Blog

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 8, 2014) – One hundred and forty three Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) members and their families traveled to the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee, Okla., last week for the 30th Annual JBBA National Convention and Heifer Show from July 28 through August 3. There were six states (Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas) represented at the 2014 convention and the association celebrated 30 years of building leaders and still counting.

This year’s convention focused on the aspect that JBBA members are leaders in their communities and in the cattle industry. The convention hosted a leadership conference where JBBA members learned about leadership skills and building good character. In an effort to give back, these future leaders donated toiletry items at the national convention which will be donated through a mission service that serves countries overseas. Junior members also learned about cattle marketing, photography and cattle ultrasound technology in the various educational sessions that were hosted at the annual convention.

“We were excited to host the 30^th annual JBBA nationals in Oklahoma and it proved to be a successful event, thanks to our generous sponsors,” said Allison Wagner Wells, Junior Program Coordinator. “This was our biggest junior nationals to date and we hope to have even more participants at the 2015 nationals in College Station, Texas.”

The six day event consisted of several competitions including public speaking, photography, power point presentation, livestock judging, a herdsman quiz, a coloring contest and an autograph contest.

The winners of the public speaking contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place – Jacqueline Rand, Tyler, Texas
• Junior 2^nd place – Kayl Tassin, Bush, La.
• Intermediate 1^st place – Saige Tassin, Bush, La.
• Intermediate 2^nd place – Cory Sinkule, Abbott, Texas
• Senior 1^st place – Reese Tassin, Bush, La.
• Senior 2^nd place – Lacey Anderson, Checotah, Okla.

The winners of the photography contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place – Halle Duplichain, Alto, Texas
• Junior 2^nd place – Jacqueline Rand, Tyler, Texas
• Intermediate 1^st place – Braylee Mackie, Lott, Texas
• Intermediate 2^nd place – Todd Duplichain, Alto, Texas
• Senior 1^st place – Kasey Mitchell, Katy, Texas
• Senior 2^nd place – Jarrett Mackie, Lott, Texas

The winners of the power point presentation contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place – Clayborne Janssen, Victoria, Texas
• Junior 2^nd place – Lillian Hettinger, Springtown, Texas
• Intermediate 1^st place – Cory Sinkule, Abbott, Texas
• Intermediate 2^nd place – Brock Collins, Rockfield, Ky.
• Senior 1^st place – Christy Petry, Azle, Texas
• Senior 2^nd place – Rebecca Herrera, Azle, Texas

The winners of the livestock judging contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place – Raymie Emmons, Streetman, Texas
• Junior 2^nd place – Kayl Tassin, Bush, La.
• Intermediate 1^st place – Saige Tassin, Bush, La.
• Intermediate 2^nd place – Brock Collins, Rockfield, Ky.
• Senior 1^st place – Houston Myers, Alvord, Texas
• Senior 2^nd place – Nate Compton, Bellville, Texas

The winners of the herdsman quiz contest are as follows:

• Junior 1^st place – Jacqueline Rand, Tyler, Texas
• Junior 2^nd place – Kayl Tassin, Bush, La.
• Intermediate 1^st place – Cory Sinkule, Abbott, Texas
• Intermediate 2^nd place – Faith Martin, New Ulm, Texas
• Senior 1^st place – Raney Lovorn, Como, Texas
• Senior 2^nd place – Trenton Glaser, Rogers, Texas

The winners of the coloring contest are as follows:

• Age 6 and younger: 1^st place – Creedon Rand, Tyler, Texas
• Age 6 and younger: 2^nd place – Haiden Lee
• Age 7 and 8: 1^st place – Kayl Tassin, Bush, La.
• Age 7 and 8: 2^nd place – Dusti Ozment, Tecumseh, Okla.
• Age 9 and older: 1^st place – Kourtnie Hood, Alvord, Texas

The winner of the autograph contest was Camrin Byers of Henrietta, Texas.

The JBBA members also participated in multiple cattle competitions during the six days in Shawnee, Okla.; the six day convention hosted five different shows for members to exhibit their cattle. The five shows included a showmanship competition, a bred and owned heifer show, a haltered bull show, a Beefmaster Advancer heifer show and the JBBA National Heifer Show. The shows had an excellent turnout with 331 Beefmaster heifers, 101 bred and owned Beefmaster heifers, 37 bulls and Beemaster Advancer heifers.

