Thank you to all of the following buyers for purchasing our bulls at the “Advancing the Braford Breed 6” Sale Prairie Lakes Farms Bill & Lynn Marsh Greensboro, AL
Bryan Alleman Rayne, LA
2B Brafords Burnie Benoit Gueydan, LA
Randall Wood Zachery, LA
TB Cattle Tim Broussard Abbeville, LA
Breeding Functional Brafords with a Carcass Focus
HARVEY RANCH
2949 State Road 70 West Okeechobee, Florida 34972 JIM W. HARVEY — 863.697.6624 RONNIE TRYTHALL — 863.697.2182
Chip Duhon Abyville, LA
Triple O Terry Osment Jonesboro, AR
Asian Cajun Cattle Gary Noel Abbeville, LA
Boudreaux & Son Danny Boudreaux Lake Charles, LA
Roy Ruiz San Antonio, TX
Southern Accent Farm Allen & Nicki Smith Okeechobee, FL Tinney Cattle Lance Tinney Winnsboro, TX F & C Denison Ranch Fred Denison Iowa, LA Ronald Winch Gueydan, LA Wilson Ranch Mike Wilson Raywood, TX
“Advancing the Braford Breed 7” Sale in October 2016
Thank you
to Spring Advancing the Breed Sale Buyers Running M Ranch, Payne Midyette, Tallahassee, FL Harvey Ranch, Jim Harvey, Okeechobee, FL Glenn Stephenson, Vidor, TX Roger Tinney, Winnsboro, TX Boudreaux and Son, Danny Boudreaux, Lake Charles, LA Mhire Cattle Co., Robby Mhire Welsh, LA Purdy Braford Ranch, Chris Dimas, Lake Charles, LA Bertrand Cattle, Scott Bertrand, Gueydan, LA Lazy Acre Cattle Ranch, Leslie Griffith, Grand Chenier, LA Begnaud Cattle, Robert Begnaud, Lacassine, LA K&K Brafords Kim Richard Creole, LA
Bill Rainer Cattle Co. REGISTERED BRAFORD CATTLE
P.O. Box 243 Union Springs, AL 36089 Alabama: 334-738-2205
New Summerfield, Texas Cell: 903-780-6455 Texas Home: 903-683-1086
Spring 2016 Vol. XXXI, No. 2
Cover Photo: Lot 176 at the 2016 Spring Advancing the Braford Breed Sale in Lake Charles, LA, consigned by Bill Rainer Cattle Co. of Union Springs, AL.
Other Features 4 Sound Grazing Leases
Feature Story
11 Reducing Summer Pneumonia Risk
Keeping it in the Family
12 Advancing the Breed 6 Sale Results
2
By Danielle C. Holladay
14 It’s All About Cattle 18 Annual Meeting Recap 22 National Show Results
In Each Issue 6 President’s Notes by Robert Mills
5380 Old Bullard Rd., Suite 600, Box 358 Tyler, TX 75703 904.563.1816 www.brafords.org • BrafordNews@brafords.org Like the United Braford Breeders on Facebook!
8 From the Director’s Desk
UBB Registration Office P.O. Box 14100, Kansas City, MO 64101-4100 816.595.2443 UBB@abraonline.org
20 Junior Focus
Braford News is the official publication of the United Braford Breeders (UBB). It is published four times a year and is supported by paid advertisements and subscriptions. Advertising and subscription information can be obtained from the UBB office. We appreciate your letters, comments and any editorial material you would like considered for publication. Editor – Hannah Wine hwine@brafords.org Production Hereford Publications Inc./Creative Services Nicole L. Crosson P.O. Box 014059, Kansas City, MO 64101 816.842.8878 • 816.842.6931 fax ncrosson@hereford.org
Zoetis is corporate sponsor of United Braford Breeders.
by Hannah Wine
8 New Member Report Meet NJBA President Maeleigh Beth Conner and Vice President Ryan Danos
Attention Members: The UBB will no longer be receiving mail at the Callahan, Florida, address. Please use our new address: United Braford Breeders 5380 Old Bullard Road Suite 600 Box 358 Tyler, TX 75703 Please note that you’ll still be using the same Kansas City mailing address for all things related to membership, registration and cattle data.
Events June 10-12 Louisiana Junior Braford Breeders State Show, SugArena at Acadiana Fairgrounds, New Iberia, LA June 13 Texas Junior Braford Association State Show Entry Deadline June 14-16 Florida Cattlemen’s Convention, ChampionsGate, Orlando, FL June 14-17 Beef Improvement Federation, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS July 7-9 NJBA All American Braford Show, Laredo International Fair and Expo Center, Laredo, TX August 1-3 Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course, Texas A&M, College Station, TX October 6 Advancing the Breed 7 Braford Bull & Female Sale, Burton Coliseum Complex, Lake Charles, LA
Follow the United Braford Breeders! Twitter: UnitedBrafordBreeder Instagram: unitedbrafordbreeders Facebook: United Braford Breeders
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
1
Keeping It in the Family By Danielle C. Holladay, Freelance Writer
Located just outside of Greenville, Running M Ranch is a 1,200-acre ranch that is home to purebred Brafords and commercial Red Angus/Braford crosses
For as long as he could remember, Will Moncrief wanted to be a cowboy. As fate would have it, the 26-year-old is doing just that in the hills of Madison County, Florida. “You write those papers in grade school about what you want to be when you grow up. I always wrote about being a cowboy, even though some of my teachers tried to push me away from that,” Moncrief said. With the family’s support, Moncrief is in line to take over the generational business, the Running M Ranch. Located just outside of Greenville, this 1,200-acre ranch is home to purebred Brafords, commercial Red Angus/Braford crosses and Florida Cracker horses. In addition, the ranch produces hay and timber. Moncrief grew up on the ranch and devoted many of his summers to helping his dad and grandpa work cattle. “[That] kid grew up on the place,” Moncrief’s grandfather Payne Midyette recalled. “As a toddler, he’d come out and help his dad and us work cattle. He likes to ranch and I hope he can continue to do what he wants, which is work horses and cattle.”
A True Family-Run Operation
Midyette is 88, and while he is still active on the ranch, he is in the process of handing the reins over to Moncrief. “I started full time about two years ago and grandpa has been pretty good about giving me a loose rein and letting me put in my two cents,” Moncrief said. “It’s pretty much just grandpa, mom and I and the whole family has been supportive of me running it.” It’s a true family-run operation. Moncrief’s mother is the ranch bookkeeper alongside her father and son who manage day-to-day tasks. “We aren’t a big operation, but we make it work,” Will said.
2 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
Moncrief moving cattle atop one of the family’s Florida Cracker horses
Why Brafords?
“Well, it was an easy choice,” Midyette said. “We’ve been blessed with our success with Brafords and UBB is a great association.” The Braford breed has been good to Running M Ranch. The hills of Northern Florida necessitate a maternal breed that is also fairly hardy and efficient, which Moncrief says makes for an ideal base to cross into many different commercial lines. “In crossing our F-1 Braford/Red Angus lines to a Charlois bull, our weaning weight increased by 50-75 pounds,” Moncrief remarked. “[Brafords] are good cows to start with and [they] give you great options to cross with.” Midyette chose to run Brafords due to widespread success in the humid Florida climate, while still maintaining good maternal and carcass characteristics common to Herefords. In line with the foundations of United Braford Breeders (UBB), Running M Ranch focuses heavily on maternal characteristics in their herd. “A hard focus of ours was and still is on developing good maternal cattle,” Midyette said. “Without good cows, you’ve got nothing.” Brafords were born of necessity and they have developed from the foundational lines produced by Alto Adams, Jr. in St. Lucie County, Florida. Growing up around this ranch family, Midyette has long been aware of how important maternal characteristics and solid foundations are to the success of any cattle operation, especially in the unique Florida climate. As the first president of UBB, Payne Midyette was a part of the merger between the American Braford Association (ABA) and the International Braford Association (IBA) in 1994 that developed the United Braford Breeders, a credential that he is proud to discuss.
