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Savannah, Tenn. – August 1, 2020

Volume Buyers: Bailey Farms, TN.; Everardo Canales, MX.; Travis Graybeal, KS.; Roadhouse Ranch, TX.; Jose Gonzales, AR.; Nextgen Cattle Co., KS.; Ed Faye, KY.; Basillio Mercado, AK.; Justin Ryals, OK.; John Rediger, TX.; Randy Mason, IL.

Auctioneer – Gerald Bowie

Sale Consultants – 3G Sales & Service, Anthony Mihalski

Sale Manager – Robbins Cattle Consulting & Marketing, Bruce Robbins

BOERNE, TEXAS – Approximately 215 Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) members and approximately 450 head of cattle from all over Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kansas and Mississippi gathered the week of July 19-25, 2020 at the Bell County Exposition Center in Belton, Texas for a fun-filled week at the 2020 JBBA National Show and Convention.

In addition to the cattle shows, the event also included contests and competitions, a leadership conference, silent and live auctions, a meet and greet social and awards banquet were part of this annual event.

“The 36^th Annual JBBA National Show and Convention would not have been possible without all of our sponsors, JBBA directors, BBU Staff, JBBA Adult committee and other volunteers. In this crazy time we are living in it was wonderful to have a week of “normal” with our Beefmaster family, and I cannot thank everyone involved enough for helping us pull it off,” said Youth Programs and Membership Coordinator Rylee Barber.

During the convention JBBA members elected the following individuals to represent them as the 2020-2021 JBBA Board of Directors and Officers.

• President: Troy Glaser of Rogers, Texas
• President Elect: Nikki Brady of Carrizo Springs, Texas
• Secretary: April Solis of Mission, Texas
• Treasurer: Bennett Janssen of Victoria, Texas
• Reporter: Bryanna Hardin of Sweeny, Texas
• District 1 Directors: Hudson Ham of Bellville, Texas and Breyana Robinson of Garland, Texas
• District 2 Directors:  Lukas Mazac of Columbus, Texas and Colby Mullins of New Baden, Texas
• District 3 Directors: Caeden Scherer of Brenham, Texas and Gracey Leopold of West Columbia, Texas
• District 4 Directors: Kolton Brady of Carrizo Springs, Texas and Garrett Melnar of Bellville, Texas
• District 5 Directors: Travis Glaser of Rogers, Texas and Braylee Cowan of Dodd City, Texas
• At-Large Directors: Jacob Kolwes of Bellville, Texas and Mackenzie Lee of Sealy, Texas

The annual event consisted of several competitions including public speaking, photography, video, livestock judging and Beef Skillathon.

The winners of the public speaking contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place: Noah Mullins of New Baden, Texas
• Intermediate 1^st place: Weston Brooks of China, Texas
• Senior 1^st place: Braylee Mackie of Lott, Texas

The winners of the photography contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place: Adley McCuistion of Sanger, Texas
• Intermediate 1^st place: Parker Schwarz of La Cygne, Kansas
• Senior 1^st place: Mackenzie Lee of Sealy, Texas

The winners of the video contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place: Bridger Ethridge of Nacogdoches, Texas
• Intermediate 1^st place: Weston Brooks of China, Texas
• Senior 1^st place: Caeden Scherer of Brenham, Texas

The winners of the livestock judging contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place: Makenzie Low of Alto, Texas
• Intermediate 1^st place: Parker Schwarz of Lacygne, Kansas
• Senior 1^st place: Raegan Emmons of Streetman, Texas

The winners of the Beef Skillathon contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place: Makenzie Low of Alto, Texas
• Intermediate 1^st place: Weston Brooks of China, Texas
• Senior 1^st place: Garrett Melnar of Bellville, Texas

JBBA members exhibited their cattle in six different shows over the week, including; an ultrasound carcass contest, showmanship competition, a bred and owned heifer show, a bred and owned bull show, a Beefmaster E6/Advancer heifer show and the JBBA National Heifer Show.

