March 2015 Brangus Journal by International Brangus Breeders Association

Brangus March 2015

Journal International Issue

BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 1

Your SOURCE for Top Quality Registered & Commercial Brangus Cattle

Proud Members of

GO TEXAN

Circle Land & Cattle Co., Ltd. 2 | March 2015

Camp Cooley Ranch • Bobcat Bottoms Ranch • Persimmon Creek Ranch

BRANGUS SpringJournal Valley Ranch • Windy Hill Ranch • Vista Ridge Ranch

located just off Hwy. 6 and OSR 1415 East OSR • Bryan, Texas 77808 Office: (979) 776-5760 • Fax: (979) 776-4818 Website: www.circlexbrangus.com Steve Densmore, Cattle Mgr., (979) 450-0819, cell • S.Densmore@bre.com Chris Duewall, Operations Mgr., (979) 777-6803, cell

BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 1

Brangus March 2015 Volume 63, Issue 2

Features & Specials World Brangus Congress Recap Resumen del congreso mundial brangus

IBBA President Traci Middleton recounts the activities of the 2014 World Brangus Congress in Merida, Yucatan.

Australia Opens its Doors to USA Breeders Australia abre sus puertas para los criadores estadounidenses

How About an International Genetic Evaluation of Brangus? ¿Por qué no una evaluación genética internacional de Brangus? Dr. Cantet of the University of Buenos Aires discusses the importance of genetic evaluation and asks the question, “Why not an International genetic evaluation of Brangus bulls?”

Australian Brangus breeder, Telepara Hills, is working with leading IBBA members to bring Australian genetics to the United States.

Is Now the Time for Cow-Calf Producers to Employ a Fixed Time Artificial Insemination Program? ¿Es ahora el momento indicado para que los criadores de becerros utilicen un programa de inseminación artificial de tiempo fijo?

Dr. Scott Brown, Livestock Economist at the University of Missouri discusses the potential financial benefits of fixed time artificial insemination in today’s market. 2 | March 2015

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50 60

Allen Goode

Journal

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Departments

8 8 8 10

Staff Connection Director Connection Regional Connection IBBA Connection

Everything Brangus :: by Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., PAS Todo sobre el Brangus Opportunities Ahead :: by Traci Middleton Oportunidades para los tiempos venideros Building a Legacy :: by Tyler Dean Creando un legado IBBA Welcomes New Staff Members Spring 2015 Sire Summary Genetic Trends Trait Leaders

36 37 38

IJBBA Connection

Membership

74 75 76 77 82 84

Show Results Reports

Beef Australia :: by Quinn Carter

IBA Connection

Memories... :: by Mary Beth Farris

Marketing Update

Know the International Market :: by Kyles Dykes Conozca el mercado internacional Welcome New Members IBBA Announces Addition of Ultrablack and Ultrared Shows Jeff Reznicek Named of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers Brangus Members Make the List for the Top 100 Seedstock Producers The Oaks Farms Promotes Brangus Around the World GENETRUST Forms Alliance with Rocky Repro IBBA Audited Financials

The Official Publication of the International Brangus® Breeders Association. The Brangus Journal is an international publication serving the Brangus seedstock producer. Published eight times annually, this archive is designed to highlight accomplishments and improvements within the association. The purpose of the Brangus Journal is to serve the best interests of the members while showcasing IBBA member breeding programs, efforts and achievements to other Brangus seedstock producers. The Journal also provides a venue for the IBBA to communicate directly with their members providing updates related to the association, publishing feature stories, or announcing results. Publication #ISSN0006-9132. Periodicals postage paid at San Antonio, Texas, and additional entries. Postmaster: Send address changes to Brangus Publications, Inc., 5750 Epsilon, San Antonio, Texas 78249. Subscriptions: Frances Miller, 210.696-8231 x203, frances_miller@int-brangus.org Subscription Rates: Domestic Periodicals—1 year, $25; First class—$55. Foreign—1 year, periodicals, $25; air mail to Mexico, $70, Canada, $70, Australia, $115; air mail to all other countries, $115. Brangus Publications, Inc. 5750 Epsilon, San Antonio, Texas 78249 Telephone: 210.696.8231 Fax: 210.696.8718 Web site: gobrangus.com/Brangus-publications Email: brangusjournal@int-brangus.org BPI OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman : Traci Middleton (731.676.0807) President: Dr. Tommy Perkins (210.696.8231 x212) Secretary/Treasurer : Brandon Belt (254.248.5260) Director: Mike Vorel (405.826.6959) Director: Danny Farris (325.669.5727) The International Brangus® Breeders Association does not verify claims made by the advertisers in this publication.

On the Cover...

2015 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show

Industry News

Sexing Technologies Announces “Best of the Test” Bull Sale

Service Directory State Directory Calendar of Events Advertisers Index A Red Brangus heifer enjoys the shade on a warm spring day.

4 | March 2015

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6 | March 2015

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Staff Connection Executive Vice President

Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., PAS

210.696.8231 x212 :: tperkins@int-brangus.org

Director of Shows and Youth Programs, Publications Editor

405.867.1421 or 405.207.6921 :: tyler@int-brangus.org

Tyler Dean

Kyle Dykes

Commercial Marketing Coordinator

254.371.9388 :: kdykes@int-brangus.org Communications Coordinator

Mallory Newsom

210.696.8231 x202 :: mnewsom@gobrangus.com Promotions and Communications intern

Rachel Davis

804.356.1951 :: intern@gobrangus.com

Controller

Frances Miller

210.696.8231 x203 :: frances_miller@int-brangus.org

Patti Teeler

Accounting Specialist

210.696.8231 x205 :: patti@int-brangus.org Registry Specialist

Rosanne Nelson

210.696.8231 x206 :: rosanne_sralla@int-brangus.org Product Manager

Emilio Silvas

210.696.8231 x207 :: emilio@gps-beef.com

Melanie Fuller

Advertising Sales Manager

979.255.3343 :: mwfuller@hotmail.com

Director Connection President

Traci Middleton

Area 4

Term: 2012-2015 731-676-0807 :: tracimiddleton@hotmail.com First VP

Mike Vorel

Danny Farris

Area 9

Brandon Belt

Area 7

Area 6

Term: 2012-2015 520-384-2478 :: robbs.brangus@powerc.net

Robert Field

Area 8

Chuck Sword

Area 1

Bill Davis

Area 2

Term: 2014-2017 870-668-3329 :: bdavis@billdavistrucking.com

Term: 2012-2015 254-248-5260 :: brandonbelt@aol.com

R.L. Robbs

Area 10

Term: 2013-2016 520-508-3505 :: jddiane@vtc.net

Term: 2013-2016 325-669-5727 :: farrisranching@yahoo.com Secretary-Treasurer

Area 7

Term: 2013-2016 903-530-5957 :: skyhawkbrangus@yahoo.com

Larry Parker

Area 5

Term: 2013-2016 405-826-6959 :: vorelfarms@gmail.com Second VP

Russ Williamson

Term: 2012-2015 662-435-4885 :: calyxstar@aol.com Term: 2013-2016 770-468-3486 :: cnffarm@aol.com

Cody Gariss

Area 3

Term: 2014-2017 417-398-2836 :: cody_gariss88@hotmail.com

Michael Kammerer

Area 7

Term: 2014-2017 936-449-5744 :: jlkamm@earthlink.net

Eddy Roberts

Area 11

Term: 2014-2017 386-935-1416 :: wetfarm1@windstream.net Contact the Director(s) from your area with any questions or concerns you have have about our association.

Regional Connection Don Cullen susancullen884@centurytel.net Don Hall hallbran72019@yahoo.com Heart of America Brangus Breeders Association Jim Mussulman jmussulm@yahoo.com Hill Country Brangus Breeders Association Brandon Belt brandonbelt@aol.com International Red Brangus Breeders Association Marcos Borges marcos@mbjranch.com Louisiana Brangus Breeders Association Bob Savoie bobsavoie@charter.net Mississippi Brangus Breeders Association Bill Wells wwells@bellsouth.net Alabama Brangus Breeders Association

Arkansas Brangus Breeders Association

8 | March 2015

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Danny Wells dbwells72@sbcglobal.net Doug Williams whipowill@yadtel.net Southwest Brangus Breeders Association Dr. Bart Carter bjcmd@cableone.net Texas Brangus Breeders Association Doug Muenchow cattlemandoug@aol.com West Coast Brangus Breeders Association Pam Doiron doiron@spanishranch.net West Texas Brangus Breeders Association Mark Morrow 325.798.3140 Oklahoma Brangus Association

Southeast Brangus Breeders Association

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IBBA Connection Everything Brangus

by Tommy PERKINS, Ph.D., PAS IBBA EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT

achel Davis, Tyler Dean, Kyle Dykes, Mallory Newsom and I recently attended the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) meetings in San Antonio, and interest in Brangus genetics was outstanding. Commercial cattlemen are looking for Bos Indicus influenced cattle that will improve fertility, docility and growth in their cowherd without impairing carcass attributes, and Brangus fill that need. I would like to thank the American Marketing Service, Brinks Brangus at Westall Ranch, Circle X Ranch, GeneTrust, International Red Brangus Association, Salacoa Valley Farms, Santa Rosa Ranch, and Town Creek Farms for sponsoring the IBBA Trade Show booth for this great event. All of the ranching entities had representatives participate each day in manning the booth for interaction with guests that stopped by. Major stock show season is well underway and it is proving to be another great year for the Brangus breed. Junior members have been representing the Brangus breed in full force from Florida to Texas. Brangus breeders benefit from the junior show

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10 | March 2015

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BRANGUS Journal

program because it provides excellent marketing exposure for merchandizing quality show heifers. The 2015 IBBA Annual Meeting events will take place March 5 - 7 at the NRG Holiday Inn Hotel in Houston, Texas. The week will kick off with an IBBA board meeting and member reception in the Reliant Center (Rooms 200-201) on Thursday, March 5. Friday, March 6, will include the Brangus Bull and Female Show as well as the Ideal Video Production Customer Appreciation Sale. Saturday, March 7, will conclude with the IBBA Awards Banquet and Genetic Edge Sale. Recognition of the outgoing directors and president will occur at the Saturday morning activities. I would like to congratulate the three new directors who have been elected to the IBBA Board of Directors. Carolyn Belden Carson, Doyle Miller and Davey Sneed will be joining Brandon Belt, who was elected to his second term. I am thankful for the dedicated service that Robert Field, Traci Middleton, and R. L. Robbs have provided on the Board of Directors. The IBBA Annual Meeting will conclude with the annual awards banquet by crowning winners of the highly coveted Pioneer Award, Breeder of the Year Award, Commercial Producer of the Year Award, and Herdsman Award. The recipients of these awards are to be commended for their continued support of the IBBA and the Brangus breed. Lastly, IBBA receives funding from the U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. (USLGE) to support international travel, promotion and marketing to countries that offer opportunities for Brangus genetics. The IBBA staff prepares and presents a grant for funding each February to the annual meeting of USLGE. The approved funding generally goes toward staff and/ or breeder travel to countries that are deemed most amiable to incorporating Brangus genetics into their beef cattle breeding plans. It also presents the opportunity to offset travel expenses for foreign guests to visit Brangus operations in the U.S. These funds have been used to prepare brochures about Brangus cattle in multiple languages for promotion of our genetics to foreign countries. Do not hesitate to call me if you have any specific questions about the IBBA Annual Meeting, international marketing, or the value of the Brangus Built female program. For information about all IBBA programs and other inquiries, please call (210) 696-8231 or visit www.GoBrangus.com. Stay connected to IBBA through Facebook, Twitter, or receive news updates by joining our email list. BJ

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IBBA Connection Todo sobre el Brangus

por Tommy PERKINS, Ph.D., PAS IBBA VICEPRESIDENTE EJECUTIVO

achel Davis, Tyler Dean, Kyle Dykes, Mallory Newsom y yo acabamos de asistir a las reuniones de la NCBA (Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos de Carne) en San Antonio, y el interés en la genética Brangus fue espectacular. Los ganaderos comerciales están buscando ganado con influencia Bos indicus para mejorar la fertilidad, docilidad y crecimiento de sus hatos de vacas sin perjudicar los atributos de la canal y Brangus ha respondido a dicha necesidad. Quisiera agradecer a: American Marketing Service, Brinks Brangus de Westall Ranch, Circle X Ranch, GeneTrust, International Red Brangus Association, Salacoa Valley Farms, Santa Rosa Ranch y Town Creek Farms por patrocinar la caseta IBBA de la Exposición Comercial de este magno evento. Todas las entidades ganaderas tuvieron representantes que participaron todos los días encargándose de la caseta para interactuar con los visitantes que pasaron solicitando información. La principal temporada de exposiciones ganaderas ya está bien encaminada y acabará siendo otro año magnífico para la raza Brangus. Los miembros juveniles han estado representando la raza Brangus mucha energía desde Florida a Texas. Los criadores de Brangus se benefician de los programas de la exposición de juveniles porque proporciona una excelente exposición de mercadeo para comercializar vaquillas de exposición de alta calidad. Los eventos de la Asamblea General de IBBA de 2015 tendrán lugar del 5 al 7 de marzo en el Hotel NRG Holiday Inn en Houston, Texas. La semana iniciará con una reunión de la Junta Directiva de IBBA y una recepción para miembros en el Centro Reliant (Salones 200 y 201) el jueves, 5 de marzo. El viernes, 6 de marzo, incluirá la calificación de los toros y las hembras Brangus, así como la Subasta de Agradecimiento a Clientes de Ideal Video Production. El sábado, 7 de marzo, se concluirá con el Banquete de Premiación de IBBA y la Subaste “Genetic Edge”. El reconocimiento del presidente y los directores salientes ocurrirá durante las actividades de la mañana del sábado. Quisiera felicitar a los tres directores nuevos que fueron elegidos a la Junta Directiva de IBBA. Carolyn Belden Carson, Doyle Miller y Davey Sneed se unirán con Brandon Belt, que fue elegido a su segundo mandato. Estoy muy agradecido por la dedicación prestada a la Junta Directiva por parte de Robert Field, Traci Middleton y R. L. Robbs. La Asamblea General de IBBA será la brocha de oro del banquete de premiación anual, coronando a los ganadores de los muy codiciados Premios del Pionero, del Criador del Año, del Productor Comercial del Año y del vaquero. Elogiamos a las personas que recibirán estos premios por su constante apoyo de IBBA y de la raza Brangus. 12 | March 2015

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Por último, IBBA recibe subvenciones de la USLGE (U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc.), éstos apoya los viajes internacionales de promoción y comercialización a países que ofrecen oportunidades para la genética Brangus. El personal de IBBA prepara y presenta la documentación para la subvención cada mes de febrero durante la asamblea general de USLGE. Los fondos aprobados generalmente se usan para viajes del personal o de criadores a países que se creen ser los más afables a la incorporación de la genética Brangus en sus planes de cría de ganado de carne. También presenta la oportunidad de compensar los gastos de viaje de invitados extranjeros para visitar las operaciones Brangus en EE.UU., y por último, los fondos se han usado para preparar folletos sobre el ganado Brangus en muchos idiomas para la promoción de nuestra genética a países extranjeros. No dejen de llamarme si tienen preguntas específicas sobre la Asamblea General de IBBA, la comercialización internacional, o el valor del programa “Brangus Built female” (Hembras levantadas con Brangus). Para obtener más información sobre todos los programas de IBBA y otras averiguaciones, sírvase llamar al 210-696-8231 o visite la página web www.GoBrangus. com . Siga conectado a IBBA a través de Facebook y Twitter, o reciba noticias actualizadas al unirse a nuestra lista de mensajes electrónicos. BJ

Need performance information on an animal? ¿Necesitas información sobre el rendimiento en un animal?

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IBBA Connection Opportunities Ahead

s a new normal is defined in a changing and evolving industry, new opportunities are created for the quick thinkers and the long-range planners. The dynamics of the beef industry are constantly developing and we have all heard the old adage that the best way to predict the future is to create it. If we will join forces, there are an abundance of opportunities at our fingertips to create additional value for Brangus cattle and IBBA members in the coming years.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRY EXPANSION

We have been told by industry leaders that cow herd expansion has begun but it is likely to be a relatively slow process. The opportunities for Brangus cattle in this atmosphere are unparalleled and we need to work constantly to be at the forefront of this movement. As herds across the United States begin to expand in numbers, we want those cattle to be Brangus. There are limited prospects to capitalize on market share in the cattle business and there is an unprecedented opportunity knocking on our door.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR BRANGUS GROWTH

The IBBA Board of Directors and Dr. Tommy Perkins have recently compiled a list of objectives to work toward throughout the coming year. The results of this work will enable members to utilize additional tools in the genetic selection process, provide educational opportunities for our members and their customers, and ultimately provide more avenues to bring new seedstock and commercial producers under the umbrella of IBBA. From a global standpoint, opportunities and demand for Brangus cattle are increasing at a record rate. IBBA will be working to establish ways to join forces with other Brangus groups to ensure that we are capitalizing on additional international growth.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED

Along with a multi-faceted expansion in the beef industry and the Brangus breed, there are also opportunities for you to contribute. IBBA committees will be seated shortly following the Annual Meeting in Houston, Texas, in March. I, as always, encourage each of you to get involved in your Association. Working from the committee level enables you to focus on 14 | March 2015

BRANGUS Journal

by Traci MIDDLETON IBBA PRESIDENT

the concepts and causes that you are passionate about while simultaneously adding value to the breed. Most importantly, the best way for each member to contribute to the improvement and progress of the Brangus breed is to collect, record and submit data to the Association. I ask that each of you read and digest the information provided by Dr. Tommy Perkins in the January edition of the Brangus Journal. The monthly column, as well as the feature article that he drafted, rationalizes the importance of complete data submission. With your allegiance to provide quality data to IBBA we can continue to develop and deliver sound and reliable information to you and your customers. As an organization, we need to be constantly aware of new opportunities to expand, grow and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the Brangus breed. In the unprecedented state of the beef industry, there is no better time than the present to evaluate current and future opportunities to achieve these goals. As my tour of duty with this board term comes to a close please know that serving as your President has been a tremendous honor. The International Brangus Breeders Association is filled with great people that are truly committed to a great breed of cattle. It has been a pleasure to work with three terms of dedicated Board members and a staff that works diligently to assist the members of this organization and promote the Brangus breed. Lastly, I would like to thank retiring board members Robert Field and R.L. Robbs for their commitment to the IBBA Board by spending countless hours on teleconferences and sitting through Board meetings that adjourned much too late. As these gentlemen retire we will welcome new members to the Board of Directors. Second term member, Brandon Belt, will join Carolyn Carson, Doyle Miller, and Davy Sneed as new additions to the Board. I know that each of you will bring a unique skill set coupled with fresh energy to the existing group. I look forward to seeing great things that will be accomplished under your leadership. Once again, thank you for the opportunity to serve as your President. BJ

A COMPLETE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE 18 OF THIS ISSUE!

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IBBA Connection Oportunidades para los tiempos venideros

por Traci MIDDLETON PRESIDENTE DE LA IBBA

medida que un normal nuevo se va definiendo en una industria cambiante y en evolución, se crean nuevas oportunidades para los que piensan rápido y que son planeadores a largo plazo. La dinámica de la industria de la carne está en desarrollo continuo, y todos hemos oído el viejo adagio que la mejor manera de predecir el futuro es crear ese futuro. Al unir nuestras fuerzas, tenemos a mano una abundancia de oportunidades para crear valor adicional tanto para el ganado Brangus como para los miembros de IBBA en los años venideros.

