Brangus
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 Grady Green, Arkansas
1st Vice President Josh Walker, Ph.D, Arkansas 2nd Vice President Warren Young, Oklahoma 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
IBBA STAFF
:: Executive Vice President :: Rick Cozzitorto :: rcozzitorto@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
:: Director of Operations :: Abby Geye :: ageye@gobrangus.com
:: Contract Controller:: Laurie Lyssy :: llyssy@gobrangus.com
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
BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS, INC. STAFF
INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS
IBBA STAFF
President Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas
:: Jeremy Jackson :: jjackson101@gmail.com Gentry, Arkansas
Executive Vice President
1st Vice President Rob Singleton, Florida
2nd Vice President Shiloh Hall, Oklahoma
Secretary/Treasurer Allen Goode, Texas
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 :: Rick Cozzitorto
Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas
Chris Heptinstall, Dothan, Alabama
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 :: Jessie England :: jengland@gobrangus.com
Brian Sadovsky, bsadovsky@gobrangus.com
Jessie England, jengland@gobrangus.com
President Brenda Brull, Atchison, Kansas
1st Vice President Tina Gardner, China Spring, Texas
2nd Vice President Ginger Pritchard, McLoud, Oklahoma
:: Advertising Sales :: Kyle Caldwell :: kcaldwell@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
Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas jjackson101@gmail.com
:: Joe Fuller :: jw.fuller@yahoo.com Willow City, Texas
Rob Singleton, Seville, Florida singletons2002@yahoo.com
Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas
Traci Middleton, Puryear, Tennessee
Cindy Blazek, Leona, Texas
Secretary Mary Beth Farris, Tuscola, Texas
Treasurer Janet Greuel, Brooks, Georgia
Historian Jodi Jackson, Waco, Texas
:: Advertising Sales :: Jay Carlson :: jay@carlsonmediagroup.com
Director of Shows & Youth Activities
Lori Edwards, ledwards@gobrangus.com
Member Services
:: Jodi Jackson :: jodibjackson1990@gmail.com Waco, Texas
Texas Region
Mary Douglass, Seguin, Texas twoheartsbrangus@yahoo.com
Social Media Coordinator Jennifer Walker, Ben Lomond, Arkansas
INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS FOUNDATION BOARD
IBBA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Mandie Sadovsky, msadovsky@gobrangus.com
Product Manager
:: Gary Adamek :: gary@fayettecountryhomes.com Schulenburg, Texas
Andrew Sicotte Jr., asicotte@goregstr.com
Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas allen@triocattle.com
WEST REGION
Andrew Scamardo, Bryan, Texas scamardobrangus@gmail.com
President Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas
David Wood, Magnolia, Mississippi
Nic Cornelison, Flat Rock, Alabama
IJBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
:: President :: Emma Tittor, Texas
Senior Software Developer
Marcel Vieira, mvieira@goregstr.com
Software Developer Raul Ramos, rramos@goregstr.com
:: Sharee Sankey :: sankeys6nranch@yahoo.com Council Grove, Kansas
Gary Adamek, Schulenburg, Texas gary@fayettecountryhomes.com
West Region
Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma shiloh518@yahoo.com
:: Awards :: Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Secretary/Treasurer Darrell Wilkes, Ph.D.
Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas
Chris Heptinstall, Marianna, Florida
Tracy Holbert, College Station, Texas
Traci Middleton, Puryear, Tennessee
:: Breed Improvement :: Josh Walker, Ph.D., Ben Lomond, Arkansas
Cindy Blazek, Leona, Texas
David Wood, Magnolia, Mississippi
BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS, INC. STAFF
:: Commercial Marketing :: Cody Glenn,West Point, Mississippi
Nic Cornelison, Flat Rock, Alabama
INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR BRANGUS BOARD
:: Ex-Officio :: Jaxon Allen, Oklahoma
:: Queen :: Camille Burns, Texas
:: Director :: Aubrey Meador, Texas
:: Director :: Savannah Hanson, Texas
:: Director :: Gracie Johnson, Texas
:: Matt Barton :: rangeroptics@gmail.com Stillwater, Oklahoma
Greg Romans, Vale, Oregon romansbrangus@yahoo.com
AT-LARGE
Vern Suhn, Eureka, Kansas vern@geneplusbrangus.com
Advertising Sales, Melanie Fuller mfuller@gobrangus.com, 979-255-3343
:: Finance ::
Brangus Journal Publications, Inc. Editor Jessie England | editor@gobrangus.com
:: Warren Young, DVM :: wbydvm@hotmail.com Blanchard, Oklahoma
2021-2022 IJBBA Board of Directors
Jeremy Jackson, Gentry, Arkansas
:: International ::
IBBA COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN
Awards Shiloh Hall, Okmulgee, Oklahoma
President April Villarreal, Brookshire, Texas
Ex-Officio Jacob Jones, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Queen Payge Dupre, Florida
Garrett Thomas, Waxahachie, Texas
Breed Improvement Randy Schmidt, M.D., Texarkana, Texas
Director Briana Hicks, Danbury, Texas
Director Jaxon Allen, Haworth, Oklahoma
:: Long Range Planning :: Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas
Commercial Marketing Cody Glenn, West Point, Mississippi
:: Randy Schmidt, M.D. :: doctorrand@me.com Texarkana, Texas
Finance Allen Goode, Mabank, Texas
At-Large
Randy Schmidt, M.D., Texarkana, Texas doctorrand@me.com
International Garrett Thomas, Waxahachie, Texas
:: Josh Walker, Ph.D. :: josh@redbudfarms.net Ben Lomond,Arkansas
Josh Walker, Ph.D., Ben Lomond, Arkansas | josh@redbudfarms.net
@gobrangus | #gobrangus
MEMBER OF
Director Samuel Belt, Gatesville, Texas
Director Tyler Towns, Bryan, Texas
Director Jayden Pinkston, Shefner, Florida
:: Membership & Education :: Karen Adamek, Schulenberg, Texas
Long Range Plan Joe Fuller, Willow City, Texas
:: Promotions ::
Director Kaily Warren, Lufkin, Texas
Megan Greenwood, Plantersville, Texas
Membership Marty Lavender, Melrose, New Mexico
:: Show ::
Promotion Lisa Neal, Morganza, Lousiana
Show Gina Gill, Beckville, Texas
Mark Perry, Waco, Texas
IJBBA Advisory, Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas
:: IJBBA Advisory :: Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas
:: Director :: Isabelle Parkey, Texas
:: Director :: Kade Whiddon, Texas
:: Director :: Carter Aucoin, Louisiana
:: 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
9.3
essential to our future, and they will be cornerstones of my presidency. The cattle industry is evolving at a rapid pace, with advancements in genetics, management practices, and data analysis transforming how we approach breeding and production, and as we look to the future, it is essential that we continue to explore and embrace these innovations to ensure that the Brangus breed remains competitive and continues to meet the evolving needs of the beef industry.
One of the greatest strengths of the IBBA is the incredible community of breeders, ranchers, and enthusiasts who are united by a shared passion for the Brangus breed. As we move forward into this new year, it is important to remember that the success of the Brangus breed is not only about genetics or technology—it is about people. We are a family, and it is our collective effort, knowledge, and support that will continue to drive the Brangus breed forward.
In the coming months, I am committed to fostering even stronger connections within our community. We will continue to support and engage our members through educational programs, events, and opportunities for collaboration. As an association, we will strive to create an
environment where everyone—whether you are a seasoned breeder or new to the industry—feels welcomed, informed, and empowered to contribute to the success of the Brangus breed.
As we embark on this exciting journey together, I am filled with optimism for what the future holds. The IBBA has always been a forward-thinking organization, and I am honored to be part of a leadership team that is committed to advancing the Brangus breed to new heights. This year promises to be a time of growth, innovation, and success. Together, we can take the Brangus breed to new markets, embrace cutting-edge technologies, and continue to produce cattle that are second to none in terms of quality and performance.
I encourage each and every one of you to stay engaged, stay informed, and most importantly, stay passionate about the Brangus breed. The future is bright, and I am incredibly excited to see all that we can accomplish in the year ahead. Thank you for your continued dedication to the Brangus breed—let's make 2025 a year to remember!