The winners of the showmanship competition are as follows:

• Junior Champion – Raymie Emmons, Streetman, Texas
• Junior Reserve Champion – Braylee Cowan, Dodd City, Texas
• Intermediate Champion – Calli West, Paris, Texas
• Intermediate Reserve Champion – Jolene Bouchard, Azle, Texas
• Senior Champion and Pevine Hicks Memorial Champion Showman – Devon Wilson, Chico, Texas
• Senior Reserve Champion – Hagen Davis, Chico, Texas

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

• Champion – B Bar Tess exhibited by Seth Byers, Decatur, Texas
• Reserve Champion – Tyra’s Heidi exhibited by Kalli Ellis, La Ward, Texas

The winners of the haltered bull show are as follows:

• Calf Champion – MDH Captain Tuff exhibited by Madisyn Horndt, Ellinger, Texas
• Reserve Calf Champion – EMS King George exhibited by Reagan Emmons, Streetman, Texas
• Junior Champion – MJ Leonidas exhibited by Halle Duplichain, Alto, Texas
• Reserve Junior Champion- Red Thunder exhibited by Blair Low, Alto, Texas
• Yearling Champion – Legend of Zeus exhibited by Kylee Henderson, Checotah, Okla.
• Reserve Yearling Champion- Eagle’s Cain Cannon exhibited by Isaac McFarland, Keithville, La.
• Grand Champion – Legend of Zeus exhibited by Kylee Henderson, Checotah, Okla.
• Reserve Grand Champion – MJ Leonidas exhibited by Halle Duplichain, Alto, Texas

The winners of the bred and owned heifer show are as follows:

• Grand Champion – Jackies Marsha exhibited by Kalli Ellis, La Ward, Texas
• Reserve Grand Champion – Ellis Miss Louise exhibited by Kalli Ellis, La Ward, Texas

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

• Calf Champion – EMS Pistol Annie exhibited by Reagan Emmons, Streetman, Texas
• Reserve Calf Champion- Meggans Cora exhibited by Kalli Ellis, LaWard, Texas
• Junior Champion – Jackies Marsha exhibited by Kalli Ellis, La Ward, Texas
• Reserve Junior Champion- Diamond RB Sassy Girl exhibited by Devon Wilson, Chico, Texas
• Senior Champion – Meggan’s Black Jewel exhibited by Kalli Ellis, La Ward, Texas
• Reserve Senior Champion- EMS Cash’s Gypsy exhibited by Reagan Emmons, Streetman, Texas
• Champion Pair – WR Baby Lisa exhibited by Shawn Skaggs, De Leon, Texas
• Reserve Pair- Gilmore’s Escalade exhibited by Isaac McFarland, Keithville, La.
• Grand Champion – Meggan’s Black Jewel exhibited by Kalli Ellis, La Ward, Texas
• Reserve Grand Champion – EMS Cash’s Gypse exhibited by Reagan Emmons, Streetman, Texas

After the heifer show was complete, JBBA members along with their families enjoyed the awards banquet and dance. All winners were announced from the contests and events held throughout the week. Overall awards were given to a JBBA member in each age division, which was determined from points earned throughout the week. To round out the evening of awards, over $30,000 in scholarships were awarded to senior JBBA members.

The overall awards were presented to the following JBBA members:

• Overall Junior – Raymie Emmons, Streetman, Texas
• Overall Intermediate – Saige Tassin, Bush, La.
• Overall Senior – Reese Tassin, Bush, La.

The scholarship awards were presented to the following JBBA members:

• Beefmaster Breeders Cattlewomen’s Scholarships
  • Trenton Glaser, Rogers, Texas
  • Walker Eskew, Sealy, Texas
  • Rebecca Herrera, Azle, Texas
• Kenneth Lewis Memorial Scholarships
  • Joshua Price, Moody, Texas
  • Metz Branch, Paris, Texas

• B.E.E.F. Scholarships
  • Trenton Glaser, Rogers, Texas
  • Raney Lovorn, Como, Texas
  • Christy Petry, Azle, Texas
  • Michael Buckley, Collins, Miss.

• East Texas/Louisiana Beefmaster Marketing Group Scholarships
  • Michael Buckley, Collins, Miss.
  • Ryan Seelye, New Caney, Texas
  • Kane Ozment, Tecumseh, Okla.
  • Zachary Byers, Henrietta, Texas
  • Trenton Glaser, Rogers, Texas

• Brian Murphy Memorial Scholarship
  • Trenton Glaser, Rogers, Texas

• JBBA Scholarships
  • Christy Petry, Azle, Texas
  • Rebecca Herrera, Azle, Texas
  • Tanner Jones, Alto, Texas
  • Kane Ozment, Tecumseh, Okla.
  • Michael Buckley, Collins, Miss.

