May 2024 Brangus Journal

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

1st Vice President Tina Gardner, China Spring, Texas

Jessie England :: jengland@gobrangus.com

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 :: Jaxon Allen, Oklahoma

:: Ex-Officio :: Briana Hicks, Texas

:: Queen :: Savannah Hanson, Texas

:: Director :: Kade Whiddon, Texas

:: Director :: Emma Tittor, Texas

:: Director :: Isabelle Parkey, Texas

:: Director :: Aubrey Meador, Texas

:: Director :: Gracie Johnson, Texas

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 :: Carter Aucoin, Louisiana

:: Director :: Molly Hackstedt, Texas

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

Cover Details

Cover Photo Roger Gonzales

75 Years Brangus Celebration

Get hyped for our upcoming gala by reviewing a few of the posts from our Facebook page. Plus, learn how to register for what will be an incredible event.

24

Meet The IBBA Annual Award Winners

Learn about the breeders who took home some well-deserved hardware at our annual meeting this year.

2024 Houston Brangus Show Results

Congrats to all our winning animals and breeders. See all the show results from the Houston Livestock Show.

42

Herdsman & Jake White Award Winners

Gary Adamek (Champions Valley Brangus) and Don Cox (Cox Excalibur) received special recognition in Houston. Learn more about these special breeders and their ranches.

PLATINUM CORPORATE SPONSORS

Neogen

Southern Ionics, Inc.

GKB Cattle

GOLD CORPORATE SPONSORS

Cavender Boot City

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DIAMOND CELEBRATION PARTNERS

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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

Breeding for Your Environment

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

As this is going to print most of you have already studied the bull offerings and selected your next herd sires. As we roll right into breeding season, I offer a few on thoughts selection of your AI sires. I hope you're using A.I. It is the great equalizer. It gives the smallest breeder equal access to top genetics as the largest one.

We all get excited about the new bulls hitting the market and why not? They are our future. But, when using these young bulls, don’t throw all your eggs into one basket. Make sure you have a good mix of proven bulls in your AI battery to help prove those younger up-and-coming herd sires.

One thing I love about Brangus cattle is the ability to adapt in different locations and climates. You should know your customer base in your region and breed to your environment. For instance, I’m in the heart of Angus country in NE Oklahoma. I have to breed up a more moderate, cleaner sheath bull for my buyers. Someone in south Texas or in the Southeast might find that a little more frame and looser

cattle fits better there.

I am careful to avoid extremes. I think we have all seen in different breeds that closing your eyes and maximizing EPD value can lead to trouble. We all like to see those high performance cattle with good carcass EPDs or those cattle that are low birthweight. I am not suggesting we have this problem in our breed, but at the end of the day a well balanced EPD animal will win the race. The essence of genetic improvement is to move your average EPDs over time in the direction that you choose. That's the "math part" of cattle breeding. There is also the "art part". This is where your savvy as a breeder and your ability to see beyond the numbers separates your program from others.

Remember, what you do today will affect you two years down the road, or even ten years down the road based on the replacement females that you retain. Be a long-term planner to what your needs and goals are.

I hope everyone has a successful breeding season and rain is finding your pastures.

GO BRANGUS

Mound Creek Ranch

Blackwater Ranch

Red Bud Farms

Vanna Farms

Joe Baker, Fenco Farms, Vanna Farms

Belt Brangus, Cross N Farm

The Branch Ranch, Grassy Lake Cattle Co.

Cavender Ranches, Phillips Ranch

Cross N Farm, Plainview Farms

Double H Farm, Saddle HIll Cattle Co.

Fenco Farms, Blackwater Ranch

Great Mark Western, Cavender Ranches

LaTinka Brangus, Red Bud Farms

Lavender Brangus, LG Herndon Farms

Leto Farm, Double W Ranch, Draggin’ M Ranch, T3 Brangus

Midsouth Cattle, Villa Ranch

Romans Brangus, Pennridge Ranch, Schmidt Farms, Tuna Rosa Ranch

Saddle Hill Cattle Co., Mound Creek Ranch

Union Ranch, Cox Excalibur Brangus

Villa Ranch, Chimney Rock Cattle Co.

The International Brangus Breeders Foundation (IBBF) hosted a very successful embryo auction during the Houston Brangus activities. The IBBF raised $102,800! Funds raised will be invested in research to move our breed forward.

Thank you Mark Cowan and Tracy Holbert for collecting the embryo donations and to the organizers and consignors of the Genetic Edge Sale for allowing the IBBF tag on to this elite sale!

WHAT HAPPENS Next

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

Brangus breeders past and present will gather in Fort Worth in August to celebrate 75 years since the founding of the Brangus association. I cannot help but think about that group of pioneer breeders who decided that they had developed something unique enough to warrant the formation of a herdbook and, by extension, an association. That was 75 years ago. What happens next is up to those of us currently involved in Brangus.

Looking back, it seems obvious. You take two fabulous maternal breeds – Angus and Brahman – and put them together in the right proportion, followed by 75 years of selection, and you end up with a truly unique and remarkable breed of cattle. It looks obvious now, just like it looks obvious that we should have purchased stock in Apple when it traded for 80-cents. But the founders really had no way of

seeing 75-years into the future to see just how right they were.

The choice of Brahman was pretty obvious. It was the most established heat-tolerant breed in the country (they just celebrated their 100-year anniversary). The choice of Angus to compliment Brahman was, in my opinion, the real stroke of genius. The founders had no way of knowing that the beef industry in 2024 would place such a huge premium on high quality beef. Higher quality beef has always had a little premium, but the premium is larger now than it has ever been. And if there is one breed to blend with Brahman to improve beef quality, it is obviously Angus. That’s obvious now. Was it obvious to the pioneers in the 1940s?

The Brangus breed is built on a very strong genetic foundation. It was a brilliant idea. Where it goes from here is up to the people with Brangus herds. You.

From where I sit, it looks to me like all of our genetic trends are in the right direction. The quality of Brangus and

Ultra seedstock offered for sale by IBBA members continues to impress me, and apparently impresses a lot of other folks based on the prices paid by commercial producers for Brangus and Ultra bulls the past few years.

Through the Brangus Value Project, we are collecting real-world data showing that modern Brangus can compete with the best cattle in the industry when they go head-to-head in a feedlot and packing plant. Folks, you have developed something special. Now, we need to grow.

I think about growth all the time because I think Brangus deserves a larger footprint in the beef industry. I have thought that for a long time – well before I came to work for you. Marketing experts will tell anyone who will listen that you need to segment your market and approach the segments strategically. As I think about how we grow our footprint, I continue to land on two market segments that can truly benefit by using more Brangus genetics. A marketing expert could probably break down the segments into more than two, but I will only discuss two that I believe are obvious.

The first segment is what I will call the “junk cow population”. That’s a fairly blunt way to say it, but that’s how I see it. In the southern tier, but really everywhere, there are mongrelized cowherds comprised of every type and color under-the-sun. You can tell by looking at these herds that there is little to no thought being given to genetics. They have mixed-up cows being bred to cheap mixed-up bulls that are hard to even describe. It has been this way forever. It’s nothing new. But something is changing. The market for junk calves is getting softer and softer while the market for good calves is getting stronger and stronger. At some point, the price difference becomes so large that it can no longer be ignored. Covering these herds with good Brangus and Ultra bulls will instantly add value to their calf crop and over time; if they keep their Brangus-sired replacements, they can create a herd that produces calves that attract more bidders. I do not know precisely how to get the attention of these herd owners, but I see it as a market that we need to tap into. The owners are not accustomed to buying good registered bulls so, somehow, we need to convince them that they should. And Brangus

are the obvious choice.

The second market segment is different. It’s not the quality of the calves that is lacking. It is maternal productivity that is suffering. Again, I’ll be blunt. A straightbred Bos Taurus cow in a heat stress environment is almost guaranteed to underperform. This includes the entire fescue belt where 25% of the nation’s cowherd resides, and it includes country I am familiar with in the western desert where it gets very hot and water tanks are 5 miles apart. Many of these herds produce good calves already, and the owners are accustomed to buying good bulls and paying good money to get them. And they get top dollar for their calves. The problem is that the cows are much less productive than they would be if they had a dose of Brangus genetics. And now that we can show these folks that their Brangus and Ultra sired calves will perform extremely well in the feedlot and packing plant, we have what we need to at least get them to listen.

