Beefmaster Recognizes Breeder Excellence Awards
The 60th Annual Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Convention was hosted in Fort Worth, Texas at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel from October 28 – 30, 2021. During the convention several member awards were presented to outstanding Beefmaster breeders who have excelled over the past year and decades before.
The BBU New Member of the Year award is awarded to a BBU member who has been involved in the breed for less than eight years, and to a member who has shown, dedication, progressivism, and growth within their program and the breed. This member must also be a part of at least one BBU satellite or marketing group. The 2021 new member of the year was awarded to Cannon Cattle of Brooksville, Fla. Cannon Cattle is family owned and operated by Colson Cannon and fiancé Kirsten Walker, as well as other family members Adam, Denise and Craig Cannon. Cannon Cattle has been a BBU member since 2017. Their ranches are in Southern Georgia and Central Florida. Their program is based on functional, performance-based cattle with superior customer service. They have a focus on performance driven cattle that can excel in the Southeastern environment.
The BBU Member of the Year award recognizes a member that makes significant efforts to promote Beefmaster cattle and Beefmaster Breeders United. Dr. Jim Colvin of Seguin, Texas was announced as the 2021 member of the year. Colvin has been a member of BBU since 1993 and has served on numerous BBU committees since joining the association. Colvin has also served on the BBU Board of Directors and the South Texas Beefmaster Breeders Association (STBBA) Board of Directors and served as STBBA President for numerous years. Colvin Beefmasters has also been awarded the STBBA Conservation Award. Overall, Colvin has been involved in various aspects of Beefmaster Breeders United, from sales to whole herd reporting and from field days to satellite involvement.
The BBU Performance Breeder of the Year award was created to recognize members who are whole herd reporting (WHR) breeders, collect performance and ultrasound data, as well as have superb management practices within their breeding program. Larry Lairmore of Heber Springs, Ark., was announced as the 2021 performance breeder of the year. Larry Lairmore has been a member of BBU for almost 30 years and has been in WHR almost since the inception of the process. Lairmore collects performance data on his cattle every year, focusing on collecting all calf weights, calving ease and teat size on producing females. In addition, he carcass ultrasound scans every animal born on the farm. Lairmore is focused on collecting DNA on all males and many of the females to track his bloodlines. Lairmore is avid about collecting and use this data to sell all his animals, but specifically his bulls.
The BBU Environmental Conservation Award was created to recognize Beefmaster breeders who are stewards of the land and provides an opportunity for the Beefmaster breed to showcase the stewardship, conservation and business practices that work together on farms and ranches. The 2021 environmental award was presented to Swinging B Ranch owned by Mackie and Norma Jean Bounds of Axtell, Texas. Swinging B Ranch is made up of 1,200 acres that are owned and an additional 800 acres of leased property. Mackie and Norma Jean care for the land they have been blessed with for production of cattle, wildlife, and fun for family and friends. Every water source has been strategically located to deter erosion throughout the ranch. All ranch management decisions are made strategically to balance wildlife, water, and the Beefmaster cattle.
The BBU Breeder of the Year award was created to recognize the efforts and contributions made by members to promote BBU and Beefmaster cattle, while also evaluating the type, size, and management practices of the member’s breeding program. The 2021 breeder of the year was awarded to Bill and Dusty Carr of Laredo, Texas. Carr has been actively involved with BBU and several satellites since joining the association in the mid-1970s. Performance data and visual appraisal of cattle remain an essential component of Carr’s successful operation. Following this philosophy has benefited Carr over the years as he’s promoted progeny out of his foundation bulls, Classic Cotton and Cornerstone. The Carrs have previously won numerous awards including BBU Breeder of the Year Award in 1993, the 1996 JBBA Helping Hand Award, 1999 Environmental Award, the 2008 Performance Breeder of the Year and the 2010 Live Oak Legend Award.
Beefmaster Breeders Cattlewoman (BBC) of the year was awarded to Brenda Woelfel of Giddings, Texas. Woelfel has been an active and integral part of the cattlewomen group for many years and a BBU member since 2004. She works tirelessly to provide convention decorations each year and to raise money to support the JBBA scholarship fund. Not only is she dedicated to BBC, but she has served in various leadership roles and on numerous BBU committees.
This year’s convention was very special because three legendary cattle producers were inducted into the BBU Hall of Fame. The BBU Hall of Fame has been established to honor the exceptional, visionary men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the Beefmaster breed. The 2021 Hall of Fame inductees are Fred and Judy Long, owners of the L2 Ranch in Beeville, Texas, and Mike Collier, owner of Collier Farms Beefmasters in Brenham, 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 61st Annual Convention to be held in Oklahoma City, Okla., on October 20 – 22, 2022 at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.
For more information about 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.
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Beefmaster Breeders United (www.beefmasters.org), located in Boerne, Texas, is a not-for-profit breed registration organization that provides programs and services for its members. Beefmaster, Beefmaster Advancer and E6 cattle are selected on the “Six Essentials” of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production and hardiness.