The winners of the ultrasound carcass contest are as follows:

• Class 1 Heifers: Kutter Karns of El Indio, Texas
• Class 2 Heifers: Kace Bronikowsky of Sweeny, Texas
• Class 3 Heifers: Makatlyn Burton of Stilwell, Oklahoma
• Class 4 Heifers: Wyatt Morrison of Brenham, Texas
• Class 1 Bulls: Saige Tassin of Bush, Louisiana

The winners of the showmanship competition are as follows:

• Junior Champion Showman: Makenzie Low of Alto, Texas
• Junior Reserve Champion Showman: Elliott Dore of Crowley, Louisiana
• Intermediate Champion Showman: Kayl Tassin of Bush, Louisiana
• Intermediate Reserve Champion Showman: Vance Aaron of Gladewater, Texas
• Senior and Pevine Hicks Memorial Champion Showman: Braylee Mackie of Lott, Texas
• Senior Reserve Champion Showman: Raegan Emmons of Streetman, Texas

The winners of the Bred and Owned Heifer Show are as follows:

• Grand Champion Bred and Owned Heifer: WR Foxie’s Felicity owned by Shawn Skaggs of De Leon, Texas
• Reserve Grand Champion Bred and Owned Heifer: WR Madonna owned by Shawn Skaggs of De Leon, Texas

The winners of the Bred and Owned Bull Show are as follows:

• Grand Champion Bred and Owned Bull: TCC Playing With Fire owned by Saige Tassin of Bush, Louisiana
• Reserve Grand Champion Bred and Owned Bull: JTR Downtown 822F owned by Jack Redden of Midway, Texas

The winners of the Beefmaster E6/Advancer heifer show are as follows:

• Grand Champion E6/Advancer Heifer: L156 owned by Lane Hendricks of Flynn, Texas
• Reserve Grand Champion E6/Advancer Heifer: L157 owned by Lex Hendricks of Flynn, Texas

The winners of the JBBA National Heifer Show are as follows:

• Grand Champion Heifer: Emmons Zoe’s Secret owned by Saige Tassin of Bush, Louisiana
• Reserve Grand Champion Heifer: 4M Onyx owned by Faith Martin of New Ulm, Texas

To wrap up the event, JBBA members and their families attended the annual awards banquet. Contest and event winners from throughout the week were announced and received awards. All-Around Champions were awarded in each age division, determined from points earned throughout the week. The All-Around Champions are awarded based on accumulated points in the National Junior Heifer Show, Bred and Owned Show, Judging Contest, Public Speaking Contest, Beef Skillathon, Photography Contest, Video Contest, Leadership Conference and Showmanship Contest. The top ten in each age division were recognized.

The All-Around Champion Awards were presented to the following JBBA members:

• All-Around Junior: Makenzie Low of Alto, Texas
• All-Around Intermediate: Weston Brooks of China, Texas
• All-Around Senior: Braylee Mackie of Lott, Texas

In addition to contest awards, several scholarships were awarded to the following senior JBBA members:

• Brian L. Murphy Memorial Scholarship: Foster Hall of Alto, Texas
• JBBA Scholarships: Abigail Hooper of Joaquin, Texas, Braylee Mackie of Lott, Texas, Bryanna Hardin of Sweeny, Texas and Preston Dallmeyer of Poth, Texas
• Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation (B.E.E.F.) Scholarship: Reid Lovorn of Como, Texas, Abigail Hooper of Joaquin, Texas, Raegan Emmons of Streetman, Texas and Camrin Byers of Henrietta, Texas.
• Beefmaster Breeders Cattlewoman Scholarship: Abigail Hooper of Joaquin, Texas, Kirstin Nikki Brady of Carrizo Springs, Texas, Kirby Russell of Bridgeport, Texas, Graicie Bouchard of Azle, Texas, Preston Dallmeyer of Poth, Texas, Rylee Howton of Three Rivers, Texas, Kutter Karns of El Indio, Texas and Luke Dallmeyer of Poth, Texas.
• Kenneth Lewis and Robert Miles Memorial JBBA Scholarship: Troy Glaser of Rogers, Texas, Kutter Karns of El Indio, Texas, Foster Hall of Alto, Texas and Kirstin Nikki Brady of Carrizo Springs, Texas.
• East Texas/Louisiana Marketing Group Scholarship: Troy Glaser of Rogers, Texas, Kutter Karns of El Indio, Texas and Foster Hall of Alto, Texas.

This year the WorkHorse Award was presented to Bennett Janssen of Victoria, Texas. The WorkHorse Award honors an individual that demonstrates a great work ethic, who willingly goes above and beyond what their responsibilities call for during the JBBA National Show and Convention.

In recognition of outstanding JBBA volunteers’ service, dedication, time, and support to the JBBA program, the JBBA Helping Hand Award were presented to Dawn and Lee Compton.