Let’s figure out how to strategically approach these two distinct markets. They are different. One has a calf value problem and the other has a cow productivity problem. We can help both of them.

So, back to the title of this essay. What happens next? I think it depends on what we do next.

BRANGUS.

75 YEARS AND COUNTING 75 Years Brangus Celebration

In case you missed it, we have been highlighting the people and cattle that have played a role in the past 75 years of Brangus. 2024 marks the 75th year of our breed so enjoy a handful of the posts we've shared over the last few months as we gear up to officially celebrate on Aug. 9 and 10th in Fort Worth, Texas. If you'd like to see all of the posts and memories we've been sharing, be sure to stop by our Facebook page, at http://bit. ly/470NwxL, or can scan QR code.

Juniors have played and continue to have a significant role in the breed. The IJBBA was formed in 1977 and the first NJBS was 1981. This photo was taken at the 1983 NJBS in Shawnee, OK.

Here are the current officers of the International Red Brangus Breeders Association. Pictured left to right are Vice President, Allen Goode; Directors, Don Cox; and Marcos Borges; President, Dr. Stephen Lee; Director Dennis Davis; Secretary, April Villarreal; Treasurer, Dr. Josh Walker; and Director, Nick Kahts. Red Brangus became part of IBBA in 2005.

Photo of founders and charter members taken on July 29, 1949 in Vinita, Oklahoma.

The International Brangus Auxiliary has been awarding scholarships since 1979. The first scholarship contest allowed each state/region to send one contestant and they were judged on the basis of a Brangus test, scrapbook, essay, speech, and interview. First place and $2500 was Jodi Burgin, Oklahoma; third place and $500 was Cheryl Moonen, Texas; and second place and $1500 was Karen Van Ornum, representing West Coast Junior Brangus Breeders. Standing behind the scholarship winners are the judges. Burgin, now Jackson went on to become the Managing Editor of the Brangus Journal and has developed her own herd of registered Brangus as Jackson Family Brangus. Moonen, now Eoff’s brother and nephew were very active in the IJBBA and still involved in the IBBA .

The IBA has awarded $538,000 to IJBBA members. Comment if you were one of those scholarship recipients.

November 5, 1951. Vinita, Oklahoma was the site for the first registered Brangus sale. Speaking from the block is Raymond Pope, the first ABBA (as it was then) president. Looks like it was full house.

It's 1956--the breed is seven-years-old and Brangus gets a role in Hollywood. The epic movie, Giant was released.

To say it was hit is an understatement. It featured Rock Hudson, Elizabeth Taylor, James Dean and Clear View King Tut, a Brangus bull owned by Raymond Pope, Clear View Ranch, Vinita, Oklahoma.

The movie tracks the lives of the family members of a ranching empire in Texas. It was James Dean’s last movie; he died in a car accident shortly after filming was completed.

Based on the novel by Edna Ferber, Giant follows “Bick” Benedict (played by Rock Hudson), a Texas cattle baron. After he marries the socialite Leslie (Elizabeth Taylor), tensions mount with the young ranch hand Jett (Dean), who is envious of both Benedict’s money and his beautiful wife. After Jett receives an unexpected windfall, his wealth surpasses the Benedicts’, further fueling the rivalry.

1983 Houston--anticipation had been building for some time for this show. Three sons of Titan---Extra, Tremor and King were the most discussed bulls of the time and they would be head to head in the two-year-old class. If you were there you probably remember the intensity and focus of not just the judge, Jimmy Linthicum but also the crowd. This was in the old Astrohall, so folks could actually be ringside. As the show progressed, the crowd inched closer and closer. When the decision was made --King stood 3rd, Tremor was in 2nd and Extra was first in the class. Then the two full sibs, Extra and Tremor (sired by Titan and out of Miss BB General 193Y) would be grand and reserve. We would love for you to comment about your recollections from that day.

25 years ago at the Houston Livestock Show, the breed celebrated it's 50th Anniversary. Here's just couple of the photos from the 50th Gala Event. Be sure to get your registrations done and plan to be in Fort Worth August 8-10th for the 75th Celebration. Register today at

The International Brangus Auxiliary (IBA) has been part of Brangus history since 1977. The IBA was formed thanks to the efforts of 25 women under the leadership of Suzy Graven. She served as the first IBA President. Her desire was to provide Brangus promotional material and to award scholarships to Brangus youth. Suzy passed away in April 2016. The IBA still carries on her goal of Brangus promotion and scholarships. There is a Founder’s scholarship awarded each year in her honor.

Brangus Champions by the Decades...

1967 Grand Champion Bull. Theldick's Fernando #47. Owned by Theldick Brangus and Bud Adams Ranches.

1978 Grand Champion Female. Owned by Choya Ranches. (Left to right): Mr and Mrs. Bill Poole, owners and Prissy and Glen Urban. At halter Grady Groves.

1989 Reserve Grand Champion Female owned by Cow Creek Ranch. Joe Reznicek on far left. Gene Raymond, Alan Mebane, Patrick Simmons at halter, Leigh Ann King and Gary Herbert.

1997 Grand Champion Bull Transformer of Brinks. Owned by Camp Cooley Ranch, Franklin, TX; Drews Cattle Co., Marlin, TX; Center Ranch, Centerville, TX; LaTerre Plantation, Lafayette, LA; and Don Smith Brangus Farms, Columbia, MS.

1995 Grand Champion Female. Left to Right: Neil Orth, IBBA EVP, Jim Carroll, Herb Murray, Jarold Callahan, judge, Myron Saathoff at halter, Natalie Cobb, Katy Scasta, Terri Adams and Patsy Acree.

2002 Reserve Grand Champion Cow/Calf, Mis 38 Center Ranch 535/J8. Owned by Radale. Tiner. Loren Jackson, IBBA EVP behind pair, Tiner boys on the halters, and Kari Smith.

2002 International Reserve Grand Champion Bull, SG MR. Tonto 419K10. Owned by Allen Cattle Company and Deep Down Ranch. Adam Graven on halter, Wes Hudson in black hat was judge. Stormy Sparkman third from left.

2014 Grand Champion Red Brangus Bull, KK Firestorm 8350A, owned by Katy Knox.

Left to Right. unknown, Tommy Perkins, IBBA EVP, Chris Sankey, unknown, Carlos Ojea Rullian, judge, Mandy Fisher, Sharee Snake, Shawn Knox and Katy Knox.

2023 Grand Champion Bull MP Mr Magnum 804J65 owned by MP Brangus.

IBBA Members Take Home Honors

by Lindsay L. Allen

Anyone with any experience or affiliation with the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) understands the magnitude and quality of breeders in the association. It doesn’t take long to recognize the volume of high quality, performance driven breeders; and yet, every year, some rise to the top and are recognized for their contributions to the Brangus breed during the annual IBBA meeting held at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March.

Four of these breeders went home with recognition and an award for their dedication and involvement and for rising to the top of the association’s membership. Mike Vorel, Vorel Farms, received the Pioneer of the Year award, Jeremy Jackson, Jackson’s Double J, was recognized as the Top Hand of the Year, Grady Green was recognized as the Breeder of

the Year, and Frank Johnston was named the Commercial Producer of the Year, in recognition of their utilization, advancement and promotion of Brangus genetics within their herd.

of the Year

By definition, the Pioneer of the Year award is presented to someone “for his/her service, loyalty and contributions to the Brangus breed.”

In nominating Mike Vorel, Vern Suhn summed up his impact by saying, “Countless registered and commercial breeders can attest to their success in the cattle business due to Mike’s words of encouragement, sharing of knowledge, vision for the future and unwavering work ethic to leave things better than he found them. Those who have had the opportunity to know and be associated with him are blessed to call him friend.”

Mike has been a longtime cattleman. He originally had a commercial herd and was seeking Brangus bulls for his herd That’s when he crossed paths with Suhn Cattle Company. In 2000, as he was visiting with Suhn and looking for bulls, he was impressed by the quality of cattle and became interested in the purebred business. And as they say, “the rest is history.”