Breeder of the Year - Cody Gariss
Commercial Producer of the Year - Bland Farms
Top Hand of the Year - Joy Ricenek Sunbeck
UPDATE from the Field
by Kyle Caldwell, Director of Field Services and Strategic Projects
Spring sale season is humming along nicely. It always seems like my truck never stays still for too long this time of year. This last month I have travelled throughout Georgia and Texas, helped put on the IBBA Annual Meeting and launched full force into the new Genetic Merit Audits offered for free to IBBA members and commercial cattlemen.
The first event on the calendar was the Hunt’s H+ Sale in Calhoun, Georgia. According to the Hunt family, this sale had one of the most populous crowds they had ever had; a testament to not only the quality of stock, but the vision of the Hunt’s outfit and the valued relationships between the Hunt family and their customers.
While in Georgia, I made stops at Gold Creek Brangus with Oskar Juarez, and at Las Palomas Ranch with Pepe Medina. Gold Creek and Las Palomas are two programs with similar roots branching out into their own unique identities. I had a chance to see a sneak peek of the females being consigned into the upcoming Cavender Ranches female sale and was impressed.
Next, it was on to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and the IBBA annual membership meeting. The new Brangus booth and media station were up and going and from the feedback I received it was a huge hit! The week was capped off by another great Genetic Edge Sale. During Houston week, I also made a trip up to Jacksonville for the annual Cavender Ranches spring bull sale. Bidders were very active in person, online and over the phone, culminating in another successful sale day for the Cavender crew.
The next week it was back to Texas for the Mound Creek bull and female sale. Surrounded by 1950’s era décor, the sale facility was packed front to back on both sale days with bulls and females alike commanding a staggering premium.
A couple of days later, I was back on the Texas circuit heading south to Bloomington for the Texas Alliance sale held at Briggs Ranch. Good cattle and South Texas hospitality were on full display. The Brangus bulls were deep from the leadoff to the final lot. This was my first time to make it down to this sale and while some faces were familiar, I met a lot of commercial cattlemen that I haven’t met at any other events before. It’s very apparent at this sale that Briggs and crew have worked hard to develop lasting and trusting relationships with their customers.
In closing, I have also had a chance to conduct several Genetic Merit Audits over the last month for commercial cattlemen and registered Brangus breeders alike. It is proving to be a valuable tool to evaluate the composite average EPD profiles of a commercial cow herd to help determine which bulls best fit in to and balance out the cow herd. Reach out if you would like to join in!
Coming up next, I’ll be heading to the CDP Spring Production Sale on March 22nd, the TBBA Spring Sale on April 5th, the MP Brangus Sale on April 12th, the Superior Gulf Coast Classic April 15th – 17th, the Cavender Ranches Spring Female Sale April 26th, and the Circle F Farms sale on May 3rd. See you all down the road!
GO BRANGUS!
CONSIDERATIONS FOR MANAGING RISK
The feeder and calf markets have made a significant push higher to start the year as tighter supplies result in increased demand. With further declines in outside supplies expected looking ahead, it is easy to get excited about the markets. However, these fundamental trends do not take away from the importance of managing risk. Prices can move rapidly when a trend takes hold, resulting in quick corrections even in a market with a strong upward trend. While the active feeder cattle futures contract is trading at record levels, so too is the number of individuals engaging in the markets. Since January, feeder cattle contracts have seen a record amount of registered, non-commercial entities trading it. This creates greater susceptibility to outside influence resulting in increased volatility during periods of global and economic uncertainty such as we are currently experiencing. Thus, even as calf and feeder prices are expected to continue modestly higher in the near term, it’s important to keep risk in perspective.
The first step in developing a risk management strategy is to have a firm understanding of the breakeven on a set of calves or stockers. Increasing input costs, particularly from a pasture and feed standpoint, can limit profitability levels for the cow-calf producer. Likewise, stocker operators are also faced with increasing grazing costs in addition to the already high calf purchase prices. Having an accurate breakeven estimate better positions producers to utilize some form of risk management to lock in a positive margin or simply protect equity.