“We have had tremendous progress since the bull sales began [and it’s] really nice to be able to get our bloodlines in front of other people. UBB has worked to develop EPDs for a long time and we are very proud of that.” Not only is Midyette handing over the family reins to his grandson, but also he opened doors for Moncrief to become an active board member of UBB. “Grandpa has been a part of UBB as long as it has been around,” Moncrief noted. “Becoming a board member of UBB has been helpful to me. Grandpa knows everyone, and it’s nice for me to be able to get to know the people who helped him succeed. I now feel like I can call these guys if ever I have a question.” For a small operation that processes and moves cattle from horseback, camaraderie is key. “We often call up close neighbors and friends if we ever need extra help processing, and we pay them back by doing the same,” Midyette said. During his time as a UBB board member Moncrief has also learned more about the importance of EPDs. “I have been participating in pretty much all UBB events,” Moncrief said. “I have learned the numbers of cattle in terms of EPDs rather than just physical traits, especially Brafords. It has helped me think more strategically about our operation.”
After a short stint in the insurance industry, however, Midyette decided to get back into the cattle industry. “I couldn’t stand not being in the cattle business, [so] in 1981, I bought my first Braford calf and retired from the insurance business.” At the prime of Midyette’s operation, the ranch was nearly 2,500 acres and home to over 500 Braford cows, a large commercial stock and a band of Cracker horses. Since Moncrief has actively been a part of the management of the ranch, they have downsized to about 1,200 acres and they run about 330 head. “Recently, row crops got big up here and we lost 300-400 acres to lease land,” Moncrief noted. “It forced us to scale back and focus on improving pasture to run more cows per acre and work new genetics into our Braford herd.” Moncrief also had a few hiccups along the way. After high school, he day worked for the Adams in Southern Florida. While living down there, he was involved in a car wreck that left him with a broken hip. “I learned a lot working for the Adams,” Moncrief said, “but I had to come home to recover.” Opportunity presented itself to Moncrief while he was recovering. “I spent a little over two years as a full time vet tech in town,” Moncrief recalls. After that, he began working full-time for his grandpa. Midyette credits a lot of Moncrief’s handiness on the ranch to his time spent as a vet tech and is confident in the future of the ranch because of his grandson’s experiences.
It Hasn’t Always Been Easy
Looking Ahead
Midyette’s father produced Brafords long before they were an established breed. The family was credited with bringing the first registered Hereford cows to Leon County, Florida, in 1933. However, they realized there was a need for some Bos indicus blood in their herd. By the early 1940s, the family began crossing Hereford cows with a Brahman bull and quickly saw an increase in performance. Before long, Midyette’s father’s health began to decline and the family was forced to sell all of their stock. Midyette graduated from University of Florida, enlisted in the military and soon after made a living as a cowboy for other well-known Florida ranchers, such as Bud Adams and George Bronson. Eventually, Midyette found himself as an insurance executive.
Currently, Moncrief is focusing on improving pastures to run more cows per acre, and adding new genetics into their Braford herd. From there, the focus will be to sell more at the yearly Lake Charles sale and through private treaties. “I’d like to pick up more Braford genetics to improve our cow-calf production,” Moncrief said. “Good calves and market bulls are a big focus of ours right now.” Midyette acknowledges that Moncrief has a tough road ahead of him. “It is important to keep the land and family business going, but it isn’t easy,” Midyette said. “I hope he can continue to do what he loves.” It is no secret to those in the cattle business that the market often dictates success. Strategy is key to surviving the ebb and flow of the U.S. beef markets, especially for small operations. “We are not big by any means,” Will admitted. “But as long as we keep working hard and the markets stay fairly decent, we will be okay.” Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
3
Reduce Risk with a Sound Grazing Lease By Troy Smith
What changes will the advancing average age of cattle producers bring to cow country? Agricultural census data suggest that the median age of U.S. farmers and ranchers is rapidly nearing 60 years of age. People taking a glass-is-half-full point of view believe that could present opportunities for younger operators and aspiring producers. As the older folk exit the business, many of their farms and ranches are likely to sell or become available to lease. Leasing grazing land has long been a way for beginning ranchers to get started and for existing operations to expand. Considering today’s real estate prices, Stephen Diebel believes leasing grassland can help mitigate risk. Operating cow-calf, stocker and club calf enterprises, Diebel manages some 14,000 acres of coastal prairie near Victoria, Texas, and about half of that acreage is leased. He admits that finding and holding onto land leases can be challenging. “Remember that your reputation precedes you. Word gets around,” advises Diebel, reminding producers that their previous management histories and stability of their existing operations are factors that landowners often consider when scrutinizing potential tenants. “And never undermine a current lease agreement in order to swing a deal your way,” Diebel adds, warning that disrespecting others usually backfires, bringing the accuser’s own integrity into question. Before entering into serious lease negotiation with the landlord (lessor), a potential lease holder (lessee) needs to learn all he or she can about the property and its potential. This includes knowing what portion of a property represents “grazeable acres” and how much of the land has limited grazing value due to topography, woodlands or other reasons. A producer also need to know if other individuals or entities hold rightsof-way, for utilities or pipelines, for example. These kinds of things may affect a property’s carrying capacity now and in the future. 4 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
If there is a residence on the property, a producer needs to know whether it is rented to a third party. Diebel says that may be a hindrance or a benefit, depending on who lives there. Having other people residing on a leased property may increase the likelihood of problems, such as gates being left open. Do they have pets that might be a nuisance to livestock? Before signing a lease, a producer also needs to consider how the presence of others affects lessee liability if other parties were injured or their personal property damaged. On the other hand, having someone living onsite can be a good thing. It may be a deterrent to unwanted trespassers. A capable and responsible resident also might be available, for hire, to help keep an eye on cattle, fences or stock water. This could save time, mileage and money for the lessee. Diebel advises producers to consider how they might arrange for win-win situations. Another thing to think about is who is operating across the fence from a lease property. Is a neighboring rancher a good manager? Do they do their part in maintaining shared fences? Are a certain neighbor’s sorry bulls known to run throughout the country during breeding season? Does a neighboring herd have trichomoniasis or other transmissible diseases? Do the neighbors have reputations for being friendly, cooperative and responsible? Prospects for favorable relations with neighbors, or the lack thereof, can affect a lease property’s “practical” value. When considering a grazing land lease, a producer needs to be familiar with the range of lease costs applicable to the region. And the producer must determine his or her upper cost threshold. However, learning as much as possible about a particular property and its neighbors can help a potential lessor determine a practical value. Knowledge of the property also enables the producer to present his or her case when negotiating with a landowner.
“Be prepared to sell yourself and your stewardship,” explains Diebel, recommending preparation of a management plan including management practices the lessor wants to implement. “Consider what you can do (yourself or in cooperation with the landowner) to improve the property — maybe through prescribed burning or water development. A management plan should explain how you would try to leave the land even better than you found it,” advises Diebel. A lease agreement should be placed in writing, but it doesn’t have to be a lengthy document written in hard-tounderstand legalese. Of course, certain elements are critical to any lease agreement. The terms should include a well-defined lease duration – when it starts and ends. It should state which party is responsible for maintaining existing stock watering sites, fences and other improvements. The lease should assign responsibility for weed and brush control. If costs for maintenance and certain management practices are to be shared by lessor and lessee, the division of responsibility should be clearly defined. Respective responsibilities for introduction of any new improvements also should be stated. Diebel recommends that a lease also state who has priority access to properties where other activities, such as hunting, oil and gas development or gravel mining, may be taking place. A clear understanding can prevent misunderstandings and unpleasant disagreements from occurring later. Of course, an agreement must state the cost of a lease and when payment or payments are to be made, whether annually, biannually or quarterly. Diebel reminds producers that making multiple smaller payments may provide cash-flow benefits to both parties. Grazing land leases are commonly based on cost per animal unit, cost per acre or percentage share of the calf crop.