The BBU Staff and JBBA Board of Directors would like to thank all those that made this year’s event possible and congratulate all the participants. They look forward to next year’s 37^th Annual JBBA National Convention and Show to be held in same location in Belton, Texas.

• Click here to download official results.
• Click here to download winner photos.

For more information about BBU and JBBA please contact the office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org.

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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.

HUNTSVILLE, TX  – JULY 11, 2020

• 3 BULLS, $10,000 AVG $3,334
• 1 3Nl $5,000
• 4 PAIR, $13,800 AVG $3,450
• 11 BRED, $32,450 AVG $2,950
• 19 OPEN, $38,250 AVG $2,013
• 4 PICKS, $16,200 AVG $4,050
• 1 EMBRYO LOT $2,800
• 43 LOTS $118,500 AVG $2,756

TOP BULLS

• LOT 48- SIRE, ELLIS’ HOLLYWOOD, CONSIGNED BY MCMANUS BEEFMASTERS, LAKE CHARLES, LA; SOLD TO JASON WAGGONER, ROUND TOP, TX FOR $5,000.
• LOT 59- SIRE, VFF TORQ’D, CONSIGNED BY JEFF GARNER, BLUE RIDGE, TX; SOLD TO PATRICK ROBINSON, ANGELTON, TX FOR $3,000.
• LOT 61- SIRE, SWB VOOZER, CONSIGNED BY CODY MORGAN, LEXINGTON, TX; SOLD TO OSCAR STACEY, BUFFALO, TX FOR $2,000.

TOP FEMALES

• LOT 52- OPEN, SIRE, ELLIS’ HOLLYWOOD, CONSIGNED BY LOW FAMILY BEEFMASTERS, ALTO, TX; SOLD TO JEFF GARNER, BLUE RIDGE, TX FOR $6,250.
• LOT 50- 3Nl, SIRE, CAPTAIN KNOCKOUT, CONSIGNED BY WOODY LYNETTE STAMPER, BRENHAM, TX; SOLD TO JEFF GARNER, BLUE RIDGE, TX FOR $5000.
• LOT 7- OPEN, SIRE, 4B REAL STEEL, CONSIGNED BY MATTHEW MARKWOOD, BRYAN, TX; SOLD TO CARL FRAN DITTA, CLEVELAND, TX FOR $4,250.
• LOT 26- PAIR, SIRE, DREAM CATCHER, CONSIGNED BY STEPHEN F AUSTIN UNIVERSITY; SOLD TO GREG LISA CHAPIN, ELKHART, TX FOR $3,700.
• LOT 22- PAIR, SIRE, SUGAR BRITCHES, CONSIGNED BY STEVEN LYN ANDERSON, AMARILLO, TX; SOLD TO PATRICK ROBINSON, ANGLETON, TX FOR $3,500.

VOLUME BUYERS- JEFF GARNER, BLUE RIDGE, TX; PATRICK ROBINSON, ANGLETON, TX; GREG LISA CHAPIN, ELKHART, TX.

AUCTIONEER- ANTHONY MIHALSKI, SAN ANTONIO, TX

SALE MANAGER- MIKE GREEN, 3G SALES AND SERVICE, FRANKLIN, GA.

JUNE 13, 2020

LOCKWOOD, MO

• 8 Bulls $146,000 avg $18,250
• 1 3n1 $4,500
• 9 Pair $28,700 avg $3,189
• 31 Bred $265,000 avg $8,548
• 25 Open $174,500 avg $6,780
• 75 Lots $618,700 avg $8,249

Top Bulls

• Lot 3- Sire, WPR’s Chick Magnet, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Carl and Fran Ditta, Cleveland, TX for $29,000
• Lot 2- Sire, WPR’s Empire, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Ken Tews, Timpson, TX for $25,000.
• Lot 6- Sire, WPR’s Legendmaker, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Alan Wright, Magnolia, TX for $25,000.
• Lot 5- Sire, WPR’s Capone, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Mike Osmundson, Oakdale, CA for $17,000.
• Lot 8- Sire, WPR’s Chick Magnet, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Roy Barrett, Cypress, TX for $14,000.

