the data is far from perfect. Still, this simple adjustment of +13.7 lbs goes a long way toward closing the perceived gap between Angus and Brangus for milk.

The Angus average for Milk EPD is 26. The Brangus average is 8.3. If you adjust the Brangus EPD to an Angus base, the average Brangus is 22 in Angus terms (8.3 + 13.7). As my late father would say, the difference between 26 and 22 for an EPD with inherently low accuracy isn’t enough difference to wad a shotgun.

Second, the cowman common sense explanation Ask your customer if his Brangus and Brangus-cross cows raise good (big) calves. Ask him if he thinks his Brangus cows are giving enough milk to raise big calves, but not so much milk that they sacrifice their own body condition (or fertility). Ask him if his Brangus cows maintain good udder structure, especially as they get older. If your customer has been buying Brangus bulls that are near

breed average for milk, he will probably answer yes to all of these questions. By doing so, he has answered his own question about whether the lower actual values for Brangus milk EPD are something to be concerned with.

As I have explained in an earlier installment of EPD-ology, Milk EPD is tricky. As a reminder, it is expressed in pounds of weaning weight. It’s tricky because every weaning record has three sources of variation: 1) variation due to the direct genes for growth, 2) variation due to maternal effect, which includes milk, and 3) variation due to random environmental effects that cannot be explained. We estimate #1 and #2 with the best scientific methods available, but there is plenty of room for error – which is why Milk EPD generally has a lower accuracy value except on bulls with a large number of daughters in production.

The bottom line is that Brangus and Angus EPDs are calculated on different scales with different base years. They will never be directly comparable. But, in general terms, you can say that average Angus and average Brangus are about the same for milk.

DOL Issues New Rules for Salaried Employees

A big change is coming for all employers in the United States, and it quite possibly could have an effect on your business.

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) came out with a pronouncement in April of this year that changes the minimum allowable salary for an employee to be considered “exempt”. For employment purposes, exempt means employees are not entitled to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week. Since 2019, that level has been $35,568 ($684 per week). However, the DOL announced two dates for this amount to change:

July 1, 2024 -- $43,888 ($844 per week) January 1, 2025 – 58,656 ($1,128 per week)

Any employee who makes less than the new amounts will be entitled to receive overtime pay, colloquially known as “time and a half”, but officially meaning 1.5x their regular pay rate. Employers with salaried workers who make less than the new minimums will need to determine whether to increase the salaries of these individuals or reclassify them as non-exempt (in other words, hourly) and pay them overtime for any hours that exceed 40 per week.

ONLY THE SALARY COUNTS

In the seedstock industry, there are many employers that have ranch managers and other staff who receive a salary that may be lower than the new

minimums. Additionally, it is standard practice to provide additional employment benefits (housing, vehicle, insurance, etc). However, in the announcement, the DOL specifically used the word “salary” and not “total compensation”. In other words, you can’t just claim that an employee makes more than the new minimum requirement because they also get the other benefits. The DOL also decreed that employers cannot use discretionary bonuses or employer benefit contributions (e.g. retirement plan match) to count toward a salary. If you have employees who work on a salary basis and currently make less than $43,888 (or who make less than $58,656 beginning January 1st of 2025), you will need to decide if it is better to transition them to hourly pay and pay overtime for any hours worked over 40 per week, or to raise their salary to the new minimum limits.

DOL FACING CHALLENGES

The new rules were enacted by the Department of Labor, not through a law that was passed by Congress. Pro-business lobbyists have filed lawsuits against the DOL, however the rules will stay in effect during the legal play-out of these lawsuits. Additionally, the DOL is a department of the executive branch of our federal government. If there is a change of leadership in the executive branch (i.e. a new president), it is possible that these rules could be reversed or revised.

BEEFAustralia

by Macee Wagner IBBA International Liaison & Director of Genomics & Research

Beef Australia is considered the premier event in Australia for the beef industry. The event offers both educational seminars and cattle exhibitions in addition to an industry-wide trade show. Neogen Director of Genetics Product Development, Rich (J R) Tait, Jr., Ph.D., attended the event and said, “From my perspective, as a first time Australian Beef Week participant, it was exciting to get to be a part of an event which has a few differentiating attributes. Because the event only occurs every 3 years it is a ‘must attend’ event across the Australian Beef industry when it does occur.” Additionally, Tair commented, “While we have some very livestock focused events in the US such as National Western in Denver, North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, or Houston Livestock and Rodeo

in Houston, Beef Week differentiates because it is not “all livestock” it is focused only on beef cattle and the supporting industries and workshops for beef production and there is not a rodeo event or concert series to boost attendance.”

The International Brangus Breeders Associations (IBBA) through the support of U.S. Livestock Genetics Export Inc. (USLGE), was able to meet with breeders in the Australia Brangus Cattle Association (ABCA)

at this triannual event. Not only were we able to attend a meet and greets which provided a foundation and setting point with our breeders in Australia, Beef provided a central location for IBBA to share the work related to the Global Brangus Project, progress the association has made, and share details of IBBA’s upcoming 75th anniversary. Discussions with ABCA to start an endeavor as part of the Global Brangus Project were made as well as future collaborations between associations for development of a strong relationship.

To kick start the week, our group ventured to Gracemere to see the CQLX and witness the scale of the facility and live sale. Watching how the sale ran was insightful to witness the differences between various marketing groups and the fact of choosing your auctioneer for your cattle. Our group witnessed unique features of having a sale both at Gracemere and while attending the Bling Sale hosted by Australian Brangus breeders. We appreciated being afforded the opportunity to see this first-hand to better understand Australia’s marketing and beef industry sales.