The second step when considering risk management requires an understanding of the typical seasonality of markets. For the calf market, this means that the annual highs occur in early spring with moderate weakness in the summer before breaking to a low in the fall
CATTLEFAX TRENDS
by Matthew McQuagge
when peak numbers are sold. In an upward trending market, the summer and fall price declines are often less pronounced, resulting in a flatter yearly trend. This year, 550-pound steer calves are expected to peak above $365/ cwt. in April on a U.S. average basis before trending modestly lower in the summer maintaining strong support at $350/cwt. A simple form of risk management here can be seen in forward contracting cattle during the summer time period to avoid the fall lows.
Seasonality in the feeder market typically describes a pattern with a firmer bias through the first half of the year with an annual high that occurs in the late summer or early fall before softening through the end of the year. This year, feeders are well supported at $270/cwt. with potential to reach $290/cwt. or better through the summer timeframe. Smaller on-feed inventories through the second half of the year will force cattle feeders to buy negative breakevens as they compete to fill pen space which will limit fourth-quarter declines in feeder values. On the flip side, these negative breakevens will also be restrictive to the topside for feeders which suggests value in maintaining at least a certain level of coverage.
A common strategy for cow-calf producers to manage risk is by hedging the calves using the feeder cattle contracts. For example, a spring-calving operation could use a November feeder cattle futures contract to hedge their calf crop in 50,000 pound increments. Timing becomes critical as the goal is to capture the market near its peak or at least above breakeven levels. November feeder cattle, according to the 20-Year Index, most commonly capture a July high meaning that is an ideal period to lock in a favorable price. The accompanying chart demonstrates that this method would have benefited producers last year by protecting them against that August flush.
Aggressive risk management strategies can be limiting to margins when prices are on the rise, influencing the selection of appropriate strategies. In situations where the market bias is higher, risk management tools like options or Livestock Risk Protection (LRP) insurance are well suited to provide baseline protection while keeping the topside open to capture further price increases. Utilizing LRP insurance is similar to purchasing a put option to establish a floor price. However, one major difference between LRP and options that can be a significant benefit to producers, especially smaller operations, is that LRP policies are written on a headcount basis whereas a feeder cattle options contract is 50,00 pounds. Producers can use LRP for as few as 1 head and as many as 25,000 head per year. An added benefit is that the premium is subsidized through the USDA with premium payments not due until after the cattle are marketed. Coverage levels range from 70 to 100 percent while subsidy rates range from 55 to 35 percent. The lower the
coverage level, or more risk that a producer is willing to accept, the higher the subsidy.
It’s important to recognize that calf and feeder policies are settled against the CME Feeder Cattle Index, not the cash price a producer receives which, again, illustrates the importance of recognizing the seasonality of both futures contracts and basis trends. Over the past few years, producers enrolled in LRP may not have received indemnities due to the coverage price and level. While it may be frustrating to pay the premium with no return, do not lose confidence in LRP because it could be very beneficial once the market reaches the approaching price cycle high.
In these fast-paced markets, managing risk has never been more important, even for cow-calf producers. With additional tools available beyond what’s covered here, performing due diligence on considered strategies can make all the difference when volatility and unpredictable price risk strike. When it comes to managing risk, an error in execution is more serious than an error in judgement.
Keep a close eye on fundamentals over the next 18 months in order to gauge the impact that the coming expansion will have on cattle supplies and price. The percent of the cowherd in drought, the percentage of heifers in calf and feeder sales, and the price spread between steers and heifers will be key metrics to determine when the industry begins expanding. Be sure to reach out to your CattleFax analyst to discuss potential tools and how they can aid in development of your own risk management plan.
The Power of Genomics
Enhancing Confidence in Brangus Cattle Selection
by: Sara M. Nilson, Ph.D., Quantitative Geneticist, Livestock Genomics, Neogen®
Selection and breeding of seedstock animals were originally based on the observations of animals’ performance and pedigrees. Many phenotypes of value are not able to be measured until later in life, like reproductive or carcass traits, which reduces the amount of information a producer has available when making those decisions. Unfortunately, the impact of selection is not fully realized until several years later when progeny mature and express their own phenotypes. To help producers make more informed decisions earlier on, there was a need to develop genetic evaluation methods that could predict an animal’s potential value as a sire or dam.