OPORTUNIDADES PARA EXPANDIR LA INDUSTRIA

Los líderes de la industria nos han dicho que la expansión del hato de vacas ha comenzado, pero probablemente será un proceso relativamente lento. Las oportunidades para el ganado Brangus en ese ambiente no tienen igual y necesitamos trabajar constantemente para estar en la vanguardia de este desplazamiento. A medida que los hatos en todo Estados Unidos comienzan a agrandarse en término de números, nosotros queremos que ese ganado sea Brangus. Existen perspectivas limitadas para capitalizarnos con una participación en el mercado de los negocios ganaderos y aquí tenemos una oportunidad sin precedentes que está golpeando nuestras puertas.

OPORTUNIDADES PARA EL CRECIMIENTO DEL BRANGUS

La Junta Directiva de IBBA y el Dr. Tommy Perkins acaba de terminar de compilar una lista de objetivos hacia los que deberíamos dirigirnos durante el año próximo. Los resultados de este trabajo permitirá a los miembros utilizar herramientas/métodos adicionales en el proceso de seleccionar genética, proporcionar oportunidades educacionales para nuestros miembros y sus clientes, y por último, proporcionar más caminos para traer pie de cría nuevo y productores comerciales bajo la coordinación de IBBA. Desde un punto de vista mundial, las oportunidades y las demandas de ganado Brangus están aumentando a una velocidad de récord. IBBA trabajará para establecer maneras de unir fuerzas con otros grupos Brangus para asegurar que todos nos capitalicemos con el mayor crecimiento internacional.

OPORTUNIDADES PARA QUE USTED SE PUEDA INVOLUCRAR

Junto con una expansión multifacética en la industria de la carne y de la raza Brangus, también existen oportunidades para que usted 16 | March 2015

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pueda contribuir. Los comités de IBBA empezarán su tareas poco después de la Asamblea General en Houston, Texas, en marzo. Como siempre, yo les quisiera rogar que cada uno de ustedes se involucre en vuestra asociación. Cuando trabaje a nivel de comité tendrá la posibilidad de enfocarse en los conceptos y causas que más le apasionan mientras que simultáneamente, agrega valor a la raza. Pero más importante aún, la mejor manera para que cada miembro contribuya al mejoramiento y progreso de la raza Brangus es al recopilar, registrar y presentar los datos a la Asociación. Les pido a cada uno de ustedes de leer y comprender la información provista por el Dr. Tommy Perkins en la edición de enero del Brangus Journal. Su columna mensual, así como el artículo principal que él escribió racionaliza la importancia de la presentación de datos completos. Si usted se compromete a proporcionar datos de calidad a IBBA, nosotros podremos seguir desarrollando y entregando información sólida y confiable para usted y para sus clientes. Como organización, debemos estar constantemente conscientes de las nuevas oportunidades para expandir, crecer y contribuir a la sostenibilidad y continuidad de la raza Brangus. En el estado sin precedentes en que está la industria de la carne, no existe mejor momento que el presente para evaluar las oportunidades actuales y futuras para lograr dichas metas. Al llegar al final de mi período de servicio con la Junta Directiva, por favor sepan que servir como vuestro Presidente ha sido un tremendo honor. La International Brangus Breeders Association tiene una multitud de personas maravillosas que están realmente y totalmente dedicadas a esta gran raza de ganado. Ha sido un placer trabajar durante tres mandatos, con miembros dedicados, en la Junta Directiva y un personal que trabaja diligentemente para ayudar a los miembros de esta organización que promueve la raza Brangus. Por último, quisiera agradecer a los miembros de la Junta Directiva que se retiran de su compromiso a la IBBA – Robert Field y R.L. Robbs – y quienes se han pasado incontables horas en teleconferencias y reuniones de la Junta que siempre acababan tardísimo. Y al retirarse dichos caballeros, les damos la bienvenida a los miembros nuevos de la Junta Directiva: Brandon Belt, con un segundo mandato, se unirá con Carolyn Carson, Doyle Miller y Davy Sneed, los directores nuevos. Yo sé que cada uno de ustedes aportará un juego de habilidades singulares con nueva energía al grupo existente. Espero ver grandes acontecimientos bajo el liderazgo de ustedes. Una vez más, gracias por la oportunidad de servir como vuestro Presidente. BJ

LETTELIER BRANGUS

Meet REBA!

Pictured at 4 months. SIRE: BKC Legacy’s Superman 101U | DAM: LB MS. Tonto 78W

See our calves on Facebook! Joe, Beverly, Lauren & Emily Lettelier  Citra, FL  lettelierbrangus@gmail.com  (352) 595-3450  (352) 598-3338

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IBBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet Houston, Texas  March 7, 2015

Holiday Inn - NRG Center

8111 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77054

Schedule of Events

Thanks to our Sponsors

PLATINUM ($1,000 +)

Salacoa Valley Farms/Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida

IBBA Booth, NRG Center near Main Arena (Open all week)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Check-in & Registration, Holiday Inn

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

GENETRUST

8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Check-in & Registration, Holiday Inn 12:00 p.m. John Genho EPD Seminar, Holdiay Inn 1:30 p.m. Board of Directors Meeting, Holiday Inn 6:00 p.m. IBBA Member Reception and International Brangus Breeders Foundation Fundraiser, NRG Center 2nd Floor Rooms 200 & 201 7:30 p.m. Board of Directors Dinner

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Check-in & Registration, Holiday Inn 8:00 a.m. Brangus Bull Show, NRG Center 1:00 p.m. Brangus Female Show, NRG Center 6:30 p.m. Ideal Video Productions Customer Appreciation Sale, Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom

Chimney Rock Cattle Company

G O L D ($500-$999)

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

7:30 a.m. Membership Breakfast, Holiday Inn 8:00 a.m. Check-in & Registration, Holiday Inn

Mix 30

GeneSeek/Neogen

IBBA Business Meeting, Holiday Inn

8:00 a.m. By-laws Changes and Membership Forum 8:30 a.m. Dr. Perkins Membership Address 8:45 a.m. Committee Reports 10:00 a.m. President’s Year in Review 10:15 a.m. Recognition of Outgoing Officers 10:30 a.m. Introduction of New Directors and Officers 10:45 a.m. Recognition of Outgoing President 11:00 a.m. Incoming President’s Remarks 12:00 p.m. Annual Awards Banquet, Holiday Inn 7:00 p.m. Genetic Edge Sale, NRG Center-East Arena

Stay connected online to receive the latest updates: Email us: info@int-brangus.org facebook.com/GoBrangus 18 | March 2015

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Contact the IBBA office with questions info@int-brangus.org | 210-696-8231

twitter @GoBrangus

youtube.com/BrangusVideo

SVF First Side 16 U297 ~ QCB Donor Cow 24A12 ~ Full sib to 24X3 x 16Y

DOB: 4/7/08 ~ R10110570 SVF First Side 30N x Ms PL KO Grand 16M2 She ranks in the top 40% or better for 6 EPD traits. Dam of our herd sire, QCB Steele Warrior 16Y She sells 75 days safe to QCB Nuff Said 740Z5!

541A2 ~ Full sib to 541S99 x 263X4

QCB Nuff Said 740Z5 ~ Service Sire to 16 U297

QCB Steele Warrior 16Y ~ Son of 16 U297

QCB/WAT Estancia 263X4

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IBBA Connection Building a Legacy

by Tyler DEAN IBBA DIRECTOR OF SHOWS AND YOUTH PROGRAMS, BRANGUS PUBLICATIONS EDITOR

BBA’s premier week is upon us. The IBBA Annual Meetings and International Brangus Shows provide the setting for the largest annual gathering of IBBA members and enthusiasts. Four full days of socials, meetings, presentations, sales and exhibitions provide every opportunity for attendees to grow and learn more about our great breed as well as catch up with fellow cattlemen and women. But for the junior association, the events in Houston provide the setting for their largest annual fundraiser -- the sale of the IJBBA Legacy Female. This year is no different, but the excitement around the 2015 Legacy Female is already extremely high amongst the IJBBA Board of Directors. The 2015 Legacy Female was graciously donated by G Bar Brangus of Bellville, Texas and 2H Brangus of Bossier City, La. Gina Gill of G Bar, knew the mating of Presidente and Laura 915X45 would be a great one, and even before Laura was flushed, Gina knew she wanted to donate one of the heifers to be the IJBBA Legacy Female. When the calves were born, G Bar and 2H held solid to the best heifer becoming just that. Gina might be in a bit of trouble around G Bar and 2H because this female is definitely the kind that we all want in our pasture. Incredibly feminine fronted, super strong topped and exceptionally square hipped, with ample bone and depth makes Ms 2H/GBB Pres 915B5 a solid addition to anyone’s show string or donor program. Her pedigree is filled with sires like Blackhawk, Newsmaker, Tonto and Transformer who have left an impact not only in the show ring, but also the entire Brangus breed. But perhaps the maternal icons in her pedigree – Alice, Pine Lass 23D2,Tally – speak more volumes to the potential future of this exciting young female! Quite noticeably, 915B5 is very easy on the eyes but the genetic value she packs into a beautiful package is quite notable as well. Top 20% for WW, top 20% for YW, top 25% for Milk, top 15% for TM and top 30% for REA, add in a 102 WW ratio and you have a remarkable future donor female, that is 915B5. Gina just might be in big trouble for letting this female leave the herd! 915B5 will sell on Friday, March 6, 2015, in the Ideal Video Productions Customer Appreciation Sale. The IJBBA Board of Directors will organize the 2015 IJBBA Legacy Female Buyer Group. The Buyer Group presents a unique opportunity to support the juniors and provides a chance to take the female home but not be out a substantial amount of money. Participation in the Buyer Group can be accomplished in one of two ways: A ranch, breeder, business or individual can get a ticket into the Buyer Group with a $500 donation. Another way is two ranches, breeders, businesses or individuals can split their entry ticket into the Buyer Group and each make a $250 donation. Anyone can make as many donations as they would like and each $500 20 | March 2015

BRANGUS Journal

donation will receive one ticket. The total of the collected donations will be the amount the Buyer Group will bid on the Legacy Female. At the fall of the gavel, if the Buyer Group has the winning bid, all tickets will be put into a hat and a winning ticket will be chosen. The holder(s) of the ticket will own the female at that point in time and can choose to take the female home with them or donate her back to IJBBA to auction again. If the Buyer Group has the winning bid, participants will be billed through IBBA. Money raised from the sale of the annual IJBBA Legacy Female goes to support the numerous activities of the IJBBA Board of Directors. The 2014-2015 IJBBA Board of Directors has been extremely active and participated in numerous shows, meetings and events. Travel to all these events is quite expensive, but the representation the IJBBA Directors provide the Brangus breed is immeasurable. In my travels as IBBA Director of Shows, no other breed sends as many young people to these important events as Brangus does. We are able to send them because we have such great support from great ranches, breeders, businesses and individuals, and hopefully their presence at these events will continue to build excitement and enthusiasm about Brangus. Furthermore, money raised from the sale of the IJBBA Legacy Female will go to support the upcoming Inaugural IJBBA Legacy Leadership Conference. 130 participants from Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Texas have registered for this unique and exciting event. What is even more exciting about the registered participants? 45% of them are non-IJBBA members! How great is it that we are getting youth outside the breed to come to our conference to learn more about the beef industry and the BRANGUS breed? Ranch tours, industry tours and motivational speakers fill the schedule of events from the time participants arrive on the afternoon of Friday, March 27, until they head home excited and renewed about the beef industry (AND BRANGUS CATTLE) on that Sunday. This event promises to be one of the most exciting Brangus events and complete coverage will be included in the May 2015 issue of the Brangus Journal. The IJBBA is continually working to BUILD and LEAVE A LEGACY within not only the Brangus breed but also the beef industry. Because of great supporters like G Bar Brangus, 2H Brangus and everyone who participates in the 2015 IJBBA Legacy Female Buyer Group, the IJBBA has the tools needed to achieve just that. If I can answer any questions or concerns regarding the 2015 IJBBA Legacy Female Buyer Group, please do not hesitate to contact me at tyler@int-brangus.org. I look forward to seeing you in Houston! BJ

y c a Leg Female The 2015 IJBBA

offered by: G Bar Brangus and 2H Brangus

Ms 2H/GBB Pres 915B5 February 28, 2014 R10271731 Sire: Skyhawks Presidente Dam: Miss JLS Laura 915X45

G Bar Brangus Larry & Gina Gill (903) 754-6791

2H Brangus Scotty & Sherry Henderson (318) 208-0069 She sells at the 2015 CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SALE MARCH 6, 2015 | 6:00 PM Crown Plaza Hotel | Houston, TX

he IJBBA Foundation Female has a new name for 2015 - the Legacy Female. Designed to help fund the IJBBA Legacy Leadership Conference, the IJBBA Board of Directors, and the National Junior Brangus Show as well as build upon the legacy of proven Brangus leaders that the IJBBA is known to produce. This year’s Legacy Female was graciously donated by G Bar Brangus and 2H Brangus and speaks volumes to their dedication to the IJBBA. Gina has wanted to offer this female since before the embryos were even collected or transferred - much less on the ground! 915B5 proves their dedication. Her pedigree is filled with proven champion show ring genetics. She is super stout made beginning from the ground up. She stands on lots of bone, is an extremely wide tracking female who profiles with lots of depth and boldness. Add in her extremely square hip, strong top and incredibly feminine front, you have the truly exciting female that is 915B5. Gina just might be in big trouble for letting this female leave the herd! You are invited to participate in a group effort to purchase this female. For more information, please contact Tyler Dean (405)867-1421. All proceeds go to benefit the Brangus juniors! Don’t miss this unique buying opportunity that supports a great cause. We’ll see you in Houston!

BRANGUS Journal

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IBBA Connection Creando un legado

por Tyler DEAN DIRECTOR DE EXPOSICIONES Y PROGRAMAS PARA JUVENILES DE IBBA, EDITOR DE LAS PUBLICACIONES BRANGUS

a primordial semana de IBBA ya se nos viene encima. debe recalcar. En el 20% superior para el peso al destete y el peso Las reuniones de la Asamblea General de IBBA y las al año; en el 25% superior para leche; en el 15% superior para calificaciones de la Exposición Internacional Brangus el total materno; y en el 30% superior para AOL; a eso también proporcionan el marco para la concurrencia anual agréguele un ratio de 102 para peso al destete, y uno tiene una más grande de los miembros y entusiastas de IBBA. Cuatro días futura hembra donadora extraordinaria llamada 915B5. ¡Es llenos de eventos sociales, reuniones, presentaciones, subastas posible que Gina se ha metido en grandes dificultades al dejar y exhibiciones proveen toda oportunidad posible para que los que esta hembra deje el hato! asistentes crezcan y aprendan más sobre nuestra gran raza, y se 915B5 será subastada el viernes, 3 de marzo de 2015, en pongan al día con sus compañeros ganaderos y ganaderas. la Subasta en Apreciación de los Clientes por Ideal Video Pero para la asociación de los jóvenes, los eventos en Houston, Productions. La Junta Directiva de IJBBA organizará el Grupo les proporciona la oportunidad más grande del año para de Compradores de la IJBBA Hembra de Legado. El Grupo recaudar fondos – la subasta de la Legacy Female (Hembra de Comprador representa una oportunidad singular para apoyar a Legado) de IJBBA. Este año no será diferente, pero la emoción los jóvenes y provee una oportunidad para llevarse la hembra ya se ha elevado muchísimo entre la Junta Directiva de IJBBA. a su operación ganadera pero sin haber gastado una cantidad La Hembra de Legado de 2015 fue gentilmente donada por G considerable de dinero. La participación en el Grupo de Bar Brangus de Bellville, Texas y 2H Brangus de Bossier City, Compradores se puede lograr de dos maneras: Una hacienda, Louisiana. un criador, una empresa comercial o un individuo pueden Gina Gill de G Bar, sabía que el apareamiento de Presidente obtener un boleta de entrada el Grupo de Compradores con una con Laura 915X45 produciría algo muy especial, y aún antes de donación de US$500. La segunda opción es que dos haciendas, que se le hizo el lavado de óvulos a Laura, Gina sabía que quería dos criadores, dos empresas comerciales o dos individuos pueden donar una de las vaquillonas como la Hembra de Legado de la dividir su boleta de entrada al Grupo de Compradores con cada IJBBA. Cuando nacieron los becerros, tanto G Bar como 2H uno haciendo una donación de US$250. Cualquiera puede hacer estaban convencidos que la mejor vaquillona del grupo seguiría todas las donaciones que quisiera y cada donación de US$500 siendo justamente eso. recibirá un boleto. El total de las donaciones recaudadas será Es posible que Gina se haya metido en algunas dificultades la cantidad que el Grupo Comprador pujará para la Hembra en G Bar y en 2H porque esta hembra definitivamente es del (continúa en la página 24) tipo que todos queremos tener en nuestro pastizal. Increíblemente femenina de frente, con dorso super fuerte y de caderas excepcionalmente cuadradas, con amplia cantidad de hueso y profundidad, la Ms 2H/GBB Pres 915B5 será una añadidura sólida para el programa de donadoras o el grupo de exhibición de cualquiera. Su pedigrí está lleno de sementales como Blackhawk, Newsmaker, Tonto y Transformer, los cuales han dejado un impacto no solo en la pista de calificación, sino también en toda la raza Brangus. Pero quizá los íconos maternos en su pedigrí – Alice, Pine Lass 23D2,Tally – ¡dicen muchísimo con respecto al potencial futuro de esta emocionante hembra joven! Obviamente perceptible, la 915B5 es muy vistosa, pero el valor genético que lleva es un paquete bello que también se La Hembra de Legado de 2015 - Ms 2H/GBB Pres 915B5 22 | March 2015

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IBBA Connection (viene de la página 22) de Legado. Al caer el martillo, si el Grupo Comprador tiene la puja ganadora, todos los boletos se colocarán en un sombrero y se sacará el boleto ganador. El o los portadores del boleto serán dueños de la hembra en ese momento y pueden optar por llevásela a su hacienda o donarla nuevamente a IJBBA para que se vuelva a subastar. Si el Grupo Comprador tiene la puja ganadora, se les facturará a los participantes a través de IBBA. El dinero recaudado de la subasta de la Hembra de Legado anual de IJBBA se usará para apoyar las numerosas actividades

MB Ms Alliance 129R11 is a first generation female sired by the highly proven Angus sire, Sitz Alliance 6595. 129R11’s dam, MC Ms Madison 129K4 has 49 progeny on record with a Birth Ratio of 98; Weaning Wt. Ratio of 105; Yearling wt. Ratio of 103; Ribeye Ratio of 104 and IMF Ratio of 115. MB Ms Alliance 129R11 ranks in the breed as follows: Top 4% for Weaning Wt.; Top 1 % for Yearling Wt.; Top 1% for Maternal Milk and M & G; Top 1% for Ribeye and Top 3% for IMF. HERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW AND PROVEN GENETICS. 24 | March 2015