Congratulations to all the JBBA members on a great week. Thank you to the volunteers and sponsors for the hard work and support that made this event possible. The 31^st Annual JBBA National Convention and Shows will be held in College Station, Texas, July 20-26, 2014.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its Junior Program please contact the BBU 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, follow us on Twitter and Pinterest, as well as receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 7, 2014) – During the past few months Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) has traveled the country capturing footage for the upcoming Beefmaster episode on RFD-TV’s The American Rancher. After months of dedication the episode premieres on September 15, 2014 at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on your favorite rural television network, RFD-TV. BBU invites the public, all BBU members, Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) members and potential Beefmaster breeders to learn more about the Beefmaster breed and how the breed is positively influencing the beef cattle industry. The episode will also be available on the BBU website and social media platforms Facebook and YouTube.

“We are excited to be apart of this creative process and see hard work developed into an outstanding program that will share the Beefmaster story to a greater audience,” said Jeralyn Stephens, BBU communications coordinator. “Working with several cattle producers on this project has been a great opportunity for the BBU staff and Superior Productions.”

The Beefmaster episode on The American Rancher will explore the history of the breed and take an in-depth look at the Six Essentials – weight, conformation, milk production, fertility, hardiness and disposition; that the Beefmaster breed was founded on over 60 years ago by Tom Lasater. The episode will feature purebred and commercial cattlemen as they discuss how the Beefmaster breed’s hybrid vigor and maternal heterosis produces superior crossbred females. The show will also examine the importance of the Beefmaster breed to the cattle industry as a whole and how Beefmaster bulls are the best of both worlds through producing extremely fertile, functional and docile females to rebuild America’s cowherds, as well as producing profitable feeder calves that deliver results in the current market place. Tune into the episode to learn from true blue cattlemen and how their ranches embrace the Beefmaster breed.

“The passion that the cattle producers shared while capturing the video was astounding. It was exciting to see commercial breeders embracing Beefmaster genetics to add value and maternal heterosis to their commercial cattle operations,” said BBU Executive Vice President Bill Pendergrass. “It will be an impressive episode that I am excited for the public and BBU members to see.”

The show is sponsored by Beef On Forage Beefmaster Bull Sale, Bounds Swinging B Ranch, Collier Farms, Emmons Ranch, Isa Cattle Company, Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association, Lyssy Beefmasters and the South Texas Beefmaster Breeders Association.

The American Rancher, hosted by Pam Minick, is entering its ninth year of broadcasting on RFD-TV. The series began in the fall of 2004 and brings audiences in touch with the people and places that make ranching an American lifestyle. The American Rancher is a half-hour television series that reaches a vast audience and premieres each Monday night at 9 p.m. EST and re-airs on Sundays 12 p.m. EST.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United please contact the BBU 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, follow us on Twitter and Pinterest, as well as receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

By: Penny Bowie, Convention Chairman

Memphis: the home of the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. The 2014 BBU Convention in Memphis, Tenn., is going to be a great time for everyone in attendance. The convention committee has been a powerhouse leadership team that is helping lead the way for this to be a tremendous convention.

Co-Chairman Ty Agee and I are working closely together to ensure that the Beale Street experience is one of a kind for BBU members. Ty is a Memphis expert because he owns a restaurant in downtown Memphis on Beale Street. His expertise, knowledge and Memphis connections have proven to be invaluable. Ty knows everyone in Memphis. I think he even knows Elvis, if you believe Elvis is still alive. With Ty’s help, the convention committee has ensured that BBU members attending this year’s convention will experience Memphis is first-class style.

The city of Memphis is excited to welcome Beefmasters to the city and it will be the first time for the city to host cattle in their Convention Center.  During the convention we will also be giving back to the city of Memphis by hosting a farm to city day for inter-city children in coordination with the Tennessee Farm Bureau and Ag in the Classroom. We are excited to bring the knowledge of agriculture and Beefmaster cattle to urban based children, while also giving back to our host city. We encourage BBU members to come and have a Beefmaster farm to city day with us.

