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Beefmaster Honors Outstanding Cattlemen at Convention

by Joe Mask | Published November 1, 2016

 

SAN ANTONIO – The 56th Annual Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Convention “The Magic of Beefmasters” was hosted in Branson, Mo., at the Hilton Branson Convention Center from October 26 – 29, 2016. The official kick-off of the 2016 convention was highlighted with award winning speeches from the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association members and the pickpocket magician Gene Turner entertaining the crowd with magic tricks, laughs and ways to prevent pickpocketing.

New this year to convention was the Beefmaster Shotgun Classic sponsored by Datamars – ZTags, The Beefmaster Cowman and Creative Awards. The winning team was the Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association with team members Tony Psencik, Trey Scherer, Melvin Scherer and Anthony Mihalski.

During the convention Beefmaster Breeders United held their general membership meeting. At the meeting BBU members elected new Board of Director members and officers. Steve Carpenter of Tecumseh, Okla., was elected president and Bob Siddons of Lakeway, Texas, was elected vice-president. The following individuals were elected to the BBU Board of Directors with a three year term: Kendall McKenzie of Angie, La., Justin Williams of Savannah, Tenn., Derek Frenzel of Temple, Texas and Gary Halepeska of Goliad, Texas.

Beefmaster breeders from throughout the United States attended this year’s convention. Attendees enjoyed seminars, the annual President’s Council Sale and fellowship with other cattlemen and women, while also enjoying a little “magic” in Branson. The educational seminars sponsored by the Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation (B.E.E.F.) were successful in providing new information to members. The educational seminars featured Dr. Matt Spangler teaching about EPDs and Selection Indices, Dr. Jared Decker speaking about DNA Parent Verification and Genomics, N.T. Cosby of Purina talking about cattle nutrition and Dr. Evan Whitley teaching about the importance of feed efficiency tests. The convention also featured two panelists discussions about seedstock marketing and commercial marketing, also known as “The Love Connection”. The seedstock marketing panel featured sale managers Derek Frenzel, Mike Green, Bruce Robbins and Anthony Mihalski. The commercial marketing panel featured stockyards manager Skylar Moore, feedlot manager Mark Sebranek and commercial cattleman Mike Turner.

The evening activities provided members the opportunity to meet and greet with new members, first-time convention attendees and satellite members. The first night hosted the “meet and greet” sponsored by Neogen GeneSeek, the social was filled with great fellowship and mesmerizing magic from pickpocket magician Gene Turner. The second night was highlighted with a highly entertaining and magical performance by Chipper Lowell.

The convention was concluded with the annual awards luncheon, where top honors in the Beefmaster breed were announced. Melaine Hardwick of Milner, Ga., was selected as member of the year. Golden Meadows Ranch LLC owned by Chris and Mark Cooley of San Antonio, Texas was selected as new member of the year. Collier Farms owned by Mike and Rhonda Collier of Brenham, Texas was announced as performance breeder of the year and the environmental member of the year was awarded to Santa Ana Ranch owned by Dr. Alvaro Restrepo of Mc Allen, Texas. Breeder of the year was awarded to V-Seven Beefmasters owned by Melvin and Marilyn Scherer of Meyersville, Texas. Beefmaster Cattlewoman of the year was awarded to Cindy Emmons of Fairfield, Texas.

On behalf of the BBU staff, officers, board members and the convention committee, thank you to all our generous sponsors, trade show partners and auction participants. Join BBU at their 57th Annual Convention held in Galveston, Texas from October 26 – 28, 2017.

For more information or questions please contact Beefmaster Breeders United at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org.

Click here to download photos of the award winners.

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