That was the first of many trips to Suhn Cattle Company, where Mike would make male and female purchases to build his herd. Having a strong interest in genetics from his days of raising Berkshire hogs, Mike was eager to use genetics to his advantage when it came to building his cattle herd. He quickly looked to artificial insemination (AI), at a time when most Brangus breeders were using bulls as their primary breeding method. When UltraBlack and Red Brangus cattle were in their earlier years, Mike pioneered the way for them and always urged for their growth and the advantages of these breeds. “It was an unpopular opinion, for some, at the time, but now I see them across the country, in many operations and being shown at

major livestock shows and I hope they continue to open doors across the cattle industry for our breeders,” Mike shared. Vern praised Mike’s efforts and said, “His relentless pursuit of making Brangus cattle better, lead to his effort to bring new genetics into the breed through the UltraBlack breed and to search the Angus breed for the sire that would benefit his program, but also the breed’s future. Modern day and heavily used sires such as Vorel Currency 25E8 and Vorel Abstract 25E9 were two of his home-grown sires that will have a lasting impact on the breed.”

Mike is a firm believer of getting involved and serving and that is what has led him to be so involved with the Brangus breed over the years. He served on the IBBA Breed Improvement committee for several years, the IBBA Long Range Planning committee and served two consecutive terms as IBBA president during really pivotal years. Through it all, he formed some of the best mentorships and friendships and is thankful for those relationships afforded him by the Brangus breed. Mike is a proponent of investing in the future generation and members of the breed and the Brangus cattle too. “I will always believe there is a place for Brangus or Ultras in the pasture and believe it’s every IBBA member’s job to make the breed better.”

While he sold his herd in 2022 to Chimney Rock Cattle Company, Mike and his wife, Robin, are excited to pass down their love for agriculture and Brangus cattle to their nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Bill Davis, owner of Chimney Rock Cattle Company, said, “In my 25 years in the breed, I have not met anyone more deserving of this award. Mike is one of the most caring and giving men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. He has always been ready to serve the IBBA in any capacity and is always ready to help new breeders.”

Pioneer

Top Hand of the Year

You never have to doubt the passion and dedication that Jeremy has for the Brangus breed. As a breeder, committee member and Brangus enthusiast, Jeremy is known for rolling up his sleeves and giving it his all.

Mike Vorel, a longtime friend of Jeremy’s, said, “He deserves this award, as no one else has dug in as deep as Jeremy. He has served on numerous committees and served with his full heart. As the current treasurer of IBBA, Jeremy carries a lot of responsibility, and he is a great guy to be around.”

Jeremy grew up with Brangus cattle as his dad began buying Brangus bulls when Jeremy was a kid. In 2010, his dad started transitioning his commercial herd to a registered Brangus herd. Today, Jeremy and his wife, Michelle, raise their Brangus herd outside of Bentonville, Arkansas and also help Jeremy’s parents with their Brangus operation.

“What I love about Brangus cattle is their versatility. They can do anything. Our job as an association is to provide our members with the resources to produce bulls to meet the needs of commercial cattlemen. People buy Brangus bulls because they need top-end replacement females that will also hang a carcass that is consistently choice or better,” Jeremy stated.

Jeremy is constantly stepping in and ensuring he can provide his knowledge and work ethic in a way that will benefit the association.

Jeremy’s résumé with the Brangus breed includes a long list of service, from IBBA Membership, Education and Finance committees, to serving as IBBA president in 2022 and he is currently serving as treasurer through spring of 2026.

“I love our association and it takes dedicated men and women who are willing to give up their time to serve others for the association to succeed. I’m most proud of the work that all the committees did the year I was president. We had lots of open projects that needed to be finished before we could move on and the committees banded together and got it all done,” he recalled.

Jeremy’s vision is that Brangus cattle would continue to grab more market share, “while staying true to who we are,” he continued, “We grew last year, as we saw the cow herd in the country drastically decrease. That’s a big deal!”

His love for the breed runs deep and Jeremy would encourage anyone to get involved in the association. “The relationships you build in IBBA will help shape and guide your program…This is a lifestyle, and you will get out of it what you are willing to put into it,” he advised; something Jeremy knows full well from his 13 years of loyalty and dedication to the breed as a member of IBBA and constant advocate for Brangus cattle.

Breeder of the Year

“Grady Green’s willingness to push boundaries, to relentlessly pursue performance, to breed for Brangus supremacy in the sales area, share knowledge and show up for his partners and fellow cattlemen all strongly speak to why Grady is so well regarded across the Brangus world. Grady is the embodiment of a true Brangus breeder and well deserving of the distinction of IBBA Breeder of the Year.”

These were the words penned in the nomination for Grady, president of Draggin’ M Ranch in El Dorado, Arkansas, and sum up the expertise and passion Grady has for the breed and the matings he is responsible for in the program.

Grady’s understanding of the industry, and specifically the Brangus breed, started at an early age. He has always been around Brangus cattle, thanks to his father, Craig Green’s, influence and in high school, Grady could be found (before and after school of course) working donor cows and checking bulls at Camp Cooley Ranch. And that was just the start of his involvement with Brangus operations. The day after he graduated from TCU’s Ranch Management Program, Grady took his current job at Draggin’ M Ranch.

make him a well-deserved recipient of Breeder of the Year. When you look at how embryos, semen, herd sire prospects, proven donors and donor prospects from Draggin’ M Ranch perform in the sale ring, it’s proof that Grady and team are breeding cattle that are in high demand.

“We plan to keep building and raising some of the best Brangus cattle that the breed has ever seen and leave the

breed better than when we found it. We hope to help shape the future generations of the Brangus breed so that it will last well beyond the next 75 years,” Grady shared.

Grady recommended that those seeking to get involved with IBBA and/or advance their operation should find a mentor or establish program that fits your goals and align to them.

As for the title of Breeder of the Year, Grady said this award means the world to him and his family. “It validates the fact that early mornings and late nights away from family and friends, as I worked on building our program, are worth it. To follow in the footsteps of past breeders of the year is a great honor,” he said.

He continued to say that he is constantly trying to utilize the latest technology with AI and embryo transfer.

His natural eye for good cattle and a gift for matching like and kind traits that will push the genetic curve and improve performance

“This helps us turn generations faster, which enable us to have a marketplace with fresh genetics that help push the breed forward,” he said. Grady recommended that those seeking to get involved with

IBBA and/or advance their operation should find a mentor or establish program that fits your goals and align to them.

Commercial Producer of the Year

“Frank Johnston and Leto Farms have a passion for Brangus genetics and are using the right Brangus genetics to navigate the cattle markets at the highest level,” Brad Wright, Ranch Hand Analytics, shared.

Leto Farms, Letohatchee, Alabama, is owned by Frank and Harriett and their two sons and managed by Ranch Manager Logan Whatley. The land that they run their commercial operation on has been in the family’s name for four generations.

At Leto Farms, the expectations are high for their program and cattle, and require a high-performing cow that can deliver! That is why they use Brangus genetics to take their operation to the next level.

CDP Brangus genetics run deep in the pedigrees of the Johnston herd. First calf heifers are AI’d to breed-

leading Brangus bulls from CDP and Frank has been known to compete with registered bull buyers. Calving season starts in late September and by mid – November, Leto Farms is 90% calved out. This strict management has accelerated the selection for maternal excellence and a cow herd set up for profitability in the cattle markets today and into the future. The range bulls for natural service are also from CDP Brangus and selected to balance calving ease, adequate growth and slightly above breed average carcass traits.

His operation is a well-oiled machine. His pastures are divided by five age groups; virgin, first calf, three-yearold’s, four-to-six-year-olds and seven-year olds and older, to allow for more efficiency when it comes to management. He also raises his own replacement females, and markets some as replacement females for other ranches and also retains ownership of others through the feed yard.

Frank was one of the first operations to take advantage of the Brangus® Vigor Feeder Calf Program and initially enlisted 300 steers. Brangus Vigor is a way to differentiate Brangus feeder cattle from generic “eared crossbreds” with a goal of creating a premium market for Brangus and Ultra-sired calves. It is a Process Verified Program which ensures that feedlot buyers who purchase Brangus Vigor feeder cattle are getting genuine Brangus genetics that are Age/Source Verified, Genetic Verified and Health Verified.

