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It’s Stock Show Season: Beefmaster Events

by Joe Mask | Published January 6, 2014

Several of the major Texas stock shows are just around the corner. Below is a schedule of the Beefmasters shows and events that are happening at Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston stock shows and rodeos.

Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo

  • Open Beefmaster Cattle Show – January 21 – 10:00 am – Watt Arena, East Ring
  • Junior Beefmaster Breeding Heifer Show – January 25 – 1:00 pm – Watt Arena, East Ring

San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo

  • Open Beefmaster Cattle Show – February 8 – 8:00 am – Cattle Barn #2, South Ring
  • STBBA Rose Classic Sale – February 8 – 1:00 pm – Auction Barn
  • All Breeds Bull and Heifer Sale – February 12 – 10:00 am – Auction Barn
  • Junior Beefmaster Breeding Heifer Show – February 14 – 8:00 am – Cattle Barn #2, North Ring

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

  • All Breeds Registered Range Bull and Commercial Female Sale – March 5 – 9:00 am – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
  • Open Beefmaster Cattle Show – March 7
  • Beefmaster Houston Magic XIV Sale – March 7 – 9:00 am – Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
  • STBBA Houston Futurity – March 6
  • STBBA Houston Classic Sale – March 7 – 1:00 pm - Reliant Arena Sales Pavilion
  • Beefmaster Promotional Group Cattle Sale – March 8 – 5:00 pm – Reliant Center East Arena
  • Junior Beefmaster Breeding Heifer Show – March 14 – West Arena

 

BBU, FAGANIC Nicaragua Beefmaster Project

by Joe Mask | Published December 19, 2013

About three years ago, in coordination with the Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) International Committee, BBU donated 1,200 straws of semen to Nicaragua with the help of FAGANIC (Federation of Livestock Associations of Nicaragua), which is similar to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association in the United States.

On Friday, December 13 there was a press conference held to discuss the results from the partnership. According to Lorenzo Lasater, BBU International Committee Co-Chairman, the results have been excellent with the first-cross Beefmasters who are showing a lot more growth and muscling. Most of the herds in Nicaragua are “dual purpose”, which means that the Nicaraguan farmers and ranchers use their cattle for milk and to raise calves.

“The traits we are promoting is more growth, better carcass traits, reasonable milk (better than Brahman when crossed with Holstein or Brown Suisse) and excellent brood cows,” said Lasater.

To learn more about the partnership and its results watch the video provided below via our YouTube channel. Note: the video is presented in Spanish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEoVQ4aMupM

Guest Blog: Protect Interstate Commerce, Protect Animal Agriculture

by Joe Mask | Published December 5, 2013

From the NCBA Washington, D.C. Office Beltway Beef Blog

By Scott George, NCBA President

As we come up on the end of the year and the holidays, I always look forward to spending Thanksgiving and Christmas with my whole family. It’s a time to reflect on the year that has gone by and give thanks. One of the great things about farming and ranching is the time we get to spend with family, not just at Christmas, but all year long. Naturally, I want to see my children and grandchildren for generations to come enjoy the same quality of life and advantages I have now. But as I look ahead, as best as anyone can, one of the major threats to our livelihood will continue to be animal-activist groups and their radical anti-animal agriculture agenda. These groups like Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) are actively working to put us out business, and they are well funded and claim to have millions of members nationwide. Groups like HSUS have used their influence in a number of ways, backing Congressional races in states like Iowa and bombarding mid-western state legislatures and Congress to pass legislation that they claim is in the best interest of animal welfare. Every year they push to strengthen animal cruelty laws, arbitrarily dictating animal-living conditions, and production practices in the name of their agenda. That is why it is critically important for groups like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and our state affiliates to remain engaged to tell the true story of animal agriculture and cattle husbandry. We’re the ones who know best – we’re closest to the land and animals, and we work with cattle handling and well-being experts to ensure our production practices are the best in the world.

But despite these efforts, we continue to come under assault from detrimental legislation at the national and state level that comes disguised as being well-intentioned. The targets continue to be around gestation crates and cages for laying hens. Where HSUS and others cannot win victory at the national level, they turn to the state level and try to pass legislation in large states like California dictating these production practices. And California is a large enough state that a mandate on production practices there not only hurts producers and consumers in that state, but can affect production practices nationwide. This is unacceptable and a violation of the Constitutional protections on interstate commerce. We simply cannot have one state – any state – setting the standard for production practices in another. That is why we are supporting Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) and his amendment to the 2013 Farm Bill. The King Amendment or the Protect Interstate Commerce Act, would protect the Constitutional prohibition on barriers to trade between the states. It is a legitimate use of Congressional authority to ensure free and open trade, and it makes sense to prevent ever increasing patchwork of legislation setting production standards across the country, spurred on by HSUS.