Three ranches near the Rockhampton area offered to host the IBBA group during Beef week, and we could not have been more appreciative. Jeremy Jackson, IBBA Board Member & Treasurer and owner of Jacksons Double J Brangus, said, “We had wonderful opportunities to see the countryside and cattle at different ranch tours as well as the shows.” Prior to the start of Beef, our group traveled to Lunar Brangus & UltraBlacks owned by Brad & Briony Comiskey. Jackson also commented, “The cattle had to cover country similar to the American west and the hoof structure was impeccable.”

including me in this ranch visit. It was the highlight of the week, truly!” We are grateful to visit friends as IBBA met with Kraken during their U.S. visit and were thankful to witness the genetics they have raised.

One of the feature events at Beef week that was well attended was the Angus Australia in collaboration with Palgrove event to showcase the UltraSelect partnership with IBBA. “The deal between IBBA and Angus Australia to consolidate the genetic evaluation of their UltraBlack population with IBBA’s monthly evaluation was reaffirmed,” stated IBBA EVP, Darrell Wilkes. “Some very progressive breeders there [in Australia] have made significant use of IBBA genetics and see the upside to consolidating their genetic evaluation with IBBA’s.” Neogen staff also attended the presentation and Tait commented, “It takes dedicated

During Beef week, IBBA’s group as well as individuals from USLGE and the Illinois Department of Agriculture visited Kraken Brangus owned by Jason Jeynes & Julie Sheehan. “BEEF Australia 2024, from USLGE’s perspective, was a huge success. I was able to witness first-hand the work that the International Brangus Breeders’ Association is doing in Australia,” said Kimberly Gordon, USLGE’s International Programs Manager. “They [IBBA] have positioned themselves as the global leader in Brangus genetics, and that was very clear during the trip. Kudos to the incredible work that IBBA has done.” Bobby Dawson, Marketing Representative for Illinois Department of Agriculture, said, “Thank you for

teams on both sides to make that cross-border collaboration work and provide information back to both parties and increasing accuracies of animals due to the more included data in the fill genetic evaluation.” Tait followed that up with the importance of this information, “which can be used to meet the global goal of producing high quality beef from challenging production environments to meet the needs of a growing global human population.”

After Beef, our group visited Triple B Brangus owned by Lindsay & Fiona Barlow. With Triple B, we were able to see how Brangus have to work and travel to graze, sale bulls about to go in for bull development to sale and have open discussions regarding data and the future of Brangus in the

current market. Additionally, we spoke regarding a dual exchange between the U.S. and Australia related to their scholarship for a junior. This would provide a foundation for both the juniors of the U.S. and Australia to learn different practices and steer juniors to see the growth in the industry.

IBBA also had representation in the arena through International Committee member PJ Budler who was a judge at Beef. "BEEF Australia is a unique event in the global beef industry,” Budler said. “Every three years the leading thinkers and stakeholders in the entire value-chain descend upon Rockhampton, Queensland for 10 days of

education, competition, commerce and fellowship.”

While discussing the judging at Beef, Budler commented, “Judging the Brangus and Ultra-Black shows at this prestigious event was an absolute treat. Quality cattle in large numbers and a lot of variation in body type and maturity pattern. The differences were logical as the breeds need to compete at various latitudes for market share. As adaptability remains the gateway trait in beef production, the future of the breed in the tropics and subtropics is bright for Brangus Australia."

Additionally, I was able to be interviewed on Beef TV and spotlight both IBBA and the entire Brangus breed for Australia. We were excited to be afforded this opportunity to showcase Brangus, and hopefully, put the breed on the radar of some who may not have heard of it.

Thanks to the networking at Beef, multiple ranch tours, and educational seminars, IBBA has multiple leads to follow up on related to the event and sees great potential in the Australian market. Jackson followed up from the states, “The generosity and kindness of our Australian friends was top shelf. I already miss the morning tea and scone parties.” Cheers!

ANY COUNTRY IS BRANGUS COUNTRY!

Brangus

ReseRve BRangus show heifeR of the YeaR

MP MS MIDNIGHT STAR 804J38

MP Brangus, Waco, Texas

BRangus show heifeR of the YeaR

RAFTER L VEGA JO 157K4

Lucherk Cattle & Maddox Hartmann, McCoy, Texas

BRangus show Bull of the YeaR ORIGINS KNOCK OUT 302K2

MP Brangus, Waco, Texas

Origins Ranch, Houston, Texas

GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

BRangus show Dam of the YeaR TCR BELLE OF THE BALL 302A

Origins Ranch, Houston, Texas

BRangus show siRe of the YeaR

DDD TANK 468E

GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

TCR

ReseRve BRangus show Bull of the YeaR

BB CROSS CANADIAN 150K3

Burns Brangus, Wharton, Texas

ReseRve BRangus show Dam of the YeaR

ACC MISS HERCULES 674X2

Katherine Allen, Crockett, Texas

ReseRve BRangus show siRe of the YeaR

DDD WALL STREET 150C

Two Hearts Brangus, Seguin, Texas

ReseRve BRangus Cow-Calf PaiR of the YeaR

GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

MISS SWEET HONEY 150J9

BRangus Cow-Calf PaiR of the YeaR

BELINDA 302J8

Railee Steele, Gainesville, Florida

Red Brangus

ReD BRangus show heifeR of the YeaR

TAJO MS VELVITA 204K6

Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas

KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

ReD BRangus show Bull of the YeaR PCC TRIO'S FFF HURACAN 101H3

TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, Texas, Genetica Triple F, Tepatitlan, Jalisco, Mexico, MBJ Ranch, Wharton, Texas,