Top Females

• Lot 34- Bred, Sire, WPR’s Chick Magnet, Bred to Missouri Outlaw, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Randy Mason, Brownstown, IL for $27,000.
• Lot 10- Open, sire, WPR’s Capone, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Lyssy Beefmasters, San Antonio, TX for $20,000.
• Lot 29- Open, sire, WPR’s Chick Magnet, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Collier Farms, Brenham, TX for $18,000.
• Lot 9- Open, sire, WPR’ s Capone, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: C & M Ranches, Kershaw, SC for $16,000.
• Lot 22- Open, sire, WPR’s Chick Magnet, consigned by Wallen Prairie Ranch: Sold to Roger Holden, Conway, MO for $15,000.

Volume Buyers: Mike Osmundson, CA; Roy Barrett, TX: TS Farm, Thailand: Roger Holden, MO: John Gillespie, TX: Alan Wright, TX

Auctioneer- Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, TX

Co- Sale Manager- Bruce Robbins, San Antonio, TX

Sale Manager-Mike Green, 3G Sales and Service, Franklin, GA

By Chel Terrell, The Beefmaster Cowman

Growing demand for Beefmaster genetics in the commercial industry has skyrocketed in recent years as seedstock producers strive to develop genetics that not only meet customer demand, they exceed their expectations. Gaining this kind of traction in the commercial realm doesn’t happen overnight – it takes years of diligent work, making tough decisions with patience and fortitude to mold and develop a program into a premier operation that ultimately achieves this purpose.

Derek Frenzel, Temple, Texas, and Larry Meacham, Cat Spring, Texas, two of the leading breeders driving efforts to expand the commercial market for Beefmaster genetics, combined forces in 2009 and established F&M Cattle Co. (FMC). Their forward-thinking partnership has led to growth in Beefmaster sales across the country thanks to their continued focus on utilizing performance data and strict culling practices to improve their breeding program while eagerly helping other breeders achieve success and further the impact of Beefmasters as well. Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) recognized these efforts by selecting FMC as the 2019 BBU Breeder of the Year during their annual convention last fall.

Building a Solid Foundation

Reaching this pinnacle in the breed took diligent effort. When Frenzel and Meacham combined personal herds and purchased several outside herds in 2009 – moving cattle to a ranch in Salado, Texas – they began using a 60-day calving season and culled cows for low fertility and performance.

“We quickly realized that not all Beefmaster cattle were equal to what we had been raising. We operate on a low input environment and these cows couldn’t withstand what they were subjected to,” Frenzel said. “So those first few years we culled pretty ruthlessly for fertility, color and udders and were left with a nucleus of productive cows to advance our purebred program.”

This “base” set of cows serves as the foundation for FMC’s replacement females. “We sold some of our oldest cows last year (ranging from 10 to 18 years old) to one of our customers and now our cowherd is a little bit younger,” Frenzel said. “We maintain strict 45- to 60-day calving and breeding seasons and develop all our heifers. We turn a lot of cows over, so we have to have a lot of replacements for that.”

They continued improving genetics with bull power, a cornerstone of the FMC operation since its inception. “We started by selecting top end bulls from performance tests to build our herd and analyzed the udders and production records of their dams before bringing them into the herd,” Frenzel said.

Laying this important groundwork early on created a solid foundation for FMC’s future success.

Customer-Focused Mindset and the Power of Performance

From the outset, Frenzel and Meacham set a goal to produce quality Beefmaster bulls for the commercial cowman. With customers spanning across the United States and internationally, they’ve honed their program to meet the growing demand for cattle that can perform in widely varied regions.

“We sell bulls to buyers from Florida to Oregon and other parts of the country. You’ve got to identify which genetics really work in those particular regions and build bulls to suit your customer base,” Meacham said. “That’s really part of the success that we’ve had – listening to our customer.”

“We’re trying to produce an easier fleshing, moderate, heavier boned bull that doesn’t have to be massive, but does have to be above average,” Frenzel said. “He’s got to be able to go out there and make a living.”

Cows aren’t cut any slack either. “We run cattle in four regions across Texas, and one thing we’ve learned from ranching in these various areas is the type of cow that it takes to survive and thrive,” Frenzel said. “We try to raise a more moderate cow that fits the wide variety of environments where our customers are located. I think we ‘ranch’ cows a little bit harder than most breeders and that’s what our commercial customers are doing, so we’ve got to be just as hard on them. If we find cows that are a little bit more moderate size and easy fleshing, plus feed efficient, that’s what we’re going for.”