In preparation for the 2014 convention there are three points I would like to stress. Book your hotel rooms if you want to be right across the road from the Convention Center. Our host hotel, the Sheraton Memphis Downtown, is filling up quickly. If you have trouble making reservations and are not placed into the Beefmaster room block at the Sheraton Memphis Downtown, please contact Marie Zirkel at the BBU office via 210-732-3132.  We have had a great response from BBU members on room reservations and have had to increase the number of hotel rooms in the Beefmaster block twice, which is a great indication that this convention will have great attendance.

Second, we need BBU members to saddle-up and support the convention by becoming an event sponsor or a metal sponsor. If you can offer something special for auction items or for an event please donate. We would really appreciate the help and donation forms can been found at www.beefmasters.org/association_convention.php.

Lastly, come early or stay late and see Memphis. Memphis is a fun place with music and great food. Memphis is the birthplace of the blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll music. Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash all recorded at the historic Sun Records, a museum you can visit while staying in Memphis. Also while you’re in Memphis be sure to visit Graceland, which is Elvis’ home and the second most-visited home in America.

As you can see, the BBU Convention schedule will be full of fun activities. The hotel is filling up fast and excitement is already in the air. I can’t wait for all of our cattle friends to see the bright lights of Memphis. Don’t forget…book your room now!

See you in Memphis to enjoy Beefmasters, Blues, and BBQ on Beale Street.

2014 BBU CONVENTION AGENDA

Thursday, October 30

• 8:00 a.m. –   9:30 a.m.
• President’s Council Breakfast & Meeting – Sheraton (Satellite Presidents, Marketing Group Presidents and BBU Officers)
• 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Farm/City Day with Beefmasters – Convention Center
• 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
• Board of Directors Meeting – Sheraton
• 11:00 a.m. -   5:00 p.m.
• Registration Desk Open – Sheraton
• 2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
• Cattlemen’s Marketplace – Sheraton
• 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Seminar – Cattle Marketing/Social Media – Sheraton
• 6:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• South 40 Party & B.E.E.F. Gala – Sheraton

Friday, October 31

• 8:00 a.m. -   5:00 p.m.
• Registration Desk Open – Sheraton
• 8:00 a.m. –   6:30 p.m.
• Display & Sale Cattle Available for Viewing – Convention Center
• 8:30 a.m. –   9:30 a.m.
• Seminar – Crossbreeding with Beefmasters is Key – Sheraton
• 9:45 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
• Seminar – Implementing Crossbreeding at the Commercial Level – Sheraton
• 11:30 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
• Kick-off Luncheon – JBBA Speaking Contest Winners followed by Guest Speaker – Sheraton
• 2:00 p.m. -   4:00 p.m.
• General Membership Meeting – Sheraton
• 4:00 p.m. -   7:00 p.m.
• Trade Show Welcome Reception – Convention Center
• 4:30 p.m. -   7:00 p.m.
• All Around Cowboy Competition – Convention Center
• 7:00 p.m.
• Open Night (Halloween on Beale Street)

Saturday, November 1

• 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
• Cattlewomen’s Annual Meeting and Breakfast – Beale Street
• 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• JBBA Heifer Show – Convention Center
• 8:00 a.m. –  3:00 p.m.
• Registration Desk Open – Sheraton
• 8:00 a.m. –  4:00 p.m.
• Trade Show Open – Convention Center
• 8:00 a.m. –  6:00 p.m.
• Display & Sale Cattle Available for Viewing – Convention Center
• 12:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
• President’s Reception & Awards Banquet – Sheraton
• 2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• President’s Council Sale – Convention Center
• 5:30 p.m.
• Open Beefmaster Show – Convention Center

Dear producers,

On May 29, Chipotle CEO Steve Ells announced through a blog in the Huffington Post that the restaurant chain will start sourcing grass-fed beef from Australia because they are unable to meet their supply needs for “Responsibly Raised” beef (which Chipotle defines as raised without hormones or antibiotics, among other things) from producers in the U.S.

“In 2013, our company purchased about 45 million pounds of domestic Responsibly Raised beef; but the U.S. supply isn’t growing quickly enough to match our demand,” says Ells. “… rather than meet the shortfall with conventionally raised beef from cattle treated with growth hormones and antibiotics, we decided to take this opportunity to start sourcing more truly grass-fed steak. So in addition to expanding our supply of beef raised without growth hormones or antibiotics, we are particularly excited to be able to serve more beef that comes from cattle raised entirely on grass.”