“A lease based on cost per animal unit is most typical for seasonal or short-term leases, while long-term leases are more apt to be priced on a per-acre basis,” says Diebel. “When leasing grazing land for a cow-calf enterprise, payment based on a calf crop percentage puts emphasis on good management, and it means the landowner and the lessee share both risk and reward,” adds Diebel. “Their lease agreement should explain when and how the value of calves is determined.” Important to the interests of both lessee and lessor is a clearly defined lease exit strategy. In the event of drought, for example, a lease should provide for timely removal of livestock. The agreement should allow sufficient time for a lessee to make arrangements and execute removal, but guard against delayed removal that could damage the lessor’s grazing resource. When seeking grazing land to lease, Diebel advises producers to look for opportunity in properties that are remote, have few improvements, or
have been neglected. Such properties often are less attractive to other producers and may be available at low cost. Through good management, a savvy lessee may be able to implement improvements that facilitate increased forage production, improved forage utilization or otherwise add value to the grazing resource while capturing more value from it. Typically, however, a lessee cannot afford to invest time and money in improvements to properties held under short-term leases. The benefits of investments in water development, fencing or other improvements accrue over time and a lease period must be long enough for economic return to be realized. Not all landowners understand this. As an example, Diebel noted how a lot of grazing land in Texas belongs to absentee owners. Many are heirs to property and a good many of those are women. Regardless of gender, these absentee owners may not have a working knowledge of production agriculture or management of grazing
For information on sale cattle, see our website at
www.redoakbraford.com Joe, Marshall and John Ellis 1676 Anderson C.R. 323 Palestine, TX 75803
Joe 903.876.3334 903.330.1257 Cell hollywoodjellis@aol.com
land in particular. But they may be receptive to sound stewardship concepts and come to understand how a lessee’s own investments in the property improvements have value to the landowner and should be addressed in terms of lease cost. “This illustrates what is most important to getting and hanging onto a lease,” says Diebel. “You have to be prepared to explain your good stewardship, up front, and practice good stewardship from then on — and communicate, communicate, communicate.” Stephen Diebel was a featured speaker during the December 2015 National Conference on Grazing Lands, in Grapevine, Texas. The conference was conducted by the National Grazing Lands Coalition, a nationwide consortium of individuals and organizations working together to maintain and improve the management and the health of private and public grazing lands.
Danny Boudreaux 337-905-2330 Cell 337-249-9066 3475 Grand Chenier Hwy. Grand Chenier, LA 70643 boudreauxandson@camtel.net
Michael Boudreaux Cell 337-303-4167 162 Eugene Rd. Lake Charles, LA 70607 mlbbrafords@yahoo.com
Thank you Boudreaux & Son Brafords, Grand Chenier, LA Bob McCan, Victoria, TX, Jason Herpin, Kaplan, LA for investing in our genetics at the Advancing the Braford Breed V sale in Lake Charles.
James Noel, Jr. 409 E. Lafayette Street Abbeville, LA 70510
337-898-1166 Office • 377-652-6260 Cell • jamesnoeljr@gmail.com
JNJ - BREEDING UP FROM THE TOP - JNJ
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
5
President’s Notes
by Robert Mills
T
his year has started off very busy with tremendous enthusiasm and excitement among the membership. Since the National Braford Show in Houston, activities and planning for the upcoming year have run at a steady pace. I have tried to attend all of the committee meetings. The committees have been very diligent in planning for this year’s events. The Bull Development Committee held the first Spring Sale in March at Lake Charles. With an offering of 130 Braford bulls, the sale averaged $3,772 with the top bull bringing $8,000. Bill Rainer consigned that bull. The buyer was Thunderstorm R Cattle Co., Nacogdoches, TX. Plans are well underway for the fall Advancing the Breed Bull and Female Sale in October, which will be held back at Lake Charles. The performance information and EPDs are now up on the UBB website for everyone to study. The Committee is currently finalizing bull requirements for future sales with certain benchmarks for the candidates to meet. The new regulations will
6 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
UBB Board of Directors be available as soon as they are completed and approved by the UBB Board. The committee’s goal is to continue to improve the overall product for our buyers and customers as we advance the breed. The Junior Committee has plans in place for the All American Junior National Show in Laredo, Texas, in July. The Montemayor family is excited about hosting our juniors and their families this year. They are eager to showcase South Texas culture, history and scenery. There will be many options for your family to experience. Make plans to attend and support our youth and young adults at their national show. The Show Committee has been working on the upcoming show season for Braford exhibitors. The committee took under consideration the three recommendations from the Junior Board, as well as committee choices, and sent their top picks to the UBB Board for approval. They also recommended that the East Texas Fair Show this coming September be discontinued and replaced by the Four States Fair in Texarkana earlier that same month. That committee action was sent to the UBB Board for approval and passed. Be sure to check out the details and entry deadlines for the new show posted on the UBB website. For those of you who have not heard, the UBB will host the 2018 World Braford Congress. Last year, after approval by
the Board, we formed a committee to begin the long process of planning this huge event. If you are unaware of what this event entails, it happens every three years and rotates from country to country among the member countries of the World Congress. We can expect anywhere from 600 to possibly 1,000 delegates and family members in attendance. This will be an excellent opportunity for us to exchange ideas, genetics and knowledge with Braford breeders from around the world. Numerous activities are in the planning stages for the pre- and post-Congress tours, as well as the World Braford Congress itself. We need to get ready to showcase our cattle and open our doors with hospitality to our foreign visitors. The year 2018 will come faster than we think. Our other committees are also busy with the tasks before them. Thanks to everyone who responded to my request for members to be involved on the various committees. We will have reports from other committees as we go through the coming year. I hope you can feel the excitement and enthusiasm that is building in our Braford breed. Please get involved with the events coming up this year. It’s your ideas and help that continue to move us forward. Hope everyone has a good spring and early summer. I look forward to seeing you in Laredo if not sooner.
President - Robert Mills 15535 C.R. 1123 Athens, TX 75751 Office: 903.489.0837 Home: 903.489.0869 Mobile: 903.676.8930 Email: robert@rockcrestranch.com Vice President - Bill Rainer P.O. Box 243 Union Springs, AL 36089 Alabama: 334.738.2205 Texas: 800.729.7790 FAX: 903.683.9830 Mobile: 903.780.6455 Email: granjan.jr@gmail.com Secretary - Will Moncrief Running M Ranch 10006 Journeys End Tallahassee, FL 32312-3710 Office: 850.385.4489 Mobile: 850.566.6070 Email: w69cracker@hotmail.com Treasurer - Larry Stanberry LS Brafords 996 VZ C.R. 1805 Grand Saline, TX 75140 Home: 903.962.7219 Mobile: 214.924.9202 Email: lstanberry@earthlink.net Region 1 Director - Jim Harvey Harvey Ranch 2949 Hwy. 70 West Okeechobee, FL 34972 Office: 863.763.2523 Mobile: 863.697.6624 Fax: 863.763.7524 Email: jimharveybrafords@ embarqmail.com Region 1 Director - Zach Adams Adams Ranch Inc. 25501 Orange Ave. Fort Pierce, FL 34945 Mobile: 772.215.6268 Email: ZachAdamsRanch@gmail.com Region 2 Director - Chris Herpin Herpin Cattle Company 20102 Herpin Circle Kaplan, LA 70548 Mobile: 337.652.8125 Fax: 337.643.3382 Email: aherpin@sfbcic.com Region 2 Director - Heather Green 3313 Trailer Town Rd. Jennings, LA 70546 Mobile: 337.540.1748 Email: gran3290@aol.com Region 2 Director - Shannon Harrington 7068 N. Harrington Rd. Iowa, LA 70647 Home: 337.478.7637 Mobile: 337.485.2442 Email: sjhfarm@aol.com Region 3 Director - Scott McCullough 3226 C.R. 3115 Greenville, TX 75402 Mobile: 903.274.7799 Email: wmscottmcc@hotmail.com Region 4 Director - Paul Harris Greenview Farms 334 K-Ville Rd. Screven, GA 31560 Mobile: 912.294.2472 Fax: 912.586.6991 Email: Greenviewpaul@yahoo.com Region 4 Director - Jim Smith JS Land & Cattle Co. P.O. Box 487 Magnolia, MS 39652 Home: 601.783.7045 Mobile: 601.551.7045 FAX: 601.276.7675 Email: jimsmith@agup.co
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
7
From the Director’s Desk of the Millennials, those young adults born between 1982 and the early 2000s. It’s important that we begin to prepare for this transition. Let’s learn a little about what makes Millennials tick.