“The quality of Leto Farms cattle is now recognized in feed yards and from buyers in their home state of Alabama to Texas, Kansas, and now, Iowa, where the most recent set of feeder calves will soon be harvested,” Brad continued, “Identifying his loads of cattle as Brangus-sired progeny has helped to bring light to the quality of Brangus feeder cattle at every stop. Frank began retaining ownership of feeder calves five years ago and that data yielded proof that investing in high quality genetics was the right decision. His last few sets to harvest have averaged 92% Choice or better with an average 2.9 Yield Grade and 64.5% dressing percentage, all while converting feed to gain in the feed yard below 6:1.”

With a family legacy to preserve and a top-of-the-line commercial operation, Frank Johnston, his family, and his team are honored to receive this award.

UPDATE from the Field

by Kyle Caldwell, Director of Field Services and Strategic Projects

2024 feels like it is flying by. Spring sales have been strong again this year and we still have a few more on the docket before this spring sale season comes to a close. Over the last month I’ve been to sales and visits in Arkansas and Texas and wrapping up with the Superior Gulf Coast Classic in Natchitoches. At the conclusion of my last field update I was on the way up to the CDP Sale at Draggin’ M Ranch. The Lord blessed us with a lot of moisture that weekend but that did not stop the CDP crew from having another strong showing with some high-quality cattle. A few days later I made my way up to Cow Palace for the GenePlus sale. The GenePlus folks put together another outstanding offering with buyers bidding from all over the country ending the bull sale with a total average over $8,000. The following weekend I dodged some eclipse traffic and made my way over to Salado, Texas for the TBBA Spring Spectacular Sale. This was one of the deepest set of females I’ve sorted through at an affiliate association sale and the sale performance reflected it. As I am writing this

update, I am attending the Superior Livestock Gulf Coast Classic Sale in Natchitoches, LA. Unfortunately, we were not able to get the Brangus Vigor tag program launched with Superior prior to this event but I have been able to prospect several qualified programs that would be good candidates at future Superior sales. As the month comes to a close, I still have the Oak Creek Farms Forage Developed Bull Sale and the Divas in Red Sale in Chapel Hill and Brenham, TX, respectively, as well as the Cavender Ranches Spring Female Sale on the 26th and 27th. In the coming months I am planning to attend the Phillips Ranch Sale on May 4th, a Genetic Merit Pricing Taskforce Meeting in Denver, CO, the IBBA Texas Invitational Show, the Quail Valley Farms sale on June 7th and 8th, the BIF Symposium in Knoxville, TN, Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, the National Junior Brangus Show and the Superior Video Royale Sale in Winnemucca, NV. I look forward to seeing everyone at these events down the road.

FOLLOW THE FACEBOOK PAGE

75 Years Brangus Celebration

Have you followed our Facebook page 75 Years Brangus Celebration? 2024 is our 75th anniversary and we’re reminiscing with lots of photos and historical information on this social media format.

Stay up to date, go down memory road, and relive the past 75 years of Brangus history by following the Facebook page created for this milestone. This page is devoted to featuring events, people and cattle that have played a role, large or small in the breed’s history from 1949-2024.

Please like the page and follow along. We invite you to post photos on your personal/ranch pages and tag the 75 Years Brangus Celebration page, as well as share this page. Also, if you have photos from any of the last 75 years please send to hollidacompany@gmail or jodibjackson1990@gmail.com. Please include any information you might know about the photo such as year, event and who is pictured.

Remember the 75 Years Brangus Celebration is set for August 9-11 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Come Visit Us at http://bit.ly/470NwxL

EPD-OLOGY

Just Because You Can Compute An EPD…..Doesn’t Mean you Should

by Dr. Kari White, PhD, Genetic Prediction Scientist, Neogen Corporation

Dr. Wilkes recently pointed out to me that a group of astute Brangus breeders have started to question why several animals have empty calving ease direct (CED) or calving ease maternal (CEM) EPDs after the monthly genetic evaluation has been loaded. I am thrilled that the EPDs are used such that breeders would notice when they are missing! I also thought such questions deserved a reply, so I’ve pulled a few real-world examples fresh off the March EPDs for us to look at.

Take a look at the calving ease direct EPDs on Bull A and B in the table below. Not terribly different for either birth weight or calving ease EPDs, but with remarkably different accuracies. Bull A has over 190 offspring in the genetic evaluation, all of which have calving ease scores. Most also have adjusted birth weights, which adds accuracy to his calculation. Bull B, on the other hand, has only 5 offspring in the evaluation. None of his offspring have calving ease scores or adjusted birth weights. So, which bull are you going to use? Are

their calving ease EPDs created equal?

The answer is NO! All is not fair in love and EPD calculations (that’s how the saying goes, right?). At its core, an EPD is all about helping you mitigate risk. Since there’s risk in choosing animals based on phenotype alone, we compute EPDs to take out environmental factors so we can compare animals across years, herds, and seasons. The more information we have in that calculation, the higher the accuracy is of the EPD (closer to 1 is more accurate, closer to 0 is less accurate). If you want to minimize the amount of risk you have in using an EPD (say you’re trying to find a sire to breed to first calf heifers), you want to choose an animal with a highly accurate EPD, which lessens your amount of risk.

Are there times when it’s ok to go with a low accuracy sire? Absolutely! Say Bull B is a star for some other trait you’re interested in (the number of calves EPD is my favorite lately), and you’d like to try his genetics in your herd. You also don’t

like getting up every 3 hours checking females during calving season, so you are concerned about the calving ease number. Since you know this is a young bull with very few progeny in the evaluation (reflected in his low accuracy), you decide to use him only on mature females who have successfully calved without assistance several times. Great choice! No animal is a superstar across the board – you will always have to weigh the ins and outs of your breeding decisions. Correctly using EPDs and accuracies in your tool kit they are can help you assume a level of risk and reward you’re comfortable with.

There are a few things to note in how we compute calving ease scores. We run birth weight and calving ease together in the genetic evaluation because they are related traits (practically, as birth weight goes up, you are more likely to have calving problems). So, if you have no calving ease phenotypes going into the evaluation, most of the information on an animal is going to come from its birth weight.

Calving ease is also a threshold trait, e.g. they either needed assistance or they didn’t. When EPDs are calculated that way, strange things can happen to the predictions of super lowly accurate animals. For that reason, Neogen has traditionally not returned EPDs on animals that have calving ease accuracies less than 0.01. We know that real world decisions are made based on these numbers, and our goal is always to be conservative and provide the most reliable information possible.

Final thought: there may be a subset of breeders (surely not you) that think “this is why I select my bulls based on the raw birth weight, no way to mess that up!” It’s true, you could select your next group of bulls based on their raw phenotypes. However, your neighbor will probably be using genomically enhanced EPDs plus an economic selection index to select his bulls. This puts you in a situation that’s a bit like choosing to walk 20 miles to the grocery store instead of jumping in your truck: you’ll get there, but it will take a whole lot longer………….

Invited Commentary from Brad Wright, Ranch Hand Analytics

There is a case to be made that EPDs should not be printed when the accuracy is 5% or lower. EPDs with an accuracy of 5% or lower have no data backing them up, only a pedigree, and can be a very risky tool. But breeders can solve this issue with one data point. A phenotype reported for each trait will start to move the needle. This also helps explain the importance of DNA. A DNA sample will help even young calves that have not had the opportunity to produce a phenotype reach reliable accuracies immediately.