Ells says he hopes Chipotle’s “demand for grass-fed beef will help pave the way for more American ranchers to adopt a grass-fed program, and in doing so turn grass-fed beef from a niche to a mainstream product. We’re optimistic that our decision to serve grass-fed beef from Australia is one small step in the larger journey of restoring the practice of raising great American beef entirely on grass.”

This is not the first time Chipotle has tried to position one way of raising food as better than another; however, it’s the first time they have suggested that the U.S. beef community doesn’t produce the type of beef they want to serve in their stores. According to an interview with two beef producers, one grass-finished and the other grain-finished, Chipotle could find beef to meet their needs in the United States if they would work with U.S. farmers and ranchers.

We are encouraging producers, starting with Darrell Wood and Darrel Sweet, to raise their voices and respond to let Chipotle know what they think of the recent announcement and informing Chipotle that they can supply beef by using the hashtag #CallDarrell and special number 951-389-4FWI. Here’s how you can get involved:

• SHARE ONLINE:
  • o   Twitter:
    • Tweet @Chipotle, encouraging the restaurant to #CallDarrell at 951-389-4FWI for their beef needs.
    • Recommended Twitter posts, utilizing the hashtag #CallDarrell and the phone number 951-389-4FWI:
      • Hey @Chipotletweets, want responsibly raised beef? #CallDarrell at 951-389-4FWI More info: http://bit.ly/1ktZaa2
      • Beef producers raise responsible beef and can supply.  For more info @chipotletweets, #CallDarrel 951-389-4FWI More info: http://bit.ly/1ktZaa2
      • o   Facebook Strategy:
        • Since Facebook has more of a producer audience over a consumer audience, we recommend you use the myth/fact format on Facebook.  At the end, encourage the producer to re-share the information
        • Recommended Facebook post:
          • Myth: Beef producers can’t meet Chipotle’s definition of responsible raised beef.
            Fact: Beef producers are happy to supply Chipotle’s needs.
            http://bit.ly/1ktZaa2

If you agree – please share this post with your followers.

• WRITE A LETTER:
  • o   Write a letter to Chipotle (whether you are a grass-finished or grain-finished beef producer,) explaining how you raise responsible beef and offer to supply Chipotle with responsibly raised beef. Send a copy of your letter to FYI@beef.org so that we can track how many letters are sent and how many producers reach out.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

Attn: Steve Ells, co-CEO

1401 Wynkoop St Suite 500

Denver, CO 80202

• o   Submit a comment to Chipotle online explaining how you raise responsible beef and offer to supply Chipotle’s stores with beef that was raised with integrity. Send a copy of your comment to FYI@beef.org so we can track how many are submitted.
• o   Comment on the Huffington Post announcement and offer to supply Chipotle with beef.

Thank you,

Beefmaster Breeders United

By: Bill Pendergrass, Executive Vice President

As beef producers we all know that our market is experiencing all time highs. This is being caused by good old fashioned supply and demand. We have the smallest cow herd our nation has seen since the mid 1940’s and now we have a rapidly expanding human population to feed. The result is that all proteins, especially beef is really short supply. While we as producers are enjoying the high markets there is an underlying theme we should begin to address. That is creating upmost efficiency in our beef supply chain to keep beef competitive in the market place.

The most proven way to create efficiency in beef production is utilizing heterosis. It is obvious that we as Beefmaster breeders need to develop a story line about using Beefmaster genetics in commercial herds will significantly add to the bottom line. You may not be familiar with the term heterosis but simply put it means hybrid vigor. When we crossbeed; the calf that results from mating (for example) an Angus to a Beefmaster will have several advantages over a straight bred calf from either parent breed. These advantages are heterosis or hybrid vigor.

With crossbreeding almost every trait is improved. New born calves are more vigorous at birth resulting in more live calves. Weaning weights on F1 crossbred calves, on the average are 6% higher than straight breds. Six percent higher weaning weights in a herd of 100 cows that normally wean 600 pounds calves is an extra 36 pounds per calf. Added to the 100 calves is an extra 3,600 pounds of calf weight to sell in today’s market that adds an additional $7200 if the calves are sold at weaning. This example only covers direct calf heterosis, it doesn’t add the HUGE advantages of maternal heterosis or using crossbred cows.