This legislation doesn’t set production standards or come between a producer and his or her veterinarian. It simply enforces one of the founding principles of our Union – that one state cannot impede the free flow of trade and commerce to or from another. That is why I believe everyone who is involved in or cares about animal agriculture should support this amendment and that is why it is vitally important that we continue to push forward and pass the 2013 Farm Bill. The farm bill remains the number one policy priority for the NCBA and producers need the certainty this legislation will provide, producers need the disaster assistance it will provide, and producers need the protections on commerce the King Amendment will provide.

I hope over this holiday season you will have time to spend with your family and friends. I also hope you can find some time along the way to reach out to your member of Congress and Senators, whether they’re on the farm bill conference committee or not, and urge them and their colleagues to pass the farm bill. And moreover, to support the King Amendment. Groups like HSUS are working hard to spread misinformation, and we need our grassroots membership to set the record straight.

Beefmaster Breeders United Registration Programs

by Joe Mask | Published November 11, 2013

Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) offers three ways to participate in registration and performance programs starting January 1, 2014. Members of BBU and Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) must choose one of these three BBU registry programs to participate in each year.

1. Registration Only

This program is designed for members that register a small percentage of their cattle and are not interested in collecting and reporting performance data. EPDs will print on the registration papers if they are available. The traditional fee structure (shown below), based on the age of the calf at time of application for registry will apply for this option.

Purebred Certificate (0-9 Mo.) – $20.00

Purebred Certificate (10-14 Mo.) – $25.00

Purebred Certificate (15-18 Mo) – $35.00

Purebred Certificate (19Mo of Age and Older) – $55.00

Second Cross Certificate – $15.00

First Cross Certificate – $15.00

Transfer (Member Seller) – $25.00

Transfer (Non-Member Seller) -$50.00

2. Inventory Based Reporting (IBR)

This program should be used if you want to supply an updated animal inventory each year and have free performance data submission. A completed cow inventory (females 15 months or older on January 1st that year) is due by February 1st each year. Each cow listed on the updated inventory will be assessed an $8.00 annual fee which includes a free registration for her calf that year and a reduced transfer fee ($15.00 per animal) for that calf up to 30 months of age. Additionally, performance data can be submitted on her and/or her calf for that year at no additional cost. A completed cow inventory submitted after February 1st each year will be assessed a $13.00 per animal fee which includes a free registration for her calf that year and a reduced transfer fee ($15.00 per animal) for that calf up to 30 months of age.

3. Whole Herd Reporting (WHR)

This program is the recommended option as it benefits the breeder, the association, the BBU performance database and the beef industry the most. An enrollment (inventory) form must be completed and submitted to the BBU office by May 1st each year. Each animal on the returned inventory form (if received by May 1) will be assessed a $15.00 enrollment fee each year. This fee includes a free registration and a free transfer (up to 30 months of age) of her calf born that year. A weaning weight or disposal code must be submitted on each animal included on the returned inventory form. Enrollment (inventory) forms submitted after May 1st each year will be assessed a $20.00 per animal fee which includes a free registration and free transfer (up to 30 months of age) of her calf born that year.

Family Operated Ranch Selected as Beefmaster Member of the Year

by Joe Mask | Published November 8, 2013

SAN ANTONIO – Lyssy Beefmasters of San Antonio, Texas was selected and announced as the 2013 Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Member of the Year during the “Beefmasters United in Cowtown” 2013 BBU Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas from October 31 – November 2, 2013.

Lyssy Beefmasters, operated by Lawrence, George and Lauren Lyssy, continuously strives to improve the Beefmaster breed by using the most advanced technologies available to the cattle industry. The Lyssy Beefmaster operation utilizes artificial insemination, embryo transfer and carcass ultrasound to improve genetics and produce high performing cattle.

Not only does Lyssy Beefmasters use breeding technologies, they also believe in performance tested animals. Lyssy Beefmasters has taken several of their Beefmaster bulls to the Genetic Development Center in Navasota, Texas, in order to measure genetic performance through multiple feed intake tests. At Lyssy Beefmasters they firmly believe “you can’t manage what you can’t measure,” so they continue to use the performance testing facility as a tool to select true performance genetics, add value to their product, and add confidence in their customer’s purchases.