BRANGUS Journal

de la Junta Directiva de IJBBA. La Junta Directiva de IJBBA de 2014-2015 ha estado extremadamente activa y ha participado en numerosas exposiciones, reuniones y eventos. Los viajes a todos esos eventos cuestan bastante, pero la representación que los Directores de IJBBA proveen a la raza Brangus es incalculable. En mis viajes como el Director de Exposiciones de IBBA, ninguna otra raza manda a tanta gente joven a esos importantes eventos como lo hace Brangus. Tenemos la posibilidad de enviarlos porque tienen un apoyo fabuloso de las magníficas haciendas, criadores, empresas comerciales e individuos, y esperamos que su presencia en esos eventos continuará a aumentar el entusiasmo para el Brangus. Además, el dinero que se recauda de la subasta de la Hembra de Legado de IJBBA apoyará a la próxima Conferencia Inaugural de Liderazgo de IJBBA. Ciento treinta (130) participantes de los estados de Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana y Texas ya se han registrado para este evento tan singular. ¿Qué es lo más emocionante de estos participantes registrados? ¡Un 45% de ellos no son miembros de IJBBA! Cuán maravilloso es que estamos recibiendo jóvenes de afuera de la raza para venir a nuestra conferencia para aprender más sobre la industria de la carne y la raza Brangus. Giras de haciendas, giras industriales y conferencistas motivacionales comprenden el programa de eventos desde que los participantes llegan la tarde del viernes, 27 de marzo, hasta que vuelven FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2015 a sus hogares emocionados y renovados con respecto a la industria de la carne (Y EL GANADO BRANGUS) el domingo. Esta conferencia promete ser uno de los mejores eventos Brangus y se incluirá una cobertura completa en el Brangus Journal, la edición de mayo de 2015. IJBBA trabaja sin cesar para CONSTRUIR y DEJAR UN LEGADO dentro de no solo la raza Brangus, sino Selling one (1) right to flush to the bull of your choice plus four (4) grade one frozen embryos by CB Final Cut también en la industria de la carne. 924X-IBBA R# 10168212 and MB Ms Alliance 129Rll. Debido a los tremendos contribuidores como G Bar Brangus, 2H Brangus y todos 129R11 EPD’s IBBA # 10020404 • Geneseek 30K los participantes del Grupo Comprador CED: 1.7 BW: 2.5 WW: 40 YW: 90 MM: 22 TM: 42 CE Maternal: 1.8 de la Hembra de Legado de IJBBA en SC: .57 REA: .86 %IMF: .25 2015, esta organización tiene los medios necesarios para lograr justamente eso. Si CHRIS & SHAREE SANKEY puedo contestar preguntas o inquietudes Cody & Lindsay Sankey Dustin, Jeana & Bayler Hurlbut con respecto al Grupo Comprador de la 1121 Lake Rd. • Council Grove, KS Hembra de Legado de IJBBA en 2015, por 620-343-0456 • 620-343-0288 favor no deje de comunicarse conmigo al www.sankeys6nranch.com sankeys6nranch@yahoo.com tyler@int-brangus.org . ¡Espero verlos en Houston! BJ

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IBBA Connection IBBA Welcomes New Staff Members MALLORY NEWSOM

Mallory Newsom has joined the staff as Communications Coordinator at the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. This position involves the task of writing articles for the journal, graphic design, filming for the Brangus Beat, and much more. Newsom started February 2, 2015 at the NCBA

Conference. Growing up in a West Texas farming family has fueled her passion and drive to secure a job in the agriculture industry. Newsom’s dad, brother, and brother-in-law are all self-employed farmers which helps give Newsom an edge on the agriculture industry. One of Newsom’s accomplishments she is very proud of is winning the Grand Champion Junior Market Steer at the Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2008. “We are excited to have Mallory join the staff at the IBBA,” said Dr. Tommy Perkins, IBBA’s Executive Vice President. “She brings a ton of talent to our communications team and will help move us forward in successfully promoting the Brangus brand.” Newsom is a recent graduate of Texas Tech University where she received her Master’s in Agricultural Communications. Prior to graduate school, she received her undergraduate degree in Communications from the University of Oklahoma in 2013. Having the knowledge and experience in creative design and photography, along with experience in media and social media planning, as well as writing, Newsom will be a great fit for this position. Working in the graphic design field Newsom has had lots of experience designing brochures, pamphlets, and logos for various organizations and farms. She has also worked as a Radio Host on TownTalk Radio, where she hosted the Ag Update weekly segment. “I have grown up around the livestock industry and am excited to expand my knowledge and passion for the industry with IBBA,” says Newsom. “I am looking forward to this opportunity and working with the organization, its members, and the industry. I have always known I want to work in agriculture because I admire the hard work and passion of those in the industry.” “Mallory is a very detail oriented, high energy team member,” said Perkins. “She understands the value of the entire team, and we are proud to have her on our side.” Newsom can be contacted at mnewsom@gobrangus.com. 26 | March 2015

BRANGUS Journal

RACHEL DAVIS

Rachel Davis joined the staff as the Promotions and Communications Intern at the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. This intern position will assist the IBBA Communications Coordinator in writing press releases, designing Journal articles, and various other communication and promotion

tasks. “Rachel was referred by the Red Angus Association leadership with high praise,” said IBBA Executive Vice President Dr. Tommy Perkins. “She brings a ton of leadership skills from her 4-H and Red Angus background which will be a great attribute to the communications team at IBBA.” Growing up in rural Montpelier, VA, Davis has knowledge of the Agriculture Industry. She has lived on a cow/calf operation her whole life. She was very involved in 4H in Hanover County and has also participated on the Hanover County Stockmans Team. Davis started her own herd of registered Red Angus cattle. She participates in numerous cattle shows and is the assistant Junior Red Angus advisor for the Mason Dixon Red Angus Association. Her love for cattle led her to a position on the Junior Red Angus National Board as the JRA President. “I look forward to the chance to expand my knowledge of the cattle industry.” said Davis. “This internship will be a great building block for a future career in the Cattle Industry. I hope to gain lasting connections and learn a lot about the communications and promotions side of this industry.” Davis can be contacted directly by email at intern@gobrangus. com or on her cell at 804-356-1951.

IBA Connection

Allison Deshotel

Spring 2015 Sire Summary

The Spring 2015 Sire Summary is now available online at gobrangus.com. The 2015 Proven Sire listing includes 232 sires having a weaning weight accuracy of .60 or greater and progeny (recorded with IBBA) born in last two (2) years. The Spring 2015 Genetic Venture sire listing includes 457 sires, born since July 2008, having a weaning weight accuracy between .35 and .60 and progeny (recorded with IBBA) born in last two (2) years. Additionally, for a bull to be on either listing, he must have a DNA profile on file with IBBA. The complete sire summaries are available online but the following pages show the Genetic Trends and Trait Leaders for the breed. BRANGUS Journal

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NUMBER OF ANIMALS 21535 20813 22367 24219 24109 23895 22625 23686 22899 24966 21433 20395 19867 18176 18919 19236 19771 22046 19976 18714 17488 17339 19152 20724 11871

BIRTH WEIGHT -‐2.2 -‐2.0 -‐1.8 -‐1.4 -‐1.2 -‐0.9 -‐0.8 -‐0.4 -‐0.3 -‐0.4 -‐0.4 -‐0.2 -‐0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.1

CALVING EASE 5.6 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.4 5.2 5.1 4.8 4.8 4.9 4.9 4.8 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.6 4.6 4.5 4.6 4.6 4.6 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.7

International Brangus Breeders Association

YEAR 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

BRANGUS CATTLE EVALUATION

MATERNAL CE 4.0 3.9 3.9 3.8 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.5 3.6 3.5 3.5 3.5 MILK 7.8 8.0 8.2 7.9 7.8 7.5 7.3 7.4 7.6 7.4 7.5 7.4 7.5 7.3 7.4 7.4 7.2 7.3 7.3 7.2 7.4 7.3 7.7 7.7 7.9

MILK & GROWTH 7.1 7.6 8.2 8.6 9.1 9.3 9.8 10.8 11.4 11.1 11.3 11.6 12.0 12.1 12.4 12.9 12.7 13.3 13.4 13.4 14.1 13.0 14.8 14.7 14.2

YEARLING WEIGHT -‐8.6 -‐7.6 -‐6.0 -‐3.8 -‐1.4 0.5 3.0 6.8 8.8 8.1 8.8 10.3 11.5 13.0 14.1 16.3 16.1 18.3 19.2 19.4 21.3 17.2 23.3 23.1 20.2

5750 Epsilon • San Antonio, Texas 78249

WEANING WEIGHT -‐1.4 -‐0.8 0.1 1.4 2.7 3.7 5.0 6.7 7.6 7.3 7.7 8.4 9.0 9.6 10.0 11.1 11.0 12.0 12.3 12.5 13.3 11.5 14.1 14.1 12.8

GENETIC TREND -‐ NON-‐PARENT ANIMALS

U.S. WEIGHT -‐5.9 -‐5.5 -‐5.0 -‐4.9 -‐4.1 -‐3.5 -‐2.5 -‐0.3 0.8 0.3 0.6 1.3 1.8 2.6 3.0 4.1 3.8 5.0 5.5 5.5 6.1 4.4 7.8 7.5 6.6

U.S. REA -‐0.02 -‐0.03 -‐0.03 -‐0.04 -‐0.05 -‐0.08 -‐0.09 -‐0.09 -‐0.08 -‐0.08 -‐0.08 -‐0.07 -‐0.07 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.05 -‐0.05 -‐0.03 -‐0.03 -‐0.02 0.00 -‐0.01 0.02 0.01 0.03

U.S. FAT -‐0.042 -‐0.043 -‐0.043 -‐0.044 -‐0.046 -‐0.047 -‐0.048 -‐0.049 -‐0.050 -‐0.050 -‐0.050 -‐0.051 -‐0.051 -‐0.051 -‐0.051 -‐0.052 -‐0.052 -‐0.052 -‐0.052 -‐0.052 -‐0.052 -‐0.051 -‐0.052 -‐0.052 -‐0.050

SCROTAL CIRC. -‐0.06 -‐0.02 0.02 0.05 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.10 0.11 0.09 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.12 0.13 0.14 0.14 0.16 0.17 0.16 0.16 0.12 0.16 0.18 0.14

http://GoBrangus.com

U.S. IMF -‐0.03 -‐0.04 -‐0.04 -‐0.05 -‐0.06 -‐0.07 -‐0.07 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.05 -‐0.06 -‐0.06 -‐0.05

SPRING 2015

IBBA Connection

Spring 2015 Genetic Trends

IBBA Connection Spring 2015 Trait Leaders Top Bulls by

Top Bulls by

Calving Ease Direct

Birth Weight

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.4. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 813 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.5. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 1083 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

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IBBA Connection Spring 2015 Trait Leaders Top Bulls by

Top Bulls by

Weaning Weight

Yearling Weight

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.5. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 463 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

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Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.5. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 171 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

IBBA Connection Spring 2015 Trait Leaders Top Bulls by

Top Bulls by

Maximum Milk

Minimum Milk

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.5. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 108 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.5. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 108 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

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IBBA Connection Spring 2015 Trait Leaders Top Bulls by

Top Bulls by

Total Maternal

Calving Ease Maternal

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.5. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 108 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

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Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.4. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 193 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

IBBA Connection Spring 2015 Trait Leaders Top Bulls by

Scrotal Circumference

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.5. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 372 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

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IBBA Connection Spring 2015 Trait Leaders Top Bulls by Ultrasound

Top Bulls by Ultrasound

Ribeye Area

Intramuscular Fat

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.4. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 351 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

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BRANGUS Journal

Requirements:

Minimum EPD Accuracy of 0.4. Calf Born 7/1/2012 or later. 230 bulls met the requirments for this trait.

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IJBBA Connection Beef Australia

he Florida State Fair provided me the chance to show and market my Brangus cattle. To help support our Southeast breeders, I set up a display table where I was able to promote and market their cattle as well as inform those that are not familiar with the Brangus breed as to why they are important to the cattle industry. As a junior director and a Brangus breeder I have heard so much about Australia’s National Beef Exposition. Yes, it is that time again for Beef Australia. It is one of the world’s greatest cattle events held once every three years in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. This year it will be held May 4 – 9, 2015, and promises to be an event you cannot afford to miss. Beef Australia will feature more than 4,500 head of cattle from over 30 breeds as well as trade exhibits advertising more than 500 businesses, conferences, seminars and tours to share new research and information to producers. It attracts more than 85,000 visitors from around the world, allowing attendees to expand their market reach by meeting and building relationships with producers from all over the world. Are you wandering why you should go to this event? Beef Australia will provide you the opportunity to meet and interact with thousands of international guests and businesses. It gives you the chance to create business opportunities and meet Australian beef industry leaders. There are stud, commercial and carcass competitions, trade exhibits, seminars, tours and social events that you can attend. In addition, restaurants will feature cooking demonstrations for guests to acknowledge and

by Quinn CARTER IJBBA VICE PRESIDENT

appreciate the quality and flavor of Australian beef. Beef Australia 2015 is a must-see event for cattlemen and businesses wanting to dig further into the international market and showcase their operations. Whether selling live cattle or shipping semen and embryos, Australia is one of the easiest countries to do international business with because of their less stringent export requirements. This is also a great marketing strategy for businesses and ranches. You have the chance to sell your product and increase your brand internationally. This past year I’ve had the privilege to visit ranches such as Draggin’ M Ranch, Blackwater Cattle Company, and Salacoa Valley Farms, just to name a few. I had the opportunity to help breeders at their bull and female sales by working the buyers table, distributing sale information, or helping the local veterinarian with papers and other activities. These opportunities have helped me build relationships of a lifetime. I have learned so much and Beef Australia can do the same for you. Do not wait another three years for this amazing opportunity! Register now at http://beefaustralia.com.au/international/ register/. They will help you with anything you need, finding hotels, signing up for tours, and more as a registered international guest. “They will treat you first class,” said Dr. Tommy Perkins, IBBA Executive Vice President. You can also go to their website and read about the event at http://beefaustralia.com.au/. If you are looking for a great steak and a fun time you should really attend Beef Australia 2015. BJ

2014-2015 IJBBA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President Racheal Sharp, Konawa, OK racheal.sharp.rs@gmail.com

Ex-Officio Kacie Wallace, Bryan, TX goinshowin02@yahoo.com

Vice President Quinn Carter, Haines City, FL quinn.carter95@yahoo.com

SOC Sale Chair Colby Davis, Tahlequah, OK cwdbrangus@yahoo.com

Secretary Meghan Pickett, Robeline, LA speeples1@bellsouth.net

Reporter McKenzie Posey, Wayne, OK posey_mckenzie@yahoo.com

Director Kendra Brull, Atchison, KS kbrull15@mh-ma.com

Director Kourtney Gardner, China Spring, TX kourtney.l.gardner@gmail.com

Director Director Allyson Polston, Lakeland, FL Emilee Garza, Spring, TX goober4141@gmail.com kimberly@remaxrewards.net IBBA Queen Kacie Wallace, Bryan, TX goinshowin02@yahoo.com 36 | March 2015

BRANGUS Journal

IBA Connection Memories...

by Mary Beth FARRIS IBA MEMBER

must have been 8 or 9 years old when my father took me and my sister to the Chicago International Livestock Show in the early 1970s. I had all but forgotten that day until 30 odd years later. My family was fitting our heifers on a very crowded Saturday at the Houston Livestock Show. I was amazed at the people who came up without asking and tried to pet our perfectly groomed heifer and I was relieved that no one was hurt - we’ve shown a few kickers. Our stall was on the end of an aisle and I thought that day would never end. It was then, that I remembered walking through that huge building full of “farm” animals with my father and sister many years earlier. I was one of those wide-eyed spectators trying to take it all in and I had no idea what was going on or ALL the work it took those people to get there. I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, a far cry from Lemons Gap, in the hills south of Abilene, Texas, where I’ve spent the last 30 years. I feel blessed to have lived this “city mouse, country mouse” lifestyle; I’ve had the best of both worlds. I can appreciate city life but have learned to love and prefer country life. I’ve been involved with the IBA since 2003. I am proud of the work we do to provide scholarships for deserving IJBBA members. My children were both IJBBA members and scholarship recipients. The friendships built and life lessons learned through the IJBBA and IBA are immeasurable. Ironically, my friend who

recruited me to the IBA showed a steer at the Chicago International Livestock Show and another close friend was the first IBA scholarship recipient. The IBA offers opportunities to make lasting relationships with likeminded people who share a love of the Br ang u s breed and an appreciation of our b r e e d’s future. I only wish my father could have been able to see my children show at the Houston Livestock Show. BJ

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Printed in 2-color, representing both Brangus and Red Brangus. $25 each or 2 for $40. Buy one for every vehicle! INTERNATIONAL BRANGUS AUXILIARY Contact: Kay Gibson - jimk.gibson@sbcglobal.net or (281)705-7647. Sami Roop - samiroop@verizon.net. BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 37

Marketing Update Know the International Market

by Kyle DYKES IBBA COMMERCIAL MARKETING COORDINATOR

s it really already March? This year seems to have started off at a fast pace and many interesting things are happening in the Ag world. Even though feeder cattle prices have dropped a bit with a sort of bearish trend, January and February were steady with stock shows, Brangus sales with more to come, and IBBA having great success at the 2015 National Cattlemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show. This month will be busy as we have been excited for our Annual Meeting in Houston. It is events like the NCBA Trade show and IBBA Annual Meeting that allow us to gather and promote Brangus cattle and show what the International Brangus Breeders Association has to offer. Since this is the International Edition, I urge everyone to put your focus on the presence that you and your operation have at the international level. How involved are you in marketing your genetics to those outside your own country? You may be content with your current practices but you never know what opportunities are out there, in times such as now, in the cattle industry. When I first came on board with Brangus, I had the privilege to interact with some active Breeders from South Africa. Not only was it neat to hear about their cattle business and the different needs that must be met to be successful on their operations, but I also learned how important it is for breeders to keep up with international affairs. As I talked with John Rafferty, Breed Director for the Brangus Society in South Africa, and other great breeders from this country, I learned the specific characteristics that they were looking for in bulls and females, and what does and does not work. Something that might be great here in the U.S. may not be great over there, which can be said for any country. That is not to say that it is not a great animal, but rather that there is an opportunity present to diversify your cattle to meet both parties. I was also able to learn about different export regulations that were specific to their country. If you are not involved in exports then this is something you need to familiarize yourself with when working across the globe. It is this type of information you get to learn and much more when you expand your marketing circle beyond the United States.

Timing did not allow me to attend the World Brangus Congress in Mexico that was held shortly after my trip with the South African crew, but as Dr. Perkins and I spoke about it, I was fascinated by the experience that he had. It is opportunities like that where you get to make friends from different backgrounds and establish yet another channel to market your product. It is crucial to get involved in producing cattle that can have a positive impact across the globe. Brangus are in great demand and if we can make them even more accessible to those in other countries, it will only serve to improve the quality of cattle that we offer and not to mention the opportunity for extra income. 2014 was a record-breaking year for our industry and there is much speculation that 2015 will level off or even slightly decline. This speculation seems to prove accurate as cattle numbers are increasing, so it is important to capitalize while you can. All I know from what I have been taught, and what I have seen, is that when the market is good they are all valuable, but when the market is bad it is the great ones that still hold their value. This should only give us more incentive to learn more about our industry from a global standpoint and find a way to get involved so we can continue to take steps forward. Attend meetings, tradeshows, conferences and workshops to understand what the customer wants and how you can better meet their demands. If you have not joined the social network via Facebook, Twitter, or any other social networks available, I highly encourage you to do so. It is simple, yet effective, and it is the trend that is here to stay. I guarantee that if you are not doing it, someone else is and his or her business stands to reap the benefit! It is a great way to keep up with not only your clients and friends locally, but with the people you come in contact with at events held throughout the year. Genetic exports and quality cattle demand are higher than they have ever been and if we can utilize every tool that we have through the association and hard work, we can continue to build better animals that will create a demand and meet the needs of the customer in the years to come. BJ

It is crucial to get involved in producing cattle that can have a positive impact across the globe.