Maternal heterosis adds more to the bottom line that any other single management practice a commercial cattleman can perform. Crossbred females that result from a planned mating system where heterosis is optimized, add big impacts. Calf survivability is higher, new borns are more vigorous, have stronger immune systems and also capture growth advantages. Obviously more and heavier calves to sell add profit.

Crossbred females produce more calves over their lifetime and are in production much longer because they have an average lifespan of 1.5 years longer. Studies by the USDA Meat Animal Research Center prove that over their productive lifetime, planned mating crossbred cows result in a 25% increase in efficiency over straightbred cows. That is impressive but that 1.5 year longevity figure was on British genetics. Factor in the longevity of Beefmaster genetics and I would suggest that those cows would be productive for even more years and that would increase efficiency even more.

Simply put, Beefmaster genetics add the perfect amount of hybrid vigor to the black hided cow herd our country has produced. True, there are premiums for black hided cattle out there. However the effects of hybrid vigor will far outweigh black hided premiums. I have advocated using Beefmaster bulls on Angus cows for some time now but recently I have seen several large, progressive commercial herds using Beefmaster bulls on Brangus cows to great effect. Now is the time to fine tune our message, get organized and present a unified message to commercial cattlemen everywhere. Beefmaster SIRED females are the most productive, profitable commercial cows in the industry.

Now that we have the product…Beefmaster bulls…and the message…maternal heterosis…we need to effectively market our bulls. We as a breed need to be UNIFIED in this effort. BBU is a large organization with different philosophies represented but we all have one thing in common, we produce Beefmaster cattle.

While we may compete with each other for market share, it is vital to remember we also compete with other breeds. If you can’t supply enough bulls to fill an order, send that bull buyer to another Beefmaster breeder. You may think that you are losing a customer but in fact, you are providing vital customer service that your buyer will appreciate and chances are, it will make him even more loyal to your program.

Over the years, I have seen very successful programs gladly send customers to other herds when they did not have the cattle their buyer wanted. Almost without exception, this act of “keeping the buyer in the family” resulted in strengthening the relationship and in many cases created strong relationships between the two purebred breeders. Our commercial customers need to understand that the entire BBU membership wants them to be successful. Our competition understands this and we need to adapt this customer service philosophy as well.

The remaining summer months are packed with great Beefmaster activities The International Committee has the BIG (Beefmaster International Group) Event in Ft. Worth August 18-21 2014. Cattlemen from eight different Central and South American countries will be attending the Beefmaster workshop. The educational program will focus on utilizing Beefmaster genetics to increase performance and productivity in the cowherds in these emerging countries. This issue of the Beefmaster Cowman has informational article about the BIG event. All BBU members can attend and I encourage you take advantage of this opportunity to network with International customers and other BBU members.

The 2014 JBBA National Convention and Show will be held July 28-August 3, 2014 in Shawnee, OK. This is the feature event of the year of outstanding JBBA members who have been hard at work preparing for this annual event. Make plans to be with us in Shawnee to meet and support these outstanding JBBA members. Many breeders don’t realize that this event is not just a cow show. The educational competitions these members compete in give them the life skills to go out into the real world and be prepared to contribute and be great ambassadors for the Beefmaster breed and agriculture in general.

By: Jeralyn Stephens, Beefmaster Breeders United Communications Coordinator

I will admit that I have only been to Florida once in my life and I was seven years old. Guess where I went? You’ve got that right, Disney World. This past week I learned that Florida is more than beaches and Disney World, it has an expansive cattle and agricultural industry.

I am fortunate to say I have now been all over the Sunshine State, even though it rained more than the sun shined, learning about Florida’s cattle industry and how it is a prime location for the Beefmaster breed. Last week Bill Pendergrass and I traveled around Florida, Tampa to Dade City to Okeechobee to Clewiston and back to Tampa. My task in Florida was to capture video and interviews of commercial cattlemen that are utilizing Beefmaster genetics in their commercial cattle herds. Some of the interviews will be featured in the upcoming Beefmaster episode on The American Rancher, which will premiere September 15, 2014 on RFD-TV.

On my first day in Florida we traveled north of Tampa to visit with commercial cattleman John McCarthy of Dade City, Fla.

McCarthy utilizes Beefmaster females in his operation for the heterosis advantage and he says that “Beefmaster females are the key to his cattle operation.” McCarthy is also a citrus farmer and shared some educational information on orange trees and the bacterium causing disease that is currently plaguing the Florida orange tree industry referred to as “citrus greening”.