Sendero Red Brangus, Laredo, Texas

ReD BRangus show Dam of the YeaR

RED VELVET 204D

Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas

GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

ReseRve ReD BRangus show heifeR of the YeaR MS SENDERO JLO 59J2

Sendero Red Brangus, Laredo, Texas

EXHIBITED BY: TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, Texas

ReseRve ReD BRangus show Bull of the YeaR TRIOS KRUGER 175K4

TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, Texas

Scamardo Brangus, Caldwell, Texas

ReseRve ReD BRangus show Dam of the YeaR

CX MS LEGENDS DREAM 71G

Villa Ranch, Brookshire, Texas

ReD BRangus show siRe of the YeaR SJCC TRIO'S CEO 175C5

Sendero Red Brangus, Laredo, Texas

ReD BRangus Cow-Calf PaiR of the YeaR TAJO MS KENA 307J4

Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas

KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

ReseRve ReD BRangus show siRe of the YeaR GRC GEORGE L. 101G

Villa Ranch, Brookshire, Texas | Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas

George Reynolds, Harlingen, Texas

ReseRve ReD BRangus Cow-Calf PaiR of the YeaR M&M 702/J

4D Red Brangus, Spring, Texas

Ultras

ReseRve ultRa show heifeR of the YeaR MC BADA BING 628K7

Mill Creek Land & Cattle, Puryear, Tennessee

ultRa show heifeR of the YeaR MC BADA BOOM 628K8

Mill Creek Land & Cattle, Puryear, Tennessee

ultRa show Bull of the YeaR CHAMP MR LIMITLESS 150J7

Champions Valley Brangus, Schulenburg, Texas

ultRa show Dam of the YeaR GKB MS RECOVER 118G

GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

*PROGENY PICTURED*

ultRa show siRe of the YeaR BWCC BIG LAKE 111F4

Saddle Hill Cattle Company, Elba, Alabama | Cross F Cattle, Willow City, Texas

American Cattle Enterprises, Oneonta, Alabama

ReseRve ultRa show Bull of the YeaR CT DEEP POCKETS 108K2

Carlee Taylor, Lakeland, Florida

ReseRve ultRa show Dam of the YeaR BWCC MS RUGBY 313F

Midsouth Cattle, Morganza, Louisiana

David Burke, Saint Rose, Louisiana

ReseRve ultRa show siRe of the YeaR SFCC TRM 5111 STUNNER 0027

Mill Creek Land & Cattle, Puryear, Tennessee

MNR

ReseRve ultRa Cow-Calf PaiR of the YeaR W5 MISS ROSE 215H

Kinley Ward, Christmas, Florida

ultRa Cow-Calf PaiR of the YeaR

MS. LIZZO 535H

Madilyn Nichols, Lakeland, Florida

OPEN BRANGUS & ULTRABLACK SHOW

Bryan, Texas

Photography: MD Creations

Supreme Female

Grand Champion Female

SB laramie 924l16

Katherine Allen, Crockett, Texas

reServe Champion red Female

TaJo BidiBidi BomBom 204l11

Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas

KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

Female diviSionS

Heifer Calf Champion: MP MISS BLACK

VELVET 804L34, MP Brangus, Waco, TX

Reserve Heifer Calf Champion: KLC MS

SUNSET 150L, Jolee Kate Kasner, Rosebud, TX

Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: TCR

FLORA 302L14, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, TX

Grand Champion Cow-CalF pair

aCC reeSeS 649J8

Cleavie Allen, Crockett, Texas

Reserve Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: SB

BOBBIE SUE 803L3, Cleavie Allen, Crockett, TX

Yearling Champion Heifer: SB LARAMIE

924L16, Katherine Allen, Crockett, TX

Reserve Yearling Champion Heifer: TCR

ELIZAMA 302L1, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, TX

Junior Champion Heifer: ACC KATALINA

358K2, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX

Judge: Bill Cawley and Dalton Cole

reServe Champion Female

TCr Flora 302l14

Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas

Grand Champion red Female

TaJo mS velviTa 204K6

Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas

KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

reServe Champion Cow-CalF pair

GKB TanKS ladY amBer 150K8

GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

Reserve Junior Champion Heifer: 6B MS TANK 1234K, Jake Kasner, Rosebud, TX

Senior Champion Heifer: JCF MISS JULIA

193K7, Madelyn Glaze, El Campo, TX

Reserve Senior Champion Heifer: BCC

CHANELS GABANNA 915K, Lana Tittor, Rosebud, TX

Supreme Bull

Grand Champion Bull oriGinS KnoCK ouT 302K2 | mp BranGuS, waCo, TexaS | rpx Somerville FarmS, houSTon, TexaS | GKB CaTTle, deSdemona, TexaS

reServe Champion red Bull iC JimBo 61K

Irons Creek Ranch, Pattison, Texas

red Female diviSionS

Red Heifer Calf Champion: TAJO BIDIBIDI BOMBOM 204L11, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Reserve Heifer Calf Champion: PJ MS DAISY 85L4, Pump Jack Cattle Co., Victoria, TX

Red Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: DOS XX'S STRETCH'S MISS MAYA, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, TX

Red Reserve Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: TJM BERNICE 826L, Marks Farms TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Yearling Champion Heifer: MISS MBJ LINDA 236L, Broken A Ranch, Madisonville, TX Red Reserve Yearling Champion Heifer: TAJO

LOLA 204L, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Junior Champion Heifer: TAJO MS VELVITA 204K6, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Reserve Junior Champion Heifer: MS SENDERO KYLIE 59K2, TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, TX

Red Senior Champion Heifer: MS BROKEN A KATHERINE 14K, Reagan Reeves, Livingston, TX

Red Reserve Senior Champion Heifer: DOS

XX'S T-N-T'S MISTY, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, TX

Bull diviSionS

Bull Calf Champion: TCR UPROAR 302L39, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, TX

Reserve Bull Calf Champion: KLC THE DUKE 150L2, Tyler Kasner, Rosebud, TX

Summer Yearling Champion Bull: KL KRONOS 804L, K&L Brangus, Gillett, TX

Reserve Summer Yearling Champion Bull: BROKEN A LEGEND 841L, Broken A Ranch, Madisonville, TX