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BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 39

Marketing Update Conozca el mercado internacional

por Kyle DYKES COORDINADOR DE MERCADEO COMERCIAL DE IBBA

a estamos en marzo? Este año parece haber iniciado a un ritmo rapidísimo y muchas cosas interesantes están pasando en el mundo agropecuario. Aunque los precios del ganado de engorda han bajado un poco, con la tendencia bajista, enero y febrero fueron estables con exposiciones ganaderas, subastas de Brangus y otras por delante, e IBBA teniendo gran éxito en la Exposición Comercial de la NCBA (Asociación Nacional de Productores de Carne) en 2015. Este mes será de mucho movimiento con la Asamblea General en Houston. Son eventos como estos dos que nos permiten juntarnos y fomentar el ganado Brangus y mostrar lo que la International Brangus Breeders Association ofrece. Desde que ésta es la Edición Internacional, les ruego que se enfoquen en la presencia que ustedes y sus operaciones tienen a nivel internacional. ¿Qué tan involucrado está usted en mercadear su genética a los que vienen de otros países? Usted quizá está contento con sus prácticas actuales pero uno nunca sabe qué oportunidades existen ahí afuera en la industria ganadera, en momentos como el presente. Cuando primero empecé a trabajar con la raza Brangus, tuve el privilegio de interactuar con algunos criadores de Sudáfrica. No solo que fue interesantísimo oír del negocio ganadero en ese país y los diferentes requisitos que se deben satisfacer para tener éxito en sus operaciones, sino que también aprendí lo importante que era para criadores mantenerse al día con los asuntos internacionales. Al hablar con John Rafferty, un Director de la Sociedad de Brangus en Sudáfrica y con otros criadores de renombre de ese país, aprendí las características específicas que ellos buscaban en sus toros y hembras, así como lo que ahí funciona y no funciona. Algo que pudiera ser magnífico aquí en EE.UU. podría ser no tan magnífico allá, lo cual se puede decir de cualquier país. Eso no quiere decir que no sean magníficos animales sino que se presenta la oportunidad de diversificar su ganado para satisfacer a ambas partes. También tuve la posibilidad de aprender que hay diferentes reglamentos de exportación, específicos al país de ellos. Si usted no está involucrado en las exportaciones, entonces eso es algo con que usted tendrá que familiarizarse si desea trabajar en todo el mundo. Es este tipo de información que uno aprende, y mucho más, cuando se expande el círculo de comercialización más allá

de las fronteras estadounidenses. El tiempo no me permitió asistir al Congreso Mundial Brangus en México que tuvo lugar poco después de mi viaje con el grupo sudafricano. Pero cuando el Dr. Perkins y yo hablamos de ese congreso, yo quedé fascinado con las experiencias que el había tenido. Son momentos como esos donde uno se hace amigo con personas de diferentes culturas y circunstancias y se establece aún otro canal para mercadear su producto. Es crítico involucrarnos en la producción de ganado que pudiera tener un impacto positivo a través del mundo. El Brangus está en gran demanda y si los podemos hacer aún más asequibles a otros en otros países, solo servirá para mejorar la calidad del ganado que ofrecemos, aparte de la oportunidad de un ingreso adicional. El año 2014 fue un año de batir récords en nuestra industria y existe gran especulación que 2015 será más nivelado o quizá con un ligero descenso. Esa especulación parece ser correcta ya que los números de cabezas están aumentando, de modo que es importante capitalizarse cuando se puede. Todo lo que sé viene de lo que se me ha enseñado, y lo que he visto, es que cuando el mercado es bueno, todos tienen valor, pero cuando el mercado no es bueno, solo los grandes mantendrán su valor. Esto nos debería dar mayor incentivo para aprender más sobre nuestra industria desde el punto de vista global y encontrar una manera en que podamos participar para seguir avanzando. Participe en reuniones, exposiciones comerciales y talleres para entender lo que el cliente quiere y cómo mejor satisfacer sus demandas. Si usted no forma parte de una red social vía Facebook, Twitter, o cualquier otra red social que exista, le ruego que lo haga. Le garantizo que si usted no lo hace, otros sí lo están haciendo y ¡los negocios de ellos son los que cosecharán los beneficios! Es una excelente manera de mantenerse al día no solo con sus clientes y amigos locales, sino también las personas que usted va conociendo a través de los diferentes eventos del año. Las exportaciones genéticas y la demanda de ganado de calidad están más altas de lo que jamás hemos visto y si podemos utilizar cada herramienta o método que tenemos a través de la asociación y el trabajo fuerte, podremos continuar ofreciendo animales mejores que crearán una demanda y que satisfarán las necesidades de los clientes en los años próximos. BJ

Es crítico involucrarnos en la producción de ganado que pudiera tener un impacto positivo a través del mundo.

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BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 41

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Feature Article

WORLD BRANGUS CONGRESS

Recap

n November 10-14, 2014, Brangus enthusiasts from all over the globe gathered in Merida, Yucatan to experience a week long educational, social and networking event, the World Brangus Congress. Jointly hosted by the Asociación Brangus Rojo de Mexico and Asociación Mexicana de Criadores De Ganado Brangus, the World Brangus Congress was truly a first-class event offering a variety of opportunities for participants to experience Mexican culture, learn from world renowned speakers in the beef industry, and observe the evaluation of over 400 head of cattle in the two day long show. Over 350 delegates from 12 countries began the week with ranch tours hosted by Ranchos 3 Lobos, Rancho San Carlos, and Rancho Santa Fe. At each of the stops, we were greeted with

44 | March 2015

by Traci MIDDLETON IBBA PRESIDENT

BRANGUS Journal

tremendous hospitality and were able to view and evaluate the area’s top genetics. The 2014 World Brangus Congress also offered attendees educational opportunities with presentations ranging from genomics to global beef industry trends. The hosts did an excellent job of organizing an interesting, thought-provoking set of speakers that generated much discussion throughout the remainder of the Congress. The Yucatan Xmatkuil Fair was the site of the 2014 World Brangus Congress Show. Over 400 head of Brangus and Red Brangus cattle were exhibited and evaluations were made by judges Carlos Ojea and Mauricio Groppo, both of Argentina. The quality of the cattle coupled with sound, logical assessments by the judges made for a tremendous show for all of the spectators (continued on page 46)

Feature Article por Traci MIDDLETON PRESIDENTE DE LA IBBA

Resumen del

CONGRESO MUNDIAL BRANGUS

ntre el 10 y el 14 de noviembre de 2014, los entusiastas del Brangus llegaron a Mérida, Yucatán, México, de todas partes del mundo para una semana de programas educativos, sociales y eventos para hacer conexiones – el Congreso Mundial Brangus. Ofrecido conjuntamente por la Asociación Brangus Rojo de México y la Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Ganado Brangus, el Congreso Mundial Brangus realmente fue un evento de primer orden, ofreciendo una variedad de oportunidades en que los participantes podían compartir la cultura mexicana, aprender de los conferencistas de renombre mundial en la industria de la carne y observar la calificación de más de 400 cabezas de ganado durante la exposición de dos días. Más de 350 delegados de 12 países comenzaron la semana con giras agrícolas auspiciadas por: Ranchos 3 Lobos, Rancho San Carlos, y Rancho Santa Fe. En cada parada, fuimos recibidos con increíble hospitalidad y pudimos ver y evaluar la mejor genética de la zona. El Congreso Mundial Brangus de 2014 también ofreció

a los participantes, oportunidades educativas con presentaciones desde la genómica hasta las tendencias mundiales venideras para la industria de la carne. Los auspiciadores hicieron una excelente labor de organizar un grupo de conferencistas interesantes que nos hicieron reflexionar y que generaron muchos comentarios durante el resto del Congreso. La exposición del Congreso Mundial Brangus de 2014 tuvo lugar en la Feria Xmatkuil de Yucatán. Más de 400 cabezas de Brangus y Brangus Rojo fueron exhibidos y evaluados por los jueces Carlos Ojea y Mauricio Groppo, ambos de la Argentina. La calidad de los animales junto con las evaluaciones sólidas y lógicas de los jueces produjeron una calificación sobresaliente para todos los espectadores. Los campeones incluyeron: • Toro Gran Campeón Brangus Rojo: Rancho El Retiro • Hembra Gran Campeona Brangus Rojo: MLS La Victoria • Toro Gran Campeón Brangus: Estrada Brangus • Hembra Gran Campeona Brangus: Rancho Las Brujas (continúa en la página 47)

BRANGUS Journal

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Feature Article

(continued from page 44) to experience. Champions included: • Grand Champion Red Brangus Bull: Rancho el Retiro • Grand Champion Red Brangus Female: MLS La Victoria • Grand Champion Brangus Bull: Estrada Brangus • Grand Champion Brangus Female: Rancho Las Brujas • Reserve Grand Champion Red Brangus Bull: Rancho la Posta • Reserve Grand Champion Red Brangus Female: Rancho Los Nogales • Reserve Grand Champion Brangus Bull: Santa Barbara Brangus • Reserve Grand Champion Brangus Female: El Agate Following the show, the World Brangus Congress sale offered elite lots of Brangus and Red Brangus genetics, in addition to many of the Division and Reserve Division Champions from the previous two days. The sale’s success validated the demand for Brangus and Red Brangus cattle throughout Mexico. Lastly, Congress participants were able to travel to the Mayan archeological site, Chichen Itza, to take in the tourist aspect of traveling to Mexico. The week concluded with a grand event at Hacienda Chichi Suarez. Entertainment was provided by the State Orchestra of Yucatan and a performance by traditional Mayan dancers at the event’s festive closing banquet. Each winner was recognized for their accomplishments during the event, including award presentations made by the International

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Brangus Breeders Association and the International Red Brangus Breeders Association to the World Congress Show Champions. The culminating event further demonstrated the hospitality and hard work by each of the hosting groups to make the 2014 World Brangus Congress one to remember. Perhaps, one of the most exciting developments coming out of the Congress was the revitalization of the Federation of the International Associations (FIBRA). As the principal global alliance of Brangus associations worldwide, the work accomplished through FIBRA will allow for more collaborative efforts among all members to promote Brangus cattle. The meeting revealed a mutual agreement to work toward advocating the trade of genetics and establishing an international brand for Brangus that would be recognized worldwide. Another objective further delineated at the meeting was to facilitate the exchange of information and research across each of the member country’s Brangus associations. Additional information on FIBRA can be found online at www.fibraworld.org. The conversation in Merida was dominated by common concerns of universal breed promotion, collaborative sire evaluations, and increasing the reach of Brangus genetics globally. The World Brangus Congress offers an avenue for Brangus breeders to gather and discuss the circumstances faced by beef producers worldwide. We share many of the same goals and challenges even though the distance between our operations (continued on page 48)

Feature Article (viene de la página 45) • Toro Gran Campeón Reservado Brangus Rojo: Rancho La Posta • Hembra Gran Campeona Reservada Brangus Rojo: Rancho Los Nogales • Toro Gran Campeón Reservado Brangus: Santa Barbara Brangus • Hembra Gran Campeona Reservada Brangus: El Agate Después de la calificación, la subasta del Congreso Mundial Brangus ofreció lotes de élite de genética Brangus y Brangus Rojo, además de muchos Campeones de División y Campeones Reservados de División de los dos días anteriores. El éxito de la subasta dio validez a la demanda de ganado Brangus y Brangus Rojo en todo México. Por último, los participantes del Congreso pudieron viajar al sitio arqueológico Maya de Chichén Itzá, para poder participar en el aspecto turístico del viaje a México. La semana concluyó con un magno evento en la Hacienda Chichi Suárez. El entretenimiento del banquete de clausura del Congreso fue provisto por la Orquesta Estatal de Yucatán y un show de bailes tradicionales de los Maya. Cada ganador fue reconocido por sus logros durante este evento, incluso la presentación de premios por la International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) y la Asociación Internacional de Criadores de Brangus Rojo a los campeones del Congreso Mundial. Este evento culminante demostró una vez más la magnífica hospitalidad y la gran cantidad de trabajo realizada por cada uno de los grupos auspiciadores que hicieron que este Congreso Mundial Brangus sería uno que nadie olvidaría. Quizá uno de los desarrollos más emocionantes que produjo el Congreso fue la reactivación de la Federación de Asociaciones Internacionales (FIBRA por sus siglas en inglés). Como la alianza mundial principal de las asociaciones de Brangus en todo el mundo, la labor lograda a través de FIBRA permitirá más esfuerzos de colaboración entre todos los miembros para fomentar el ganado Brangus. La reunión reveló un acuerdo mutuo de colaborar hacia la abogacía por el comercio de la genética y

el establecimiento de una marca internacional para el Brangus que se reconocería en todo el mundo. Otro objetivo que también se delineó en la reunión fue la facilitación del intercambio de información e investigación a través de las asociaciones Brangus de cada país miembro. Se puede encontrar más información sobre FIBRA en línea en la página www.fibraworld.org. Las conversaciones en Mérida fueron dominadas por las inquietudes en común que tratan de la promoción universal de la raza, las evaluaciones colaborativas de los sementales, y aumentar el alcance de la genética Brangus en todo el mundo. El Congreso Mundial Brangus ofrece un camino para que los criadores de Brangus puedan recopilar y hablar de las circunstancias que enfrentan a todos los productores de ganado de carne alrededor del mundo. Nosotros compartimos muchas de las mismas metas y desafíos a pesar de que la distancia entre nuestras operaciones pueda ser de continentes. El Congreso Mundial Brangus de 2016 será auspiciado por The Brangus Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa (la Sociedad de Criadores de Brangus de Sudáfrica). Después de hablar con la delegación sudafricana durante nuestros días en Mérida, ellos indudablemente están planeando otro evento de primer orden y tienen muchísimo entusiasmo por el crecimiento y la demanda de la genética del Brangus y Brangus Rojo en su país. Los delegados estadounidenses que participaron, solicitaron y fueron aprobados para auspiciar el Congreso Mundial Brangus en 2018. Ya se ha empezado a planear el evento y estamos muy agradecidos por la oportunidad de auspiciar el evento para los criadores más progresistas del mundo en nuestro país para revelar nuestra genética y proporcionar oportunidades educativas singulares. Debemos todos elogiar los esfuerzos de la Asociación Brangus Rojo de México y la Asociación Mexicana de Criadores de Ganado Brangus porque han puesto alto el listón con su magno evento de orden mundial en 2014. ¡Es con mucho entusiasmo que esperamos a cada uno de ustedes en el Congreso Mundial Brangus de 2018 en Estados Unidos de América! BJ

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Feature Article

(continued from page 46) may be continents apart. The 2016 World Brangus Congress will be hosted by The Brangus Cattle Breeders’ Society of South Africa. After visiting with the South African delegation during our time in Merida, they are undoubtedly planning another firstclass event and are enthusiastic about the growth and demand for Brangus and Red Brangus genetics in their country. The United States delegates in attendance made a bid and were selected to host the 2018 World Brangus Congress. Planning

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BRANGUS Journal

for the event has already begun and we are pleased to have received the opportunity to host the world’s most progressive breeders in our country to showcase our genetics and to provide unique educational opportunities. The efforts of the Asociación Brangus Rojo de Mexico and Asociación Mexicana de Criadores De Ganado Brangus are to be commended as they have set the bar high by offering such a world class event in 2014. We look forward to seeing each of you at the 2018 World Brangus Congress in the United States. BJ

Trusted Leaders. Proven Winners.

IBBA released in the February Frontline the leading sires for calves registered in 2014. GENETRUST bred and owned sires again led the way with 11 of the top 25 being bred or owned by GT. Of the top 7 sires for registrations 5 were from our AI lineup with Landau and Passport being the two leading sires. View our entire lineup of AI sires by visiting our website, the new IBBA directory or the new GT AI directory will be out March 1.

Landau

PassPort

Ltd

Coronado

Guardian

new ConCePt

Vernon Suhn t Ĺˇ Ĺ¸ Ĺą

Craig Green t Ĺˇ Ĺ¸ Ĺą

GENETRUSTBrangus.com Cody Gariss t Doug Williams BRANGUS Journal Marcht 2015 | 49

Feature Article

Australia

by Brittany PEARCE

Opens its Doors to USA Breeders

fter over a decade of careful selection of U.S. genetics, Australian Brangus breeder, Telpara Hills, is working with leading IBBA members to bring Australian Brangus to the United States. Impressive semen sires and embryo matings are now landing on our shores after a change in import protocols. American producers have already purchased heifers and embryos from the Pearce family of Telpara Hills, with plans also being made for the collection of semen from record-breaking sires. The Oaks Brangus and Lake Majestik both purchased heifers from the Pearce family of Telpara Hills during the Australian

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BRANGUS Journal

Brangus Association’s major annual sale in October 2014. The heifers will remain in Australia and will be used primarily for frozen embryos. Nic Cornelison of Lake Majestik explains why he chose to buy from Telpara Hills, “we are trying our best to create some new genetics while still using the older Brinks cows we have to build a herd in the USA unlike any other. That means also thinking outside the box and taking the opportunity to use some really exciting Australian cattle from the Pearces.” “Australian cattlemen tend to be more reserved in their decision making, which has its pros,” explains Stephen Pearce, (continued on page 52)

Feature Article

por Brittany PEARCE

Australia

abre sus puertas para los criadores estadounidenses

espués de más de una década de selecciones cuidadosas de la genética estadounidense, un criador australiano de Brangus – Telpara Hills – está trabajando con los miembros líderes de IBBA para traer el Brangus australiano a Estados Unidos. Sementales y embriones impresionantes ya están aterrizando en EE.UU. después de un cambio en los protocolos de

Stephen Pearce of Telpara Hills Brangus has been working to allow Australian imports into IBBA herds. Stephen Pearce de Telpara Hills Brangus ha estado trabajando para que se permitan importaciones australianas a los hatos de IBBA.