We continued our journey into Southern Florida and entered into cattle country that surrounds Lake Okeechobee to visit with Lykes Bros. Inc., Cattle Supervisor Travis Brown. The Lykes Ranch is located in Glades and Highlands Counties and spreads out on 337,000 acres on one of the largest contiguous pieces of land in the state. The property is home to integrated cow-calf, forestry, sugar cane and landscape operations. The Lykes Ranch is a progressive leader in Florida Agriculture and we got to see first-hand the impressive cattle the ranch has to offer. The Lykes Ranch utilizes Beefmaster bulls on their females.

Travis Brown of Lykes Bros., in Okeechobee, Fla., not only appreciates the docility of Beefmaster bulls but Brown says, “the genetic heterosis of their Beefmaster cross calves is unbeatable.” Brown has an extensive cattle background and loves what the Beefmaster breed has to offer to the Florida cattle industry.

Just South of the Lykes Ranch and on the South side of Lake Okeechobee is an impressive herd of the Beefmaster females and bulls that is owned by Jennie Lee Zipperer. Zipperer is a past BBU president and a Florida cattlewoman that is full of spirit. We visited with Zipperer, who is getting started in the Beefmaster business for the second time, and traveled throughout a part of Clewiston, Fla., referred to as Devil’s Garden. This a tough place to make a living on pasture but the hardiness of the Beefmaster breed makes it work and the cattle thrive in this “devilish” part of Florida.

I look forward to the day when Florida is known for beaches and Beefmasters!

By: Bill Pendergrass, Beefmaster Breeders United Executive Vice President

The tide is slowly beginning to turn in the favor of Beefmasters. Over the past 15 years as I have attended industry events across the country and participated in countless presentations by acclaimed professors, cattle feeders and packers there has been a recurring message being sent to the cow calf producer…make more high marbling product for the consumer.

The commercial sector has responded by using more British genetics for the past several years and guess what? We have transformed the genetic makeup of the nation’s herd to the point that according to BEEF magazine, 51% of the nation’s cow herd is now straight British. While that might help the packer produce more highly marbled product, it comes at a price. Reduced productivity.

One of the first signals the tide was changing have been the topics of presentations at industry events over the past year. I have been very pleasantly surprised to finally hear respected animal science professors from noted “cow colleges” finally begin to talk about heterosis and planned crossbreeding programs. This is a big departure from the days that it seems the only bull recommended by academia happened to be an Angus.

Now that we are finally in the age of heterosis, it is vital for us as Beefmaster breeders to produce the kind of cattle that will get the seal of approval from academia. Face it, Extension Beef Specialists and local Extension Service personnel are big influencers in their local bull market. If we are to bring them over to our side, it is vitally important for us to network with them and more importantly produce the kind of cattle they will recommend to their local producers.

The first step to getting their approval is to collect performance data and use it. Our competition in the genetics marketplace is exploiting their larger performance data bases against us and creating a technology gap to maintain their advantage. Some breeds are marketing Genomic Enhanced EPDs and sophisticated selection indices. We don’t currently have those tools but we do have heterosis on our side. While we work toward modernizing our selection tools, we have the opportunity to compile desperately needed data to solidify our claims.

Extension has proven time and again that they favor cattle with lots of performance data attached to them. Face it, educators have always been numbers oriented and always will be. Let’s embrace their concept and show them Beefmaster genetics are the optimum heterosis tool the industry desperately needs to increase productivity in our commercial cow herds. The “second chance” look we are getting from academia has been nice. If we want their continued endorsements, we must earn them. We earn that through data collection and utilization

I recently had the pleasure to call on several commercial herds in Florida. Over the course of the past twenty years, I have had the pleasure of working closely with several Florida cattlemen and have found that these ranchers are on the cutting edge for genetic and management trends. This trip to Florida was eye opening for me. Twenty years ago, I would have described the average commercial cow down there as ½ blood tiger stripes or even ¾ blood Brahman. By 2001, those herds were slowly becoming black hided and could be described as 25%-50% Brahman appearance. Now in 2014, those same herds are significantly more British in their appearance, many could be described as showing less than 25% ear influence.

Perhaps the most notable difference I seen this trip was the amount of Charolais crossbred commercial females that ranchers have been keeping back. I mention this only to point out that many ranchers turned to Continental breeds to add performance, pounds and marketability to their program. Now that these ranches are trying to add replacement females, they realize the need for superior maternal genetics that Beefmasters are uniquely qualified to offer. I will give you a free marketing tip…white hided commercial cows are easy to spot and their owners would benefit from Beefmaster bulls.