Junior Yearling Champion Bull: DIAMOND K OLD SOUL 157L, Wellman Cattle Company, Brenham, TX

reServe Champion Bull diamond K old Soul 157l Wellman Cattle Company, Brenham, Tx

Reserve Junior Yearling Champion Bull: SB HIT LIST 924L20, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX

Senior Yearling Champion Bull: BB TUCKER 150K5, Burns Brangus, Wharton, TX

Reserve Senior Yearling Champion Bull: ORIGINS CAPITAL GAINS 302K4, Origins Ranch, Snook, TX

Junior Champion Bull: ORIGINS KNOCK OUT 302K2, MP Brangus, Waco, TX, RPX Somerville Farms, Houston, TX, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

Reserve Junior Champion Bull: KL NAVIGATOR 915K1, K&L Brangus, Gillett, TX

Senior Champion Bull: ACC HIGH FIVE 674J15, Katherine Allen, Crockett, TX

red Bull diviSionS

Red Bull Calf Champion: DOS XXS WILDCARDS JOKER, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, TX

Red Reserve Bull Calf Champion: TAJO GHOST PEPPER 204L9, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Summer Yearling Champion Bull: BAR LORENZO 841L5, Broken A Ranch, Madisonville, TX

Grand Champion red Bull DOS XX'S BO'S DAGGAR Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, Tx

OPEN BRANGUS & ULTRABLACK SHOW

Bryan, Texas Photography: MD Creations Judge: Bill Cawley and Dalton Cole

Grand Champion ulTra Female oriGinS miSS Bella 303l Origins Ranch, Snook, Texas

reServe Champion ulTra Female GRT MS 6847G-MONEY 804L2 Carlee Taylor, Lakeland, Florida

reServe Champion ulTra Cow-CalF pair

wl miSS prairie Fire 563h

Olivia Adams, Liverpool, Texas

Red Reserve Summer Yearling Champion Bull: TAJO LUDACRIS 307L2, Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Junior Yearling Champion Bull: TAJO WAYMAKER 175L, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Reserve Junior Yearling Champion Bull: DOS XX'S DYNAMITES HAMMER, Dos XX’s Cattle Co., Washington, TX

Red Senior Yearling Champion Bull: CX PURE FORCE 844K, Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, TX

Red Reserve Senior Yearling Champion Bull: TAJO LUPE 204K9, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Junior Champion Bull: IC JIMBO 61K, Irons Creek Ranch, Pattison, TX

Supreme Ultra

Grand Champion ulTra Cow-CalF pair

GKB miSS Bella 118J GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

Grand Champion ulTra Bull

laZY 3 opporTuniST 468l 4D Brangus, Spring, Texas

Red Senior Champion Bull: DOS XX'S BO'S DAGGAR, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, TX

Red Reserve Senior Champion Bull: VILLA'S VALENTINO 59J14, Villa Ranch, Brookshire, TX

ulTra Female diviSionS

Ultra Heifer Calf Champion: BB MISS ROSE 150M2, Burns Brangus, Wharton, TX

Ultra Reserve Heifer Calf Champion: MISS OA FIONA 563M, Olivia Adams, Liverpool, TX

Ultra Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: ORIGINS MISS BELLA 303L, Origins Ranch, Snook, TX

reServe Champion ulTra Bull

wl The plainSman 803K Origins Ranch, Snook, Texas

Ultra Reserve Summer Yearling Champion Heifer: GRT MS 6847G-MONEY 804L2, Carlee Taylor, Lakeland, FL

Ultra Yearling Champion Heifer: GCC MISS LA-DI-DA 729L, 4D Brangus, Spring, TX

Ultra Reserve Yearling Champion Heifer: DUNK MISS LORETTA 6L, Greenlee Lennon, Henrietta, TX

ulTra Bull diviSionS

Ultra Junior Yearling Champion Bull: LAZY 3 OPPORTUNIST 468L, 4D Brangus, Spring, TX

Ultra Senior Yearling Champion Bull: WL THE PLAINSMAN 803K, Origins Ranch, Snook, TX

SALESummaries

Cavender’s Mature Cow Herd Dispersal

April 26, 2024 | Jacksonville, Texas Lots

CUT ABOVE SALE, CULLMAN, AL – APRIL 30, 2022

47 Mature 3N1s

$6,319

59 Brangus & Ultra lots grossed $239,350 to average $4,057

10 Mature Bred Cows

$3,775

11 commercial lots grossed $11,200 to average $1,018

125 Registered Lots grossed $723,250 to average $5,786

Commercial Females

The second high selling lot was Lot 77 at $10,000. Bland Farms, Glennville, GA paid $6,500 to own Lot 77A, CB MS Oracle 627L16. Woody Folsom, Baxley, GA paid $3,500 to own her dam, Lot 77 CB MS Capital Gain 627F5 who also produced a $9,000 bull in last fall’s sale.

324 Commercial pairs with Brangus and Ultrablack calves at side grossed $890,500 to average $2,748

3 Mature Spring Pairs

The total sale grossed $250,550

$5,250

6 - sets of Embryos grossed $25,750, to average $4,292

59 Brangus and Super Baldy Bred Heifers grossed $140,950 to average $2,389

3 -3-N-1 grossed $13,950, to average $4,650

60 Lots Grossed $350,500

7 - bred cows grossed $25,400 to average $3,629

14 – bred heifers grossed $42,350 to average $3,025

11 – pairs grossed $74,500 to average $6,773

20 – open heifers grossed $50,250 to average $2,512

2 – bulls grossed $7,150 to average $3,575

The first ever Cavender Ranches Mature Cowherd dispersal was a resounding success. The sale, held at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch featured all the fall calving 6 and 7 year-old cows and their calves at side. 77 buyers from 13 states snapped up the offering at a rapid pace.

