International Committee Hosts European Guests

On March 13, 2014 Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) hosted guests from Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany and Italy at DBL D Bar Ranch in Industry, Texas. The international guests are visiting the United States to learn about American agriculture and Beefmaster cattle. 

BBU International Committee co-chair and owner of DBL D Bar Ranch Doyle Sanders is a not a stranger to hosting international guests and this week his ranch was opened to several European visitors. An Italian cattle producer Giulio DeDonatis and his family who own and operate La Tenuta dell’Argento hotel resort located in Civitavecchia, Italy were one of the international guests hosted by the BBU international committee. DeDonatis is interested in establishing the Beefmaster breed on his ranch which is utilized to provide meat for the hotel resort’s restaurant and butcher shop.

“I like the whole breed concept of Beefmasters and I am looking for the total package,” said DeDonatis.

The other international guests are visiting the United States in coordination with the Livestock Exporters Association of the USA. Dr. Martin Sieber, Ph.D., a native German and a representative for the association is the guide for the international guests while they are in the United States. The Europeans will visit with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, as well as agricultural businesses throughout the Midwest.

During their visit to DBL D Bar Ranch, the European visitors received a presentation on the Beefmaster breed and “the six essentials” that make Beefmasters ideal for the European diverse climates ranging from the coast of Italy to the mountains of Poland. The international guests explored the ranch on the beautiful March day and interacted with the Beefmaster animals. BBU International Committee members and BBU staff members were present to answer questions regarding the Beefmaster breed, cattle, American agriculture and United States culture.

In accordance with American culture, the visit was concluded with a meal that consisted of Beefmaster steaks that pleased the international guests with its wonderful flavor and enormous size.

“We talked a lot on our way back from the ranch about the visit. The BBU materials and “goodie bag” with all the useful information did not go unnoticed. This was a great stop on our tour and we loved the Texas hospitality,” said Sieber.

The BBU International Committee will continue conversations with the European visitors on exporting Beefmaster genetics and to make the Beefmaster a presence in their home country’s agricultural industry. This visit is just one of the many efforts that BBU is establishing for increasing international demand for Beefmaster cattle.