During the fall 2012 performance test Lyssy showed the beef industry that Beefmasters are true performers. The Lyssy Beefmaster bulls topped the test with the highest average daily gain bull and the most feed efficient bull. The spring 2013 test also proved to be just as successful, the Lyssys had the highest performing Beefmaster bulls.

When the three men are not busy producing performance tested Beefmaster bulls and females, they are actively giving back to the Beefmaster industry by hosting ultrasound field days for their fellow breeders. Beefmaster breeders attend the events to scan cattle, as well as to learn from educational sessions that focus on breeding programs, feed efficiency and economics. Lawrence, George and Lauren also serve as board of director members and committee members at the BBU and satellite levels. Lyssy Beefmasters has been a supporter of Beefmaster advertising for several years and plans to continue to promote Beefmasters across the United States and world.

 

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its award program please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

Texas Cattleman Awarded Beefmaster Breeder of the Year

by Joe Mask | Published November 7, 2013

SAN ANTONIO – Swinging B Ranch, owned and operated by Loran “Mackie” Bounds and his wife Norma Jean, was announced as the 2013 Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Breeder of the Year during the “Beefmasters United in Cowtown” 2013 BBU Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas from October 31 – November 2, 2013. Swinging B Ranch is located in Axtell, Texas.

Bounds started the Swinging B Ranch in 1991. He began with a commercial herd and in 1996 Swinging B Ranch moved into the “Beefmaster world” when Bounds’ two children showed interest in exhibiting the Beefmaster breed. By the end of 1997 the Beefmaster female had become the prominent momma cow at the Swinging B Ranch and in May 1998 the ranch was one hundred percent purebred Beefmaster.

Mr. Bounds is known in the “Construction World” as an industry leader. He has owned Brazos Masonry since 1989 and today it is recognized throughout the country as an “elite” masonry contracting firm. He took the same attitude toward the cattle world. Just being a purebred breeder was not enough; he felt they could be better. Bounds is always happy with today, but he believes “we can do better tomorrow”.

The vision at the Swinging B Ranch includes three core values for the cattle they produce; performance, pedigree and pretty. Performance is a must and in his production Bounds records birth, weaning and yearling weights on all of his cattle. He also has carcass data collected on every animal produced by the Swinging B Ranch. The ranch is now also recording udder scores, calving ease and disposition scores. EPDs are studied and considered as Swinging B Ranch breeds for the future. The ranch also participates in the BBU program Whole Herd Reporting, along with parent verifying every animal produced. They want to be able to say “you are buying what we say you are buying”.

Bounds is active in his local church, community and of course holds multiple leadership positions within BBU. He has served on the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) adult committee and continues to serve on the finance and advertising committees associated with BBU. He is currently serving as the BBU Vice-President and has recently been elected to the Board of Directors of the South Texas Beefmaster Breeders Association (STBBA). Mr. Bounds also supports the beef cattle industry as a member of the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. He gives his time and energy wherever he is needed.

The Swinging B Ranch is the home of Bulletproof, one of the top bulls in the Beefmaster breed. The core values of performance, pedigree, and pretty can always be seen in the production of the Swinging B Ranch. The cattle produced by Swinging B Ranch and the leadership displayed by Bounds made the decision of awarding him breeder of the year an easy one. BBU looks forward to his continued leadership in the beef cattle industry.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its award program please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

 

Accepting Applications for Executive Vice President Position

by Joe Mask | Published November 6, 2013

SAN ANTONIO – The non-profit, member based purebred cattle registry organization Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU), based in San Antonio, Texas, is now accepting applications for the position of Executive Vice President (EVP). The cattle organization is also accepting applications for a Field Service Representative, which will increase field staff to two representatives.

The EVP is responsible for all facets of daily operations including: staffing, budgets, programs and marketing within BBU. The ideal candidate needs to have knowledge and understanding of cattle science including expected progeny differences (EPDs), DNA-typing and genomics. Candidates need to have experience with American cattle breeds, knowledge of the commercial cattle industry, as well as experience in the marketing of purebred and commercial cattle. The EVP must have superior leadership skills that allow them the ability to work within and enforce rules and by-laws of BBU. Not only will the EVP need to communicate effectively with the diverse membership of BBU, they will also need to dedicate time and travel to promote Beefmasters and meet the needs of the association membership.