How They Communicate
The Next Generation of Braford Adapting to Generation Y by Hannah Wine UBB Executive Director
A
s summer nears, the junior show season is upon us. Presently, our National Junior Braford Association (NJBA) membership has an overwhelming presence in the showring. In the future they will filter into all areas of the Braford industry, as we’re seeing many of our former NJBA members do now as young UBB members. It’s been said countless times, our NJBA members are the future of the Braford breed. Before long the livelihood of Braford will be placed in the hands
Widespread access to cell phones and the Internet has changed how Millennials communicate and interact with one another. Millennials use social media more frequently and are even more likely to sleep near their cell phone. Threequarters of Millennials have an account on a social networking site, compared with only half of Generation Xers and less than a third of the Baby Boomers.
What They Value
Millennials are not just virtually connected via social networks, they value the role that they play in their communities. For instance, high school seniors today are more likely than previous generations to state that making a contribution to society is very important to them and that they want to be leaders in their communities. This community-mindedness
also includes a strong connection to family. Millennials have close relationships with their parents and, as high school students, roughly half say that it is important to them to live close to their friends and family, compared with forty percent of Generation Xers and twenty-nine percent of Baby Boomers.
Where They’re Headed
One study found that more than half of the Millennials surveyed expressed interest in starting a business. And although several Millennials became wellknown entrepreneurs in their 20s, this generation is just beginning to reach the peak age for entrepreneurship, which generally occurs in one’s 40s or early 50s. When it comes to work, Millennials are mostly similar to previous generations: they want to be successful and they want the type of prosperity that means that their children will be better off. They are somewhat more likely than previous generations to report that they consider creativity to be a very important job feature. Perhaps this is no surprise for a highly connected generation. With a generation that
values staying close to family, having free time for recreation, working in creative jobs and desires to make a positive social impact on their own children and communities, the future looks good for Braford producers. Assuming that guidance and wisdom from today’s Braford producers is passed along, Generation Y will be well equipped to lead the Braford industry through the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. I hope you will make plans to join us at the Louisiana State Show on June 11-12 in New Iberia and for Brafords on the Border, the 2016 All American, July 7-9 in Laredo, Texas, where our junior members will showcase their Braford cattle and passion for the industry. Our future couldn’t be brighter. We have a fantastic set of young cattlemen and women.
New Member Report Zachary Collins, Batesville, AR, Junior Mallory Kate Hobson, Fouke, AR, Junior Emily McCarley, Grannis, AR, Junior Maeghan McCarley, Grannis, AR, Junior TEM Cattle, Cullman, AL, Adult
8 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
2015-2016 BRAFORD SHOW BULL OF THE YEAR
LA 111 HLK HARD LUCK 0913 • Domestic semen available • CSS semen available Fall 2016
BIRTH BW WEANING YEARLING TOTAL CARC WEIGHT MATERNAL WEIGHT WEIGHT MILK MATERNAL WT. FAT REA MARBLING
H.L. +1.3 AVG. 1.0
+1.9 1.8
+16 11
+23 +6 +14 +20 +0.100 +0.21 +0.08 17 3 9 6 0.011 0.06 0.01
y Acre Cattle Ranch z a L
111
LA111 Cattle Co., LLC Leslie D. Griffith
1003 Oak Grove Hwy., Grand Chenier, LA 70643 337-912-9778 • LAZYACRES111@YAHOO.COM
Registered UBB Brafords • Commercial F-1 Cow-Calf
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
9
u o u y o y e e e e S S ! o ! o d d e r e r a La iin nL ON THE BORDER 2016 NJBA ALL AMERICAN JULY 7-9 • LAREDO, TEXAS
New for 2016
• All entries must be submitted online at www.brafords.org by June 1. Payment must be mailed and post marked by June 3. • There will be no charge for banquet tickets. Meal wristbands are available for purchase. The wristbands ($15) are good for breakfast and lunch on Friday, July 8 and breakfast on Saturday, July 9.
HEADQUARTER HOTELS EMBASSY SUITES 110 Calle Del Norte Drive Laredo, TX 78041 956-723-9100 HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS 7223 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo, TX 78041 956-218-8888
10 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
Running
Ranch
Our goal is to produce maternal, moderate framed cattle with lots of growth at weaning and yearling ages. We do not creep feed. We keep replacement heifers from those that were born in the first 60 days of our calving season. We look for structural soundness and use our records, EPDs and ultrasound in making mating decisions. We would like to show you our cattle!
A big Thank You to Danny Boudreaux for his purchase of our Lot 119 bull at the Spring Advancing the Breed sale.
Running
Ranch
Call for more information
Payne Midyette Will Moncrief Kit Storey 850-566-6070 850-544-5195 229-269-0951 Ranch Address
4686 N.W. C.R. 150, Greenville, FL 32331
Reduce summer pneumonia risk in calves By Zoetis
While summer offers warm weather and green pastures, the season also threatens calves with summer pneumonia — an often fatal respiratory condition for young calves. Changing weather conditions and stress from working or transporting calves opens the door for the primary pathogens that cause summer pneumonia, Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus (BRSV) and Mannheimia haemolytica. “Summer pneumonia is a real challenge and can occur during dry or wet weather conditions,” said Jon Seeger, DVM, managing veterinarian with Zoetis. “Young calves may not last long with summer pneumonia and can succumb to the disease quickly. Identifying sick calves isn’t difficult, but identifying them early in the disease process, when clinical signs can be most effectively addressed, becomes more challenging when the calves are turned out on pasture.” Clinical signs for summer pneumonia can include droopy ears, sluggish demeanor, extended neck, rapid breathing and nasal discharge — all signs commonly seen in bovine respiratory disease (BRD). Keeping a consistent, watchful eye on cattle offers the best chances for early detection and prevention. Vaccination programs combined with sound herd management are key. By ingesting colostrum, calves absorb maternal antibodies that initiate a strong immune system early in life; however, this immunity quickly deteriorates as the calf gets older, making vaccinations even more vital. Vaccines train the calf’s immune system to recognize and fight the viruses and bacteria it encounters later in life. “Think of a vaccination program like sending the calf’s immune system to school,” Dr. Seeger said. “It’s important for producers to vaccinate calves before putting them out for summer so they can develop the proper immune capabilities.” Vaccinating young calves in the springtime will help you and the calf win the fight against summer pneumonia before it begins. A great way to provide your calves a strong start is through an initial vaccine series with INFORCE™ 3 and ONE SHOT® BVD. INFORCE 3 is the
most trusted and utilized respiratory vaccine on the market, and the only vaccine that can prevent respiratory disease caused by BRSV and aid in the prevention of IBR virus and PI3 virus.1 By adding ONE SHOT BVD to the initial vaccination series, producers provide their calves a rapid, balanced immune response against all of the important bovine respiratory disease pathogens and the highest level of protection available against Mannheimia haemolytica. A fall booster to this initial series with BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT® provides uncompromised protection against the important BRD pathogens and a long duration of immunity to meet the needs of any production system. BOVI-SHIELD GOLD ONE SHOT is the only combination vaccine which can prevent three important BRD conditions, while also providing the highest level of protection available against M. haemolytica in a single, convenient injection. Dr. Seeger shares the following tips to reduce summer pneumonia risk: • While all calves are at risk, calves born to heifers and young cows have the highest risk of summer pneumonia. • When working cows, handle calves with care to avoid unnecessary stress. • Observe calves frequently to detect sickness in its earliest stages. • Be mindful of extreme heat and dust when working, driving or transporting cattle. • Administer respiratory vaccines before pasture turnout. “Anything abnormal to the animal’s environment or daily activity can be a stress factor, and young calves’ immune systems must compensate for it,” Dr. Seeger said. “When calves are taken out of their normal comfort zone, keep an eye on them for at least the next seven to 10 days to make sure sickness doesn’t follow the associated stress.” To learn more about giving calves a healthy start, visit CompleteCalfProtection.com.