IBBA National Show

March 2024 | Houston, Texas | Judge: Dr. Chris Cassady and Billy Estrada

Grand Champion Female

KK miSS STarSTrUCK 924K5

GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

reServe Champion red Female

TrioS SB Karina 175K2

TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, Texas

Ganaderia El Duque, Campeche, Mexico

Taos Durheim, Spring, Texas

Female diviSionS

Junior Heifer Calf Champion: TCR ELIZAMA 302L1, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, TX

Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: GKB MISS CYBIL 804L15, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

Senior Heifer Calf Champion: ORIGINS MISS STACIE 302K7, Origins Ranch, Houston, TX

Champion Female

Grand Champion Cow-CalF pair

SB mS CroSSCUT 313J5 6B Cattle, Florence, Texas

reServe Champion red Cow-CalF pair

marvel'S SweeT FanCY 116

Marvel Farms, High Springs, Florida

Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion:

ACC KATALINA 358K2, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX

Summer Champion Heifer: RAFTER L VEGA JO 157K4, Lucherk Cattle, McCoy, TX

Reserve Summer Champion Heifer: TCR POCAHONTAS 302K14, Triple Crown Ranch,

KO’s

reServe Champion Cow-CalF pair

3B MISS LAURA 804H3

Blayze Saltzman, Iowa, Louisiana

Angleton, TX, Ali Tieman, Brenham, TX

Yearling Champion Heifer: KK MISS STARSTRUCK 924K5, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

Reserve Yearling Champion Heifer: ACC TRICKY WOO 674K, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX

Senior Champion Heifer: ACC REESES 649J8, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX

Reserve Senior Champion Heifer: MP MS MIDNIGHT STAR 804J38, MP Brangus, Waco, TX

red Female diviSionS

Red Junior Heifer Calf Champion: TAJO LOLA 204L, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: M&M LEIGHTON 702L1, TaylorMade Cattle Co., Lakeland, FL

Red Senior Heifer Calf Champion: TAJO MS

Grand Champion red Cow-CalF pair m&m 702/J

reServe

TCr eliZama 302l1

Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, Texas

Grand Champion red Female

TaJo mS velviTa 204K6

Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas

Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

Grand Champion BUll

oriGinS KnoCK oUT 302K2

MP Brangus, Waco, Texas, Origins Ranch, Houston, Texas, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, Texas

Grand Champion red BUll BROKEN A MAVERICK 841K2

Broken A Ranch, Madisonville, Texas Lazy 3 Cattle, Thomball, Texas

Red Bud Farms, Ben Lomond, Arkansas La Tinka Cattle Company, Magnolia, Tx

VELVITA 204K6, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

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

Red Summer Champion Heifer: VILLAS MS CATALINA 71K1, Villa Ranch, Brookshire, TX

Red Reserve Summer Champion Heifer: DOS XX'S T-N-T'S MISTY, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, TX

Red Yearling Champion Heifer: TRIOS SB KARINA 175K2, TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, TX, Ganaderia El Duque Red Reserve Yearling Champion Heifer: TAJO BIANCA 59K3, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Senior Champion Heifer: 59/J DREAM TIME'S T-N-T, Shipp Int. Cattle, Aubrey, TX

BUll diviSionS

Junior Bull Calf Champion: GKB RANGER 804L8, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

Reserve Junior Bull Calf Champion: DIAMOND K OLD SOUL 157L, Wellmann Cattle Company, Brenham, TX

reServe Champion BUll

BB CroSS Canadian 150K3

Burns Brangus, Wharton, Texas

reServe Champion red BUll

TaJo lUpe 204K9 Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas

Senior Bull Calf Champion: ORIGINS CAPITAL GAINS 302K4, Origins Ranch, Houston, TX

Reserve Senior Bull Calf Champion: ORIGINS BUSINESS PLAN 302K6, Origins Ranch, Houston, TX

Summer Champion Bull: ORIGINS KNOCK OUT 302K2, MP Brangus, Waco, TX, Origins Ranch, Houston, TX, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

Reserve Summer Champion Bull: KL NAVIGATOR 915K1, K & L Brangus, Floresville, TX

Yearling Champion Bull: BB CROSS CANADIAN 150K3, Burns Brangus, Wharton, TX

Reserve Yearling Champion Bull: GKB

FEDERAL RESERVE 38K24, TaylorMade Cattle Co., Lakeland, FL

Senior Champion Bull: MR MS CHEECHO

767J5, Rilee Bennett, Auburn, Alabama

Reserve Senior Champion Bull: ACC ASTRO 674J11, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

red BUll diviSionS

Red Junior Bull Calf Champion: DOS XXS DYNAMITES HAMMER, Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, TX

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

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

Red Reserve Senior Bull Calf Champion: HB

EXCALIBURS DREAM 948K, Cox Excalibur Brangus/Jim Harris, Katy, TX

Red Summer Champion Bull: BROKEN A MAVERICK 841K2, Broken A Ranch, Madisonville, TX, Lazy 3 Cattle, Tomball, TX, Red Bud Farms, Ben Lomond, AR

Red Reserve Summer Champion Bull: TR OBI WAN EXPRESSWAY 39K, George Reynolds, Harlingen, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX

Red Yearling Champion Bull: TRIOS KRUGER 175K4, TRIO Cattle & Genetics, Mabank, TX, Scamardo Brangus, Caldwell, TX

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

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

Red Reserve Senior Champion Bull: CX

HOMBRE'S HOME RUN 59J10, Cox Excalibur Brangus, Katy, TX

GroUp diviSionS

Champion Produce of Dam: Mill Creek Land and Cattle, Puryear, TN

Champion Breeders Herd: GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

Red Champion Produce of Dam: Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX

Red Champion Junior Get of Sire: Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX

Red Champion Senior Get of Sire: Dos XX’s Cattle Company, Washington, TX

Red Champion Breeders Herd: Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX

IBBA National Show

March 2024 | Houston, Texas | Judge: Dr. Chris Cassady and Billy Estrada

Grand Champion UlTra Female mC Bada Boom 628K8

Mill Creek Land and Cattle, Puryear, TN

reServe Champion UlTra Female mC Bada BinG 628K7

Mill Creek Land and Cattle, Puryear, TN

UlTra Female diviSionS:

Ultra Junior Heifer Calf Champion: GRT MS 6847G-MONEY 804L2, TaylorMade Cattle Co., Lakeland, FL

Ultra Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: JJ MS FIRST CLASS 3227L, Emily Jackson, Gentry, AR

Ultra Senior Heifer Calf Champion: MC BADA BOOM 628K8, Mill Creek Land and Cattle, Puryear, TN

Grand Champion UlTra BUll SCCC KadillaC 804K

Roxton Stone, Stanton, TX

reServe Champion UlTra BUll laZY 3 opporTUniST 468l 4D Red Brangus, Spring, TX Lazy 3 Cattle, Thomball, TX

Ultra Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion: MC BADA BING 628K7, Mill Creek Land and Cattle, Puryear, TN

Ultra Yearling Champion Heifer: ACC BONITA 25K4, Kade Whiddon, Needville, TX

Ultra Senior Champion Heifer: GKB MISS BELLA 118J, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX

Grand Champion UlTra Cow-CalF pair mnr mS. liZZo 535h

Madilyn Nichols, Lakeland, FL

UlTra BUll diviSionS:

Ultra Junior Bull Calf Champion: LAZY 3

OPPORTUNIST 468L, Lazy 3 Cattle, Tomball, TX, 4D Red Brangus, Spring, TX

Ultra Reserve Junior Bull Calf Champion: LAZY

3 NEXT LEVEL 1328L, Lazy 3 Cattle, Tomball, TX

Ultra Summer Champion Bull: SCCC

KADILLAC 804K, Roxton Stone, Stanton, TX

Ultra Yearling Champion Bull: CT DEEP POCKETS 108K2, TaylorMade Cattle Co., Lakeland, FL

Ultra Reserve Yearling Champion Bull: MCC FRED 622K, Savannah Hanson, Dayton, TX

Ultra Senior Champion Bull: CHAMP MR LIMITLESS 150J7, Champions Valley Brangus, Schulenburg, TX

Ultra Reserve Senior Champion Bull: DIAMOND JV JOKER 23J, Cheyene Durheim, Spring, TX

6.8

JAKE WHITE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

RECIPIENT

Don Cox

by Lindsay L. Allen

In 2019, the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) Show Committee established an award to honor and recognize a lifetime of excellence in herdsmanship, achievements in the exhibition of Brangus cattle, and contributions to the Brangus breed and the purebred beef industry. The Lifetime Achievement Award in the Exhibition of Brangus Cattle is a result of those efforts and more commonly known as the “Jake White Award” because Jake, a well-known cattleman, excellent showman and breeder with “true cow sense” was the first recipient of the award.