They pride themselves on strictly following the Foundation philosophy but concentrating on more phenotype. “Our customers can get the best of both worlds knowing they can buy from a program that stresses fertility, udder and color,” Frenzel said. “Making everything solid colored to fit the commercial industry is a big focus for us, but we also have the phenotype to go along with it.”

A driving force for many of the decisions to advance the FMC herd and meet growing customer demand is data collection. “Our goal is to move our herd and the breed forward by measuring everything possible and utilizing all the newest tools available,” Meacham said.

Cattle are run in large multi-sire pastures; therefore, DNA is collected on every calf born so it can be parent verified and receive a genomic EPD. They also record weaning and yearling weights and ultrasound data as part of BBU’s Whole Herd Reporting program.

In 2016, Frenzel and Meacham, along with two other breeders, formed the Beef Development Group and invested in a GrowSafe^® system to collect and monitor feed efficiency data. FMC tests every keeper bull and all heifers with the system, utilizing that data to select replacement females. Their commercial customers are also benefiting from the additional information, enabling them to make better decisions when buying bulls or replacements.

“We made the decision to purchase a GrowSafe system because we really felt like Residual Feed Intake (RFI) was something that is not only important today, but that will be extremely relevant in years to come,” Meacham said. “We all talk about how Beefmasters are easy keepers and how they perform very well. But most people weren’t really measuring that. Now we’re measuring it and bringing that to the table. There’s a lot more interest in feed efficiency today, and we are kind of pioneering that in our breed and hopefully going to see the association develop an EDP for it. We’ll see what happens in years to come, but there’s a lot of benefit for cattle producers in cutting 10 percent of your feed costs, for example. That’s a major chunk of money.”

Staying ahead of the competition is also crucial for the Beefmaster breed.

“I think measuring feed intake is very important to our breed. You’ve got to separate yourself in an industry that’s very competitive. I think efficiency is a big part of why Beefmasters work as well as they do. Through GrowSafe, we’re able to test for it and prove that,” Meacham said.

In addition to collecting data to improve herd genetics, Frenzel and Meacham utilize artificial insemination and embryo transfer technology. “We’ll put in about 40 to 50 embryos this year and AI all of our first-year replacement heifers,” Frenzel said.

“We’re using all tools available to push that marker forward in our breeding program and try to get better and better,” Meacham said. “You can’t lose sight of any of opportunity to improve.”

FMC markets cattle through several avenues, including private treaty, the three annual Beef On Forage sales and the fall Maternal Compass sale. Along with purebred herds, many of the bulls they have raised can be found in the top 25 largest cow-calf operations in the country. They also purchase bulls from breeders within their Beef on Forage group and ones that participate in the Beef On Forage bull test – herds with similar breeding philosophies.

“We’re raising bulls that go through this program, so we need to stack that back on top of each other,” Frenzel said. They’ll keep their top 50 heifers each year as replacements, then develop the other females on oats and sell them to seedstock breeders or commercial producers.

Frenzel manages the Beef On Forage bull test, which has been in operation for over 30 years and is the largest performance test in the breed, marketing over 300 bulls and 75 females annually at sales in Texas, Oklahoma and Florida. The forage-based performance test enables breeders to select bulls that fit their specific environment by testing them against each other in large contemporary groups. Feed efficiency data is collected using the GrowSafe system and participants are provided current weights, scrotal measurements, EDPs and scan and gain data as well as Fleshing Ability Scores. The group has tested over 1,000 bulls and females to date.

“Our priority is to develop bulls for the true working rancher that perform in the real-world environment,” Frenzel said. “Not all bulls are created equal, and it’s our job to identify superior genetics.”

One of the premier bulls owned and marketed by FMC and coming out of the Beef On Forage test is the 1001 bull. “He’s produced McAlester and Summit, two of our really highly promoted bulls that we and other breeders have been successful with,” Frenzel said.

“He’s still the number one ribeye bull in the breed and we utilize his genetics quite a bit to flush,” Meacham said.

Focused on the Future

For the duo, participation in association activities as well as at state and national level events is an important aspect of promoting both the FMC herd and the entire Beefmaster breed. Meacham, a BBU lifetime member, and Frenzel, who has been a member of the association for over 20 years, have both served on the BBU Board of Directors, as members of multiple committees, several satellites, including Central Texas BBA, Central States BBA and Arkansas BBA and the Texoma Beefmaster Marketing Group. You’ll find them actively promoting the breed at Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) events, too.