In a traditional pedigree-based evaluation, the relationships between animals are established with basic assumptions of the shared proportion of genetics. These relationships and animals’ phenotypes are then collectively utilized to predict animals’ breeding values for traits. With a greater proportion of shared genetics among relatives, their phenotypes will have more influence on the prediction of an animal’s breeding value. Newer generations will share similarities with their ancestors. With the advancements of genomics and technology, genomic profiles, or genotypes of animals, can now be included in the prediction process.
Right: Bragus Bull
Genomic relationships, which measure the amount of genetic relatedness based on genotypes, more accurately defines relationships among animals than pedigree-based methods. Instead of assuming an exact percentage of shared genes, genomics captures the random shuffling of genetic material during the inheritance process, providing a more precise measurement of the genetic overlap. This clarity can help guide breeding decisions by aiding in the management of inbreeding levels through characterizing the degree of relatedness among animals. Ultimately, the increased precision of genomics leads to more reliable predicted breeding values that reflect an animal’s true genetic potential.
The method for inclusion of genotypes, pedigrees, and phenotypes of animals in industry evaluations is often referred to as a “single step” genetic evaluation. The name symbolizes how all three sources of information are analyzed simultaneously to predict a genomically enhanced estimated progeny difference (GE-EPD). The additional benefits of incorporating genotypes include building relationships among animals even when there is little or no pedigree information available and establishing relationships among animals even if their pedigrees do not overlap. These realized connections take advantage of related animals who have genotypes and phenotypes to help inform the prediction of an animal’s breeding value.
To help demonstrate how the inclusion of genotypes improves the accuracy of breeding values in a single step evaluation, consider the following real-life example of an animal from the breed in Figure 1 and Figure 2 (following page). Within the evaluated population, Brangus Bull A originally had no genotype and limited pedigree connections — the below charts display how his EPDs and their accuracies changed after adding his genotype:
BEFORE A GENOTYPE
WITH A GENOTYPE
Figure 1.
Example of relationships between animals in a traditional genetic evaluation. Based on pedigree relationships, the animal is estimated to have 50% of genes in common with each parent, 25% of genes in common with each grand-parent, and 25% of genes in common with each of its half siblings.
Genotyped Animals
Figure 2.
Example of relationships between animals in a single step genetic evaluation. Utilization of genomic relationships enables a more precise estimate to be made of the relationship to each animal in the pedigree, while also enabling the relationship to be estimated to animals with genotypes in the genetic evaluation.
The first prediction relies on pedigrees to connect Bull A to relatives and then uses their available pedigree, genomic, and phenotypic information to predict Bull A’s breeding value. When a genotype is added for Bull A, his relationships are expanded beyond the initial pedigree connections and are more clearly defined.
Including a genotype makes the largest impact for animals who have little to no information available. For example, in the case of Bull A, a young bull with no progeny, the inclusion of a genotype resulted in a large boost of accuracy, an average of 678% increase, for his predicted breeding values. In addition, his EPDs doubled or tripled in size compared to the previous estimates without a genotype. The greater accuracy with genomically enhanced breeding values helps producers know what an animal’s progeny will measure up to when
compared to the rest of the breed. This helps instill confidence by decreasing the risk associated with the decision to use an unproven animal as a potential sire or dam.
By utilizing EPDs to assess genetic merit, producers can make more informed selection decisions earlier in an animal’s life, before they reach full maturity. Early selection decisions can reduce the time it takes for producers to see genetic gains in the form of improved phenotypes in the next generations. Incorporating animals’ genotypes into genetic evaluations helps define more accurate relationships, thereby increasing the reliability that genomically enhanced breeding values reflect their true genetic potential. With this increased precision, producers can be more certain about their animal selection and the genetic progress can be made in the desired direction.
by Lindsay L Allen
An “ACE”ed Partnership
There is coincidence and then there is “meant to be.” The forming of American Cattle Enterprise (ACE) was without question, meant to be. From the shared values, to the preference for cattle, to the operational goals, to the family relationships between the partners, it has been one perfect fit for the Cleveland and Wiley families.