importación. Los criadores estadounidenses ya han comprado novillonas y embriones de la familia Pearce de Telpara Hills; además se está planeando la recolección de semen de sementales que están batiendo todos los récords. The Oaks Brangus y Lake Majestik también han comprado novillonas de la familia Pearce de Telpara Hills durante la gran subasta anual de la Asociación Australiana de Brangus en octubre de 2014. Las novillonas permanecerán en Australia y se usarán principalmente para la producción de embriones que se congelarán. Nic Cornelison de Lake Majestik explica por qué ha optado por comprar de Telpara Hills, “estamos tratando de crear genética nueva, usando las vacas Brinks de más edad que ya tenemos, para construir un hato en EE.UU. que no se parecerá a ningún otro. Eso significa otro método de pensar y aprovechar la oportunidad de usar el ganado australiano verdaderamente emocionante de la familia Pearce.” “Los ganaderos australianos tienden a ser más conservadores en sus tomas de decisión, lo cual tiene sus pros,” explica Stephen Pearce, “nosotros tenemos tendencia a no seguir las últimas modas ni las pasajeras. Históricamente, en la cría de ganado, no hemos ido a los extremos de tamaño ni de selección por una sola característica. Más que nada, el ganado australiano tiene que adaptarse a algunas de las condiciones ambientales más rigurosas. Necesitamos ganado que combine función, desempeño y vistosidad. Eso es apreciado por los verdaderos ganaderos de todo el mundo.” Telpara Hills también ha tenido éxito al combinar la genética Brangus de varias haciendas para lograr un linaje singular que le conviene a su clientela. Ellos han cuidadosamente seleccionado hembras, toros y embriones dentro de Australia y originando con por lo menos 20 criadores diferentes de Brangus en todo EE.UU. dice Pearce. “Nosotros estamos constantemente buscando la genética que nos permite lograr nuestro ideal. Podemos aparear los Brangus más gruesos y moderados del norte con el ganado de mayor crecimiento y adaptado al calor del sur. Todo tiene que ver con el equilibrio.” Las filosofías de este criadero también se están popularizando en Australia. Uno de sus sementales logró un precio que batió (continúa en la página 53) BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 51

Feature Article (continued from page 50) “we are less likely to follow fads and fashions. In cattle breeding we historically haven’t gone to extremes in size or single-trait selection. Above all else, Australian cattle have to adapt to some of the harshest environmental conditions. We need cattle that combine function, performance and eye appeal. True cattlemen around the world can appreciate that.” Telpara Hills has also been successful in combining Brangus genetics from various ranches to achieve a unique line of cattle that suits their clientele. They have carefully selected females, bulls and embryos within Australia and from at least 20 different Brangus breeders across the U.S. Pearce said, “we are constantly searching for genetics that can help us achieve our ideal. We can breed the thicker, more moderate Northern Brangus to high growth, heat adapted cattle from the South. It is all about balance.” The stud’s philosophies are proving to be popular in Australia as well. One of their sires achieved a recordsmashing auction sale price of AU$110,000 (approximately US$100,000) and the previous record was AU$40,000. TH Van Damme 541H30 (Swift x Csonka) is now being collected for use in the U.S. and other international markets. The demand for Telpara Hills semen is expanding. The family recently created a genetics company, Telpara Global Genetics, to both import U.S. genetics and export Australian genetics to the world. Van Damme and other Australian sires will be available

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through Telpara Global Genetics and American Marketing Services in the United States. Telpara Hills has already sent sires to Brazil and Argentina through ABS Global. All this was made possible in only the last few months. In late 2014, the agriculture departments from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States worked with industry leaders including Telpara Hills’ embryo veterinarian, Dr. Ced Wise, to standardize import/export protocols, with great results. In previous years it was almost impossible for tropical Australian producers to comply with USDA regulations. Now, major changes have been made and the protocol is now achievable while still protecting U.S. herds. Telpara Hills has no plans of slowing down. Currently, the family is preparing for their Elite Genetics Sale on May 5th, held every third year during Australia’s Beef Expo. Stephen Pearce says, “we encourage IBBA breeders to participate, either in person or online. It is a great event to visit and the best showcase of Australian genetics from a range of herds, including Telpara Hills.” BJ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Brittany Pearce is originally from Texas, but is now part of the family team of Telpara Hills Brangus in Queensland, Australia. Brittany has acquired the family passion for breeding cattle and proudly manages Telpara’s marketing, photography & graphics.

Feature Article (viene de la página 51) todos los récords (AU$110,000 – aproximadamente US$100,000) de todas las subastas, con el anterior siendo de AU$40,000. En la actualidad, se está recolectando semen de TH Van Damme 541H30 (Swift x Csonka) para uso en EE.UU. y en otros mercados internacionales. La demanda de semen de Telpara Hills se está expandiendo. La familia recientemente creó una empresa de genética – Telpara Global Genetics – para importar genética de EE.UU. y exportar genética australiana a todo el mundo. El semen de Van Damme y de otros sementales australianos estará disponible a través de Telpara Global Genetics y American Marketing Services en Estados Unidos. Telpara Hills ya ha enviado sementales al Brasil y a la Argentina a través de ABS Global. Todo eso se hizo posible en solo los últimos pocos meses. A fines de 2014, los departamentos de agricultura de Australia, Nueva Zelandia, Canadá y Estados Unidos en colaboración con los líderes de la industria así como el veterinario especialista en embriones de Telpara Hills, el Dr. Ced Wise, para estandarizar los protocolos de importación y exportación, con fabulosos resultados. En años anteriores era casi imposible para los productores australianos del trópico cumplir con los reglamentos del USDA. Ahora, se han logrado grandes cambios y el protocolo es lograble mientras que todavía protege los hatos estadounidenses.

TH Van Damme 541H30 Telpara Hills no tiene planes de aflojar el paso. En estos momentos, la familia se está preparando para su Subasta de Genética Élite, el 5 de marzo, que tiene lugar cada tercer año durante la Expo de Carne (“Beef Expo”) en Australia. Stephen Pearce dice, “quisiéramos invitar a todos los criadores de IBBA a participar, ya sea en persona o en línea. Es un gran evento que querrán visitar y es el mejor vehículo para el lucimiento de la genética australiana, de una multitud de hatos, incluso Telpara Hills.” BJ

BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 53

Feature Article

How About an

by Rodolfo J. C. CANTET, Ph.D. UNIVERSITY OF BUENOS AIRES, AND CONICET, ARGENTINA

INTERNATIONAL

Genetic Evaluation of Brangus?

t is an undeniable fact that genetic evaluation has been the transcendental step that transformed beef breeders into true professionals. The objective assessment of an animal’s breeding value (the real genetic merit) requires a degree of organization, a total understanding of the value of weighing animals properly, a thorough job of compiling a complete record of birth dates and dates the measurements were taken; a full registry of single events for each cow and calf, an objective definition of the economic and financial terms of the selection objectives to satisfy the client’s needs, and the definition and execution of a breeding policy that maximizes the selection objective while avoiding inbreeding (consanguinity). All of these are representations, and consequences, of having a genetic evaluation system that is functional and effective. The United States has pioneered genetic evaluation in beef cattle. I have personally witnessed the process since I was a graduate student at Montana State University (1982-1984) and later at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (19861990). American breeders did their homework well before the genetic evaluation across herds started in the early 1980s. The state Beef Cattle Improvement Associations (BCIA) and the Beef Improvement Federation (BIF) paved the way for evaluations, standardizing the way measurements are taken (traits) and creating awareness for a sound genetic evaluation system. Later, some American universities (Georgia, Cornell, Iowa, Colorado) developed systems to calculate EPDs using Dr. Charles R. Henderson´s Best Linear Unbiased Prediction (BLUP) methods. More importantly, these predictions, carried out by institutions without interest in any particular animal, became the impartial judges of the breeding value of sires and their progeny. The system grew quickly and most breed associations ended up with a genetic evaluation scheme. During BIF’s annual meeting, evaluation problems were unveiled and the need for solutions was promoted and discussed. The university system kept moving forward to find solutions to the problems that eventually appeared. Dr. Dick Quaas (now retired from Cornell University) was one of the leading scientists that pushed forward the scheme 54 | March 2015

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of an impartial and inclusive genetic evaluation (so that most of the animals could be evaluated by the system). The rest of the beef producing countries of the world looked at what American professors did and frequently copied it, but not always. Suddenly, at the beginning of this century, the American universities retired from genetic evaluation of beef cattle for reasons which I cannot grasp, and some private firms and private consultants took over. But genomics entered into the picture and the technical level (the quality) of the genetic evaluations became extraordinarily complex. Today’s problem is how do we combine traditional sources of information (data, phenotypes and pedigree) with genomic data so as to increase the accuracy of the predictions and, at the same time, that the resulting analysis be computationally feasible in reasonable periods of time and format. Some university scientists came back into the beef cattle genetic evaluation field to suggest new ideas, but solutions are difficult to implement because scientists are no longer running the show alone. Therefore, the road to the generalized implementation of the genomic selection is unclear. However, it is important to realize that genetic evaluation is not a static service process but a statistically evolving process which is now influenced by marker DNA technology. Let us now discuss a different genetic evaluation process from the one that took place in the U.S.A.

WHAT DOES THE ERBRA GENETIC EVALUATION CONSIST OF?

Argentinian Brangus cattle were developed slightly differently from U.S. Brangus cattle in the sense that breed composition (or fraction of the genome in an animal that originated from the cross of Angus and Zebu cattle) is variable, due to the need to provide an answer to harsh subtropical environments containing ticks, parasites, low quality forages, and hot, humid weather. Thus, together with the 3/8 animals of the U.S. scheme, the 5/8 “variety” was developed. Now, the average fraction of Angus (continued on page 56)

Feature Article por Rodolfo J. C. CANTET, Ph.D. UNIVERSIDAD DE BUENOS AIRES Y CONICET, ARGENTINA

¿Por qué no una evaluación genética

INTERNACIONAL E

de Brangus?

s innegable que la evaluación genética ha sido un paso trascendental para transformar a los criadores de ganado de carne en verdaderos profesionales. La predicción objetiva del valor de cría (el verdadero mérito genético) de un animal requiere de un grado importante de organización, de un nivel de comprensión cabal de lo que implica pesar animales correctamente, de un trabajo minucioso de compilación de fechas de nacimiento y de medición, del detallado registro de cada evento mensurable en la vida de la vaca y del ternero, de una definición objetiva sobre términos económicos y financieros de los objetivos de selección que satisfaga las necesidades de los clientes, y de la definición y ejecución de una política de apareamientos que maximicen el objetivo de selección evitando generar endocría (consanguinidad). Todas ellas son las expresiones, y las consecuencias, de contar con un sistema de evaluación genética funcional y efectivo. Los investigadores y ganaderos de los Estados Unidos de América fueron pioneros en la evaluación genética en ganado de carne. Personalmente he sido testigo de dicho proceso durante los años de mi formación como estudiante de postgrado en Montana State University (1982-1984) y luego en la University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL (1986-1990). Los criadores estadounidenses comenzaron a realizar su tarea mucho antes de la aparición de la evaluación genética entre rodeos o rebaños a mediados de la década que va entre 1980 a 1990: las asociaciones estatales de mejoramiento de ganado de carne (BCIA) y la federación de mejoramiento en ganado de carne (BIF) allanaron el camino de la evaluación estandarizando la toma de mediciones (caracteres) y creando conciencia del valor de contar con un sistema de evaluación genética correctamente realizado. Posteriormente, algunas de estas universidades (Georgia, Cornell, Iowa, Colorado) produjeron sistemas de cálculo de las DEPs (o EPDs) empleando el método de predicción lineal insesgada de mínima varianza (BLUP) que fue desarrollado por el Dr. Charles R. Henderson. Más importante

aún, esas predicciones realizadas por instituciones sin interés en algún animal en particular, se constituyeron en los jueces imparciales del valor de cría de los reproductores y de sus crías. El sistema creció rápidamente y la mayoría de las asociaciones de criadores llegó a contar con un esquema de evaluación genética. Durante la reunión anual de la BIF se revelaron y discutieron los problemas de evaluación y se plantearon soluciones, o se promovió la búsqueda de las mismas. El sistema universitario se movió siempre hacia adelante en la tarea de encontrar soluciones a 1os problemas que eventualmente aparecían. El Dr. Dick Quaas (actualmente jubilado de la universidad de Cornell) fue uno de los científicos más lúcidos en la generación de ideas para contar con un esquema de evaluación genética imparcial e inclusivo (de modo que la mayoría de los animales puedan ser evaluados en el sistema). El resto de los países productores de carne miramos lo que nuestros profesores estadounidenses hacían y, a menudo, copiábamos las soluciones, pero no siempre. Súbitamente, a comienzos del siglo XXI las universidades estadounidenses se retiraron de la evaluación genética del ganado de carne por razones que no comprendo, y su lugar fue tomado por empresas y consultores privados. Pero la genómica hizo su irrupción en la escena y el nivel técnico (la calidad) de las evaluaciones genéticas se volvió extremadamente complejo. El problema actual es cómo combinar las fuentes clásicas de información (datos o fenotipos y pedigrí) con la información genómica de modo de lograr efectivamente aumentar la exactitud de las predicciones y, al mismo tiempo, que el análisis resultante sea factible de ser calculado en tiempo y forma razonables. Algunos investigadores universitarios volvieron al ámbito de la evaluación genética en ganado de carne para sugerir nuevas ideas. Sin embargo, es muy difícil implementar soluciones conjuntas en un ámbito donde ahora existen nuevos actores. Por lo tanto, el camino hacia la implementación de la selección genómica generalizada en ganado de carne presenta más interrogantes que respuestas. (continúa en la página 57) BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 55

Feature Article (continued from page 54) genes in the bulls that sire almost 80% of the calves is about twothirds (plus one third Zebu), which is close to the theoretical value of 67.5% for the standard 3/8 genotype. However, the variability in the Angus versus Zebu breed fractions is broad and ranges from 50% to 88% of Angus genes. As a consequence of this, in the international genetic evaluation of all Brangus in some South American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay and Uruguay) within a program called ERBra, we adjust for heterosis using the estimated genetic composition by means of genetic markers arising from paternity tests. Otherwise, animals close to 50% - 50% composition would have their EPDs overestimated while bulls and cows at higher levels of Angus genes would have their EPDs underestimated. Thus, the ERBra model of evaluation adjusts for heterosis or dominance effects plus additive effects of Zebu breed (the Angus will be equal to a minus value of the Zebu effect). The reason for including dominance effects as a cause of heterosis in beef cattle is due to the work of Drs. Robert Koch, Keith Gregory and Larry Cundiff at the USMARC, Clay Center, NE, and my former Master’s adviser, Dr. Don D. Kress, at Montana State University who retired from same in the 1980s. To have a clearer idea, I can say that our average effect of heterosis for weaning weight, as estimated in ERBra, is about 12 pounds on an average weaning weight of 409 pounds at approximately 200 days of age. Another characteristic of ERBra is a policy for creating

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contemporary groups of animals, different from the procedures suggested by BIF, which tends to excessively emphasize the absence of bias. The essence of the grouping process is to account for differences in management, nutrition or other common environmental factors within a group of animals that does not allow an impartial (or unbiased) comparison of breeding value. From a statistical point of view the problem is that in small groups this leads to the bias almost disappearing (“impartial” comparisons), while the precision of said predictions shall be very diminished in comparison with the predictions obtained in larger groups of animals. On the other hand, larger groups may contain some bias but the accuracy of prediction will be higher and connectivity (degree of comparability between EDPs of animals coming from one herd in relation to the entire breed) will be considerably improved. This complex situation is what statisticians call the “bias & variance dilemma”. The compromise solution is to minimize what is known as the “mean squared error of prediction”: squared bias (partial comparison) + variance (the opposite of accuracy). This is the criterion we optimize at ERBra to form “contemporary groups” after analyzing the monthly average effects for all traits measured, in any herd. Environmental differences between countries and herds, as well as differences in years, are reflected in differences of environmental variance. Better managed herds, from regions less prone to drastic annual differences (droughts followed (continued on page 58)

Feature Article (viene de la página 55) Sin embargo, es importante comprender que la evaluación genética no es un proceso de servicio estático sino un esquema de modelación estadística en permanente evolución, y que en los tiempos que corren se encuentra sumamente influenciado por la tecnología de marcadores de ADN en alta densidad. Hablemos ahora de un proceso de evaluación genética distinto al ocurrido en los Estados Unidos de América.

¿EN QUÉ CONSISTE LA EVALUACIÓN GENÉTICA DEL ERBRA?

El ganado Brangus argentino tuvo un desarrollo ligeramente distinto al ocurrido en los EEUU, en el sentido que la composición genética (o fracción del genoma o de los genes en un animal originados en Angus y en Cebú) es variable debido a la necesidad de responder a los requerimientos del ambiente de producción subtropical, donde hay garrapatas, parásitos, forrajes de mala calidad y el clima es muy cálido y húmedo. Por lo tanto, conjuntamente con los animales 3/8 del esquema norteamericano se creó la variedad 5/8. En la actualidad, la fracción de genes Angus de los toros padres del 80% de los terneros Brangus es de dos tercios Angus (más un tercio Cebú), valor cercano al teórico de 67.5% en el genotipo standard 3/8. Sin embargo, la variabilidad en la fracción racial Angus vs. Cebú es amplia y se halla en el rango del 50 a 88% de genes Angus. Como consecuencia de ello, en la evaluación genética conjunta de Brangus de algunos países sudamericanos (Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay y Uruguay) dentro de un programa denominado ERBra, ajustamos por heterosis utilizando la composición genética estimada mediante los marcadores provenientes del test de paternidad. Si no fuera así, los animales con composiciones cercanas a 50% - 50%, tendrían DEPs sobrestimadas, mientras que los toros y las vacas con elevada fracción de genes provenientes del Angus tendrían valores de DEPs subestimados. Entonces, el modelo de evaluación del ERBra ajusta por heterosis o efectos de dominancia más los efectos aditivos de la raza Cebú (el valor del Angus será igual en magnitud pero de signo contrario). El motivo que lleva a incluir los efectos de dominancia como causales de la heterosis se origina en las investigaciones realizadas por los doctores Robert M. Koch, Keith Gregory y Larry Cundiff del centro federal estadounidense de animales de carne (USMARC, Clay Center, NE) y del trabajo de mi antiguo director de tesis de maestría Dr. Don D. Kress, jubilado hoy de Montana State University, durante los años 80. Para dar una idea clara del efecto promedio de la heterosis en el peso al destete estimado en el ERBra, hemos encontrado un valor de 6.3 kg (12 libras) en un peso al destete promedio de 186 kg (409 libras) y a una edad media cercana a los 200 días. Otra característica del ERBra es una política para la creación de grupos de animales contemporáneos distinta a la sugerida por el BIF, quien tiende a hacer un excesivo énfasis en la ausencia de sesgo. La esencia del proceso de agrupamiento es el de tener en cuenta verdaderas diferencias debidas al manejo, la nutrición u otros efectos ambientales comunes dentro de un grupo de

animales, que no permiten una comparación imparcial (o insesgada) del valor de cría. Desde un punto de vista estadístico el problema consiste en que grupos de tamaño pequeño conducen a la casi desaparición de sesgo (comparaciones “imparciales”), mientras que la precisión de dichas predicciones estará muy disminuida en comparación con la que se obtiene en grupos con muchos animales. En el otro extremo, grupos de tamaño grande pueden conllevar cierto sesgo pero la exactitud de predicción aumenta y la conectividad (grado de comparabilidad entre las DEPs de animales provenientes de un rodeo en relación con la raza) se incrementa bastante. Esta compleja situación es lo que el estadístico denomina el “dilema del sesgo y la varianza”. La solución de compromiso es la de minimizar aquello que se conoce como “error cuadrático medio de predicción”: sesgo elevado al cuadrado (comparación parcial) más varianza (lo opuesta a la exactitud). Este es el criterio que optimizamos en el ERBra para formar grupos de contemporáneos, luego de analizar los efectos promedios mensuales para todos los caracteres medidos, en cualquier rebaño. Las diferencias ambientales entre países y rodeos, así como aquellas debidas a años, se reflejan en diferencias de varianza ambiental. Rebaños mejor manejados, de regiones menos propensas a mostrar diferencias anuales drásticas (sequías seguidas de precipitación excesiva e inundación, etc.), reflejan una menor variabilidad ambiental (la varianza entre años es más pequeña). Por lo tanto, en el ERBra se ponderan diferencialmente hatos y países sobre la base de la varianza ambiental estimada en ese rodeo y país. Como resultado, se puede observar que los rebaños más variables (de mayor valor de varianza ambiental) muestran menores heredabilidades (la varianza genética probó ser más constante entre países) y DEPs muy similares: la mayoría de los animales difiere muy poco en ese rodeo variable por causa del ambiente. Esos registros tendrán un menor efecto sobre la predicción del valor de cría de un toro que posee mucha progenie en distintos países, hecho que parece ser razonable en el sentido de afectar escasamente la DEP de un reproductor importante, siendo tales datos de menor “calidad”.