They are also financial contributors to the Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation (B.E.E.F.) and run the Flying B test heifers through their GrowSafe system for BBU and will be giving several donors to Texas A&M University to flush for the new Beefmaster herd.

“Serving on the Board, on committees and promoting and supporting the breed through various avenues is a way to stay involved, especially when you have the opportunity to relay important information to other breeders and commercial cattlemen,” Meacham said. “If you’re going to separate yourself from other breeders you need to set an example, whether someone follows your lead or at least utilizes some of the information you provide. If you’re going to push yourself to the top, it’s really important.”

Helping other breeders, especially new breeders, realize their own success with Beefmaster genetics is essential to the pair, as they know a rising tide lifts all boats. After years in the business, they can offer some valuable insight to help these programs move forward.

“First, go buy an iron set of cows and put the best bull you can afford on them. Keep those heifers out of him and breed up from that point,” Frenzel advises. “It’s too hard to go to sales every weekend and put together cows from multiple locations that’ll fit your environment.”

Patience is also paramount. “This is a marathon, not a sprint,” Meacham stresses. “No matter how much money you throw at it, you’re not going to make it happen quickly. It takes time to reach goals in your breeding program, to really mold your program to where you feel like you’ve got a good set of cows that you can carry forward on the registered end.”

And when you reach a set of goals, it’s time to move the needle and set new ones so the fruits of your efforts pay off again, they emphasize.

“It’s a never-ending cycle and you can’t ever let off the throttle because you’ll fall behind,” Frenzel said. “We have to stay focused on the future and take steps to maximize what we’re doing to stay on top.”

Brenham, TX – May 30, 2020

• 6 Bulls $13,000 Avg $$2,167
• 6 Pair $15,800  Avg $2,634
• 19 Bred $46,500  Avg $2,448
• 19 Open $35,100  Avg $1,848
• 5 Picks $21,100 Avg $4,220
• 55 Lots $131,500 Avg $2,390

Top Bulls

• Lot 10- Sire, Captain Crunch, Consigned by Rick Seeker, Brenham, TX:  Sold to Louis Deblanc, Kaplan, LA for $3500
• Lot 40- Sire, Lyssy’s Playin Dirty, consigned by Carl and Fran Ditta, Cleveland, TX: Sold to David Muegge, Edna, TX for $2600
• Lot 55- Sire, Cain 15Z, consigned by Karisch Cattle Co., LaGrange, TX: Sold To Tony and Jackie Watson, Washington, TX for $2600

Top Females

• Lot 21- Bred to SWB Teton, Consigned by Swinging B Ranch, Axtell, TX:  Sold to James Woolman, Brenham, TX for $4000
• Lot 20- Bred to SWB Teton, Consigned by Swinging B Ranch, Axtell, TX:  Sold to Charles Albright, Bellaire, TX for $3700
• Lot 23- Bred to SWB Teton, Consigned by Swinging B Ranch, Axtell, TX:  Sold to  James Woolman, Brenham, TX for $3500

Volume Buyers

• Swinging B Ranch, Axtell, TX;  Jerry Garza, Houston, TX: James Woolman, Brenham, TX

Auctioneer- Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, TX

Sale Manager- Mike Green, 3G Sales and Service, Franklin, GA

Tenroc Ranch, Salado, TX
May 16, 2020

• 7 bulls $26,450 avg $3,779
• 11 3-n-1s $35,650 avg $3,241
• 31 pairs $90,300 avg $2,913
• 16 bred $57,400 avg $3,588
• 15 open $57,600 avg $3,840
• 1 semen lot $36,164
• 1 embryo lot $43,775
• 1 genetic clone material $3,000
• 83 Total Lots $350,339 avg $4,221

TOP BULLS

• Lot 85- sire, EMS King George, sold to Danny Arnold, Weslaco, TX for $5,000.
• Lot 86- sire, WPR Chick Magnet, sold to Rick Seeker, Brenham, TX for $5,000.
• Lot 83- sire, EMS Fire House, sold to Jadyen Samford, Dowderly, TX for $4,300.

TOP FEMALES

• Lot 8- Bred to WPR Chick Magnet, sold to D L Ranch, Montgomery, TX for $15,500.
• Lot 77- Open, sire, WPR Chick Magnet, sold to Collier Farms, Brenham, TX for $8,500.
• Lot 26- Embryo pair, calf sire, Mcalester, sold to D L Ranch, Montgomery, TX for $7,500.
• Lot 25- Embryo pair, calf sire, Mcalester, sold to D L Ranch, Montgomery, TX for $6,750.
• Lot 75- Open, sire, WPR Chick Magnet, sold to Jadyen Samford, Dowderly, TX for $6,000.

