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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.

South Texas landowners and ranchers look forward to each October, not for Halloween and not for the cooler weather, they look forward to the hospitality offered by Bill and Dusty Carr at their Hilltop Ranch located outside of Floresville, Texas. Each October the Beefmaster breed is busy with convention chaos, but the annual Bill Carr and Others Fall Beefmaster Sale provides a day to view excellent cattle and learn what the future holds for the beef cattle industry. Cattle breeders, ranchers and farmers from throughout the South Texas, Mexico and up into eastern Colorado attended a new aspect to the Bill Carr and Others Fall Sale on Oct. 25, 2013, which included an afternoon of cattle camaraderie and educational seminars.

The educational seminars included Dr. Joe Paschal, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Livestock Specialist out of Corpus Christi, Texas talking about why we should invest in beef breeding cattle. His program focused on the aspect that the demand for beef continues to climb despite the low cowherd numbers. He reviewed the state of the United States cowherd and shared that the U.S. beef cowherd is not expected to rebuild until at least January 1, 2015. He also shared will the cowherd is not growing, the value of beef is moving higher at all levels. Dr. Paschal guided seminar attendees through various beef production scenarios that focused on best ways to manage a commercial herd, as well as a purebred herd. Paschal emphasized that investing in cattle now is a good move because cattle values will rise for the next several years as demand for beef and live animals increase.

Following Joe Paschal, Dale Lasater from Matheson, Colo., discussed the history of the Beefmaster breed and the vision his father, Tom Lasater, envisioned for the Beefmaster breed and its impact on the cattle industry. Lasater focused on the fact the breed was developed on what has become known as the Six Essentials – Weight, Conformation, Milk Production, Fertility, Hardiness and Disposition. These essentials became the economic strength of Beefmasters and have made them favorites with those who depend on cattle for a living. Beefmasters are the only beef breed specifically developed to excel in these important economic traits. After learning about the history of Beefmasters, BBU Chief Operations Officer Collin Osbourn discussed current programs offered through Beefmaster Breeders United such as upgrading, whole herd reporting, inventory based reporting and advancer programs.

The information packed afternoon was wrapped up with a discussion led by commercial cattlemen Melvin Scherer, Trey Scherer and Lane Robertson, who brought several Beefmaster cross calves for display. They discussed how their Beefmaster cross cattle were performing at feedlots and value they are seeing in the heavy weaning weights related to Beefmaster bull performance on commercial females.

This seminar provided a well rounded evaluation of the beef cattle industry, while focusing on how Beefmaster cattle can help a commercial cattleman succeed in today’s market. Not only do Beefmaster cattle produce extremely fertile, functional and docile females to rebuild America’s cowherds, they also produce profitable and efficient feeders calves that deliver results in the current market place.

Dr. Mac Devin was raised on a diversified, irrigated farm and ranching operation in the Texas Panhandle. After earning a bachelor of science degree in agronomy from Texas Tech University in 1973, he returned to the family farming operation, working in a family partnership from 1973 until 1985. He jokingly says, “I gained lots of practical experience during my short but colorful career as a cow-calf and stocker operator.”

In 1985, Devin was admitted to Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and received hid Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1989. For the next few years, he enjoyed general veterinary practice, including extensive cattle herd health, feedlot and equine work.

In 1997, he entered industrial practice supporting livestock and equine products for Fort Dodge Animal Health (FDAH). When the FDAH cattle products were acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. (BIVI) in late 2009, Devin joined BIVI as a Senior Professional Services Veterinarian – Cattle, supporting the Southern Region.

Devin’s areas of expertise include infectious (respiratory and reproductive) disease and parasitology in beef cattle and horses.

He is a member of Academy of Veterinary Consultants, American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association and Texas Veterinary Medical Association.

“How to Use Satellite/Marketing Group Sales to Spotlight Your Beefmaster Operation”

This seminar will be a panel format discussing the do’s and don’ts of consigning cattle to satellite and/or marketing group sales. Learn how to make the most out of your consignment. This will be a question and answer session for the members. Be prepared to ask questions. The more member participation, the more knowledge learned. Panel members include” Derek Frenzel, Mike Green, Tom Hood, Anthony Mihalski and Bruce Robbins. Moderator: BBU Director of Field Services Jason Bates.

“Living with Beefmasters: The Inside Edition”

An educational hour of Beefmaster veterans sharing that there are many different ways to be successful in the Beefmaster breed. Panel members will share their recipe for success with their hands-on approach to breeding Beefmaster cattle. Come learn different strategies that might help you reach the goals you have set for your operation. Have questions ready to ask the panel. Panel members include: Steve Carpenter, Steve Emmons, Lorenzo Lasater and Hans Wittenburg. Moderator: BBU Chief Operations Officer Collin Osbourn.

SAN ANTONIO – There is no better place to host a cattle convention than in Cowtown! The 53rd Annual Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Convention will be held later this month in Fort Worth, Texas at the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards from October 31 through November 2. The theme of this year’s convention is “Beefmasters United in Cowtown” and exciting times are in store for all of the BBU members that will be in attendance.