¿POR QUÉ NO UNA EVALUACIÓN GENÉTICA INTERNACIONAL DE TOROS BRANGUS?

Los animales Brangus se encuentran presentes en muchos países del mundo debido a su capacidad para prosperar en condiciones de producción difíciles. Muchos de estos países llevan a cabo su propio programa de evaluación genética nacional. La pregunta que sigue a esta reflexión es la siguiente: ¿tiene sentido combinar toda esa información dentro de una evaluación conjunta? Si lo tiene y en gran medida! Por razones prácticas de evaluación en cuanto hace a un número potencialmente enorme de animales con muy escasa ganancia comparativa en precisión, las evaluaciones de vacas continuarán siendo producidas a nivel nacional, pero los criadores en los EEUU ganarán mucho con una evaluación multinacional dado que tendrán oportunidad de evaluar cómo sus toros más importantes funcionan en el resto (continúa en la página 59) BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 57

Feature Article (continued from page 56) by excessive rainfall and flooding, etc.), reflect a lesser environmental variability (the variance across years is less). Therefore, in ERBra herds and countries different weight is given to herds and countries based on the estimated environmental variance of a given herd and country. The end result is that more variable herds (of greater environmental variance value) show lesser heritabilities (the genetic variance proved to be more constant across countries) and very similar EPDs (the majority of animals will differ very little in a given herd that varies due to the environment). Those records will have less effect on the prediction of the breeding value of a bull that has many offspring in different countries, which seems to be a reasonable thing in the sense of scarcely affecting the EDPS of an important sire, as these data are of lesser “quality”.

WHY NOT AN INTERNATIONAL GENETIC EVALUATION OF BRANGUS BULLS?

Due to their ability to prosper in difficult conditions of production, Brangus cattle are present in many countries of the world. Many of these countries run their own genetic evaluation programs. Does it make sense then to combine all that information in a joint evaluation? Yes, it does and a lot! Evaluations of cows will continue to be at the national level, for most practical purposes. But, breeders in the U.S. will have much to gain with a multinational evaluation as they have the chance to look at how their most important bulls are performing all over the world. In addition, the accuracy of their EPD predictions will increase. Breeders elsewhere (as well as in the U.S.) will have a chance to see how their bulls would do in other countries around the world, such as Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay or the United States. Of course, predictions would be better if all bulls of whatever country were to produce offspring in any other country involved in the evaluation. Nevertheless, a reasonable level of connectivity (using reference sires, which are present with offspring in various countries) would allow comparisons with acceptable precision. The best procedure for world genetic evaluation is probably the one known in the dairy industry as Interbull’s MACE (Multiple across country evaluation). In brief, this method consists of a sire evaluation model – maternal grandsire, considering the breeding value of each bull as different in each country – as a different trait. This means that any bull will have a different EPD in each country. For example, if there were three countries: A, B and C. Every bull will have three EPDs for each trait commonly evaluated. Predictions from each country are “regressed” to the genetic base of the given country so that the national association would have to decide which bull’s EPDs to publish, if the one calculated in the national evaluation or in the international evaluation, but with the genetic base of the publishing country. It would be desirable to publish the results of all the bulls from every country that show a minimum level of accuracy. Data for the MACE evaluation are the averages of the records of the sons of one bull, and each datum is adjusted (i.e., it is subtracted). 58 | March 2015

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The adjustment consists of subtracting from every record the solutions for all fixed effects (contemporary groups, age, age of dam, sex, etc.) obtained from the last available year of the corresponding national genetic evaluation. The record is also corrected by the estimated breeding value of the calf (equal to 2 times the EPD of the calf) minus the dam’s EPD (corrected by the genetic level of the female with which the bull was mated). Once these adjustments are done, the resulting data are averaged by sire, and these averages will constitute the observations of the MACE system with the traditional BLUP method. The variance and covariance parameters for each country, and necessary for the evaluation, shall be estimated as a traditional multitrait analysis using REML or Bayesian methods. A potentially interesting and useful feature of the BLUP-MACE procedure is the power to incorporate a genomic relationship matrix among bulls, which would improve accuracy and increase connectivity. Scientists and/or consultants that execute the national evaluations should discuss and reach a consensus on which is the best method and model. A possible solution is for participating countries to share the corrected records, genomic marker information and pedigrees, dividing the tasks among national groups. One might calculate the genomic matrix and deal with the pedigree; while another group might prepare the records and estimate the variance and covariance parameters. Finally, a third group might run the MACE evaluation. These are just some ideas; simple suggestions which would surely be debated by all scientists and consultants in the participating countries. The important fact is that the Brangus genetic evaluation may evolve within the framework of a dynamic system in which every country benefits from sharing information. Imagine the selection differentials that would result by combining data from all the Brangus in the world! BJ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rodolfo Juan Carlos Cantet (Fito), is a professor of Animal Breeding and Genetics at the College of Agriculture, University of Buenos Aires (UBA), and Principal Investigator for the National Council for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET), both institutions from Argentina. Fito obtained a degree in Agronomy at UBA in 1978. His graduate education consists of the M.Sc. in Animal Science from Montana State University (1984), the M.Sc. in Statistics (1989) and the PhD in Animal Breeding and Genetics (1990) from University of Illinois, at Urbana-Champaign, IL. In 1990-1991 he spent a postdoctoral training at the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, University of Guelph, ON, Canada. He has published more than 80 papers in peer reviewed journals, and turn 4 Ph.D. and 14 M.Sc. students. He is known for his research in estimating genetic parameters in models with maternal effects in beef cattle; methodological aspects of multitrait estimation using Bayesian procedures, and more recently on the problems while estimating social interaction effects in animals. With his group at UBA, Fito has been running the genetic evaluation of Brangus in South American countries (ERBra) since 1999. He is also in charge of the genetic evaluations of Argentinian Braford, Brahman and Limousin. He has served as Chairman and Editor in the Beef Cattle Breeding Session at the World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production (WCGALP), the world most important animal breeding scientific event, in Brazil 2006, and Germany 2010. At present he is an associate editor of the prestigious journals Genetics, Selection, Evolution, and Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics. He received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Agriculture, University of Illinois, in 2012, for his professional trajectory, and was an invited speaker at the World Brangus Congress, in Mexico 2014.

Feature Article (viene de la página 57) del mundo, y además aumentará la precisión de sus predicciones DEP en el medio local. Los criadores de otros países (así como los estadounidenses!) tendrán oportunidad de ver cómo se desempeñan sus toros en otros lugares del mundo, tales como Brasil, México, Paraguay, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, o los EEUU. Por supuesto que las predicciones serían mejores si todos los toros de cualquier país hubiesen producido crías en cualquier otro país involucrado en la evaluación. Sin embargo, un nivel razonable de conectividad (empleando toros de referencia, los que se hallan presentes con progenie en varios países) permitirá realizar comparaciones con precisión aceptable. Probablemente el mejor procedimiento de evaluación genética internacional sea aquél que en la industria del mejoramiento lechero es conocido como Interbull’ - MACE (Multiple across country evaluation: comparación múltiple entre países). Brevemente, este método consiste en un modelo de evaluación padre – abuelo materno, considerando el valor de cría de cada toro como diferente en cada país, como un carácter distinto. Esto implica que cada reproductor macho poseerá una DEP distinta en cada país. Por ejemplo, si hay tres países: A, B y C, cada toro tendrá tres DEPs para cada carácter evaluado en común. Las predicciones de cada país serán “regresadas” a la base genética de cada país, de modo tal que cada asociación nacional deberá decidir que DEP del toro publicar: si la calculada en la evaluación nacional o aquella en la evaluación internacional pero con base genética del país de publicación. Es deseable informar los resultados de todos los toros de cada país que muestren un nivel mínimo de exactitud. Los datos para la evaluación MACE son los promedios de los registros de los hijos de un toro, cada dato es ajustado (es decir, se le substrae) las soluciones de todos los efectos fijos (grupos de contemporáneos, edad, edad de la madre, sexo,

etc.) obtenidas en la última corrida disponible de la evaluación nacional correspondiente. El dato es corregido además por el valor de cría estimado del ternero (e igual a 2 veces su DEP) menos la DEP de la vaca madre del ternero (corrección por el nivel genético de la hembra con que se apareó el toro). Una vez hechos estos ajustes, los datos resultantes son promediados por toro, y estas medias constituirán las observaciones del esquema MACE empleando el clásico método BLUP. Los parámetros de varianza y covarianzas genéticas y ambientales para cada país, y necesarios para la evaluación, serán estimados en un clásico esquema multi-carácter empleando REML o métodos Bayesianos. Una particularidad potencialmente interesante y útil del procedimiento BLUP-MACE es la de poder incorporar una matriz de relaciones genómicas entre toros, hecho que redundará en una mayor precisión y en un aumento de la conectividad. Los investigadores y/o consultores que ejecutan las evaluaciones nacionales deberán discutir y consensuar cuál es el mejor método y modelo. Una posible solución es que los países intervinientes compartan los registros corregidos, la información genómica y el pedigrí, dividiendo las tareas entre grupos nacionales. Uno puede calcular la matriz genómica y armar el pedigrí, mientras que otro puede preparar los registros y estimar los componentes de varianza y covarianza. Un tercero, finalmente, puede correr la evaluación MACE. Estas son algunas ideas; simples sugerencias que serán seguramente debatidas por todos los investigadores y consultores de los países participantes. Lo importante es que la evaluación genética Brangus pueda evolucionar en el marco de un sistema dinámico en el cuál cada país se beneficie al compartir información. Imagínese amigo lector los diferenciales de selección que resultarán de combinar los datos de todo el Brangus del mundo! BJ

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BRANGUS Journal March 2015 | 59 www.GoBrangus.com | 210-696-8231

Feature Article

Is Now the Time for Cow-Calf Producers to Employ a Fixed Time Artificial Insemination Program?

by Scott BROWN LIVESTOCK ECONOMIST UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

attle producers that have employed a fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI) strategy in their herd breeding program have often discussed the added economic value that comes from the calves born using the technology as one of the primary reasons for employing a FTAI protocol. That is, the economic incentives associated with the calves that result from a FTAI program overcome the direct costs of using FTAI relative to a natural service sire approach. These economic benefits include a shorter calving season, better feed-efficiency, and higher quality grade cattle. Without the indirect economic benefits of a FTAI approach, the direct costs of a FTAI were often higher than a natural service sire program. This cost difference could be the primary reason that the use of AI has lagged in the beef cow industry. However, the cattle industry is rapidly changing and the use and economic returns of a FTAI program needs reexamination in today’s market environment. Record cattle prices have caused many in the industry to rethink their operation’s strategies. For the first time in several years, the beef cow herd may be in the rebuilding stage and the rebuilding strategy requires careful planning to ensure long-run profitability. However, it’s not just calf prices that have increased for cowcalf producers. They have also seen bull prices that have moved significantly higher over the past few years. The increase in bull prices has changed the direct economic comparison of a FTAI program relative to a natural service sire program. In today’s markets, it is not uncommon to see bull prices 60 | March 2015

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in the $5,000 to $7,000 range and prices for bulls with better performance characteristics can move even higher. The simple arithmetic, using a $6,000 bull as an example, can easily result in the cost of a natural service sire program of $75 to $85 per successful calf, given assumptions about feed maintenance costs, bull productivity in the cow herd, and bull salvage values. This cost range assumes no issues arise with the bull that would shorten his life prematurely. Critical to the cost of a total natural service sire breeding program is the number of successful births per bull in the herd. The direct cost of employing FTAI has not risen at the same rate as bull prices. The cost of a successful FTAI program includes the synchronization drugs, semen, labor, and clean-up bull costs. Although the costs associated with a FTAI program vary, they are normally between $75 and $85 per successful calf, on most operations. The cost of a FTAI program can be influenced by the percentage of cows that conceive via AI. A low FTAI pregnancy rate can increase the potential costs of a FTAI program At today’s bull prices, it is relatively straightforward to calculate that the cost of a FTAI program versus a natural service sire program, with average bulls, is nearly identical. In fact, an operation that invests in higher quality herd bulls will likely face a higher breeding cost than a FTAI program. Either breeding approach requires proper management to keep costs from escalating even higher. At record cattle prices it is often difficult to get cow-calf (continued on page 62)

Feature Article

¿Es ahora el momento indicado para que los criadores de becerros utilicen un programa de inseminación artificial de tiempo fijo?

por Scott BROWN ECONOMISTA EN GANADERÍA EN GENERAL UNIVERSIDAD DE MISSOURI

os criadores de ganado que han empleado una estrategia de inseminación artificial de tiempo fijo (IATF) en los programas de cría de sus hatos, muchas veces han dicho que el valor económico adicional aportado por becerros nacidos usando esta tecnología es uno de los principales motivos de emplear el protocolo IATF. Es decir, los incentivos económicos que se asocian con becerros producidos por un programa IATF superan los costos directos del uso del programa IATF en comparación con un servicio con sementales de monta natural. Estos beneficios económicos incluyen una temporada de partos más corta, mejor eficiencia alimentaria y una calidad más alta del ganado corriente. Sin los beneficios económicos indirectos del método IATF, los costos directos del programa IATF, por lo general, fueron más altos que el servicio de sementales de monta natural. Esta diferencia de costos podría ser la razón principal por la cual el uso de la IA se ha quedado atrás en la industria de la cría de becerros. Sin embargo, la industria ganadera está cambiando rápidamente y quizá es hora de volver a examinar el uso y las ganancias económicas de un programa IATF en el ambiente del mercado actual. Los precios de récord para ganado ha causado a muchos en la industria pensar nuevamente en estrategias para sus operaciones. Por primera vez en varios años, el hato de vacas de carne bien podría estar en la fase de reconstrucción y la estrategia de

reconstrucción requiere una planificación cuidadosa para asegurar la rentabilidad a largo plazo. Pero no es solamente el precio de los becerros que ha aumentado para los criadores. También se han visto precios para toros que han aumentado significativamente a través de los últimos pocos años. El aumento en los precios de toros ha cambiado la comparación económica directa de un programa con IATF versus el servicio de sementales de monta natural. En los mercados de hoy en día, es común ver precios para toros entre US$5,000 y US$7,000 y precios para toros con mejores características de desempeño pueden ser aún más altos. La aritmética sencilla, usando un toro de US$6,000 como ejemplo, fácilmente puede resultar en el costo de un servicio de sementales de monta natural de US$75 a US$85 por becerro exitoso, dadas las suposiciones de los costos de alimentación para mantenimiento, la productividad del toro en el hato de vacas y los valores de rescate al descarte del toro. Estaos costos suponen que no surgirán problemas con el toro que pueden acortar su vida prematuramente. Crítico al costo de un programa de cría total con sementales de monta natural es el número de nacimientos exitosos por toro en el hato. El costo directo de emplear el protocolo IATF no ha aumentado a la misma velocidad que los precios de los toros. El costo de un programa IATF exitoso incluye los fármacos de sincronización (continúa en la página 63) BRANGUS Journal

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Feature Article (continued from page 60) producers to focus on risk management. Everything that a cowcalf operation does in today’s cattle markets work. However, this is exactly the time for producers to be keenly focused on riskreducing strategies. The old extension adage of the cure for high prices is high prices will likely repeat itself yet again over the next decade. Many times when risk management is discussed it is relative to price uncertainty. There are some improved tools for cattle producers relative to price risk management but frankly, there are few tools available for long-term price risk management that are helpful to the long-run planning horizon of a cow-calf operation. Given that long-term price risk management remains difficult, if not impossible, to manage, it requires cow-calf producers to focus on other ways to reduce risk on their operations. The lack of good long-term price risk management tools leads back to whether alternative breeding program strategies can affect an operation’s risk. If the cost of a natural service sire program and a FTAI program are identical, does it make sense to employ a FTAI program to increase the value of calves and reduce the financial risk for the operation? Data from the Show-Me-Select (SMS) heifer program provides immediate evidence of the value of a FTAI program. SMS bred heifers sold during the fall 2010 through spring 2014 sales period shows the value markets have placed on AI bred heifers. AI bred heifers that met the SMS minimum program requirements brought an additional $276 over the period relative to SMS natural service sired bred heifers. SMS bred heifers that were AI bred and met the higher accuracy requirements of the SMS program brought an additional $407 over SMS natural service sired bred heifers. Investing in better genetics today, via the use of a FTAI program, will provide cow-calf producers with a higher-value breeding herd longer term. That is one simple risk management

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strategy for cow-calf producers to ponder. To provide even more evidence of the risk reduction that could occur with an investment in genetics, a SMS AI bred heifer that met the program’s higher accuracy requirement brought over $800 more than the average price of bred heifers at Oklahoma City over the same period. The results of a successful FTAI breeding program goes beyond a higher-valued breeding herd. Individual calf prices can vary greatly at any livestock market in the country on a typical sales day. Calves that come from cow-calf operations known for quality calves typically command the highest prices. Missouri cattle markets tend to show that the best calves bring 10 percent more than average calves on any given day. Showing yet another way a FTAI program can be used as a risk management strategy. At today’s bull prices, a FTAI approach has direct costs very comparable to a natural service sire approach. Suggesting, cowcalf producers can employ either method for about the same cost per calf produced from their herd. However, the longerterm increased value accruing to a FTAI approach through a higher breeding herd value and increased calf prices may be the deciding factor of which operations survive the next downturn in cattle prices. It just may be the right time for a change in your operation’s breeding program. BJ ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Scott Brown is a research assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at the University of Missouri. In this role, Brown has worked with U.S. Congress over the past two decades in determining the quantitative effects of changes in dairy and livestock policies and has testified regarding dairy and livestock policy issues before House and Senate Agriculture committees. Brown is currently investigating the economic effects of the adoption of new technologies in the cattle industry that can increase high-quality cattle supplies. Brown received his PhD degree in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri and his BS degree in agricultural business from Northwest Missouri State University. Brown grew up on a diversified farm in Northwest Missouri.

