International Guests Attend Educational Seminar

The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) hosted individuals from five countries at an international seminar on Dec. 6-7 in Fort Worth, Texas.

“The opportunities for Brangus are developing at a rapid pace in many countries. The breeders and their associations look to the IBBA as a leader in the Brangus world,” said IBBA International Committee Member and International Red Brangus Breeders Association (IRBBA) Vice President Allen Goode, of TRIO Cattle and Genetics in Ponder, Texas. “There is much we have to offer as a registry, provider of genetics, and adopter and developer of beef industry technologies.”

International guests represented Brangus associations in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Panama. Presentations were given by the following speakers: Kevin Milliner, Zoetis; Hillary Kyamme, Elgin Breeding Service, Inc.; Jake Franke, PhD., Anipro; and IBBA Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS. The speakers’ topics covered genetic evaluations, semen collection and distribution, semen export, import regulations, association registry software and DNA technology.

“The International Seminar was successful in bringing individuals from five countries to Fort Worth using U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. funds. This meeting gave myself, and the other members of the international committee, the opportunity to provide countries with information about IBBA, nutrition, and genetic analysis tools,” said IBBA International Committee Chairman Buck Thomason, of Indian Hills Ranch in Cranfills Gap, Texas. “I feel it is very important to reach out to these countries to get them to look to the U.S. and IBBA for their genetic and technological advancements.”

Presentations about the association, benefits of its membership, and upcoming events were also given to international attendees. The established communication with these integral members of the Brangus community is crucial for international attendance at World Brangus Congress, which is set for March 2018 in Houston, Texas.

“The IBBA membership benefits from this occasion, too, as the meeting helps the U.S. to seize the opportunity to strengthen the international market,” Thomason stated. “We must increase the Brangus presence internationally in order to increase our influence on the market.”

International Committee Chairman Buck Thomason was present, alongside his committee members Richard Hood, American Marketing Services; IRBBA President Marcos Borges, of MBJ Ranch in Wharton, Texas; and Goode. IBBA staff members in attendance were Field Service Representative Taylor Shackelford and Communications Coordinator Peyton Waldrip.

“Brangus influence in the world’s beef industry is very strong. This was a great meeting between representatives from three Central American countries, as well as Mexico and the United States. It was very beneficial in developing and strengthening relationships between fellow Brangus enthusiasts from the U.S. to Central America,” Hood stated. “IBBA’s International Committee’s dedication toward keeping a fresh dialogue between Brangus cattle producers around the world is vital for the breed’s goals of expansion in both current and new markets.”

“By assisting and working alongside our fellow Brangus breeders and associations with knowledge, services and resources, the IBBA further solidifies its leadership position,” said Goode. “The International Seminar provides these enthusiastic cattlemen and associations the opportunity to learn and develop their relationship with the IBBA.”