International Affairs

by IBBA Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, PhD., PAS

The Brangus® cowherd continues to be a great factory driving profitability in many operations. Likewise, the Brangus Built program has been a shining star for the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) the past couple of months. Commercial Brangus® females wearing the Brangus Built eartag have been named the overall Grand Champion pen of females at the 2017 San Antonio All Breeds Sale and named the overall Reserve Grand Champion pen of females at the 2017 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo All Breeds Sale. Not only did the judges identify them as having more value, the buyers also bid more money for them than non-tagged Brangus® females. Congratulations to all commercial cattlemen that continue to have confidence in Brangus® genetics in their ranching entities.

Quality Brangus® females are possible because of the production and use of outstanding Brangus® bulls. We all know commercial cattlemen count on seedstock breeders to produce the best breeding bulls possible by using the most accurate selection tools available. IBBA has consistently been a leader in ultrasound data collection, total herd reporting, single-step genomic-enhanced expected progeny difference estimates and other technologies to improve this selection process. I commend the IBBA members that have embraced whole herd parentage verification protocols to improve all expected progeny difference calculations. It has been a year since the board approved a rule requiring parentage verification of all artificial insemination sires and donor dams. This continues to lower the error rate of misidentified parentage utilized in national cattle evaluations.  Although the rule became effective Sept. 1, 2016, many IBBA members are still surprised when their embryo transfer calves can’t be registered for failure to abide by this rule.

The IBBA International Committee hosted leaders from several foreign countries during the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Key leaders from Australia, Costa Rica, Panama, and South Africa participated in a day-long training for the Federation of International Brangus Associations (FIBRA) prior to the Brangus® shows. Product branding, export and import regulations, marketing, and genomics were highlighted by the speakers. The FIBRA meeting ended with a trip to the Royal Sonesta Hotel for an outstanding steak dinner. The Royal Sonesta will serve as the host hotel for the 2018 World Brangus Congress.

Sixty-five guests from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, and South Africa attended an appreciation dinner on Friday evening after the Brangus® Bull Show in Houston. IBBA International Committee Chairman Buck Thomason made a presentation about the upcoming World Brangus Congress to be hosted by IBBA in 2018. A big thank you to our sponsors, President Brandon Belt and the International Committee members for attending these very important events.

Congratulations to winners in the Brangus® and Red Brangus Shows. Although the show cattle process can be frustrating at times, it is an excellent opportunity to market your cattle on both the domestic and international scene.

It is also that time of year when we ask members to sign up as IBBA committee volunteers.  Your participation and leadership are the life blood of the association. Please complete and return the committee volunteer form found on the IBBA website at https://gobrangus.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Committee-Volunteer-Form-2016.pdf if you would like to serve on a committee.

Do not hesitate to call me if you have any specific questions about the Brangus Built tagging program, DNA parent verification, Brangus® bull selection, committee volunteerism, or any other Brangus® issue. For information about IBBA programs or other inquiries, please call (210) 696-8231. Stay connected to IBBA through Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, or receive news updates by joining our email list.