2017 Annual Meeting & Convention

The International Brangus Breeders Association’s (IBBA) 2017 Annual Meeting and Convention was held Feb. 10-11 in San Antonio, Texas. Members from across the country gathered at IBBA’s new headquarters building and the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa. Board members for Brangus Publications, Inc., Genetics Performance Solutions, and IBBA met in order to maintain and encourage the progress being made in all three organizations.

One item on the agenda, specific to 2017, was the official grand opening of IBBA’s new headquarters building. IBBA directors, staff and members gathered for a dedication ceremony, where key contributors to the breed and association offered reflections and encouragement for the future. Attendees received commemorative Brangus® keychains before the ceremonial ribbon cutting, administered by the North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. IBBA 2nd Vice President Bill Davis cut the ribbon after IBBA President Brandon Belt received a honorary plaque to mark the event.

The educational sessions held during IBBA’s 2017 convention covered timely and relevant topics for all in attendance. IBBA Director of Registry Rosanne Nelson hosted a question-and-answer session for members, which provided opportunity for registry beginners and experts to learn more about IBBA’s software and the registration process. Education and Data Coordinator Jenny Pieniazek performed a tutorial on how to complete DNA request forms. Representatives from GeneSeek and Zoetis were present to take questions from the audience, as well. ST Genetics and its Genetic Development Center sponsored a presentation on feed efficiency by Gordon Carstens, PhD., of Texas A&M University. Wade Fisher, of Ideal Video Productions, shared information about new technologies available to ranchers to make a cattle operation run more efficiently. Attendees enjoyed learning about gadgets they had not yet known about, such as a pen that digitizes the things you write.

The following speakers participated on a panel covering beef production topics from pasture to plate: Alex Johns, of Salacoa Valley Farms, served as the expert for the pasture perspective; Loni Lucherk, Texas Tech University, served as an expert for consumer preferences; Brad Mabry, of Cargill, served as the expert for the packing industry; and Russell Woodward, of Texas Beef Council, also, served as an expert for consumer perspectives. Topics discussed included markets, policy, and the cow-calf sector. In the cattle market category, panelists covered choice/select spread, conditioning for feedlot, beef prices, consumer perceptions, and branded beef programs. Discussion on policy included international trade, Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), trade promotion authority (TPA), and domestic markets. In regard to the cow-calf sector of the industry, panelists talked about natural resource management, cow health and supplementation, and fetal programming.

Convention attendees enjoyed cocktails and carpaccio before Friday night’s casino-night fundraiser for the International Brangus Breeders Foundation (IBBF). After dinner, items were sold in a live auction. The donated items for auction included art, the cover of the May Brangus Journal, and an African safari hunt. Guests enjoyed the chopping block dinner, and meal-time entertainment was internet and television personality Chad Prather. Thanks to American Marketing Services, Clover Ranch, Doguet’s Diamond D Ranch, Milano Livestock Supply, Mound Creek Ranches, Red Bird Meadows, Two Hearts Brangus, and VitaFerm for sponsoring the game tables at casino night. The casino-night crowd stayed all night.

The agenda for IBBA’s 2017 Annual Meeting was comprised of Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS’s membership address, committee reports, Mike Vorel’s outgoing president’s address, recognition of outgoing directors, introduction of new board members, introduction of new officers, recognition of the outgoing president, and Brandon Belt’s incoming president’s remarks. New IBBA board officers are President Brandon Belt, Gatesville, Texas; First Vice President Eddy Roberts, O’Brien, Florida; Second Vice President Doyle Miller, Waynesboro, Tennessee; Treasurer Bill Davis, Concord, Arkansas.

The following annual award winners were honored at the Awards Banquet: Breeder of the Year Mike Vorel, Commercial Producer of the Year Frosty Tipton, and Pioneer of the Year Laverne McWilliams. The Breeder of the Year recipient is a current member of the IBBA deserving of recognition for his/her successes and advancements made utilizing and promoting Brangus purebred cattle. The Commercial Producer of the Year award highlights a commercial producer’ achievements incorporating Brangus genetics into their breeding program. The Pioneer Award recognizes an IBBA member, past or present, for his/her service, loyalty and contributions to the Brangus breed.

 

Thanks to the following sponsors for their generous contributions to making this event a success!

PRIME: Genetic Development Center, GeneSeek, Salacoa Valley Farms, Seminole Pride Beef, Seminole Tribe of Florida, ST Genetics

CHOICE: Anipro/Xtraformance Feeds, Chimney Rock Cattle Company, GENETRUST, Town Creek Farms, Zoetis

SELECT: Brinks Brangus at Westall Ranches, Elgin Breeding Service, Purina Animal Nutrition

STANDARD: Mix30