At the 2024 annual IBBA meeting, Dox Cox was recognized with this prestigious honor as a reflection of his continual efforts for the breed, in and outside of the show ring. For almost four decades, Don has been forging a path for Brangus and Red Brangus genetics around the world and have made a significant contribution to the breed, the people and the next generation. His wife, Lili, is always by his side and attends all events with him supporting his passion.

Don’s gratitude for all he has been blessed with, from his family, friends, coworkers and jobs, is always on display, in and out of the showring. As he puts it, “I’ve been blessed with the best! You always hear people say that wisdom comes with age, and it does, but I believe that the older you get the more you realize you are not in control, but my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is.” As he reflects on his four plus decades in the

The Jake White Lifetime Achievement award was instituted in 2019 by the IBBA show committee to recognize an individual who has dedicated years to promoting and exhibiting Brangus cattle. The award is given in honor of Jake White, a legendary cattleman, master animal breeder, successful cattle judge, showman and herdsman who was well respected across all breeds of cattle.

industry, he has nothing but thanksgiving for the association, the people and the cattle.

“The Brangus breed, both Red and Black, are the best maternal cattle in the world. The growth of Brangus in many countries proves they can tolerate the hot humid climates

where most of the cattle in the world are grown. Brangus are easy fleshing, great mother cows, have outstanding maternal characteristics, carcasses that will yield and grade, and are easy calvers,” Don shared when asked about his love for the breed.

When Don purchased land that had been in his family’s name since 1911, in Weimar, Texas, his focus was on breeding the best genetics and thus began his involvement with the Red Brangus breed and the foundation of Cox Excalibur.

“I was, and still am, very interested in studying cattle and wanted to breed cattle that could survive and thrive in the hot, humid climates our southeast Texas ranch experienced,” he recalled, “It didn’t take long for my research to lead me to Brangus cattle and 41 years ago I established my Red Brangus herd.”

Cox Excalibur Brangus began introducing black Brangus genetics in the early 90’s and has been actively marketing his cattle overseas since and has sold semen and embryos to nine different countries and has paved the way for Red Brangus genetics in Mexico.

His efforts to promote the breed are just as visible in the show ring too. “What I love about the show ring is the exposure we give our breed and cattle to other cattlemen and people interested in getting into the cattle business. I have

met many cattlemen over the years who either switched to Brangus, or started their herd, because of seeing our cattle at the shows,” Don continued, “I can’t talk about the show ring without mentioning the great people you meet and become lifelong friends with as you exhibit cattle together.”

Don has taken his love for showing Brangus cattle and shared it with junior exhibitors. “Cox Excalibur Red Brangus hosts an annual CX Advantage Sale every October and at this sale we support our local FFA youth and donate a heifer. All the proceeds go to the local Weimar and Columbus chapters,” Don shared, “We believe our FFA kids are the future and we want to give them every chance to attend meetings, conferences, and shows.”

“Receiving this award was the pinnacle of my cattle career. I always admired Jake White because he was one of the best showman I had ever seen, despite a physical handicap from a car accident. Everyone has heard of a horse whisperer, or a cattle whisperer, well in my opinion what I saw Jake White do in the show ring was the definition of a cattle whisperer. I am so proud of this honor and appreciate the IBBA for giving it to me,” Don said.

BLUE RIBBON BRANGUS BREEDERS

Champions Valley Brangus

HERDSMAN AWARD RECIPIENT

by Lindsay Allen

Through a combination of points earned through participation in the IBBA National Standard of Excellence shows and votes from fellow exhibitors, the winner of the prestigious Herdsman of the Year is selected; and this year it went to Champions Valley Brangus.

For Gary Adamek, owner of Champions Valley Brangus in Schulenberg, Texas, this award can be traced back to his children’s involvement in 4-H and FFA. “When they began showing Brangus females, we got involved with the IBBA. Over the years we collected genetics we were proud of and wanted to continue building upon even after our youngest graduated high school,” Gary shared, “We made the decision almost ten years ago to move from a small operation to a larger scale operation, with roughly 500 head today.”

Champions Valley Brangus loads up the trailer and exhibits at the national junior show in addition to shows across Texas, Louisiana, Florida and Oklahoma. Since Gary decided to continue exhibiting cattle after his youngest graduated high school, he has taken home the honors of IBBA Ultrashow Bull of the Year twice, Show Heifer of the Year, Cow/Calf Pair of the Year and Dam of the Year. It’s an impressive résumé that now includes Herdsman of the Year as well.

When you look at the genetics of the herd, Gary said the majority of the bloodlines stem from the JLS herd he bought out last year,

in addition to the herd he bought from Diamond D Ranch. “The majority of the herd are recip cows and we do five embryo transfers a year. We have just as many embryo babies born as we do AI and natural service calves,” he explained.

Gary and his family are proud to raise and exhibit Brangus cattle. “Brangus are the right cow for the right area. I think Brangus cattle were custom made to live in this part of the world where I am,” he continued, “Other breeders talk about their mama cows being good, but there is always a Brangus cow standing behind ET calves in the pasture.

This award, which Champions Valley Brangus is extremely honored to receive, is a reflection of their entire team’s dedication and hard work. “It was such a surprise to be honored as Herdsman of the Year and the award points back the expertise and work ethic of our ranch manager, Zach Kalina and my wife, Karen,” Gary stated.

GACC DATA BANK 102H3

CB MASTERPIECE 2051F

SUHN’S BLUEPRINT 2H

INCREASING EXPENSES AND REVENUE CATTLEFAX TRENDS

CattleFax recently completed its annual CowCalf Survey identifying industry trends and benchmarks for 2023. First of all, thank you to everyone who took the time to complete this survey as your participation is critical for a robust and accurate analysis. Producers should be able to utilize the results to identify opportunities for improvement on their own operations by comparing against regional benchmarks. Results came in from across the country with the South Plains and the Southeast regions contributing the largest percentages of responses. The average herd size in this year’s sample was 345 cows, down 26 head from the previous year. Not only did we see an increase in participants with smaller herds, but this also reflects the contraction within the U.S. cowherd that we’ve been experiencing the last few years.

at $647/head. This cost differential has been evident in our analysis for over five years now with the cow costs in the North Plains consistently being higher than elsewhere and the Southeast remaining the least expensive. This is reflective of the availability and cost of feed and forage. The North Plains also saw the largest year-over-year increase in expenses, up $80/ head.

Across the U.S., feed and hay expenses accounted for the most expensive category in the cow cost calculation at 36 percent followed by pasture costs at 27 percent. This pattern has been in place for a few years now and ties back to the impact of lingering drought conditions. These costs were followed by overheads at 12 percents which include many of the indirect costs such as facilities, utilities, fuel, and equipment repairs and maintenance. These costs are usually relatively fixed and independent of levels of production. Hired labor, supplies and miscellaneous expenses, along with veterinary and breeding costs made up the final 25 percent of cash cow costs. As noted earlier, these cash cost estimates do not include non-cash expenses such as depreciation or returns to unpaid labor and management. These were asked as a separate question with the average estimated cost for non-cash expenses coming to $198/head.

As expected, cash cow costs increased $41/head, or 6 percent, from 2022 to $723 in 2023, a new record for this survey. This is a more modest increase compared to the previous year’s growth of 11 percent. It is important to note that this is solely a cash cost and does not include non-cash expenses. Because of the diversification in environments and business models for cow-calf operations, costs varied widely both between and within regions. The North Plains had the largest average cash cow costs at $826/head while the Southeast had the lowest average cash cow costs

On the return side, the increase in calf revenue far outpaced the higher costs. The average calf value in 2023 was $1,421/head which was an almost $400, or 39%, increase from 2022. Using cash cow costs, and making adjustments for the weaned calf crop percentage, this resulted in a simple profit margin of $589/head. This is a $326/head increase from 2022 and the largest net return seen since 2015. This simple margin calculation leaves out a few of the big costs discussed earlier while also ignoring expenses associated with replacement heifer development. Revenue from the sale of cull cows and bulls, which typically make up around 20% of gross revenue, were also excluded. Ultimately, this

analysis suggests a much-needed margin improvement for cow-calf producers. It also reflects the shift in leverage towards the cow-calf sector as is expected in this stage of the cattle cycle.