In 2021, Kim Wiley and his family were happily in the Santa Gertrudis business, managing Wiley Ranch, in Louisiana, while operating feed stores and growing row crops. But there was more that was “meant to be” for their operation. Kim received a call from his Santa Gertrudis acquaintance, Ricky Cleveland, who was also in the Brangus business, and operating Quail Valley Farms in Alabama. He had just stopped at Blackwater Cattle Company, Georgia, to buy a load of open females. It was on this trip that Ricky learned the entire herd was for sale and gave Kim a call about partnering on the purchase. While Kim initially said “no,” he had a change of heart over the weekend and before he knew it, he and his son, Erik, were in Georgia with Ricky a few days later, looking at the herd and talking through the opportunity.
“We always had the same taste in cattle and were
constantly bidding against the same lots in the Santa Gertrudis business, which makes decisions within ACE very easy between us,” Kim continued, “We are both leaders with the same goals in mind and the same eye for cattle.”
After their July 2021 purchase, the 500 head of Brangus cattle purchased from Blackwater Cattle Company were split between the Alabama and Louisiana locations and 18 months after that, ACE purchased another 1,200 head of Brangus cattle from Salacoa Valley Farms in Georgia.
“The operation has grown so much, but this a business for us and the business also happens to be fun and something we enjoy,” Kim added, “We enjoy the commandries between our families and the mutual respect we all have for one another. We all have our niche in ACE. Ricky and Erik can talk genetics all day and I can sell cattle and when put together, it all works well.”
Kim also shared that there was a lure into the Brangus breed because of all the opportunities he and Erik saw. “We looked at Brangus as a growing business and we loved the genetics of Blackwater Cattle Company and Salacoa Valley and saw new opportunities that we could explore. These cattle
YOUNG GUNS
VF Blue Chip 468L54
Blue Chip was the $65,000 choice of Riverbend Farms at the 2024 ACE at Quail Valley Sale. He is sired by the $150,000 Blue Blood and out of a 468D22 daughter.
We have used him heavily in our programs this spring and ET calves are hitting the ground currently. To say we are extatic with the progeny would be an understatement. Get in on the ground floor with progressive cattlemen.
Owned By: Mound Creek Ranches, Vanna Farms, Hartness Brangus, Riverbend Farms, Truitt Brangus
Hammer Time was the $66, 000 choice of Genetic Partners at the 2024 Mound Creek Sale, and arguably the best Sho Time son to date. He is a maternal half sib to the $150,000 Blue Blood.
We have used him heavily in our programs this spring and ET calves are hitting the ground currently. To say we are extatic with the progeny would be an understatement. Get in on the ground floor with progressive cattlemen.
PROVEN Sires!
QVF PR Empower 30G16
Empower has been a stand out since being a calf. He was the $40,000 choice of Pennridge Ranch in 2020 then when offered at auction again in 2023, Genetic Partners teamed up to purchase him for $67,500.
Empower was the first son of the breed changing, Never Surrender, and out of the Breed Matriarch, T3 Ms Three D 30D. We recommend his use on mature cows for power, frame, and bone.
Big Town is the Sire of Herd Sires, with breed leading AI sires in his hearem. Including; Blue Blood, Big Tex, Boom Town, Five Star, Modelo, Big Event, and Payweight. He was the $41,000 choice of Salacoa Valley in the 2015 Blackwater sale.
He is a go to for light birthweight, balance, and MILK. He has close to 2000 progeny registered in the International Brangus Breeders Association registry. Highly predictable and still popular 10 years later.
Inferno was the $30,000 choice of Tony and Belinda Gowins at the ACE 2022 sale. He is out of the $78,000 BWCC Ms Overload 468D22 and the best Papillon son to date. His first calves are on the ground and we can purposefully recommend him as a light birthweight bull with more than adequate growth. Extremely balanced genomic profile with 16 of the 18 published GE-EPD’s or indices in the top 25% or higher. He’s a sure fire breeding piece!