Volume Buyers; D L Ranch, Montgomery, TX: Danny Arnold, Weslaco, TX: Swinging B Ranch, Axtell, TX: Jadyen Samford, Dowderly, TX

Auctioneer- Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, TX
Sale Consultant- Bruce Robbins, San Antonio, TX
Sale Manager- Mike Green, 3G Sales and Service, Franklin, GA

By Lance Bauer, Director of Breed Improvement

My last article was about how to use breeding decisions to move forward. This article I will expand on ways to expedite those breeding decisions and make improvement at a more rapid pace. Using all the tools available to improve a herd of cattle is the best way to go. Some of these tools are new, while some are older and have been improved over time. Two tools that are not exactly new but have been improved and used more and more in recent years are: artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET). Both tools allow for rapid genetic improvement of a herd. Using both tools in conjunction with breeding decisions can really help move a breeding program forward.

Artificial insemination has been around since 1780 and has been continually improved upon since. AI is a way to incorporate sires with good genetics into your herd without having to physically own the bull. It also allows for you to use a variety of different sires that can be mated with specific cows to reach your breeding objectives. For example, if you have several cows that are lacking in weaning weight you may breed those to a bull with a larger weaning weight and if you have some cows lacking in carcass traits you may breed those to a different bull with good carcass traits. It has been shown in many studies that calves sired by AI bulls are worth more, in part because there is reduced cost in owning and maintaining a bull and in part because, with the right breeding decisions, the calves are genetically superior. AI is a quick way to make genetic improvements and move forward with your breeding goals.

Embryo transfer is another tool that has been around for a while and there have been many advancements in this technology. Traditional ET involves superovulating a donor cow and then flushing embryos to transfer into recipient cows. Invitro fertilization (IVF) uses oocytes from a donor cow and fertilizes them in a lab to then be transferred to recipient cows. By utilizing ET you can take advantage of superior genetics of both a sire and a dam. ET can be a fast and efficient way to reach your breeding objectives. If you have a dam that meets your criteria and a sire that you like, then you can have multiple progeny in one year from the mating of those two animals. Using ET can also help increase the uniformity of your herd. Make sure that you use informed breeding decisions if you are using ET, so that you move forward and not backward.

AI and ET are two tools that you can use to help move forward with your breeding program. Using AI and ET in combination with selection, you can move forward more quickly. These technologies have a very large upside potential in helping reach goals, however they require more intensive management than natural service. These are just more tools to add to your toolbox to help you reach your breeding goals and continue to move your herd forward.

BOERNE, Texas – Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is proud to announce that Rylee Barber will serve as their new Youth and Membership Programs Coordinator. Her duties include managing the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) program and working with the BBU membership on a daily basis.

“I am passionate about the livestock industry and I am excited to be joining the Beefmaster family,” said Barber.

Barber is originally from the Texas Panhandle, where she grew up in the small town of Channing, Texas and was raised on a purebred Hereford seedstock operation. Rylee’s family has lived in Channing and raised Herefords there since 1904. Barber grew up through the National Junior Hereford Association and currently serves as the Vice Chairman on the junior board.

Barber graduated from Texas A&M University with her Bachelors in Agricultural Communications and Journalism in December 2019. While attending school, Barber was involved in several clubs and served as the co-manager of the Saddle and Sirloin Futurity Show. She also completed internships with the American Maine-Anjou Association, Superior Livestock Productions, and several major shows in Texas.

“Rylee has a solid cattle background and she knows what it takes to be a leader,” says BBU Executive Vice President Collin Osbourn. “Her knowledge of the cattle industry will be valuable to JBBA and BBU. She will bring great energy to the youth program. She will also serve as a great role model for our junior members and will be dedicated to our Beefmaster breeders in every capacity. We are excited to have Rylee as part of the Beefmaster family.”

Barber can be contacted at (210) 732-3132 or by email at rbarber@beefmasters.org.

For more information or to contact the BBU staff members call the office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org. Stay connected to BBU through Facebook, follow us on Instagram, view our videos on YouTube, and follow us on Twitter. Receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

Click here to download a photo of Rylee Barber.

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Beefmaster Breeders United 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.