Feature Article (viene de la página 61) (hormonas), el semen, la mano de obra y los costos de los toros de repaso. Aunque los costos que se asocian con el protocolo de IATF varían, normalmente corren entre US$75 y US$85 por becerro exitoso, en la mayoría de las operaciones. El costo de un programa de IATF se puede ver afectado por el porcentaje de vacas que conciben con la IA. Una tasa baja con este programa de IATF posiblemente puede aumentar los costos de un programa de IATF. A los precios de los toros hoy en día, es relativamente sencillo calcular que el costo de un programa de IATF en comparación con un programa de sementales de monta natural (con toros normales) es prácticamente idéntico. De hecho, una operación que invierte en sementales de hato de mayor calidad probablemente enfrentará un costo más alto de apareamiento que un programa de IATF. Cualquiera de estos medios de apareamiento requieren una administración apropiada para evitar que los costos suban aún más. Cuando el precio de ganado está a niveles de récord, es difícil conseguir que los criadores de becerros se enfoquen en el tema de la gestión de riesgos. Cualquier cosa que una operación de cría de becerros hace en los mercados ganaderos de hoy en día, funcionará. Sin embargo, ese es exactamente el momento en que los criadores deberían estar muy conscientes de las estrategias que pudieran reducir los riesgos. El viejo dicho del servicio de extensión agrícola para la cura de los precios altos es precios altos que probablemente se repetirán una vez más durante la próxima década. Con frecuencia, cuando se habla de la gestión de riesgos, se trata con la incertidumbre de los precios. Existen algunos métodos mejorados para criadores de ganado con respecto a la gestión de riesgo de la fluctuación de precios, pero francamente, existen pocos métodos disponibles para la gestión de riesgo de precios a largo plazo que son útiles para el horizonte de planificación a largo plazo de una operación de cría de becerros. En vista de que la gestión de riesgo de precios a largo plazo continúa difícil, si no imposible de gestionar, requiere que los criadores de becerros se enfoquen en otros métodos para reducir el riesgo de sus operaciones. La falta de métodos buenos para la gestión de riesgo de precios a largo plazo nos lleva nuevamente a si las estrategias de programas de apareamiento alternativo pueden afectar el riesgo de una operación. Si el costo del servicio de sementales de monta natural y del programa de IATF son idénticos ¿tiene sentido emplear un programa de IATF para aumentar el valor de los becerros y reducir el riesgo financiero de la operación? Los datos del programa de novillonas Missouri Show-MeSelect Replacement Heifer Program (SMS – Programa para las novillonas de reemplazo selectas de Missouri) proporciona evidencia inmediata del valor de un programa de IATF. Las novillonas SMS, durante las subastas entre otoño de 2010 y la primavera de 2014, demuestra el valor que los mercados le han dado a las novillonas apareadas con IA. Estas novillonas de IA que satisfacen los requisitos mínimos del programa SMS se vendieron a $276 dólares adicionales por cabeza durante el periodo comparable con las novillonas apareadas con el servicio

de sementales de monta natural de SMS. Las novillonas SMS que se preñaron con IA y que satisficieron los requisitos de exactitud más altos del programa SMS se vendieron a $407 dólares adicionales por cabeza por encima de las novillonas apareadas con el servicio de sementales de monta natural de SMS. Esta inversión en una genética de mayor calidad, vía el uso de un programa de IATF, le proveerá a los criadores de becerros un valor más alto a largo plazo de su hato de cría. Ésta es una estrategia sencilla para la gestión de riesgos que se ofrece para que los criadores la consideren. Para proveer aún más pruebas de la reducción de riesgos que pudiera ocurrir con una inversión en la genética, una novillona apareada con la IA SMS que satisface los requisitos de exactitud más alta del programa se vendió a $800 dólares por encima del precio promedio de novillonas apareadas en la Ciudad de Oklahoma durante el mismo periodo. Los resultados de un programa de cría exitoso con IATF va más allá que solo un hato de cría de valor más alto. Los precios individuales de becerros pueden variar enormemente en cualquier mercado de ganado del país en un día típico de subastas. Los becerros que proceden de operaciones de cría conocidos por sus animales de calidad típicamente traen los precios más altos. Los mercados de ganado de Missouri tienden a demostrar que los mejores becerros traen un 10% más que los becerros promedio en cualquier día dado. Lo cual demuestra otra manera más en que un programa de IATF se puede usar como una estrategia de gestión de riesgos. A los precios de hoy en día para toros, un enfoque de IATF tiene costos directos muy comparables a los de los sementales de monta natural. Lo cual sugiere que los criadores de becerros pueden emplear cualquiera de estos métodos para aproximadamente el mismo costo por becerro producido en sus hatos. Sin embargo, el valor aumentado que se acumula a largo plazo con el programa de IATF, debido al mayor valor del hato de cría y el aumento en los precios de los becerros, pudiera ser el factor decisivo mediante el cual las operaciones sobrevivan la próxima caída de precios en el mercado ganadero. Quizá sea el momento oportuno para un cambio en el programa de cría de una operación. BJ

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Membership Welcome New Members RTF TIMBERLAND FARMS, RANDALL FINCHER :: ROCKMART, GA DAVID BRAMLETT :: BLUE SPRINGS, MS VERA EARL RANCH, INC. :: SONORITA, AZ GIZMOS RANCH, BRUCE & PHYLLIS LYKINS :: BARTOW, FL RICHARD FRITH :: SALADO, TX ROYCE & JANET NAMKEN :: BASTROP, TX MEDIO CREEK RANCH, LARRY CARROLL :: BEEVILLE, TX DWIGHT DODSON :: DECATUR, TX LOS PINOS CATTLE CO., LLC, SALVADOR ORTEGA :: HOUSTON, TX BH HOLLOW CREEK RANCH, MELBERT C HILLERT :: FRISCO, TX WARWICK CATTLE, DELBERT L WARWICK JR :: FRIENDSWOOD, TX SAN ANTONIO RIVER RANCH, ROB FRANKFATHER :: BRENTWOOD, TN ALBERT ROZAS JR :: EUNICE, LA DIXIELAND FARM, ANDY MALCOM :: MONROE, GA HERNDON FARMS, BO HERNDON :: LYONS, GA

BELL BRANCH FARM, NATHAN & DAVID PIKE :: ASHEBORO, NC BAR H CATTLE :: RUSK, TX BRYANT BRANGUS :: BIG SANDY, TX WHITLEY RANCH :: BRENHAM, TX CINDY JOHNS :: FLORESVILLE, TX GH RANCH :: ABBEVILLE, LA BIG H CATTLE FARM, LLC, SAMMY HEWITT :: COLUMBUS, GA JORGE MALDONADO :: NEW BRAUNFELS, TX BEAM BRANGUS, RUSSELL & MARIE BEAM :: CROSSVILLE, AL YON FAMILY FARM INC :: RIDGE SPRING, SC ROBERT HART :: SANTA FE, TX 5-B RANCH, BRIAN TORRES :: LIVONIA, LA DOUBLE G RANCH, JORGE L GARZA :: LAREDO, TX CAPOTE CATTLE COMPANY, ROBERT & DIANNA CAPOTE :: GAINESVILLE, FL

Put more money where your pocket is! Be the winning bidder and showcase your premier animal on the COVER of the April Brangus Journal. The April cover will be auctioned at the Annual Awards Banquet Saturday, March 7, 2015 12:00 p.m. in Houston

by IB

Contact any BPI staff member with questions. Additionally, mail or phone bids can be handled with any staff member. 64 | March 2015

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The professional photo will feature a herd sire or female and will be due by March 15. Animal’s name and owner(s) will be credited on page 4 of the “On the Cover” section. The issue will include member how-to’s and pertinent membership information that will be a valuable resource to producers.

IBBA 2015 Annual Meeting

“EPD Seminar”

Thursday, March 5, 2015 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Holiday Inn, Houston, Texas Presented by John Genho He will be discussing the recently released Spring 2015 EPDs as well as the soon-to-be released genomic enhanced Brangus EPDs. Get to know John Genho: • • •

President and Founder of Livestock Genetic Services in Woodville, Virginia Manager at Eldon Farms Masters degree from Cornell University in Animal Breeding and Genetics, WEMBA from Duke University in Business BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 65

Membership IBBA Announces Addition of Ultrablack and Ultrared Shows

he IBBA Board of Directors approved the IBBA Show Committee’s request to allow registered Ultrablack and Ultrared cattle to be exhibited. Beginning with the 2015 Brangus Futurity, any cattle within the IBBA registry with the UB or UR prefix on their registration number, will be eligible to enter the new show. IBBA staff is working with additional National Brangus Shows to add the Ultrablack and Ultrared Shows to the existing Brangus and Red Brangus Shows. Ultrablack and Ultrared cattle will not compete against Brangus and Red Brangus cattle – they will have their own shows with Champions being named in each.

The new shows will follow the same divisions and classifications as approved by the IBBA. Additionally, all animals will be subject to the same Show Eligibility and Inspection of Exhibits. Classifications, Show Eligibility and Inspection of Exhibits can all be found online at http://gobrangus.com/shows. The Brangus Futurity will be held on July 18, 2015 in Duncan, Okla. For more information on the Brangus Futurity or the new Ultrablack and Ultrared shows, please contact IBBA Director of Shows, Tyler Dean at 405.867.1421 or tylerwdean@gmail.com. BJ

Jeff Reznicek Named One of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers

eff Reznicek, Alliceville, AL, has been named to the 2015 class of America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers. The program is sponsored by DTN/ The Progressive Farmer of Omaha, NE. Reznicek was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the Alabama cattle industry and for his work to sustain the 2,350-acre operation he manages. Reznicek, along with his aunt, Joy Reznicek, operate on Cow Creek Ranch, south of Aliceville. “This program establishes high standards for its Young Farmer honorees. Jeff is a role model for the type of cattleman needed to build and improve this critical industry that feeds people not only in the United States, but around the world,” says Gregg Hillyer, editor-in-chief for The Progressive Farmer. “We are fortunate to have producers such as Jeff moving into leadership roles both in their communities and into the agricultural industry. We admire Jeff ’s dedication to his chosen profession, and we are proud to add him to the growing list of winners in the program.” Now moving into its sixth year, the America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers program recognizes the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Honorees must be 40 years of age or younger and demonstrate innovation in business, provide evidence of work for the betterment of agriculture, and be involved in the improvement of their communities. DTN/The Progressive Farmer selects five honorees each year. Reznicek joins 24 past and present winners recognized as America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers. Each honoree receives an all-expense paid trip to Chicago to attend the DTN/ The Progressive Farmer Ag Summit. Jeff was recognized at a

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luncheon held in his honor during the Ag Summit and will be featured in a special section of the February 2015 issue of The Progressive Farmer. Operating today as Reznicek Ranch, LLC, the operation is devoted to high-quality cattle genetics, premium cow consulting services, and sustainable pasture management. Jeff is also building an increasingly recognized reputation for training high quality horses used on cattle ranches. Jeff is married to Erin and they have a son, Cade August. Sponsored by the DTN/The Progressive Farmer magazine, the program recognizes agriculture’s next generation. The Progressive Farmer was founded in 1886 and is headquartered in Birmingham, AL. BJ

Silent Auction - March 5-7, 2015

Thursday March 5th @ 6:00 p.m. ---------------------------NRG Center, Room 201 IBBA Member Reception Friday March 6th @ 6:30 p.m. -------------------------Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom Ideal Video Productions Customer Appreciation Sale Saturday March 7th @ 8:00 a.m. --------------------------------------------Holiday Inn IBBA Annual Meeting The silent auction will close at noon on Saturday March 7th

Live Auction - March 6, 2015 Friday March 6th @ 6:30 p.m. -------------------------Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom Ideal Video Productions Customer Appreciation Sale Saturday March 7th @ noon -------------------------------------------------Holiday Inn IBBA Annual Awards Banquet

Items to be included:

Donated by:

• Assortment of Embr yos........................................ Black X Ranch Clover Ranch Draggin’ M Ranch Quail Creek Brangus Salacoa Valley Farms The Oaks Farm • Brangus Journal April Cover............................. IBBA • Darlington Raceway Package........................ Darlington Raceway • Embr yo Collection Fee....................................... Advanced Genetic Services • Handmade Quilt.................................................... Grasshopper Hill Farm • Lucchese Exotic Boots........................................ Cavender ’s Boot City • 1 Ton Mineral Package...................................... Matt Moore Feed Company • Purina Wind & Rain Storm Mineral w/ Altosid Fly Control................................................. Purina Animal Nutrition • Remington Shotgun............................................... Bill & Gail Davis • Safari Hunt................................................................. PJ Budler-brangusbreeder.net • Shotgun/Rifle............................................................. Cabella’s • Texas Motor Speedway Package................. Texas Motor Speedway

At IBBA check-in & Registration, guests will receive an updated Auction guide with auction information as well as an item catalogue. Note that these are only the items received to date. BRANGUS Journal M

arch 2015

International Brangus Breeders Foundation

Get ready to Bid

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Membership Brangus Members Make the List for the Top 100 Seedstock Producers

EEF Magazine released its first annual top 100 seedstock producers list in the latest addition of their magazine. BEEF magazine’s Seedstock 100 is a listing of the top seedstock producers in the beef industry. These producers are ranked by bull sales volume. Many of the operations listed represent the top-end of the breeds they work with. “All have created enough commercial interest in their genetics to market at least 200 bulls or so annually.” (BEEF Magazine). Five Brangus Members were selected for the Seedstock 100. 44 Farms, located in Cameron, Texas, and owned by Bob McClaren, ranked 5th on the list. This operation sold 1,295 bulls last year, according to BEEF Magazine. They are primarily an Angus operation but also run Ultrablacks. They have started many of their own programs to promote their farm and products. 44 Farms markets their own 44 Farms Steaks, which started the “Know Your Rancher” program. The program allows chefs, consumers, and others to know where their steak came from. 44 Farms hosts four sales a year, two in the spring, February and March, and two in the fall, October and November. More information about 44 Farms can be found at 44farms.com. The next Brangus outfit to make Seedstock 100 was GENETRUST. GENETRUST is an alliance of ranches dedicated to the common goal of providing superior genetic products. According to BEEF Magazine, all GENETRUST bulls will be at one of three GENETRUST sites, Suhn Cattle Company in Eureka, Kan., Cavender’s Neches River Ranch in Jacksonville, Texas, and Chimney Rock Cattle Company in Concord, Ark. Each of the three sites utilizes the same gain test development methods and bulls are fed similar rations. The factor that remains different in all locations is the climate and weather conditions. By operating three different ranches, GENETRUST is able to acclimate bulls to differing eco-environments. This allows their bulls to be marketable to all regions. GENETRUST sold 650 bulls last year. They have sales in March, April, October and November. Go to genetrustbrangus.com for more information.

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Town Creek Farm, owned by Milton Sundbeck, came in at number 40 on the Seedstock 100 list selling 400 bulls last year. Located in West Point, Miss., Town Creek Farm began raising registered Brangus with Joe and Joy Reznicek’s Cow Creek Ranch. The genetics of Town Creek Farm are based off of the Cow Creek Ranch line. Town Creek also developed their goal from Joe Reznicek, “Our primary goal is to produce functional bulls for commercial cattlemen.” Town Creek hosts their annual sale in October in West Point, Miss. More information about Town Creek can be found at towncreekfarm.com. Ranking 56th, Salacoa Valley Farms is the next Brangus breeder to place in the Seedstock 100, selling 300 bulls, according to BEEF Magazine. A division of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc., located in Fairmont, Ga., Salacoa focuses on breeding high-quality Brangus cattle. Salacoa Valley Farms values the characteristics of the Brangus breed. They produce Brangus cattle that thrive in the South and continue to produce. They breed for elite genetics that they sell to other cattlemen and successfully implement into their own breeding program. Salacoa Valley Farms hosts two sales, one in the spring, March, and one in the fall, November. More information can be found at salacoavalleybrangus.com. Selling 215 bulls, according to BEEF Magazine, Blackwater Cattle Company ranks 84th on the Seedstock 100. Blackwater Cattle Co. is a registered and commercial Brangus cattle operation located in Lake Park, Ga. This family run business cattle program is led by Mike Coggins and Tracy Holbert. Founded on the philosophy of “quality is mandatory, produce the best product possible, and treat people right,” Blackwater Cattle Co. raises registered and commercial Brangus cattle. They demand that their cattle perform at a high level and with that they produce bulls that will achieve this and be a benefit to anyone’s herd. Blackwater Cattle Co. hosts a fall bull sale in November. To find more information on Blackwater Cattle Co. go to bwcattle.com. BJ

Membership

The Oaks Farms Promotes Brangus Around The World

nternational markets have responded well over the years to The Oaks Farms genetics and represents a large portion of their annual semen and embryos sales. 2014 was a very good year as well for The Oaks Farms in Newnan, Georgia. Selling semen interest in the High Choice bull to Johannesburg, South Africa. “It didn’t stop there,” says Vince Roberts, manager of The Oaks Farm. “We sold semen and

embryos from our four top herd sires to Mexico, Australia, and South America. We will continue to promote The Oaks Brangus cattle throughout the world with our extensive marketing program, and why not? We have World Class Brangus that can go anywhere. We look forward to developing long-lasting relationships with our genetic partners around the world.” For more information visit theoaksfarm.com. BJ

GENETRUST Forms Alliance with Rocky Repro

ENETRUST Brangus is pleased to announce a newly formed alliance with Tim and Sally North of Rocky Repro, Queensland, Australia, the leader in reproduction and Artificial Insemination services in Australia. Rocky Repro will be the exclusive supplier of GENETRUST’s breed leading lineup of AI sires to Australian breeders, adding to their outstanding lineup as the preeminent source of Australian genetics. Queensland’s most comprehensive bovine reproduction center, centrally located near the beef capital of Australia, Rockhampton, Rocky Repro is recognized for providing professional and reliable service with a goal of building longterm relationships with customers based on trust, values and the pursuit of all possibilities to deliver the desired result. Tim and Sally North have decades of experience in bovine reproduction and are recognized worldwide as leaders in the industry. The largest single source supplier of Brangus and UltraBlack genetics in North America and the 13th largest seedstock producer in the United States, GENETRUST Brangus has a

focused and methodical approach to providing the premium genetic package the beef industry demands. GENETRUST AI sires are recognized breed wide for their genetic merit and production ability, as evidenced by the fact that 4 of the top 6 leaders in registrations with IBBA in 2014 were bred and owned by GENETRUST partners. GENETRUST’s unending pursuit of genetic improvement solidifies their position as leaders in the industry. The GENETRUST partners and Rocky Repro staff are excited about the potential of this new endeavor and the ability it will give Australian beef producers to move their operations forward through the utilization of America’s leading source of Brangus and UltraBlack genetics. For more information on the products and services offered by Rocky Repro visit www.rockyrepro.com. au. To learn more about the industry leading Brangus and UltraBlack genetics offered through GENETRUST visit www. GENETRUSTBrangus.com. BJ

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Membership IBBA Audited Financials Statements of Financials Position December 31, 2014 and 2013

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Membership IBBA Audited Financials Statements of Financials Position December 31, 2014 and 2013

The Audited Financials printed in this issue do not include the notes and explanations. Contact the IBBA office at (210) 696-8231 if you would like a complete copy of IBBAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Audited Financials

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Membership IBBA Audited Financials

Statements of Activities Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

IBBA Audited Financials

Statements of Changes in Net Assets Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

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Membership IBBA Audited Financials

Statements of Cash Flows Years Ended December 31, 2014 and 2013

BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 73

Show Results 2015 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show Junior Brangus Show Results

by Tyler DEAN IBBA DIRECTOR OF SHOWS & YOUTH PROGRAMS

unior Brangus Exhibitors from across the state of Texas joined for the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show in Fort Worth on Saturday, January 24, 2015. Rising to the top to claim Grand Champion Heifer honors, after winning the Junior Heifer Division, was WJ Ms Tara 622A exhibited by Tanner Miller of Gilmer, Texas. Out of the Senior Heifer division, the Reserve Grand Champion Heifer, TCR Miss Maggie 1252A, was exhibited by Dalton McKee of Tatum, Texas. Other Division Champions included: Heifer Calf Champion - H4 Ms Luccese 410B exhibited by Demi Hunt, Union Grove, Texas