Owned BY: Vanna Farms and RBR Ranch
CED BW WW YW Milk SC REA IMF TERM FERT
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston, Texas
Grand Champion Brangus Female
SB LARAMIE 924L16
Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, Texas
Reserve Champion Red Brangus Female
CLF MS FRAN 334L8
Monty Eskew, Tarzan, Texas
Grand Champion Red Brangus Cow-Calf Pair
KWM MISS ANGELINA
Kayden Mascheck, Eagle Lake, Texas
Female Divisions:
Junior Heifer Calf Champion: CCC-ACC
STARBURST 674M14, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX
Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: ORIGINS MISS HERA 302M3, Origins Ranch, Snook, TX
Senior Heifer Calf Champion: MP MISS FINLEY 74L7, Logyn Denbow, Aledo, TX
Judge: Harrison Smith, Texas
Reserve Champion Brangus Female
MP MISS FINLEY 74L7
Logyn Denbow, Aledo, Texas
Grand Champion Brangus Cow-Calf Pair
MISS MS CAMILA 789E2
Casey Delona Harper, Frostproof, Florida
Reserve Champion Red Brangus Cow-Calf Pair
MISS M&M ROSIE
SBROS Brangus, Katy, Texas
Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion: MP MISS BLACK VELVET 804L34, MP Brangus, Waco, TX
Summer Champion Heifer: GKB SQ AVEN 302L, Madelyn Eskew, Tarzan, TX
Reserve Summer Champion Heifer: TCR FLORA 302L14, Triple Crown Ranch, Angleton, TX, Ali Tieman, Brenham, TX
Grand Champion Red Brangus Female
TAJO MS VELVITA 204K6
Tajo Ranch, Waller, Texas
KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, Texas
Reserve Champion Brangus Cow-Calf Pair W5 MISS LADY KYRA W5 Cattle, Christmas, Florida
Yearling Champion Heifer: SB LARAMIE 924L16, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX
Reserve Yearling Champion Heifer: GKB TANKS LADY KESLEY 804L10, Monty Eskew, Tarzan, TX
Senior Champion Heifer: MP MISS SHANIA 38K45, MP Brangus, Waco, TX
Reserve Senior Champion Heifer: CHAMP MS NAENAE 27K1, Champions Valley Brangus, Schulenburg, TX
Red Female Divisions:
Red Junior Heifer Calf Champion: TAJO MS MIRANDA 59M, Tajo Ranch, Waller, TX, KO’s Cattle Service, Waxahachie, TX
Red Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: MS SENDERO LULU 59M3, TRIO Cattle and Genetics, Mabank, TX
Red Senior Heifer Calf Champion: CLF MS FRAN 334L8, Monty Eskew, Tarzan, TX
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston, Texas
Grand Champion Ultra Female MC ENVY 628M2 Mill Creek Land and Cattle, Puryear, Tennessee
Reserve Champion Ultra Cow-Calf Pair WC MISS GRACE 188G Wyman Creek Cattle Company, Summersville, MO
Utltra Female Divisions:
Ultra Junior Heifer Calf Champion: MC ENVY 628M2, Mill Creek Land and Cattle, Puryear, TN
Ultra Reserve Junior Heifer Calf Champion: RAFTER L MISS L JAY 157M2, Lucherk Cattle, McCoy, TX
Ultra Senior Heifer Calf Champion: GKB
KATHY JO 149L27, GKB Cattle, Desdemona, TX
Ultra Reserve Senior Heifer Calf Champion: BAR LAKEN 377L2, Lazy 3 Cattle, Tomball, TX
Ultra Summer Champion Heifer: ORIGINS
MISS BELLA 303L, Origins Ranch, Snook, TX
Ultra Reserve Summer Champion Heifer: GRT
MS 6847G-MONEY 804L2, TaylorMade Cattle Co., Lakeland, FL
Ultra Senior Champion Heifer: AP MS
VANESSA 350/K, AP Cattle, Pearland, TX
Judge: Harrison Smith, Texas
Champion Ultra Female ORIGINS MISS BELLA 303L Kinsley Rhodes, Shepard, Texas
Grand Champion Ultra Bull LAZY 3 MCKAY 841M Reifel Red Brangus, Alvin, Texas Lazy 3, Tomball, Texas
Ultra Bull Divisions:
Ultra Junior Bull Calf Champion: LAZY 3 MCKAY 841M, Reifel Red Brangus, Alvin, TX Lazy 3, Tomball, TX
Ultra Reserve Junior Bull Calf Champion: ACC KA-CHING 674M10, Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, TX
Ultra Senior Bull Calf Champion: MCC LONE RANGER 5561L, Maxwell Cattle Company, Ponder, TX
Reserve
Grand Champion Ultra Cow-Calf Pair WC MISS KATNISS 556K Michael Pritchard, McLoud, Oklahoma
Reserve Champion Ultra Bull ACC KA-CHING 674M10 Allen Cattle Company, Crockett, Texas
HOW TO MAXIMIZE HETEROSIS WITH TRUE BRANGUS AND ANGUS!