Buyers from 6 states were on hand to compete for the high quality lots consigned by 20 breeders across the Southeast. The highest selling lot MS. Boulder 000F16 with a heifer calf at her side, consigned by Vanna Farms, was purchased by L & K Farms for $26,000.

The volume buyer was Eagle Ridge Farms, Cottondale, Al -purchased 12 lots

The afternoon’s high selling lot at $18,500 went to GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX when they chose Lot 55, CB MS Capital Gain 60G33 for $14,000. This big growth, big carcass donor was safe to Ace of Spades. They also chose her bull calf at side, Lot 55A CB Big League 60L39 for $4,500.

All consigners and buyers are greatly appreciated.

The 2023 Cut Above Sale will be in Cullman, AL on April 29, 2023 at 10:00 am

Cavender Ranches Commercial Females Sale

April 26, 2024 | City, State

CAVENDER DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS SPRING SALE

350 CM Spring Calving Pairs/Breds

Registered Female Sale

1 Registered Brangus Herd Sire grossed $15,000 to average $15,000

7 Brangus and Ultrablack 3N1’s grossed $67,500 to average $9,643

536 Lots Grossed $1,623,550

10 Brangus and Ultrablack Donors grossed $79,500 to average $7,950

14 Spring Pairs grossed $45,750 to average $3,268

25 Fall bred Brangus and Ultrablack Heifers grossed $183,250 to average $7,330

65 Open Brangus and Ultrablack Heifers grossed $318,500 to average $4,900

The culmination of the two-day Cavender Ranches Sale event was the commercial female sale featuring first calf heifer pairs, breds and open heifers. The well presented offering included Brangus, Ultrablack, Super Baldies and both black and Tiger Striped F1’s. The offering found willing buyers from 13 states and active bidding.

3 Fall Pairs and Pregnant Recipients grossed $13,750 to average $4,583

The day’s high selling females at $4,000 each and were a set of 10 Brangus pairs consigned by longtime customer, Bland Farms, Glennville, GA. They had January steer calves at side sired by a Domain son. 2 units of CB

66 Open Brangus Heifers grossed $140,050 to average $2,122

Bland Farms purchased the third high selling lot when they paid $9,000 for Lots 68 and 68A, CB MS Upgrade 363G and her picture-perfect Masterpiece daughter, CB MS Masterpiece 363L5.

449 Commercial Females grossed $1,171,500 to average $2,609

The next high seller was Lot 72. Four Winds Ranch, Canton, TX purchased Lot 72 CB Trail Boss 415G72 for $4,750. Remington Livestock, Dallas Texas paid $4,000 to own her bull calf, Lot 72A CB Big City 415L50.

163 buyers from 12 states and Mexico were greeted by pleasant spring weather, mild temperature and welcoming hospitality from the hosts at Cavenders Neches River Ranch.

Woody Folsom purchased the next high selling lot when he paid $8,250 for Lot 106 and 106A. He purchased CB MS Cowboy 541H7 for $5,250 and kept the 3N1 together when he purchased Lot 106A, CB MS Big League 541L23 for $3,000.

at the 2nd annual CDP Spring Female Production Sale. The sale featured Registered Brangus and Ultrablack cattle from the CDP group as well as customers and included 450 commercial cattle, many with calves at side sired by CDP bulls. The bidding was fast paced and furious as demand for quality Brangus seedstock ran high.

The day’s top selling female, at $25,000 was Lot 85, PR MS Crossroads 129J7. This powerful open heifer was consigned by Pennridge Farms, Paige, Tx. Her dam is a full sister to the dam of Modello and Herndon Farms, Lyons, Ga was the winning bidder.

Dialed in 2051K13 semen went with each pair. They were purchased by Roaring Hills Ranch, Williston, FL.

Briggs Ranch, Bloomington TX and Harris Riverbend Farms, Cleburne, TX teamed to eran the bid of $24,000 for Lot 107, MS DMR Resource 415J52. She was another stout open heifer and was consigned by CDP Partner, Draggin M Ranch, Eldorado, Arkansas.

Gerald Malin, Campbell, MO paid $3,900 each to own the next two high selling pens of commercial cattle. They were Brangus females from Cavender Ranches with midFebruary heifer calves at side sired by Cavender Brangus and Ultrablack bulls. He took two pens of 5 of these fancy females.

B/K Beef LLC, Boerne, TX was the purchaser of the next high selling lot when they paid $22,500 to own Lot 42, MS DMR Empire 222H5. This bred heifer, safe to Growth Fund, was also consigned by Draggin M.

Gold Creek Brangus, Marietta, GA paid $3,800 each to own a pen of 5 Brangus females from Cavender Ranch. They had big stout early January heifer calves at side sired by Cavender Ranch Brangus and Ultrablack bulls.

B/K Beef also purchased the day’s next high seller when they paid $20,000 to on Lot 41A, CB MS Capital Gain 117H20, another stylish bred heifer this time safe to Masterpiece. She was consigned by CDP Partner Cavender Brangus, Jacksonville, TX.

El Granizo De San Juan, Durango, Mexico purchased the next high seller when they paid $19,000 to own Lot 43, MS

Brant Graves, Joaquin, TX topped the bred heifers with a bid price of $3,300 each on a set of Fall calving Black F1 females bred to Cavender Ranch low birth weight Brangus and Ultrablack bulls. The females were from Cavender Ranch.

SALESummaries

Cavender Ranches Cutting Edge Sale

April 27, 2024 | Jacksonville, Texas

CUT ABOVE SALE, CULLMAN, AL – APRIL 30, 2022

Lots Average

125 Registered Lots grossed $723,250 to average $5,786

Commercial Females

Selling for $33,000 was Lot 38, CB MS Big Lake 63K37. GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX won the bid on this uniquely pedigreed, big numbered and picture-perfect bred heifer safe in calf to Express.

