The 59^th Annual Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Convention “¡Viva Beefmaster!” was hosted in San Antonio, Texas at the Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk from October 23 – 26, 2019. The unofficial kick-off to the convention was the 2019 BBU Trap Shoot hosted at the San Antonio Gun Club by the Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association (LOBBA). The official kick-off of the 2019 convention was highlighted with award winning speeches from the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association members Lane Hendricks, Kayl Tassin and Abi Hooper, followed by featured speaker and host of The Working Ranch Radio Show – Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt.

     During the convention, BBU held their general membership meeting and BBU members elected new Board directors and officers. Chris Kauffman of Searcy, Ark., was elected treasurer and Kendall McKenzie of Angie, La., was elected secretary. The following individuals were elected to the BBU Board of Directors with a three-year term: Jerry Davis of Canton, Texas, Clark Jones of Savannah, Tenn., Larry Meacham of Cat Spring, Texas and Mike Moss of Hulbert, Okla.

     Convention attendees enjoyed seminars and fellowship with other cattlemen and women. The educational seminars were sponsored by the Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation (B.E.E.F.). The educational seminars featured “An Afternoon with Neogen/GeneSeek” where Jill Ginn, Nate Smith and Cari White, all three individuals work for Neogen Corporation, demonstrated and presented information about DNA collection and genomics. Dr. Jason Cleere of Texas A&M University educated attendees on cattle evaluation. And then due to inclement weather, Dr. Megan Rolf from Kansas State University could not attend as scheduled, so she provided information for a presentation that was delivered by BBU’s Director of Breed Improvement Lance Bauer, which covered Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs). The convention also featured a panel discussion about successful seedstock marketing, which allowed attendees to ask Charlie Wood, Clark Jones, Lorenzo Lasater and Jeralyn Novak questions on various seedstock marketing topics, such as sale preparation and advertising. On Saturday morning the convention hosted Kevin Good of CattleFax, who presented a cattle industry outlook seminar and answered questions. He was then followed by a BBU Staff question and answer session, where the membership could provide feedback on programs and ask various association related questions.

     The evening activities provided members the opportunity to meet other members and see the downtown San Antonio area, during a reception hosted on the historic San Antonio River Walk river boats and at the Rio Rio Cantina. Thursday night also featured mariachis that serenaded the Beefmaster breeders with authentic music. On Friday night the convention committee raised funds for B.E.E.F., and convention expenses through selling exclusive items during the auction. The night ended with members dancing the night away to the tunes of Texas Country Musician Jason Allen.

     On Saturday, the annual awards luncheon honored the Beefmaster breed membership award winners. New member of the year was awarded to Nextgen Cattle Company of Paxico, Kan., and Marie Welkener of Kenedy, Texas was announced as the member of the year. Blau Ranch owned by Mark and Leesa Blau of Menard, Texas was announced as performance breeder of the year and the environmental award was presented to J R Land and Cattle Company owned by John Rediger of Pecos, Texas. Breeder of the year was awarded to Derek Frenzel and Larry Meacham owners of F & M Cattle Co., of Temple, Texas. Beefmaster Cattlewomen of the year was awarded to Rhonda Collier of Brenham, Texas and Debbie Cheatham of Arlington, Texas.

     The convention concluded with the annual President’s Council Sale hosted at the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo auction facility. Prior to the sale, a presentation was made to highlight the donation of seven Beefmaster heifers to the Texas A&M University’s (TAMU) Department of Animal Science Beefmaster herd. Dr. Cliff Lamb and Dr. Jason Cleere were in attendance to represent TAMU and accept the donated cattle from the participating BBU members.

     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 60^th Annual Convention to be held in Fort Worth, Texas on October 29 – 31, 2020 at The Omni Forth Worth Downtown.

     For more information about the Beefmaster Breeders United and its convention, 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.