CattleFax breaks survey participants into three equal categories based on profit status to further evaluate what sets “high-return” producers apart from “average” or “low-return" operators. While the differences in average costs and revenue for lowreturn and high-return producers are pretty similar, the item that jumps out is where average-return producers lie within the trendlines. From a cost standpoint, the difference in cow costs between low- and average-return operators, $188/head, is almost triple that of the difference among average- and highreturn producers, $63/head. This tells us that roughly a third of operations, those within the low-return group, have substantially higher costs than the other two groups. Likewise, from a price perspective, low- and averagereturn producers were fairly similar in the price they received for their calves with only a $52/head difference. However, the third of producers that fall into the high-return category find ways to differentiate their calves in order to receive a $216/head premium compared to average-return producers. This ultimately tells us the difference between low- and average-return operations lies within cow costs while the difference between average- and high-return operations is found

within calf values. Roughly translated, this means that producers who find themselves receiving smaller returns can make quicker improvements by focusing on the expense side of the income statement while producers with average margins can find more value by placing emphasis on the revenue side. We will discuss some of these methods in the next article. Despite these impressive average net returns, the wide variation in costs means that a small percentage of producers were still operating in the red last year. When accounting for expenses left out of this calculation, the percentage of producers with a negative margin becomes even larger. Even for producers with profitable returns, numerous economic headwinds remain that are more impactful for assetbased businesses like those in the cow-calf sector. Fortunately, the coming years should provide further opportunities to cow-calf producers as we enter a period of tighter cattle and beef supplies that will lend support to higher prices and additional margins. A greater emphasis on the management of operations, particularly with regards to financial factors, can enable producers to capture more of these higher margins.

Thanks again to those that took the time to complete the recent survey. This dataset provides

valuable insights for not only the industry but, more importantly, to producers engaged in the day-to-day operations. Look for additional results in future Trends articles regarding the impact of different management decisions on calf values.

SALESummaries

Texas Alliance Brangus Sale

March 19, 2024 | Bloomington, Texas

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

Lots Average

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

Commercial Females

67 Bulls (Brangus & Ultras)

$5,403

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

23 Santa Gertrudis Bulls

$4,011

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

64 Commercial Females

The total sale grossed $250,550

$2,142

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

154 Lots Grossed

$591,350

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

Buyers from 6 states were on hand to compete for the high quality lots consigned by 20 breeders across the Southeast.

Over 80 serious minded buyers and bidders from Texas, Kentucky, Florida, and Missouri assembled in Bloomington, TX at Briggs Ranches, March 19 for the second annual Texas Alliance Sale. They were greeted by great South Texas hospitality and a very good set of Red and Black beef bulls. The top end quality was evident in the day’s prices.

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

All consigners and buyers are greatly appreciated.

The day’s top selling bull at $16,500 Lot 27, Briggs Empire 392K5. He is a calving ease prospect with plenty of growth and milk and a full brother to last year’s Texas Alliance high selling bull, Handsome Jack. He sold to Jennifer Walraven, Ranger TX and was bred by Briggs Ranch.

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

CAVENDER DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS SPRING SALE

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

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

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

Two bulls were tied for the day’s second high selling bull. Lot 37, CB Big Hoss 313K3 sold for $12,500 to Logan Ranch, Jupiter FL. This big growth and Carcass bull with an abundance of milk was consigned by Cavender Ranches, Jacksonville, TX. His maternal granddam is the $125,000 313A donor.

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

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

The other high seller at $12,500 was Lot 49, PR Endeavor 834K. This big growth and milk EPD bull with a world of carcass was bred by Pennridge Ranch, Paige Texas. He sold to Harris Riverbend Farms, Cleburne, TX.

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

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.

Selling for $9,500 was a yearling herd sire prospect, Lot 84, CB Freightliner 1512L3. This phenotypically attractive prospect is out of a Brickhouse daughter and sold to Placid Land and Cattle, Bay City, TX. He records big growth, carcass and indexes and was bred by Cavender Brangus.

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 high selling Santa Gertrudis bull was Lot 6, Harris 635K. He is sired by KR912/18 and out of a dam with a 370 day calving interval on 5. He records big growth, carcass and milk. He was purchased by John Lutz, San Angelo.

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.

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.

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.

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

SALESummaries

Oklahoma Brangus Association Spring Sale

March 23, 2024 | McAlester, Oklahoma

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

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

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

The total sale grossed $250,550

The sky was clear and the sun bright as people started arriving for the Oklahoma Spring Sale. The Lord had blessed Southeast Oklahoma the day before with much needed rain, therefore building optimism among buyers

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

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

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

$2,475

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

$5,282 Open

$3,400

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

Open Commercial Females

$2,241

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

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

55 Lots Grossed $308,250

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 High Selling bull was Lot 6 a crowd favorite JG Mr. Carbon Option 804 K13, consigned by Gorczyca & Son Brangus of Harrah , Oklahoma and to chance Hilger of Norwich Kansas for $7, 000.

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

The Second High Selling bull was Lot #3 YLC Bullet 55L consigned by Young Land & Cattle and sold to Jerry & Rose Hunsucker of Vandervort, Arkansas for $6,750.

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 DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS SPRING SALE

The Third High Selling Bull was Lot 9 E-Z Julio 103K consigned by E-Z Brangus of Joshua Texas and went to Sharah Simeroth of Porum, Oklahoma for $6,500.

Registered Female Sale

After finishing the bull sale Colonel Dotson moved over to the Females side where he started with open heifers.

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

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

The High Selling Open Females were Lots 30 & 29 of G-2 Brangus from Chandler, Oklahoma. Lot 29 G-2 Ms Oracle 143L went to Kara Simpson of Blanchard, Oklahoma for $3,100. Lot 30 G-2 Ms Master Piece 918L went to Blake Askew of Benton Arkansas for $3,000.

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

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

The Third High Selling Open heifer was Lot 39 G Miss Aviator 535K from Grant Cattle Company sold to Zane Hilbig of Morrison, Oklahoma for $2,500.

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

Commercial Females

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

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

In the Bred Females J-J of Stratford, Oklahoma brought an outstanding set where Lot 31 J-J DBW Ms Black 315/19 D went home with Ken Dodson of Decatur, Texas for 3900. Lot 32 J-J DBW MS Black 315/22B sold to Dan Morris of Albion, Oklahoma for 3,800. Lot 34 J_J DBW Ms Black 336/21 sold to Dan Morris of Albion, Oklahoma for $3,500.

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

The crowd became very anxious as the commercial open females started coming into the ring which were brought by several well established Brangus Ranches.

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.

The high selling commercial females were brought by Gorczyca and Son Brangus of Harrah Oklahoma and were purchased by Bob & Deb Pullen of Wetumka, Oklahoma for $2,500 each.

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 Second high selling open commercial females were from Dickey Brangus of Garfield , Arkansas which were purchased by Bobby Riley of Edmond, Oklahoma for $2,400.

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.

The Third high selling open females were from J-J Brangus of Stratford Oklahoma and were purchased by Roger Clubb of Hodgen, Oklahoma for $2,200.

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.

Other Breeders participating in the Spring Sale included Mathew Barton of Stillwater Oklahoma, Lawman Ranch of Okmulgee, Oklahoma Stroope Brangus of Campbell, Texas and Waits Ridgeview Ranch of Orlando , Oklahoma.

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.

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

SALESummaries

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

Commercial Females

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

The day’s high selling lots were Lot 11, CB MS BIG LAKE 63K35, and Lot 21, MS DMR NO DOUBT 535K65, both going to Woody Folsom of Baxley, Georgia. Lot 11, a bred heifer consigned by Cavender Ranches and Lot 21, a bred heifer consigned by Draggin M’ Ranch each fetched $27,500.

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

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

Buyers from 6 states were on hand to compete for the high quality lots consigned by 20 breeders across the Southeast.

4 - 3 IN 1’s

$5,687

Lot 7, JFB MS LAUREL 386H3, a bred cow consigned by Jackson Family Brangus and Lot 28, MS DMR EMPIRE 99L17, an open heifer consigned by Draggin M’ Ranch were the second highest selling lots at $14,500 each. Lot 7 was purchased by Ortiz Cattle Company, Harlingen, Texas and Lot 28 went to Pride Ranch in Plano, Texas.