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
11
Spring Heralds Strong Braford Demand at Spring UBB Bull & Heifer Development Program Sale 59 Braford Bulls Grossed $211,250 to Average $3,772 29 Registered Braford Open Heifers Grossed $50,950
to Average $1,757
W
et weather and flooding did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of 65 buyers from 10 states who bid on and bought Braford cattle in the first ever Advancing the Braford Breed 6 Spring Sale in Lake Charles, LA. One hundred thirty bulls and females from eight top consignors from across the nation were developed on a high roughage diet and only the top end were sold in the Advancing the Breed Sale.
The day’s top selling bull at $8,000 was lot 126, TR CM Big Deal 509P, purchased by Bill Rainer, Union Springs, AL. This powerful RMR 206 Critical Mass 0072 son ranked #2 for YW EPD, # 4 for REA and Marbling EPD in the offering. He was consigned by Thunderstorm R Cattle Co, Nacogdoches, TX. Lot 131, TR CM Affirmed 520S, was the second high selling bull in the offering at $7,000. Jody and Deb Boyer, Boynton, OK, paid the bid price for this well-balanced and complete Critical Mass son who was the #1 herd sire prospect offered for Marbling EPD. He was also consigned by Thunderstorm R. Thunderstorm R and Critical Mass struck again producing the third high selling bull, TR CM Overdrive 522P. Purdy Braford Ranch, Lake Charles, LA, paid $6,500 to own the # 2 ranked Average Daily Gain bull out of a Legacy daughter. Running M Ranch, Tallahassee, FL, purchased the fourth high selling bull, Lot 183, BR 63-Y MR 5032. This big performing son of RMR Top Hand 6064 was consigned by Bill Rainer, Union Springs, AL. The day’s high selling female, at $3,100, was TR LG Beth 539P, lot 502.
12 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
Bill Rainer of Union Springs, AL, purchased the high selling bull
This big REA EPD Legacy daughter is out of a Critical Mass daughter and was purchased by Lazy Acre Cattle Ranch, Grand Chenier, LA. She was consigned by Thunderstorm R. The second high selling female was Lot 520, BR 63Y MS 5077, at $3,000 to Running M Ranch, Tallahassee, FL. This Home Run daughter featured top 3% REA and top 4% Marbling and Milk EPDs compared to the breed. Her dam posted 2 @ 116WR and she was consigned by Bill Rainer, Union Springs, AL.
Guests and consignors from ten states gathered in Lake Charles for the first spring edition of the Advancing the Breed Sale
Lot 503, TR CM Dreamsicle 543P, was the third high selling female at $2,600. This Critical Mass daughter, boasting top 2% of the breed REA and Marbling EPDs, was purchased by Roy Ruiz, San Antonio, TX. She was consigned by Thunderstorm R. Mark your calendar and plan to join us Thursday, Oct. 6, 2016, for the fall Advancing the Breed Sale in Lake Charles, LA.
Danny Boudreaux, one of the volume buyers at the sale.
Purdy Braford Ranch purchased the third high selling bull.
Dr. Jim Harvey, chairman of the Sale Committee, welcomed guests.
UBB Director Will Moncrief ,his grandfather and former UBB Director Payne Midyette, were strong supporters of the sale.
Leslie Griffith purchased the high selling female.
Many thanks to Isabella for all of her help throughout the sale!
UBB member Wade Granger assisted at the auction.
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
13
It’s All About Cattle By Martha Hollida Garrett, Freelance Writer
As a young child growing up in Okeechobee, Florida, Jim Harvey was drawn to cattle and fascinated by the cowboys who tended the large herds. Harvey fulfilled his childhood dreams of becoming a veterinarian and his love and dedication to the beef industry has never wavered. Decades later, he is involved in several segments of the beef industry, including raising Braford Dr. Jim Harvey (l) of Harvey cattle, plus he has seen thousands Ranch and his manager, Ronnie Trythall (r). of head of cattle through his veterinarian practice. He can still be found on horseback and considers a day spent with cattle a very good day. “I did a lot of cowboying in my younger years at the side of my grandfather and father. I knew in fifth grade that I wanted to be a veterinarian,” he recalls. So Harvey, who has always called Okeechobee home except for his time in college and vet school, graduated from the University of Florida and then went to Auburn University for his veterinarian degree, completing that in 1978. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. Harvey returned home and began working in a local vet practice that he would eventually own. Today, Okeechobee Veterinary Hospital primarily serves the ranchers of Okeechobee County, which is one of the largest cattleproducing counties in the state. Harvey’s grandfather and father were key to developing his love for cattle. As they ran large herds of commercial cattle together, they passed their knowledge and experience onto Harvey. When his father passed away in 1995, Harvey took over the management of the family’s cow herds. “Our commercial herd is Brangus and Braford-based females and we alternate the use of those breeds of bulls to maintain those lines and capture hybrid vigor. In this part of the country, we have to have Bos indicus influence. I strive for a minimum of a quarter Brahman influence and prefer closer to three-eighths,” Harvey explains. Their steer calves are sold in contract loads at weaning. In recent years the calves have sold to Cargill. Harvey is adamant that the bulls he uses in his commercial herd have strong carcass traits. “Our calves have to benefit us, the stocker, the feeder and ultimately the consumer, so the bulls we use are critical to that success,” he emphasizes. In recent years, Harvey has retained some of the top females to sell as breds in select replacement female sales in the state, but the majority are sold in loads on a contract after he makes his selections from the group to be used as in-herd replacements. Due to the climate conditions of the area, he calves in the fall and the steer calves are shipped right off the cows during the last week of July and the first week of August. “We do as much herd health on our cow herds as possible, so the calves are healthy and sound when they leave here.” 14 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
The climate, as one would expect, is subtropical. The summers routinely have days when the heat index exceeds 100 degrees. The rainy season starts mid-June and thundershowers are a daily routine. Harvey Ranch began breeding purebred Harvey refers to Braford cattle in 1985 and today maintains a purebred herd, as well as components for August through breeding up to Braford. October as the dog days of summer and “the worst part of the year.” In addition to the thundershowers, it is also hurricane season. Therefore the calendar dictates that fall (after October) is the optimum time to calve. Harvey is then able to wean in late July and early August to get the calves out of the region before the big rains hit. Harvey Ranch is a strong supporter of the This is all possible United Braford Breeders Bull Development because winter and Sale program. The ranch participates by frost is a rare thing sending its top bulls to the test and sale. and the cows are able to graze all winter. They are provided liquid supplement as needed, but very little hay. Some hand feeding is done periodically to make sure the cows are in the correct body condition for rebreeding. “As you would expect, we have very sandy soil and we need an inch of rain every week,” he explains. Harvey’s entrance into the Braford breed came by way of a neighbor and first-hand knowledge of how the Braford bulls worked in his commercial herd. “In the early 80s, I visited with nearby Adams Ranch and eventually became their vet. They maintained a large purebred Braford herd and I convinced my dad that we should try some of these bulls. At the time we were using Hereford bulls on Brahman cross cows. We purchased our Hereford bulls outside of the state and our climate was hard on them, as well as any other cattle brought into this part of Florida,” he explains. Harvey liked the calves from the Braford bulls and he especially liked the fact that they were acclimated to the temperatures, mosquitoes and wet conditions. Those first bulls led Harvey to expand the family operation in 1985 to include a purebred division. Today, Harvey Ranch includes a purebred Braford herd as well as a registered Brahman and registered Hereford herd, which are used for breeding up to Braford and creating new Braford lines. The 200 plus head of purebred and breeding up herds include about 20 half-bloods and 50 three-quarter bloods.