8 Bred Heifers (Brangus & Ultras)

$21,875

59 Brangus & Ultra lots grossed $239,350 to average $4,057

35 Open Heifers (Brangus & Ultras)

$10,721

11 commercial lots grossed $11,200 to average $1,018

324 Commercial pairs with Brangus and Ultrablack calves at side grossed $890,500 to average $2,748

2 Brangus Pairs

The total sale grossed $250,550

$ 6,000

6 - sets of Embryos grossed $25,750, to average $4,292

45 Lots Grossed

$546,500

3 -3-N-1 grossed $13,950, to average $4,650

7 - bred cows grossed $25,400 to average $3,629

14 – bred heifers grossed $42,350 to average $3,025

11 – pairs grossed $74,500 to average $6,773

20 – open heifers grossed $50,250 to average $2,512

2 – bulls grossed $7,150 to average $3,575

The first ever Cavender Ranches Cutting Edge Sale was an unqualified success. The sale, held at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch featured cutting edge bred and open females and first calf heifer pairs from Cavender Ranches as well as friends and cooperators. 77 buyers from 13 states bought and bid on cattle at a blistering pace.

The volume buyer was Eagle Ridge Farms, Cottondale, Al -purchased 12 lots

The day's top seller was Lot 44, CB MS Big Town 1373K20. This massively deep and numerically superior bred heifer sold to Bland Farms, Glennville, Ga for $55,000. She records 14 EPD traits ranking in the breed’s top 30% or greater.

All consigners and buyers are greatly appreciated.

The 2023 Cut Above Sale will be in Cullman, AL on April 29, 2023 at 10:00 am

Lot 42, CB Masterpiece 541K22 fetched a bid price of $50,000 while selling to Peanut Carr, Columbia, LA. This bred heifer was safe AI to Ace of Spades and boasted top 1% EPDs in 5 traits.

CAVENDER DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS SPRING SALE

Registered Female Sale

1 Registered Brangus Herd Sire grossed $15,000 to average $15,000

Cavenders Grass Time April 27, 2024 | Jacksonville, Texas

7 Brangus and Ultrablack 3N1’s grossed $67,500 to average $9,643

10 Brangus and Ultrablack Donors grossed $79,500 to average $7,950

14 Spring Pairs grossed $45,750 to average $3,268

25 Fall bred Brangus and Ultrablack Heifers grossed $183,250 to average $7,330

29 Lots Grossed $132,500

65 Open Brangus and Ultrablack Heifers grossed $318,500 to average $4,900

3 Fall Pairs and Pregnant Recipients grossed $13,750 to average $4,583

Cavenders Grass Time offerings were young open and bred registered females, from Cavenders replacement heifers, offered in volume. They were sorted into uniform groups of three and the buyer had the option to pick one or sweep the ring. Their phenotype and performance

Lot 36, CB Modelo 7139K24 was the next high seller as Woody Folsom, Baxley, GA paid $23,000 to own this physically imposing and numerically superior open heifer.

59 Brangus and Super Baldy Bred Heifers grossed $140,950 to average $2,389

66 Open Brangus Heifers grossed $140,050 to average $2,122

449 Commercial Females grossed $1,171,500 to average $2,609

The next high selling heifer at $20,000 was another open heifer, Lot 22 FC MS Hugo 541L2. This EPD Queen was also purchased by Woody Folsom and was consigned by Fenco Farms, Floral City, FL.

163 buyers from 12 states and Mexico were greeted by pleasant spring weather, mild temperature and welcoming hospitality from the hosts at Cavenders Neches River Ranch.

Sewell Cattle Company, Eldorado, AR purchased the next high selling female when they paid $19,000 to own CB MS Empower 1373L2. She is an open heifer and boasts elite growth and carcass values.

Also selling for $19,000 was Lot 33, CB MS Modelo 2051K30, an open heifer. She sold to Micheal Hurla, Paxico, KS and records 13 EPD traits ranking in the breed’s top 35% or greater.

Lot 3, SCC MS 60G38 Cap Gain 23L2 sold for $18,500 to Hicks Ranch LLC, Alto, TX. This massively constructed open heifer was consigned by Schultz Cattle Company, New Baden, TX.

values stacked up well as did their acceptance in the market place. 77 buyers from 13 states bought and bid on cattle at the two-day sales event.

The top selling pen were bred heifers, Lots 132, 137 and 139. CB MS Big City 468K112 and CB Capital Gain 5025K13 sold to Woody Folsom, Baxley, GA for $5,000. CB Longmire 268K sold to Tekk Farms Stotts City, MO for $5,000.

El Granizo De San Juan, Durango, Mexico purchased the next high seller when they paid $19,000 to own Lot 43, MS

Jennifer Walraven, Ranger, TX swept the ring on the top selling set of open heifers at $5,500. She purchased Lots 113, 114 and 115. They were CB MS Empower, CB MS 403H22 Big Lake 363L and CB MS Power Pack 406L3.

FRIENDS WE WILL MISS

Colonel ruSSell leSlie williamSon Husband, Father, Grandfather, Vietnam veteran, commercial airline pilot, and Brangus cattle rancher Colonel Russell Leslie Williamson passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at the age of 81, after a second battle with cancer.

Russ was born August 10, 1942, in Plymouth, IN to Helen and Lester Williamson, and graduated from Etna Green High School, where he was President and Salutatorian of his senior class and earned twelve varsity letters in basketball, baseball, track, and cross-country. Growing up on the family farm with his siblings Nancy, James, and Mike, he helped raise corn, soybeans, pigs, chickens, and about 100 Registered Angus cattle. As a leader in the local 4-H club, Russ started showing Angus steers at the age of 8 and continued until he graduated HS. In 1960, he attended Manchester College for over two and a half years, continuing in basketball and cross-country, before deciding to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.