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.

Two bred heifers were the third highest selling lots at $12,500 each. Lot 15, MS DMR EMPIRE 243K, consigned by Draggin M’ Ranch and Lot 20, SEWELLS MS BIG TOWN 535K35, consigned by Sewell Cattle Company went to Woody Folsom of Baxley, Georgia.

2 Pairs

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.

$8,750

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

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 DRAGGIN’ M AND PARTNERS SPRING SALE

Registered Female Sale

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

$15,000

50 buyers from 4 states were on hand at the beautiful Tenroc Ranch in Salado Texas for the TBBA Spring Spectacular Sale. TBBA members, buyers and guests were treated to a ribeye dinner Friday night and breakfast tacos on sale day provided by KO’s Cookout.

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 volume buyer of the day was Ortiz Cattle Company of Harlingen Texas taking home 11 lots.

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.

The Texas Brangus Breeders Association would like to thank all who attended and purchased cattle at the sale.

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.

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.

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

TBBA Spring Spectacular Sale April 6, 2024 | Salado, Texas

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED IN PAXICO, KANSAS

JOHN MILAM, OWNER

Grady Green, Ranch Manager 870-314-3673 | grady@dragginmranch.com El Dorado, Arkansas www.dragginm.com 2020 IBBA Top ET Breeder

MISSOURI -

Cell: (832) 331-2527

Ranch: (940) 663-6143 drakeranch398@gmail.com www.drakeranch.com

JOIN US FOR OUR SALE AT THE RANCH

SATURDAY OCTOBER 19, 2024

150 TOWN CREEK FARM BULLS

BRANGUS • ULTRABLACK • VIGORMAX™ BULLS PLUS A LARGE SELECTION OF 1ST GENERATION 3/8-5/8 BRANGUS BULLS. 225 BRANGUS COMMERCIAL BRED HEIFERS

JOHNES FREE BULLS • TRICH AND BVD TESTED • HETEROSIS BULLS

• QUALITY ASSURED

GO TO OUR WEBSITE TO REQUEST A SALE CATALOG AND JOIN OUR MAILING LIST. CALL FOR MATING AND SEMEN INFORMATION.

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 www.TownCreekFarm.com

ADVERTISING INDEX ALABAMA

Hotel Information

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024

Pre-Event Ranch Tour to GKB Cattle, 7440 TX 16, Desdemona, Texas 76445

Hampton Inn & Suites - Stephenville 910 South Harbin Drive, Stephenville, Texas 76401

(254)918-5400

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 & 10, 2024

Event Headquarters - All Friday and Saturday Events Held at The Worthington Hotel

The Worthington Renaissance Hotel

200 Main Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102

Reservations line - 1-800-433-5677 Reference IBBA 75th Brangus Jubilee Anniversary Meeting to receive your group rate of $199/night plus tax.

Note when booking online reservations at The Worthington: If your start date is Thursday, August 8, reservations will indicate there are no rooms available. Start date should be Friday or Saturday, August 9 or 10th to be successful with online booking.

Overow Hotels for Thursday, August 8th in Fort Worth

Omni Fort Worth Hotel

1300 Houston Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76103

(817)535-6664

Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Worth Downtown

600 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102 (817)332-6900

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 2024

GKB Cattle Ranch Tour Sponsored by GKB Cattle Ranch Headquarters - 7440 Hwy. 16, Desdemona, Texas

All Thursday events held at GKB Cattle

Transportation available to and from Ft. Worth (if needed) with an overnight stay in Stephenville, TX - hotel cost on your own – Hampton Inn Stephenville information on Anniversary hotel list.

1:30 pm Registration- GKB Cattle Sale Facility (Headquarters)

2 pm Welcome - GKB Cattle Dining Hall

2:30 pm The Next 75 Panel Discussion

- V8 Ranch - Express Ranches

- Timmy Lucherk - Savannah Hanson

4 pm GKB Ranch Tour

6:15 pm Cattle and Cocktails

Enjoy hors ‘doeuvres, cocktails and display cattle

7:30 pm GKB Steak Dinner- GKB Cattle Dining Hall

8 pm Dinner Speaker - Professional Rodeo Icon (TBA)

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 2024

All Friday and Saturday events held at The Worthington Hotel

8 am – 12 noon Breed Improvement Committee

Lunch on your own

1 pm Trade Show Opens Through Welcome Reception

2 – 7 pm Registration Open

2 pm Fashion Show

Hosted by the International Brangus Auxiliary

Learn of current western trends from Double D Ranch Wear, a leader in all things western, from boots, to jackets, to jewelry. Enjoy a fashion show by Studio 74 Vintage. Studio 74 Vintage is an award-winning authentic vintage clothing store on the west side of Fort Worth.

1 – 2:30 pm Promotion Committee

International Marketing Committee

2:30– 4 pm Membership and Education Committee

Commercial Marketing Committee

5 – 7 pm 75th Anniversary Brangus Celebration

Welcome Reception (ticketed)

Dinner on your own

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2024

8 – 6 pm Registration Open

8 – 9 am IJBBA Reunion Coffee and Breakfast Past and Current Members

Sponsored by Villa Ranch

9 am – 1 pm Trade Show Open

9 am Opening Session Welcome

9:10 am Remarks by Neogen and GKB Cattle

9:30 am Learning From the Past as We Look Toward the Future

Randy Blach, CEO of CattleFax, Centennial, CO

Highlight of fundamental changes in the beef industry that reversed a downward demand curve and projections of changes moving forward.

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Common Denominators of Iconic Seedstock Programs - Part 1 Panel Discussion

— Jack Holden, Holden Herefords,Valier, MT

— Mark Gardiner, Gardiner Angus Ranch, Ashland, KS

— Gabriel Connealy, Connealy Angus, Whitman, NE

— Donnell Brown, R.A. Brown Ranch, Throckmorton, TX

11:45 am Lunch (ticketed)

1 pm Common Denominators of Iconic Seedstock Programs - Part 2 and Questions & Answers

2 pm The Next 25 Years

Lee Leachman, Leachman Cattle, Fort Collins, CO

3 pm The Future of Brangus Video

3:15 pm Afliate Association Meetings

5:15 pm Past Staff of IBBA and Brangus Journal Gathering and Photo

5:30 pm Legacy of Brangus Gala “Celebrating 75 Years” (ticketed)

Join us for a social and dinner as we revisit Brangus history and explore three-quarters of a century of Brangus greatness. Mix and mingle with fellow Brangus breeders past and present. Western Chic Dress After Gala Party

75TH ANNIVERSARY BRANGUS CELEBRATION REGISTRATION

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Go directly to online registration.

Pre-Event

Ranch Tour

Full Registration

Saturday Registration Only

Legacy of Brangus Gala

IJBBA Reunion Breakfast

Thursday, Aug. 8th – Pre-tour to the famed GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX. Transportation available to and from Ft. Worth (if needed) with an overnight stay in Stephenville, TX. Hotel cost on your own – Hampton Inn Stephenville information provided with Anniversary Hotel List. Includes Admittance to all Meetings and Presentations, Friday, Aug. 9th - Welcome Reception, Saturday, Aug. 10th Lunch, and Saturday, Aug. 10th Gala - “Legacy of Brangus Gala”

Includes Admittance to All Presentations and Lunch on Saturday, Aug. 10th and Gala - “Legacy of Brangus Gala”

Saturday, Aug. 10th. 5:30 pm - Gala - “Legacy of Brangus Gala” – Celebrating 75 Years

Saturday morning, Aug. 10th IJBBA (Junior) Past and Present Member Reunion Breakfast Sponsored by Villa Ranch, Hempstead, Texas

Cell Phone (include area code)

Registrant Names and Registration Types

(Please print names as they should appear on name badge)

I (we) need transportation to Pre-Event Tour to GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX. We will provide our own transportation to and from GKB Cattle. Current IBBA

OR past IBBA membership (if applicable)

List IBBA, IBA or IJBBA leadership roles in which you serve or previously served with years (if applicable).