“I like the challenge of producing new lines; we utilize embryo transfer quite significantly. I enjoy researching Hereford and Brahman bulls and analyzing how they can improve my herd and the Braford breed. I also spend a lot of time evaluating the lines of bulls used in our commercial herd as well. I place high importance on carcass traits, but I also know we have to have maternal traits in our cow herd,” he adds. Harvey is still building his purebred numbers, so most females are retained, while the top end of the bulls are developed and marketed through the United Braford Breeders (UBB) Bull Development and Marketing program. Harvey didn’t become just a Braford breeder; he became an active participant in the UBB. Today he serves on their board of directors, is chairman of the UBB Bull Sale Committee and is a staunch supporter of UBB Programs. His involvement in the breed’s bull development program is a natural extension of his herd and his cow sense. “For our breed to grow, we have to have a bull market. We have to get bulls out in the herds, regardless of size. But it is important for our breed to be able to market large numbers of bulls to large programs. This will drive the demand for our genetics and we will grow to supply it. I became a Braford breeder because of the performance and contribution the Braford bulls made to my bottom line. So I know first-hand what Braford bulls can and will do,” he adds. The UBB Bull Development and Marketing Program was largely developed by former UBB Executive Director Rodney Roberson and member Rhea Shields. The program, now in its seventh year, consists of two tests annually where the bulls and now heifers are developed for approximately 120 days at Graham Feedlot in Gonzales, Texas. Then the top cut is marketed through fall and spring sales held in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The bulls are tested in groups as purebreds, halfbloods and three-quarter bloods. The bulls are required to be registered, fit age parameters and have completed a required health program prior to entering the test. The bulls are weighed at various points throughout the program, scrotal measurements are taken and they complete an ultrasound examination. Bulls not making the cut are then banded and enter a steer feed-out program, also endorsed by the UBB. Buyers at the sale receive complete test weight information, as well as EPDs, ultrasound results and the bulls must have passed a Breeding Soundness Exam before making the sale. Sellers have this information as well to use for future breeding decisions. In addition, the heifers are tested and the top-ranking females are sold in the sale. Another key component that Harvey likes is that the information gathered is also utilized in growing the breed’s young EPD program. Harvey, who chairs the sale portion of the program, has been very pleased with the results and the participation level of the breeders. “A lot of ranches in my area of the country are incorporating composite sires of American breeds and this program allows us to offer a large number of bulls that represent the best of our programs. It has definitely been a success so far and, in my opinion, will reap added value for our bulls and increased
numbers for our breed. It’s a win-win, and I’ve been very pleased with the interest in the bulls by cowmen across the South. Hybrid vigor is still important,” says Harvey. He credits a number of people who have been at the helm of UBB for its growth and it’s initiative to take on a project like the bull and heifer development and the resulting sale. “We have had Harvey Ranch, Okeechobee, Florida, runs great leadership 1,000 plus head of commercial cattle that are at UBB, starting Braford and Brangus based. with Rodney Roberson, Grace Parker and now Hannah Wine. Rodney worked tirelessly to get our association herd book data maintained by the American Hereford Association in Kansas City, which allowed us to have EPDs developed for the breed. All of these programs are contributing to our growth as a breed,” he says. His wife, Rene, joins Harvey in all of his endeavors. Their son Jim and niece Isabella, who lives with them, are also on board to help with the many duties of the commercial and purebred herds. Ronnie Trythall, who was with the Adams Ranch for over 30 years, is now in his tenth year as the manager for the Harvey family. “Ronnie is key to everything getting done here and he’s a real asset to not just us, but the breed, as he knows Braford cattle,” Harvey says. Harvey’s boyhood dream is now his reality. He continues to be involved in his veterinary practice, along with some younger veterinarians, and every day, of course, includes cattle. His love for cattle has now grown to include Brafords, and he has become a very strong supporter and promoter of the Braford breed.
Embryo transfer is used by Dr. Jim Harvey to grow his purebred Braford herd. Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
15
16 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
FOR SALE Purebred and Commercial Braford Females for Sale
REGISTERED BRAFORDS
re of u t u f The reed! our b
Good Luck at the Summer Shows!
Stop by the ranch for a visit and see them for yourself! Robert and Carol Mills
Wade and Lynette Granger 675 Grangerville Rd. • Bell City, LA 70630 337.598.2759 • grangercattleco@camtel.net
Cell 903-676-8930 • Office 903.489.0837 • Athens, TX 75751 Trey Abney 903-676-7055 • info@rockcrestranch.com
Bulls for Sale 46 Braford • 50 Hereford
Heifers for Sale 52 Braford • 30 Hereford
H Southern Adapted H H Total Performance RecordsH H 400 Registered CowsH
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
17
UBB Annual Membership Awards Presented in Houston
B
raford members and breeders from around the country met in Houston, Texas, on the weekend of March 4-5 to conduct Braford business, honoring deserving breeders and attending Braford activities at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Saturday afternoon at the annual membership meeting at the Crowne Plaza, attendees heard an update on 2015 Braford business from outgoing
2015 President’s List Members UBB members recognized for registering 50 head or more in 2015 • Chandler Rocking L Ranch (Lewis Chandler, dec.), Kennard, TX, 56 head • Thunderstorm R Cattle Company, Nacogdoches, TX, 50 head • Bauer Ranch, Winnie, TX, 55 head 2015 Gold Group Members UBB members recognized for registering more than 100 head in 2015 • Greenview Farms, Screven, GA, 117 head • Harvey Ranch, Okeechobee, FL, 117 head • Bill Rainer, New Summerfield, TX and Union Springs, AL, 112 head The President’s Award Recognized for registering the most Brafords in 2015 • Adams Ranch, Fort Pierce, FL, 331 head 2015 All American Host Family • The Boudreaux Family, Grand Chenier, LA
Bauer Ranch
Jim Harvey
Juniors
18 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
2016 National Classic Host Family, The Montemayors
UBB Board of Director’s president Larry Stanberry. Hannah Wine, new UBB Executive Director reported on recent UBB activity and gave a forecast of events to come in 2016. Wine recognized the junior members in attendance at the meeting for their interest in UBB business. Following Wine’s forecast, Stanberry presented the annual membership awards.
Greenview Farms
Bill Rainer
Larry and Sonja Stanberry
2016 UBB Committees Appointed
F
ollowing the awards portion of the membership meeting, outgoing president Stanberry welcomed newly elected president Robert Mills of Athens, TX. Mills thanked Stanberry for his two years of service as the 20142015 president as well as the outgoing directors John Adams of Fort Pierce, FL, and Danny Boudreaux of Grand Chenier, LA. Mills then introduced the newly elected UBB Directors who will
serve three years on the board, Zach Adams, Florida; Scott McCullough, Texas; Heather Green, LA; and Bill Rainer, AL. Mills also recognized the newly elected UBB officers, Vice President Bill Rainer of Union Springs, AL; Secretary Will Moncrief of Tallahassee, FL, and Treasurer Larry Stanberry of Grand Saline, TX. Outgoing President Larry Stanberry (r) welcoming incoming President Robert Mills (l)
Newly elected president Robert Mills appointed committee members for the 2016 business year. The following members will serve a one-year term on their appointed committees: Breed Improvement and Standards Tommy Shields, Chairman Payne Midyette Jim Harvey Jonny Harris Bill Rainer Larry Stanberry Joe Paschal Budget and Finance Larry Stanberry, Chairman Scott McCullough Rhea Shields Bryan Alleman Public Relations Will Moncrief, Chairman Trey Abney Heather Green Zach Adams Perry Hyman
Bull Development Program Rhea Shields, Chairman Jim Harvey Lance Bauer James Noel Bill Rainer Bryan Alleman
Youth Activities Perri Hyman, Chairwoman Melissa Wood Sandra Sheffield Christy Natali Gwen Broussard Mary Martin Jim Smith
Show Aaron Natali, Chairman Nathan Hyman Robby Mhire Scott McCullough Heather Green Troy Thibodeaux Trey Abeny
International Marketing/ World Braford Congress Carol Mills, Chairwoman Wade Granger Melissa Wood Trey Abney Heather Green Perri Hyman Tim Edwards LeeAnn Adams Simmons Jim Smith Chris Herpin Paul Harris
Sale Committee Jim Harvey, Chairman Chris Herpin Danny Boudreaux Wade Granger Will Moncrief Zach Adams Larry Stanberry Rhea Shields Bylaws and Ethics Committee Toni Meacham, Chairwoman Danny Boudreaux Heather Green
Braford Show Heifer and Show Bull of the Year
B
raford exhibitors were honored for showcasing their cattle throughout the 2015-2016 show year. To qualify for these prestigious buckles, exhibitors must have accumulated the most points at the five UBB point
shows — Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, East Texas State Fair, Louisiana State Fair, Fort Worth Stock Show and the Dixie Nationals. The following winners were recognized:
Bred by: Nathan and Perri Hyman, Fouke, AR Owned and exhibited by: Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR Bred by: Lazy Acre Cattle Ranch, Grand Chenier, LA Owned and exhibited by: Lazy Acre Cattle Ranch, Grand Chenier, LA
Braford Show Female of the Year NPH Muscles 1054 Ms. Dottie
Braford Show Bull of the Year 111 HLK Hard Luck 0913 Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
19
Junior Focus
Meet NJBA President Maeleigh Beth Conner I have been truly blessed to grow up in the Braford family. Through the years, I have been taught so many different life lessons about the cattle industry from my family and extended family. My parents, Blaine and Angelia Conner, are always guiding me towards my dreams. I am currently a sophomore at South Cameron High School. Striving to do my best in school takes a lot of hard work. Keeping my 4.0 grade point average is hard when I’m so involved in the different areas of my life. My clubs at school include 4-H, FBLA, BETA, FCCLA and FFA. I am also a cheerleader and member of the basketball, softball and track teams. Our family has been raising cattle in Creole for five generations. Working cows with family and friends in Creole is always an adventure because you never know what is going to happen. I am honored and thankful to
be serving as President of the National Junior Braford Breeders Association and Secretary of the Louisiana Junior Braford Breeders Association. I was selected again this year to be an Ambassador of the United Braford Breeders. I also serve as President of the Louisiana Junior Cattlemen’s Association. Through these roles, I have become an advocate and spokesperson for the American beef industry. They have given me the opportunity to learn what it takes to run the shows and become a leader in the junior associations. I also enjoy attending field days, conventions and local cattlemen’s meetings. My officer roles have also given me public speaking opportunities to keep the cattlemen up to date on what the future cattlemen are doing throughout the state. We can learn so much from our elders if we just take the time to visit and listen to their cattle experiences.
