A Report from IBBA International Committee Chairman Buck Thomason

by Buck Thomason

As chairman of the International Brangus Breeders Association’s (IBBA) International Committee, I am often asked, “Why do we have the committee, and what does it do for me, the member?” These questions can be answered in several ways, beginning with, “We have significant competition for our genetics in the World Market. This competition is from several countries that compete directly with the U.S. for the sale of Brangus semen, embryos and cattle. Some of these countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil and South Africa.”

Your international committee, with the use of United States Livestock Genetics Export funds, is able to travel to many countries and promote our genetics. In addition, we do advertising and promoting of U.S. genetics, cattle and events, such as the World Brangus Congress. In many of these countries, Brangus is viewed as a new breed. This gives us an opportunity to help develop the breed and new associations. We are presently working with Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. This gives the opportunity for the IBBA to expand its membership and registration services, and I believe it will encourage these countries to always look to the U.S. for their genetics.

The Brangus breed is exploding worldwide, and it is important that we, the IBBA, be the leader in this growth. I can assure you that if we don’t take advantage of this opportunity, other countries will, and we will be left behind. This is why having the World Brangus Congress (WBC) in the U.S. in 2018 is so important to our long-term success. WBC gives us the opportunity to promote our cattle to the world at one time, as opposed to having to travel to 14 or 15 different countries. It is, also, the reason we need our membership to participate and help us sell the IBBA at the event.

So, how does all this benefit me, the member, that doesn’t sell semen, embryos or cattle overseas? Well, I can best describe it with an old saying: “A rising tide raises all boats.” In other words, as Brangus becomes more popular worldwide, it benefits all Brangus breeders. As the demand for Brangus genetics increases, it benefits us all, and the U.S. and the IBBA must be the leaders so that our membership will reap the benefits.

The WBC will be Feb. 27 – March 3, 2018 in Houston, Texas, and it will be a great opportunity for IBBA members to meet Brangus breeders from at least 14 countries. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity and, also, consider becoming a sponsor of WBC.

Additional Information: Did you know you can promote your business or operation on an international level by supporting the 2018 World Brangus Congress (WBC) event? Get in on sponsorships at the friend level. For $250, IBBA members will be listed on WBC sponsorship-recognition banner(s) and in the event program. You’ll, also, get your ranch name displayed on IBBA’s choice of a flag or signage. Sign up as a WBC sponsor today! Click here for full details.