In September 1962, he enlisted in the Marine Corps as a Marine Aviation Cadet and commenced his flight training at Pensacola, FL in February 1963. He received his instrument rating and made his first Carrier landings in the T-2 on the USS Lexington in the Gulf of Mexico. Marine Aviation Cadet Williamson was transferred to Beeville, TX where he flew the F-9, TF-9 Cougar, and the F-11 Tiger, and finished the advanced training course with instruments, tactics, bombing, air to air gunnery and more carrier landings on the USS Lexington. It was then after 18 months of rigorous training that Russ received his Wings of Gold and his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps in September 1964. He then joined his first squadron in October 1964 flying the A-4 Skyhawk for VMA-223 at Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro, CA. In August 1965, LtCol Williamson deployed with VMA-223

to Chu Lai, South Vietnam where he completed almost 400 combat missions in the A-4 and O-1C.

Upon completion of his tour with VMA-223 in January 1967, LtCol Williamson reported for flight instructor duty at the Naval Air Advanced Training Command at NAS, Beeville, TX where he flew the F-9 and TF-9J aircraft and served in the collateral duties of Landing Signal Officer and aircraft carrier landing instructor, logging over 1,500 hours. It was in Beeville that he met his first wife, Kathleen Sims (Wilson) and had his only child, James Russell Williamson in 1968.

LtCol Williamson left active duty in July 1969 to pursue a career with Braniff International Airlines and to fly the F-8 Crusader with the VMFA-112 "Cowboys". Furloughed four months later by Braniff, he then re-entered active duty at MCAS El Toro flying the A-4 for VMA214. LtCol Williamson again deployed overseas. Upon completion of his second tour was transferred to VMAT203 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC.

In June 1973, LtCol Williamson again left active duty to resume his career with Braniff and rejoin the "Cowboys" to see the transition of the F-8 Crusader to the F-4 Phantom in 1976, serve as NATOPS Officer, Administrative Officer, Operation Officer, Executive Officer, and assume command of VMFA-112 in August 1981.

LtCol Williamson has more than 5,200 total flight hours in fighters and is a veteran of 400 combat missions. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, twenty-two Air Medals, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Organized Marine Corps Reserve Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Braniff International declared bankruptcy in 1982 and he found new employment at Piedmont Airlines, who were expanding and in need of experienced pilots. Piedmont eventually merged with US Airways, where he continued his career until he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 in 2002. Durning that time, LtCol Williamson remained in the Marines and was selected to command VMFA-112 in 1982 and then aircraft Group 42 after he was promoted to Colonel, and ultimately retired from the Marines in 1986 with 26 years of service. While still serving as a full-time active commercial airline pilot, and not being one to stand still, Russ purchased his first ranch in Athens, TX in 1980, along with a few Registered Beefmaster cows. He had always missed

the cattle he had enjoyed as a young man and named his ranch "Skyhawk", the jet that he loved to fly and the jet that took care of him during the Vietnam War. He soon transitioned from Beefmaster to Registered Brangus and eventually settled in Tyler, TX on a 200+ acre ranch near Lake Tyler.

Russ has now been a member of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) for over 30 years and operates a herd of about 200 head registered cattle and has raised numerous, well-known show animals of which the most well-known is Skyhawk’s Presidente. Presidente was 2008 Show Bull of the Year and was 2011 Show Sire of the Year. Russ was also awarded the 2011 IBBA Herdsman of the Year at the Houston International Livestock Show.

Russ lived out his “retirement” doing what he loved, raising Brangus cattle, and was devoted to the improvement of the breed. Some of his best moments were teaching and handing down his knowledge and skills to the younger generation. Russ was a Texas Brangus Breeders Association (TBBA) Board member for 4 years and served as President. As a testament to his work in the industry, IBBA awarded him the Jake White Lifetime Achievement Award in 2023 to “recognize an individual who has dedicated years to promoting and exhibiting Brangus cattle.”

Russ is preceded in death by his older brother James, his parents Helen and Lester, and his second wife of 36 years, Toni (Kirklin) from Alzheimer’s.

He leaves behind his always supportive, patient, and loving wife, Pam Williamson. His son James Williamson and his wife Lydia, and three grandsons; Wyatt, Owen, and Dean. Stepdaughters Julie King and Lisa Robertson, grandchildren Carson Williams, Tanner Sult, Anna and Sean King, and two great-children, McKenna Hollis and Weston King. His big sister Nancy Fites and little brother Michael Williamson, both still reside in Indiana.

Russ was a leader in his personal life, as a Marine, an airline Captain, and the Brangus community.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Russ’s honor are welcome at the Semper Fi & America’s Fund, thefund.org or the Texas Junior Brangus Breeders Association, Russ Williamson Memorial Scholarship, to Pam Williamson with memo for “Russ Williamson Scholarship Fund” at 13140 CR 285, Tyler TX 75707.

ThomaS n. Turner

Tom Turner passed away July 1, 2024 after sustaining a fall. Tom was born in Bellingham, WA November 19, 1936 to Henry W. Turner and Evelyn Dahlquist Turner. His father was an educator. His mother, a nurse, wanted Tom to follow in their shoes in the professional field. Although at a very early age his mother always said Tom knew what he wanted to be at age 3.