Reserve Heifer Calf Champion – PB Ms Lettie 1425 exhibited by Lettie Swaim, Paris, Texas Reserve Junior Heifer Champion – DJD Ms Isabella 804Z exhibited by Collin Murry, Eddy, Texas Reserve Senior Heifer Champion – Trio’s MLS Zamy 175Z2 exhibited by Audrey Acord, Madisonville, Texas Showmanship honors were awarded to Reid Janish of Bellville, Texas for Champion Showman, Reserve Champion Showman was Wade Taterka of Angleton, Texas, and Laura Zibilski of Burton, Texas, took home third place. BJ

Grand Champion & Champion Junior Heifer

Reserve Grand Champion & Champion Senior Heifer TCR MISS MAGGIE 1252A DALTON MCKEE, TATUM, TX

H4 MS LUCCESE 410B DEMI HUNT, UNION GROVE, TX

Reserve Heifer Calf Champion

Champion Senior Heifer

Reserve Champion Senior Heifer

WJ MS TARA 622A TANNER MILLER, GILMER, TX

PB MS LETTIE 1425 LETTIE SWAIM, PARIS, TX

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DJD MS ISABELLA 804Z COLLIN MURRY, EDDY, TX

Champion Heifer Calf

TRIO’S MLS ZAMY 175A2 AUDREY ACORD, MADISONVILLE, TX

Industry News

Sexing Technologies Announces “Best of the Test” Bull Sale

he Genetic Development Center, a division of Sexing Technologies, has announced that it will be hosting the 1st annual “Best of the Test” multi-breed bull sale at its facility in Navasota at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 13th. The GDC has hosted both auction and private treaty sales in recent years for bulls that have completed their performance and efficiency test. The “Best of the Test” sale, however, will be the first of its kind, featuring several breeds including both black and red Brangus bulls and heifers. Consigners of Brangus bulls include Shooting Star Land & Cattle of Lamesa, Texas, Pennridge Farms of Tomball, Texas, and Markham Cattle of Manvel, Texas. Brangus bulls to be offered in the sale range from yearlings to 20 month olds and have all completed performance and feed efficiency tests at the GDC. These bulls are backed by more data than can be found anywhere else. Each bull has individual intake, average daily gain, feed conversion, Residual Feed Intake (RFI), and ratio information. Bulls will also have complete EPDs, carcass ultrasound measurements and fertility testing reported at the time of sale. The Genetic Development Center was established in the spring of 2012 as a custom bull test and heifer development facility for seedstock breeders in the lower 48 states. Recent volatile grain and hay prices and a series of devastating droughts, that forced liquidation in many herds throughout Texas and the south, the need was recognized for a facility to measure feed input costs on individual animals. With feed & forage accounting for 60-70% of variable costs associated with cattle production, the GDC’s feed intake measuring abilities and RFI data now allow breeders to compare their cattle against each other or cattle from other producers of the same breed. In this way, breed associations can make improvements to their cattle and individual breeders can improve their own herds or add value to their sale offerings. Notable Brangus breeders that have benefited from participation in the GDC’s test program include Blackwater Cattle Co. (GA), Mound Creek Ranch (TX), Red Bird Meadows (TX), Petta Brangus Ranches (TX), Triangle K Farms (TX), & McDonald Ranches (TX).

Interested buyers may visit the GDC website, www. geneticdevelopmentcenter.com, or call Ryan Doerner to be added to the sale catalog mailing list or to schedule a personal viewing of the bulls at the GDC test facility prior to the sale. Videos of sale bulls will be available for viewing in mid-February by visiting the GDC website. The sale is managed by PrimeTIME Agrimarketing Network, INC with Doak Lambert performing the auctioneering duties. The sale will be a video auction with absentee bidding available through DVauction or by phone. The Genetic Development Center is located 15 miles south of Texas A&M University at College Station and 80 miles north of Houston at 22909 FM 2154 in Navasota, Texas. To learn more about the “Best of the Test” sale, please contact • Ryan Doerner, GDC Mgr :: 979.324.6004 • Tim Cormany, Asst. Mgr :: 979.308.8704 • Luke Bradford, Beef Prog. Coordinator :: 979.571.0028 • Craig Reiter, Sales Mgr :: 419.350.9159 • www.geneticdevelopmentcenter.com BJ

BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 75

Service Directory Lakin Oakley

The CUP Labâ&#x201E;˘, LLC

Auctioneer 7081 Highway 82 West DeKalb, Texas 75559 903/667-3251 Home 903/277-9610 Mobile

We find the marbling outliers!

2610 Northridge Parkway Suite 105 Ames, IA 50010 515-232-9442 cuplab@cuplab.com www.cuplab.com

Ultrasound Equipment Sales

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Year in Review

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5750 EPSILON | SAN ANTONIO, TX 78249 | 210-696-8231 | www.GoBrangus.com

76 | March 2015

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To place your ad in the SERVICE DIRECTORY,contact: Melanie at 979.255.3343 or Kyle at 254.371.9388

State Directory 1

13465 Brooklyn Rd. Evergreen, AL 36401

Alabama

Sean Parker, President

2 1

2 2 BRANGUS John and Sherry Milam 753 Hinson Road El Dorado, AR 71730 Grady Green, Registered Cowherd Manager 870-314-3673, grady@dragginmranch.com Danny Roberson, Commercial Cowherd Manager 870-310-8134 www.dragginmranch.com

Bill Davis • OWNER • (336) 210-1222 Ed Slisher • maNagER • (870) 612-4117 Kelsey Jackson • OfficE maNagER • (870) 668-3414 www.chimneyrockcattle.com

To place your ad in the STATE DIRECTORY,contact: Melanie at 979.255.3343 or Kyle at 254.371.9388

Arizona Arkansas California

To place your ad in the STATE DIRECTORY, contact Melanie at 979.255.3343 or Kyle at 254.371.9388 BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 77

State Directory 1

THE LARGEST REGISTERED BRANGUS BREEDER IN AMERICA

Florida

www.wynneranch.com Matthew Lyle Wynne Cell: (772) 201-7500 Ft. Pierce, Florida matthew@wynneranch.net

3 1

wetfarm1@windstream.net 1

2 For the best in

Registered and Commercial Brangus Mike Coggins • 229-232-3096 • mike@bwcattle.com Tracy Holbert • 979-255-4357 • ctlbroker@suddenlink.net

www.blackwatercattlecompany.com Ranch is located just off I-75 at the Georgia-Florida line.

Georgia

3 41

Kansas

Joe & Catherine Kassler, Owners 4810 Smokey Road Newnan, GA 30263 770-251-6522 Home 770-502-1510 Fax www.theoaksfarm.com www.theoaksfarm.com Vince Roberts, CellCell Cobus Coetzee,Farm FarmManager Manager678-378-4697 - 678-378-0598 Scott Barkley,Asst. Herdsman 678-378-0598 Cell Dex King-Williams, Farm Manager - 678-378-4697 Cell

78 | March 2015

Vernon & Vicki Suhn

1647 200th St - Eureka, KS 67045 (620) 583-5923 - (620) 583-3706 M suhn@wildblue.net www.suhncattlecompany.com

1647 200th St - Eureka, KS 67045 (620) 583-3706 - (620) 583-4240 suhn@wildblue.net www.suhncattlecompany.com

BRANGUS Journal

Vernon & Vicki Suhn vern@genetrustbrangus.com • (620) 583-3706 1647 200th St • Eureka, KS 67045 www.genetrustbrangus.com

To place your ad in the STATE DIRECTORY,contact: Melanie at 979.255.3343 or Kyle at 254.371.9388

State Directory To place your ad in the STATE DIRECTORY,contact: Melanie at 979.255.3343 or Kyle at 254.371.9388

David Wood Magnolia, MS 713-539-5715

dwood@woodcorporation.com

HOME OF SINGLETARY, 30T AND FOUNDATION. 1

1 2

Lack-Morrison Brangus Bulls, Females, Semen and Embryos Bill Morrison 411 CR 10 Clovis, NM 88101 (575) 482-3254 (575) 760-7263 Cell bvmorrison@yucca.net

2 1

Joe Paul & Rosie Lack P.O. Box 274 Hatch, NM 87937 P (575) 267-1016 F (575) 267-1234

www.lackmorrisonbrangus.com

1 1

To place your ad in the STATE DIRECTORY,contact: Melanie at 979.255.3343 or Kyle at 254.371.9388

BRANGUS Journal

Louisiana Mississippi Missouri New Mexico North Carolina Tennessee

March 2015 | 79

Oklahoma

State Directory 1

3 4

1 2

DILLARD LAND & CATTLE

Joe & Elise Dillard 4206 Leaflock Lane · Katy, TX 77450 Ranch: 2013 N. FM 609 · Muldoon, TX 78949 (713) 201-3305 - Mobile · (281) 395-3343 - Home Gary D. Prause · Consultant · (979) 830-7819

13 9

Texas

Where winning tradition and performance collide

Brangus bulls and heifers available year-round at private treaty.

3 20 16 4 19 1,8, 22 14 10

JLS International, Inc.

www.jlsbrangus.com Jeff Smith, Owner Myron Saathoff myronsaathoff@yahoo.com

251-947-5688 210-218-4804

Circle C Land & Cattle Co., Ltd.

Steve Densmore Cattle Manager (979) 776-5760, Office (979) 450-0819, Cell s.densmore@bre.com

80 | March 2015

BRANGUS Journal

1415 E. OSR Bryan, TX 77808 www.circlexbrangus.com

State Directory 7

Mound Creek Ranch

Eddie & Cindy Blazek Leona, Texas featuring

The Stockman’s Kind Registered Brangus Bulls & Females

Genetic Edge Sale at Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo in Reliant Center, East Arena on Satuday, March 7, 2015 at 7:30 P.M.

Contact for more information: Eddie Blazek (713) 829-9908 moundcreekranch@cs.com Tracy Holbert (979) 255-4357 ctlbroker@suddenlink.net Tim Sparkman (214) 460-0498

www.moundcreekranch.com 10

Randy Schmidt • 903-278-7777 91 CR 2308 • Texarkana, TX 75503

To place your ad in the STATE DIRECTORY,contact: Melanie at 979.255.3343 or Kyle at 254.371.9388

BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 81

Upcoming Events March 2015 5

IBBA Member Reception and International Brangus Breeders Foundation Fundraiser :: Houston, TX

International Brangus Show :: Houston, TX

Ideal Video Customer Appreciation Sale :: Houston, TX

IBBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet :: Houston, TX

Genetic Edge XX Sale :: Houston, TX

Space Deadline for April Brangus Journal

Best of the Test Efficiency Tested Bull and Female Sale :: Navasota, TX

WTBBA Springtime Sale :: Abilene, TX

Quail Creek Cut Above Sale :: Cullman, AL

Houston Junior Brangus Show :: Houston, TX

Oklahoma Youth Expo Junior Brangus Show :: Oklahoma City, OK

Houston Junior Red Brangus Show :: Houston, TX

The Stockman’s Kind Bull and Female Sale at Mound Creek Ranch :: Leona, TX

GENETRUST at Suhn Cattle Company Sale :: Eureka, KS

27-28 TBBA Annual Convention :: Salado, TX 27-29 IJBBA Legacy Leadership Conference :: College Station, TX

July 2015

Space Deadline for August Brangus Journal

12-17 National Junior Brangus Show :: Duncan, OK 16

IJBBA “Source of Champions” Sale :: Duncan, OK

IJBBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet :: Duncan, OK

Brangus Futurity :: Duncan, OK

3 10

August 2015

Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course :: College Station, TX Space Deadline for Fall Frontline Beef Producer

20-21 IBBA Fall Conference :: West Point, MS 22

SBBA Field Day at Town Creek Farms :: West Point, MS

September 2015

Space Deadline for October Brangus Journal

October 2015

Space Deadline for November Brangus Journal

CX Advantage Sale :: Weimar, TX

Brinks Brangus at Westall Ranch Annual Bull Sale :: Arabela, NM

TBBA Miss America Sale :: Salado, TX

Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch Sale :: Poteet, TX

Salacoa Valley Farms Bull and Customer Appreciation Female Sale :: Fairmount, GA

Town Creek Farm Sale :: West Point, MS

Indian Nations Brangus Sale :: Ada, OK

Oak Creek Farms Sale :: Chappell Hill, TX

Miller Brangus Sale :: Waynesboro, TN

April 2015

30-31

Space Deadline for May Brangus Journal

The Oaks and Genetic Partners Proven Performance Sale :: Newnan, GA

November 2015

Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch Elite Heifer Sale :: Poteet, TX

Texas Best Brangus Sale :: Poteet, TX

6-7

GENETRUST at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch Sale :: Jacksonville, TX

Space Deadline for December Brangus Journal

Hill Country Brangus Breeders Sale :: San Angelo, TX

Indian Nations Brangus Sale :: McAlester, OK

Salacoa Valley Buy the Numbers Female Sale :: Fairmount, GA

Salacoa Valley Buy the Numbers Bull Sale :: Fairmount, GA

GENETRUST at Cavender’s Neches River Ranch Sale :: Jacksonville, TX

May 2015

JLS Winning Tradition Sale :: Devine, TX

Beef Australia :: Rock Hampton, Australia

NJBS Entries Due

Oklahoma Brangus Association Field Day :: Stillwater, OK

NJBS Ownership Deadline

1 1

June 2015

5 10

GENETRUST at Chimney Rock Sale :: Concord, AR

December 2015

Alabama Brangus Breeders Bull Sale :: Uniontown, AL Space Deadline for January Brangus Journal

NJBS Late Entries Due Futurity Entries Due

17-20 TJBBA State Show :: Bryan, TX

Sales and Events in BOLD are advertised in this issue.

For the most current listing of upcoming events visit GOBRANGUS.COM/CALENDAR 82 | March 2015

BRANGUS Journal

TOWN CREEK FARM

Total Commitment

WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI

Since 1993

Saturday, October 17, 2015 • 12 noon

160 TOWN CREEK FARM BULLS Powerful, functional Brangus and Ultrablack bulls.

275 COMMERCIAL BRANGUS BRED HEIFERS Source and ranch verified heifers.

Quality always comes first.

QUALITY ASSURANCE Highest Standards Guaranteed

Town Creek Farm continues to raise its bar and demands of proving our program and genetics through quality assurance. ✔ Bulls developed on high roughage, forage-based, low energy ration to ensure longevity and reliable

travel. ✔ Efficency bull testing with Grow-Safe System. Identifying animal that have lower maintenance requirements can have a dramatic effect on reducing feed and forage inputs. ✔ Expansive herd health program including annual whole herd Johnes testing. Bulls sell Trich tested, Johnes free and BVD-PI tested. ✔ Fertility, We are committed to proving genetics that are functional and fertile. Heifers must calve as two-year olds. All open and unproductive females are culled from herd. ✔ Large selection of user-friendly, high maternal, low birth weight bulls to produce valuable heifers. Profit begins with a live calf. ✔ Slick haired, heat and humidity tolerant bulls. Join us August 20-22 for the 2015 IBBA Fall Conference and Southeast Brangus Field Day at Town Creek Farm. Total Commitment

Since 1993

TOWN CREEK FARM

Milton Sundbeck, Owner Office 662.494.5944 32476 Hwy. 50 East, West Point, Mississippi 39773 Joy Reznicek 205.399.0221 • Joy@TownCreekFarm.com Ron Flake 662.509.2233 • Ron@TownCreekFarm.com www.TownCreekFarm.com BRANGUS Journal

March 2015 | 83

Advertisers Index 2H Brangus...............................................................................................21 Am Rich Ranch........................................................................................80 Blackwater Cattle Co.............................................................................78 Burke Brangus Farm..............................................................................78 Carter Brangus.........................................................................................77 Cattle Brokers Inc....................................................................................13 Cavender Ranches.................................................................6, 7, 39, 81 Char-No Farm...........................................................................................78 Chimney Rock Cattle Co......................................................................77 Circle X Land & Cattle Co............................................................ IFC, 80 Clover Ranch............................................................................................77 Cox Excalibur.....................................................................................41, 81 Cross N Farm....................................................................................... 9, 79 Diamond K Ranch...................................................................................81 Dillard Land & Cattle Ltd......................................................................80 Doak Lambert..........................................................................................76 Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch....................................................... 81, BC Don Thomas & Sons...............................................................................79 Double Creek Brangus Ranch............................................................81 Double W Ranch.....................................................................................79 Draggin’ M Ranch.............................................................................. 9, 77 E 3 Ranch...................................................................................................81 El Rancho Espanol de Cuyama..........................................................77 Elgin Breeding Service..........................................................................76 Farris Ranching Company............................................................15. 80 G Bar Brangus..........................................................................................21 Genesis Ranch.................................................................................... 9, 80 GeneTrust.................................................................................... 6, 7, 9, 49 Greuel Family Brangus..........................................................................78 Hardee Farms...........................................................................................78 Hicks Ranch............................................................................................ IBC Ideal Video Productions Customer Appreciation Sale...... 21, BC Indian Nations Brangus Sale..............................................................52 JLS International..............................................................................23, 80 Johnston Farms Brangus.....................................................................77 K&R Broken Bar Ranch..........................................................................80 Lack-Morrison Brangus.................................................................15, 76 Lake Majestik....................................................................................42, 43 Lakin Oakley.............................................................................................76

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Lettelier Brangus.....................................................................................17 Lingg Brangus..........................................................................................81 Los Pinos Cattle.......................................................................................56 Miller Brangus..........................................................................................79 MO Brangus..............................................................................................78 Mound Creek Ranches.............................................................. 5, 13, 81 Multimin....................................................................................................17 Pennridge Ranch...................................................................................... 5 Perry Ranch...............................................................................................80 Quail Creek Brangus.......................................................................19, 77 Red Bird Meadows Ranch....................................................................81 Ritchey Livestock ID...............................................................................10 Robbs Brangus........................................................................................77 Robert Yates Ranch LLC........................................................................79 Robertson Livestock..............................................................................76 Roop Cattle Co.........................................................................................81 Salacoa Valley Farms......................................................................25, 78 Sankey’s 6N Ranch.................................................................................24 Santa Rosa Ranch.............................................................................. 3, 81 Schmidt Farms.........................................................................................81 Shooting Star Ranch.......................................................................15, 81 Skyhawk Brangus...................................................................................48 Southeast Brangus Breeders..............................................................77 Suhn Cattle Company..................................................................6, 7, 78 T3 Brangus................................................................................................79 TBBA Miss America Sale.......................................................................53 The CUP Lab, LLC....................................................................................76 The Oaks Farms................................................................................11, 78 Town Creek Farms..................................................................................83 Triple Crown Ranch................................................................................80 Triple JR Cattle Company.....................................................................81 Valley View Ranch...................................................................................78 Vineyard Cattle Co., Inc.........................................................................81 Vorel Farms........................................................................................65, 80 W.E.T. Farms..............................................................................................78 Wes Dotson..............................................................................................76 Westall Ranches, LLC........................................................................ 1, 79 Wynne Ranch...........................................................................................78

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