IBBA CONNECTION
International Brangus Breeders Association Board of Directors Candidates The International Brangus® Breeders Association’s (IBBA) mission is to empower its members to advance the quality, reliability and value of Brangus and Brangus-influenced cattle; to provide innovative programs and services which enhance the economic well-being of members and commercial customers. In order for the association to continue striving toward the advancement of these objectives, it is of utmost importance to maintain leadership with IBBA’s best interest at heart. IBBA counts on its members to appoint leaders for involvement within the association and its official business. There are five positions to be filled on IBBA’s Board of Directors. Please review the following biographies for candidates from areas one, five, seven, nine, and ten. Election ballots will be mailed to IBBA members on November 10. All ballots must be returned to the accounting firm, not IBBA’s office. Ballots returned to IBBA’s office will not be counted. Ballots must be postmarked by December 31.
AREA 1
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fter graduating from high school, Chris cut his teeth in the cattle business day working for Debter Hereford Farm in Horton, AL. His thoughts were to become a veterinarian, but after being involved in the production side of the business, his focus shifted to becoming a herdsman. He worked with the Debter family while earning an Associate of Science from Snead State Community College. From there he was fortunate enough to attend Auburn University; where he worked at the Auburn University Beef Teaching Unit and the Bull Development Unit, while earning his Bachelor of Science in Animal and Dairy Sciences. While attending
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Chris Heptinstall
Auburn University, he completed an internship at Bent Tree Farms, Mountain Cove Division, where he worked on developing the Southpol composite. After graduation, Chris took the job of Assistant Herdsman at Debter Hereford Farm. From there he was Herdsman at Flint River Farm in Owens Crossroads, AL, and then became General Manager of Blount County Farmers Cooperative in Oneonta, AL, where he gained more knowledge of feed, fertilizer, and chemicals. He was Secretary to the Board of Directors of Blount County Farmers Cooperative, and sat on the Strategic Planning committee for Alabama Farmers Cooperative. From here, Chris was offered the opportunity to get back into the cattle business when Mark Cowan, the President of Camp Cooley Ranch, offered him the position of Operations Manager at Camp Cooley.
After the dispersal of Camp Cooley Ranch, Chris spent a brief time selling cattle supplements and starting his own herd of Horned Hereford cattle that he and a managing partner sold to W4 Farms in 2016. Shortly after, Dr. David Vaughan, Jr. brought him on as General Manager of Salacoa Valley Farms, where since then has sold the cow herd and leased the ranch to the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Inc. He served the IBBA in several capacities in the past few years. In 2016 he sat on the Membership Committee. In 2017 he chaired the Breed Improvement committee. This active committee put in place 3 new EPD’s and 2 Indexes. He sits on the newly formed Strategic Planning Committee. In 2018 he was chair of Finance Committee, and Secretary to the Board. He also sits on the Board of the SBBA.
