Beefmaster Breeders United Hosts Successful Cowtown Convention
SAN ANTONIO – The 53rd Annual Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Convention wrapped up Sat., Nov. 2, 2013, with an awards banquet where several Beefmaster breeders and industry leaders were recognized for their efforts and commitment to the breed. The annual convention “Beefmasters United in Cowtown” was hosted in Fort Worth, Texas from October 31 – November 2, 2013.
During the general membership meeting BBU members elected new Board of Director members and officers. The BBU secretary is Steve Carpenter, of Tecumseh, Okla. Dwight Bertrand, Elton, La., was elected BBU’s treasurer. Jerry A. Davis, of Canton, Texas, was elected place one director, Clark Jones of Savannah, Tenn., is a director – place two, Tom Hood of Tahlequah, Okla., was elected place three director, Bob Siddons of Tilden, Texas, is a director – place four, and Kito Saenz of San Isidro, Texas, was selected to fill a unexpired term for a director – place four. Lastly, the general membership voted on a bylaw change that allowed the Junior Committee to be transferred from a special committee to a standing committee.
Beefmaster breeders from throughout the United States and Mexico attended this year’s convention. Attendees enjoyed seminars, great food and fellowship with other cattlemen and women in the historic atmosphere of the Fort Worth Stockyards. This year’s convention participants learned about the value of consignments sales, the importance of cattle health protocols during the Boehringer Ingelheim seminar and enjoyed a spooktacular Halloween welcome reception, a night full of costumes, Fort Worth Stockyards treat street buggy rides and plenty of local cuisine. The convention also hosted the President’s Reception and the Beefmaster Education Endowment Foundation (B.E.E.F.) Gala where attendees where entertained by a mechanical bull riding contest, singer and songwriter Sonny Burgess and a surprise performance by Kix Brooks. The auctions hosted during the gala helped raise money to fund B.E.E.F. scholarships and research programs, as well as helped with convention costs.
One highlight of the convention was the kick-off luncheon where Kix Brooks, who is known for his country duo fame but is also a Beefmaster breeder in Tennessee, addressed the crowd about the future of the Beefmaster industry and how honored he is to be a part of the BBU convention. Being a down-to-earth guy, he also took time for some photo opportunities and visit with junior members.
“I want people that are buying steaks to think about buying Beefmaster steaks,” said Brooks. “We are raising great cattle and we need to let the world know how great Beefmasters are.” He concluded that he had a tremendous time at this year’s convention and it was an exceptional program.
In addition to seminars, luncheons and galas the attendees interacted with Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association members that presented award winning speeches and exhibited award winning cattle. The convention was concluded with the annual awards banquet where top honors were announced. Joshua Bird of Rogersville, Mo., was selected new member of the year. Swinging B Ranch owned by Loran “Mackie” and Norma Jean Bounds of Axtell, Texas, was selected breeder of the year. Lyssy Beefmasters of San Antonio, Texas was announced member of the year and environmental member of the year was awarded to Chaparrosa Ranch La Pryor, Texas, and Margaritas Ranch of Coahuila, Mexico.
“I am looking forward to seeing what this year will bring for the Beefmaster breed,” said BBU President Steve Emmons. “There will always be challenges, but I have a dream that the Beefmaster breed will be the American breed of choice. This convention was a great success and just the kick-off we needed for a new and exciting year in the Beefmaster industry.”
Click here to view photos from the 2013 BBU Convention. For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its convention please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visitwww.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.