Brangus were created 75 years ago to blend two desirable breeds to create a new one. Unlike breeding value or EPD, Heterosis is not passed from generation to generation in a crossbreeding program without a loss in its level unless a stable breeding program is established (as has been done in Brangus and at OCF). Heterosis has the greatest effect on traits most affected by environment... adaptability, longevity, fertility, maternal ability, resistance to parasites and diseases, etc. OCF is widely known for their True Brangus and increased Heterosis allowing their genetics to perform better in most environments. Long-time customers and repeat buyers tell the real story at Oak Creek Farms
SALE CONTACTS
Owner: John Kopycinski 979-251-2530
Consultants: Gary Bruns 830-391-0766
Kent Smith 979-540-8338
Mike Arnold 979-732-7679 • Charlie Tiner 713-252-4662
Auctioneer: Troy Robinett 817-995-7509 Collectively Representing
SALESummaries
Cavender’s Annual Spring Bull Sale
March 8, 2025 | Jacksonville, Texas
CUT ABOVE SALE, CULLMAN, AL – APRIL 30, 2022
Bull Lots Average
Standard 415M31. This calving yearling bull boasts Elite IMF and growth. He sold to Bland Farms, Glennville, GA.
125 Registered Lots grossed $723,250 to average $5,786 Commercial Females
76 Coming 2 Brangus & Ultrablacks
$7,546
59 Brangus & Ultra lots grossed $239,350 to average $4,057
57 Yearling Brangus & Ultrablacks
$7,583
11 commercial lots grossed $11,200 to average $1,018
The total sale grossed $250,550
324 Commercial pairs with Brangus and Ultrablack calves at side grossed $890,500 to average $2,748
Lot 8, CB Modelo 9237L40 was the days next high seller at $16,500. This big growth bull sold to E&H Cattle, Ledbetter, TX.
6 - sets of Embryos grossed $25,750, to average $4,292
133 Lots Grossed $1,005,750 to average $7,562
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
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
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.
59 buyers from 9 states converged at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch for their annual spring bull sale. Customers and attendees were treated to an informative presentation the evening before by Doug Husfeldt, NextGen Cattle Feeders. The outlook remains very bullish for the next several years. Kyle Caldwell IBBA Director of Field Services and Special Projects introduced and new analytics tool to assist in proper positioning of commercial herd bull batteries to meet the production goals of their operation. A delicious customer appreciation steak dinner was served Friday evening in preparation for the next day’s Bull Sale.
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
The Saturday auction saw consistent and steady demand throughout the day. 56 Rancher bulls sold between $7,000 and $11,000 with another 35 between $6 and $7,000. The day’s high selling bull at $17,000 was lot 83, CB New
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
Brett Swango, Windermere, FL purchased the next high selling bull when he gave $16,000 for Lot 90, CB Paramount 415M2. This calving ease yearling son of the 415H24 donor also records elite growth and carcass.
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.
Lot 120, CB Express 814M14 fetched a bid price of $15,000 as Gary Clem Brangus Jacksonville, TX claimed the winning bid. This yearling Express son out of a full sister to New Standard boasts calving ease and big growth.
Also selling for $15,000 was Lot 40, CB Express 60L48. This powerful calving ease prospect was purchased by FC Cattle, Cartersville, GA.
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.
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
P r i c e : $ 5 0 for Registered and Commercial discount available.
Brangus & Ultrablacks BULLS & FEMALES
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