Interested EVP candidates must submit answers to application questions, current resume and references to the BBU Search Committee at 6800 Park Ten Blvd, Suite 290 West, San Antonio, Texas 78213. Applications packets may also be emailed to hr@beefmasters.org. Application questions can be found in the EVP position announcement.

The Field Service Representative position will provide assistance to Beefmaster breeders and commercial beef producers in the United States. The selected individual should be able to build relationships with BBU members and commercial cattlemen for the good of both industry segments. Major duties include providing classification services, implementing a new feeder/replacement female commercial marketing program and educational support for BBU programs that create visibility and demand for Beefmaster cattle.

Interested candidates for the field service position must complete the BBU employment application and submit it along with a cover letter, resume and three reference letters to Collin Osbourn via email at cosbourn@beefmasters.org or via mail to the San Antonio office headquarters.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its employment opportunities contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

Environmental Stewardship Award Winner Announced at Annual Convention

by Joe Mask | Published November 6, 2013

SAN ANTONIO – Properly conserving and maintaining natural resources is key to enhancing the productivity and profitability of a ranching enterprise. With this in mind, Chaparrosa Ranch and Margaritas Ranch were announced as the 2013 Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Environmental Member of the Year during the “Beefmasters United in Cowtown” 2013 BBU Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas from October 31 – November 2, 2013.

Chaparrosa Ranch is located in La Pryor, Texas and consists of 500 head of Beefmaster/Angus cross cows. Margaritas Ranch is located near Muzquiz in the northern region of Coahuila, Mexico. The owner of Margaritas Ranch began his quest to become one of the most important and reliable cattle and wildlife ranches in Mexico in 1985.

The partnership between the two ranches began in 1993 when the owner’s passion for agriculture and the outdoors blended with his desire to conserve the natural beauty of the land for future generations. Conservation efforts over the years have allowed the properties to thrive, even under the harsh drought conditions of the last several years.

Chaparrosa Ranch and Margaritas Ranch have worked diligently for decades to achieve an ideal balance between livestock and wildlife, benefiting from solid management practices that have helped the operations continue a tradition of

Water conservation is a crucial part of the management plan at both Chaparrosa Ranch and Margaritas Ranch. One of the long-term goals of both ranches is to develop water resources and efficiently manage them. At Chaparrosa, water tanks are continuously cleaned and new ones are built, approximately 4.5 miles of new water lines were installed in the last year.good land stewardship.

Brush control for wildlife habitat improvement and increased carrying capacity of cattle has been an important aspect of management for many years at Chaparrosa Ranch and those efforts continue today. Mechanical and aerial spraying are used to control brush and 13 pivots on approximately 1,250 acres are used to grow wheat, cotton and corn, as well as for livestock grazing.

Managing wildlife habitat is also an essential part of the overall goal of environmental conservation on both ranches. Yearly helicopter surveys are conducted to collect the current year’s population structure and valuable trend data. The trend data, separated by pasture or ranch wide, is analyzed to ensure population stability and maintain future viability of the herd.

“Cattle producers and Beefmaster breeders are committed to environmental excellence and I commend our winners for their commitment to protecting the environment and improving fish and wildlife habitats while operating profitable cattle operations,” said BBU Chief Operations Officer Collin Osbourn.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its award program please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

Missouri Cattleman Selected as Beefmaster New Member of the Year

by Joe Mask | Published November 6, 2013

SAN ANTONIO – Joshua Thomas Bird, Bird Cattle Company, of Rogersville, Mo., was announced as the 2013 Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) New Member of the Year during the “Beefmasters United in Cowtown” 2013 BBU Convention held in Fort Worth, Texas from October 31 – November 2, 2013. Joshua accepted the award along with his wife, Kara Bird, during the Saturday night awards banquet. 

Joshua Bird grew up on a cattle farm in Southwest Missouri and was an active FFA member during high school. He attended Missouri State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business. Upon finishing his university education Bird focused on growing his cattle operation from two cows to a 100 head cow/calf operation. Bird Cattle Company became of BBU member in January 2013 and Bird says since joining BBU he has purchased and raised several Beefmaster calves.

“I now have 22 registered females and several Beefmaster cross cattle. I recently purchased my first Beefmaster bull and I have utilized artificial insemination to build my Beefmaster herd,” said Bird.

In May 2013 Bird was elected to serve on the Central States Beefmaster Breeders Association (CSBBA) Board of Directors and was awarded the CSBBA new member of the year award. His future plans are to raise top quality Beefmaster seedstock and replacement females, as well as help promote the Beefmaster breed.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its award program please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

 

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