Although these ranchers have changed their cowherds to please their buyers, they have slowly lost production and productivity in their herds. Many ranchers down there are now turning to Beefmaster bulls to add hybrid vigor back into those black hided commercial females. From a planned crossbreeding standpoint, Beefmaster genetics on high percentage British cattle will rapidly address adaptability and add superior maternal heterosis better than any other breed.

While the demand for Beefmaster bulls is good, it is imperative to understand that these cattlemen are really savvy about performance. Our competition has trained these bull buyers to utilize performance data in bull selection. If we are to earn and keep these buyers, we must provide them with high quality bulls backed by serious performance and ultrasound data.

Perhaps the biggest challenge we face in the emerging bull market is volume. Simply put we need more good Beefmaster bulls. If a large operator commits to buying Beefmaster bulls, he wants to make sure there are enough bulls out there to pick from to meet his needs. Bull buyers are like any other consumer, they want quality and selection in volume. If a large rancher needs to buy 30 of our bulls, he wants to pick through 90 to end up with his required number. Volume attracts volume. The more good Beefmaster bulls we have available, the more buyers we will attract, the more they will spend on bulls. It is time we start to think big. Now is the time to expand your herd. We need you to add females and increase your quality to meet this coming bull demand. We also need you to collect performance and ultrasound data and turn it into to BBU so we can help you add value to your program.

SAN ANTONIO – The schedule has been set and young Beefmaster breeders are preparing for the 30^th annual Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) National Convention and Junior Shows to be held in Shawnee, Oklahoma, July 28 through August 3 at the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center. This year JBBA is celebrating 30 years of building leaders and still counting with junior Beefmaster breeder tradition.

The JBBA National Convention not only offers JBBA members a great opportunity to exhibit their cattle, but to participate in new activities and meet new people. A schedule filled with educational and fun activities has been tailored to entertain, educate and provide a great family atmosphere. The schedule of events is coordinated by the JBBA officers, directors and the Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) JBBA Adult committee.

Many contests are available to juniors throughout the week. Juniors can show off their artistic skills in several contests including both photography and PowerPoint contests, which do not require attendance by the junior breeder, and a coloring contest. The 2014 JBBA Convention and National Shows will also include a livestock judging, showmanship and public speaking contests for the juniors that will be attending the event. JBBA members will also participate in a marketing and photography seminar, as well as learn about carcass ultrasound scanning from Chad Gordon of Ultrasound Technologies.

If juniors are looking to challenge their knowledge of the industry, the convention and national show will feature a quiz bowl competition where juniors must study several packets including the BIF guidelines, beef glossary, WHR manual and steer show study material!

JBBA President Cody Morgan is excited for this year’s convention after such a successful convention and shows held last year in College Station, Texas.

“Family fun night is always a blast, and this year is very special. We will be going out to the Citizen Potawatomi Festival Grounds where we will be bowling, eating, and playing many other games. Not to mention we will also be entertained by Native American tribal fancy dancers. Also, at these nationals we will be having a guest speaker come to speak to our members and guests about marketing and photographing cattle,” Morgan says.

Allison Wagner Wells, JBBA Adult Committee Chairman, wants to remind the youth attending the national convention and shows that it is the exhibitor’s responsibility to bring their animal(s) to the check-in area with registration papers, bred and owned papers (if applicable) and two copies of the health papers. Please also keep in mind when loading trailers that there are no outside shavings or straw allowed; shavings must be purchase from the Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center for $6.00 per bag. For family and friends attending, a meal ticket is required to attend a meal during the convention and meal tickets can be purchased at the main show office.

“This will prove to be a great competition and learning opportunity for JBBA members. We ask that all junior exhibitors be familiar with the rules for the 2014 National Convention and Shows. All BBU registered animals must be shown with their hair coats lying downward and flat against their entire body. Exhibitors must follow all other rules that are stated in the 2014 Junior National Packet and catalog,” she adds.

All entries and pre-registrations must be received (not post marked) at the JBBA office no later than June 6, 2014 or you will pay the late animal entry and late convention registration fees. Late entry and substitutions for entries will be allowed until Thurs., July 31, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. A full schedule of events, in addition to the entry form, rules and regulations, contest rules and hotel accommodations are all available at www.beefmasters.org/juniors.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its junior 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.