Tom was a man of vision. He could see what could be. Probably in the very beginning his most spoke about vision was how he got started in his ranching career. He said, “When I was a kid my first livestock was pigeons. I sold and traded pigeons”. As verified by his long time grade school friend Jack Homann. “Tommy sold me homing pigeons and they would always go home after I bought them.” Tom traded pigeons for goats, then goats for a nurse cow, raised calves and traded calves for a horse. And this was all before he got into high school. Tom bought his first piece of ground while in high school using the $2500 that was meant for college. Instead of playing sports he spent every weekend clearing and working his little piece of paradise, which was far from paradise, located on Thompson Creek outside of Tenino, WA. He would cut cedar to shingles to help make payments. He had an old shed on the property, no power, no plumbing, but he thought he had it all.

Tom could not wait to graduate from high school; he had things to do. After high school he started to educate himself better in the livestock world. He did have a handful of cows by then, but after an outbreak of lungworm in the cows, he set that place aside to go out and learn more about the art of being a cowboy/cowman. He never really classified himself as a cowboy, but a cowman. Working for Al Anna Herefords as a herdsman for a short time, he realized to learn he had to go to cow country. So in 1957 he hit the road to Burns, OR getting a job in Silvies, OR at what is now know as the Ponderosa Ranch. Working with Clarence Mace and manager Dave Klein he got quite the

education. He had such respect for Clarence, who was a do or die kind of guy. There were lots of stories through that period of his life.

Tom returned to his little acreage on the Washington coast outside of Tenino. He sold that property to a developer and bought another larger place at the end of Skookumchuck Valley outside of Tenino. Tom started working construction to help fund and develop that ranch called the Rafter Lazy T. This is where Tom came across a young girl who used to ride through his ranch, who became his wife of 60 years. Kathleen B (Kloppmann) Turner, a daughter of a career military father and a stay-athome housewife. She was 17 and Tom was 27. And so the story goes. They married July 10, 1965 in Olympia, WA. A year later a son was born, Tate Thomas Turner and later a daughter Marnie Kathleen Turner.

Selling that property the Tom Turner family moved to Ellensburg, WA ranching and working construction. This is when Tom felt he had enough cows to quit construction and ranch full time. During this time Tom was named BiCentennial Cattleman of the Year for Kittitas County and Grassman of the Year in 1976. After 11 years of ranching in Kittitas County, the Turner family moved to Princeton, OR acquiring the Horseshoe T Ranch in a remote part of Harney County. This was ranching the way ranching was meant to be. Tom and Kathi ranched here from 1977 to 1981, then moved to Drewsey, OR and developed Turner Brangus Ranch. Together they developed the largest Brangus herd on the west coast, an accomplishment Tom was very proud of. The day that he had all one iron cattle was his crowning accomplishment. At this point, selling bulls far and wide. He always said the commercial cattle were good, but the satisfaction of developing a good foundation of purebred cattle was superior. The International Brangus Breeders agreed with Tom and Turner Brangus Ranch was awarded the prestigious Pioneer Breeder Award, only the third ranch to be awarded at that time.

After 27 years in Drewsey, Tom and Kathi retired and moved to Winnemucca, NV, while wintering in Scottsdale, AZ. A life well lived, although Tom never did accept retirement like most. His heart remained in ranching and the livestock business.

Tom is survived by his wife Kathi of 60 years, his son, Tate Turner (Becky), Ontario, OR and daughter Marnie Turner, Winnemucca, NV along with five grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Memorial donations can be made in Tom’s memory to the Drewsey Cemetery Fund, PO Box 216, Drewsey, OR 97904

The son of Leonard Max and Wilma J. (Groff) Davis, was born July 30, 1952, in Brookfield, Missouri. He attended Rock Port High School, Rock Port, Missouri, graduating in 1970. Crazy Horse then attended heavy equipment school in Homestead, Florida.

Crazy Horse was employed by Missouri Beef Packers in Texas. He later returned to Rock Port and was employed for James Ottmann Angus and Brangus. He was currently employed by Cooper Nuclear Station, Brownville, Nebraska in maintenance. Throughout his life, Crazy Horse’s true love was raising cattle and horses.

Crazy Horse served on the Rock Port Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years. He was a member of American Quarter Horse Association, American Brangus Association, and American Angus Association. He loved to country dance, spending time with family, and was always present at the annual Groff Reunion. Crazy Horse passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024, Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri, at the age of 71.

Crazy Horse was preceded in death by father, Max Davis. Survivors include mother, Wilma Davis, Rock Port; siblings, Dennis (Lola) Davis, Rock Port, Karen Davis, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Gloria (Joe) Whisler, Deepwater, Missouri, and Gary (Kris) Davis, Rock Port; nieces and nephews, Brigitte (Tim) Sheridan, Brock (Jennifer) Davis, Theresa (Jim) Crawford, Phillip (Mandy) Lininger, Amy (Stuart) Allen, Thyra Beckman, and Taron (Liz) Davis; numerous great nieces, great nephews, aunts, and uncles.

STeven duwaYne “CraZY horSe” daviS

Congratulations 2024 IBA SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS!

The International Brangus Auxiliary awarded $23,500 in scholarships to outstanding Brangus Juniors at the 2024 National Junior Brangus Show Awards Ceremony in Waco, Texas. Since 1977, the International Brangus Auxiliary has issued $561,000 in scholarships to help deserving IJBBA members defray the cost of higher education and pursue their college and career goals. For more information about IBA Scholarships, visit the IJBBA website at Scholarships - IJBBA (juniorbrangus. com). 2025 IBA Scholarship applications are due by April 1, 2025.

IBA Ken Hughes Memorial Underclassman Scholarship

Recipient Emma Tittor

Underclassman Alternate Education Scholarship Recipient—Aubrey Meador, Suzie Graven Memorial Founder’s Scholarship Recipient—Camille Burns, Underclassman Scholarship Recipient—Hannah Vissering, Underclassman Scholarship Recipient—Hope Challancin, Underclassman Scholarship Recipient-Blayze Saltzman, Upperclassman Scholarship Recipient—Wyatt Jackson.