I would like to challenge the junior members to attend local cattlemen’s meetings and field days to learn more about the industry and prepare themselves to be leaders in the cattle industry that we all love. I love show season! Hanging out with everyone and talking about the beef industry is always fun. The Louisiana Junior Braford Show will be held June 10-12 in New Iberia, Louisiana, at the SugArena, and the All American Junior Braford Show will be held July 7-9 in Laredo, Texas. Information and forms are available on www.brafords.org. I look forward to seeing everyone at the summer shows! Remember, the lifestyle isn’t just about the animals. It’s about beliefs and values passed down through generations, ensuring the world is a better place for those yet to come. It’s all about the legacy.
Meet NJBA Director Ryan Danos I am the 17-year-old son of Willie and Lynda Danos and have two brothers. As a family we own and operate Danos Farms Inc. in Calcasieu and Jefferson Davis Parish. One aspect of the family farm is a commercial cattle operation. I am a junior and honor student at Iowa High School in Louisiana. My school activities include FFA, 4-H, football and baseball. Upon graduation, I plan on attending LSU and majoring in agriculture. 20 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
I feel very fortunate that cattle have always been a part of my life. My show career began when I was 9 years old, showing Brangus. It was five years ago that Rhea Shields encouraged me to become involved in the Braford program. I really enjoy showing Brafords and plan on continuing to incorporate them into my cattle operation. This is an exciting time for the Braford breed and the junior program. I believe the junior members can play an
integral part in expanding the breed. In the five years I have been involved, I have seen the quality of the cattle in the showring improve. I only see this trend continuing. I would like to see more youth become involved in the program and more opportunities for junior members. I encourage all current junior members to become more active and participate in everything the Association has to offer.
NATIONAL JUNIOR BRAFORD ASSOCIATION
2015-16 OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS OFFICERS President Maeleigh Conner Grand Lake, Louisiana Vice President Jade Herpin Kaplan, Louisiana Secretary Ari Montemayor Laredo, Texas Treasurer Ryan Danos Iowa, Louisiana Reporter Jamie Davis Pearland, Texas DIRECTORS Annemarie Broussard Abbeville, Louisiana Christian Doucet Lake Charles, Louisiana Dylan Comeaux Abbeville, Louisiana Garrett Wood Zachary, Louisiana Gene Natali Lake Charles, Louisiana Logan Vest Iowa, Louisiana Paige Comeaux Abbeville, Louisiana UBB AMBASSADORS Ari Montemayor Laredo, Texas Lena Darby Buna, Texas Maeleigh Conner Grand Lake, Louisiana Gene Natali Lake Charles, Louisiana Jamie Davis Pearland, Texas
NBJA Ambassadors Jamie Davis, Maeleigh Conner and Ari Montemayor at the 2016 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
2016 NATIONAL BRAFORD SHOW HOUSTON STOCK SHOW
Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
21
2016 National Braford Show Houston Stock Show • Judge: Steve Hudgins, Texas
OPEN BRAFORD FEMALE SHOW Place Owner
Name
Class 1 Summer Heifer Calves 1. D&D Brafords of Ville Platte, LA
PMC BLUE MOON 615
1. Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 GIDGET 5718
1. Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 CHAYNEE 5146
1. Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 MILLIE 5144
Class 2 Late Spring Heifer Calves Class 3 Early Spring Heifer Calves Class 4 Junior Heifer Calves
Class 5 Early Junior Heifer Calves Grand Champion Braford Female • NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS. DOTTIE Owned by Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR
1. Lazy N Cattle Co. of Lake Charles, LA GPN MISS ATHENA 1501
CHAMPION HEIFER CALF Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 CHAYNEE 5146
Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 GIDGET 5718
RESERVE CHAMPION HEIFER CALF Class 8 Winter Heifer Calves 1. Ari Montemayor of Laredo, TX
AAM DG PLATFORM SUEDE B6
1. Ryan Danos of Iowa, LA
S5 CM MS 389
Class 9 Senior Heifer Calves CHAMPION FALL HEIFER CALF Ryan Danos of Iowa, LA
S5 CM MS 389
Gene Natali of Lake Charles, LA
S5 GO MS 378
RESERVE CHAMPION FALL HEIFER CALF Reserve Grand Champion Braford Female • TR LG CHRISTINA 473P Owned by Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA
Class 12 Summer Yearling Heifers 1. Garrett Wood of Zachary, LA
GW 358 MS LIZ 514
1. Libby McCullough of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 COCOA 4839
1. Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR
NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS. DOOZY 2.0
1. Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA
TR LG CHRISTINA 473P
Class 13 Late Spring Yearling Heifers
Class 14 Early Spring Yearling Heifers Class 15 Junior Yearling Heifers CHAMPION YEARLING HEIFER Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA,
TR LG CHRISTINA 473P
Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR
NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS. DOOZY 2.0
RESERVE CHAMPION YEARLING HEIFER
Class 18 Late Senior Yearling Females Grand Champion Braford Bull • ACC X810 MR WATTS 517 Owned by Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA
1. Ari Montemayor of Laredo, TX
WB LG TRINITY BELLE 402P ET
1. Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR
NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS. DOTTIE
Class 19 Early Senior Yearling Females CHAMPION SENIOR YEARLING FEMALE Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR
NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS. DOTTIE
Ari Montemayor of Laredo, TX
WB LG TRINITY BELLE 402P ET
RESERVE CHAMPION SENIOR YEARLING FEMALE GRAND CHAMPION BRAFORD FEMALE Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR
NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS. DOTTIE
Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA
TR LG CHRISTINA 473P
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BRAFORD FEMALE
Reserve Grand Champion Braford Bull • RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139 Owned by Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX 22 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
OPEN BRAFORD BULL SHOW Place Owner
Class 24 Summer Bull Calves
Name
Place Owner
Class 37 Early Spring Yearling Bulls
1. Hayden Hyman of Fouke, AR
HNH CMT MR. BLACKJACK 662
1. Cody Hanna of Ruston, LA
DHF BEEF COMMANDER 1504
1. Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 CLASSIFIED 5145
CHAMPION YEARLING BULL
1. Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139
RESERVE CHAMPION YEARLING BULL
Class 25 Late Spring Bull Calves Class 26 Early Spring Bull Calves Class 27 Junior Bull Calves
Class 28 Early Junior Bull Calves
1. Boudreaux and Sons of Lake Charles, LA TR DC RECTANGLE 548
CHAMPION BULL CALF
Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139
Cody Hanna of Ruston, LA
DHF BEEF COMMANDER 1504
RESERVE CHAMPION BULL CALF Class 31 Winter Bull Calves
1. Will Boudreaux of Cameron, LA
CHAMPION FALL BULL CALF
Will Boudreaux of Cameron, LA
GB MR. BUCKLES GB MR. BUCKLES
1. Mason Mhire of Welsh, LA
MR HDG RED BULL 14034
1. Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA
ACC X810 MR WATTS 517
Class 38 Junior Yearling Bulls
Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA
ACC X810 MR WATTS 517
Mason Mhire of Welsh, LA
MR HDG RED BULL 14034
Class 43 Two-Year-Old Bulls
1. Leslie Griffith of Grand Chenier, LA
LA 111 HLK HARD LUCK 0913
Leslie Griffith of Grand Chenier, LA
LA 111 HLK HARD LUCK 0913
Champion Senior Bull:
GRAND CHAMPION BRAFORD BULL Hannah Doucet of Lake Charles, LA
ACC X810 MR WATTS 517
Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION BRAFORD BULL PRODUCE OF DAM: Rock Crest Ranch
Class 35 Summer Yearling Bull Calves
GET OF SIRE: Rock Crest Ranch
Class 36 Late Spring Yearling Bull Calves
BEST SIX HEAD: Rock Crest Ranch
1. Harrington Cattle Co. of Bell City, LA
EJH MR BANDIT 1451
1. Rock Crest Ranch of Athens, TX
RCM 9182 ONLINE SPORTSTER
Name
F1 FEMALE SHOW Place Owner
Class 1 Summer Heifer Calves
Name
Place Owner
Class 15 Junior Yearling Heifers
1. Abear-Nunez Farms of Creole, LA
MISS FC PEARL
1. D&D Brafords of Ville Platte, LA
D&D MISS JENNY MASO 805
CHAMPION YEARLING HEIFER
1. Boudreaux and Son, LLC of Creola, LA
MISS FC MAMIE
RESERVE CHAMPION YEARLING HEIFER
Class 2 Late Spring Heifer Calves Class 3 Early Spring Heifer Calves Class 4 Junior Heifer Calves
1. Cajun Connection Cattle Co. of Creole, LA MS KAJUN LADY 569
Class 5 Early Junior Heifer Calves
1. Taylon Hess of Iowa, LA
Name MISS ELEGANCE CAT
Abear-Nunez Farms of Creole, LA
MISS DIAMOND R 821
1. Taylon Hess of Iowa, LA
MISS ELEGANCE CAT
Class 18 Late Senior Yearling Females
1. Lena Darby of Buna, TX
X MISS 4-T 15 SOPHIE
Lena Darby of Buna, TX
X MISS 4-T 15 SOPHIE
CHAMPION SENIOR YEARLING FEMALE
Boudreaux and Son, LLC of Creola, LA
MISS FC MAMIE
RESERVE CHAMPION SENIOR YEARLING FEMALE
1. Corey Bourgeios of Iowa, LA
MISS KALLION CINNAMON
1. Barrett Cattle of Sulphur Springs, TX
MISS V8 F1 SARA 101/4
1. Abear-Nunez Farms of Creole, LA
MISS DIAMOND R 821
CHAMPION HEIFER CALF
RESERVE CHAMPION HEIFER CALF: Class 8 Winter Heifer Calves
Class 12 Summer Yearling Heifers Class 13 Late Spring Yearling Heifers Class 14 Early Spring Yearling Heifers
1. Lena Darby of Buna, TX
MISS 4-T 313
Lena Darby of Buna, TX
MISS 4-T 313
Barrett Cattle of Sulphur Springs, TX
MISS V8 F1 SADIE 100/3
GRAND CHAMPION F1 FEMALE
Abear-Nunez Farms of Creole, LA
MISS DIAMOND R 821
Lena Darby of Buna, TX
MISS 4-T 313
RESERVE GRAND CHAMPION F1 FEMALE
1. Paige Comeaux of Abbeville, LA
Grand Champion F1 Female • MISS DIAMOND R 821 Owned by Abear-Nunez Farms of Creole, LA
Reserve Grand Champion F1 Female • MISS 4-T 313 Owned by Lena Darby of Buna, TX Spring 2016 l BRAFORD news
23
Dixie Nationals Livestock Show and Rodeo Results Jackson, Mississippi • February 15, 2016 • Judge: Brandon Curter, Wharton, TX
Braford Heifer Show Results
Class 1: Class 2: Class 3: Class 4: Class 5:
Champion Braford Female NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS DOOZY 2.0, Hayden Hyman, AR
CK SOUTHERN GYPSY, Jamie Davis, TX RCM 9182 GIDGET, Rock Crest Ranch, TX RCM 1764 HADLEY 5147, Rock Crest Ranch, TX RCM 9182 Millie, Rock Crest Ranch, TX NNH MUSCLES 105Y MS SUGA, Hayden Hyman, AR
Champion Heifer Calf: NNH MUSCLES 105Y MS SUGA, Hayden Hyman, AR Reserve Champion Heifer Calf: RCM 9182 GIDGET, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Class 8: BD-13, Mia Diagle, LA Class 9: S5 CM MS 389, Ryan Danos, LA
Braford Bull Show Results
Class 24: HNH CMT MR BLACKJACK 662, Hayden Hyman, AR Class 25: LE 1703 FLOYD 5001, Laine McCullough, TX Class 26: RCM 9182 CLASSIFIED 5145, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Class 27: RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Class 28: TR DC RECTANGLE 548, Brynlee Boudreaux, LA Champion Bull Calf: RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Reserve Champion Bull Calf: RCM 9182 CLASSIFIED 5145, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Class 31: GB MR BUCKLES, Will Boudreaux, LA
Champion Fall Heifer Calf: S5 CM MS 389, Ryan Danos, LA Reserve Champion Fall Heifer Calf: BD-13, Mia Diagle, LA Class 13: RCM 9182 COCOA 4839, Libby McCullough, TX Class 14: NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS DOOZY 2.0, Hayden Hyman, AR Class 15: RLR CK MISS WYLIE, Jamie Davis, TX Reserve Champion Braford Female NNH MUSCLES 105Y MS SUGA, Hayden Hyman, AR
Champion Yearling Heifer: NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS DOOZY 2.0, Hayden Hyman, AR Reserve Champion Yearling Heifer: RLR CK MISS WYLIE, Jamie Davis, TX Class 19: NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS DOTTIE, Hayden Hyman, AR Champion Senior Yearling Female: NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS DOTTIE, Hayden Hyman, AR Reserve Champion Senior Yearling Female: NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS 305, Brynlee Boudreaux, LA
Grand Champion Bull RCM 9182 ONLINE SPORTSTER, Rock Crest Ranch, TX
Reserve Grand Champion Bull RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139, Rock Crest Ranch, TX
24 BRAFORD news l Spring 2016
Grand Champion Braford Female: NPH MUSCLES 1054 MS DOOZY 2.0, Hayden Hyman, AR Reserve Champion Braford Female: NNH MUSCLES 105Y MS SUGA, Hayden Hyman, AR
Champion Fall Bull Calf: GB MR BUCKLES, Will Boudreaux, LA Class 36: RCM 9182 ONLINE SPORTSTER, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Class 37: Mr HDG RED BULL 14034, Mason Mhire, LA Class 38: TR RB DARK KNIGHT B107 ET, Will Boudreaux, LA Champion Yearling Bull: RCM 9182 ONLINE SPORTSTER, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Reserve Champion Yearling Bull: MR HDG RED BULL 14034, Mason Mhire, LA Class 43: LA 111 HLK HARD LUCK 0913, by Lazy Acre Cattle Ranch, LA Champion Senior Bull: LA 111 HLK HARD LUCK 0913, by Lazy Acre Cattle Ranch, LA Grand Champion Braford Bull: RCM 9182 ONLINE SPORTSTER, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Reserve Grand Champion Braford Bull: RCM 9182 STEALTH 5139, Rock Crest Ranch, TX Produce-of-Dam: Rock Crest Ranch, TX Get-of-Sire: Rock Crest Ranch, TX Breeders Best-Six-Head: Rock Crest Ranch, TX