Among the cattlemen and women attending the convention, there will be a young gentleman attending the Cowtown convention thanks to the Central Texas Beefmaster Breeders Association (CTBBA). In an effort to encourage young Beefmaster breeders to attend convention and participate in BBU leadership opportunities, this sponsorship program was created by CTBBA. CTBBA hopes that this is the first year of something great and that other BBU satellite organizations will join the program to sponsor even more members at future conventions.

“These young Beefmaster breeders are the future of our breed and we want to encourage these new breeders to get involved with BBU. We believe that by attending convention these members can network, learn from the seminars and understand the leadership opportunities that BBU offers,” said Gary Frenzel, CTBBA Convention Sponsorship program leader.

Joshua Thomas Bird of Rogersville, Mo., and his wife Kara were selected from several applicants to receive the CTBBA convention sponsorship. Bird grew up on a cattle farm in Southwest Missouri and was an active FFA member during high school. He attended Missouri State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business. Upon finishing his university education Bird focused on growing his cattle operation from two cows to a 100 head cow/calf operation. Bird Cattle Company became of BBU member in January 2013 and Bird says since joining BBU he has purchased and raised several Beefmaster calves.

“I now have 22 registered females and several Beefmaster cross cattle. I recently purchased my first Beefmaster bull and I have utilized artificial insemination to build my Beefmaster herd,” said Bird.

In May 2013 Bird was elected to serve on the Central States Beefmaster Breeders Association (CSBBA) Board of Directors and was awarded the CSBBA new member of the year award. His future plans are to raise top quality Beefmaster seedstock and replacement females, as well as help promote the Beefmaster breed.

Bird and over 300 convention attendees will enjoy a spooktacular welcome reception, several educational seminars, a terrific trade show, the President’s Council Beefmaster sale and of course the kick-off luncheon featuring Kix Brooks of the country music duo Brooks & Dunn. Beefmaster breeders are excited to invade Cowtown for their 53^rd annual convention and are proud to have an outstanding new member represent the future of the Beefmaster breed and the cattle industry as a whole.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United 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.

Stephen F. Austin University Department of Agriculture will be hosting an Artificial Insemination Field Day on November 8, 2013 in Nacogdoches, Texas. The field day will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the Walter C. Todd Agriculture Research Center, 442 CR 123, Nacogdoches, Texas 75965. The field day is open to all Beefmaster breeders and during the educational day breeders will learn about artificial insemination (AI), learn how to AI cattle, learn about estrus synchronization, learn about bull selection and much more.

The registration fee is $150 (non-refundable) for Beefmaster breeders and $100 (non-refundable) for South 40 members. The field day is limited to the first 24 participants, so sign up today to reserve your spot. Dr. Erin Brown and Chris Koffskey will be hosting the clinic and have asked that all participants bring their boots and work clothes for the live cattle sessions. This will be a hands-on field day and all attendees will have the opportunity to AI cows during the sessions.

For more information please contact Dr. Erin Brown by email at browneg@sfasu.edu and by phone at (936) 468-4433. You can also contact Chris Koffskey by email at koffskeycj@sfasu.edu or by phone at (936) 564-5924.

Tentative Field Day Schedule – November 8, 2013

7:30 am – Registration

8:00 am – Anatomy and Physiology of Reproduction, Locating the Target

9:30 am – Sire Selection and EPDs

10:00 am – Work in cows and Semen Handling

12:00 pm – Lunch

1:00 pm – Work in cows

3:00 pm – Heat Detection, Heat Detection Aids and Estrus synchronization

4:00 pm – Work in cows

SAN ANTONIO – Commercial cattlemen and women realize the value that the Beefmaster breed adds to their commercial cattle herds and starting next week cattle producers can learn more about what a Beefmaster bull can bring to their operation. A new Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) episode will be featured on RFD-TV’s The American Rancher that will focus on the strength of the Beefmaster bull and how they are providing superior replacement females and profitable, efficient feeder calves for commercial cattle producers throughout the United States.

The episode will premiere on Sept. 16, 2013 at 8 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) on your favorite rural television network, RFD-TV. The Beefmaster bull episode on The American Rancher will explore how the Beefmaster bull is providing the best of both worlds for commercial cattlemen and women. The Beefmaster breed will produce reproductively efficient females and high grading bulls that will put more money in a cattle producer’s pocket.

“With Beefmaster cattle you can get the best of both worlds because they will grade well and you get extra pounds of end product,” said Justin Williams, a commercial cattle producer from Savannah, Tenn.

Beefmaster bulls not only produce superior females that will help rebuild the American cattle herd, these bulls are also giving confidence to commercial cattlemen when they send the bull to the pasture and the steers to a feedlot. This episode focuses on how the commercial cattle industry is utilizing Beefmaster bulls on females to produce easy fleshing; heavy muscle calves that walk on ample bone and display heavier weaning weights on the scales.

“It’s not that you’re getting just a superior replacement female anymore, you’re getting a tremendous steer calf. Not only will this steer calf do well in the feedlot; at weaning time is when he is going to push the scales down,” said Beef “ON” Forage Sale Manager Gary Frenzel of Temple, Texas.

BBU invites the public, commercial cattlemen and women, as well as potential Beefmaster breeders to tune in next week to The American Rancher and learn more about the Beefmaster breed, its bulls and how the breed is positively influencing the commercial cattle industry. The episode will also be available on the BBU website and social media platforms Facebook and YouTube.

The show is sponsored by Beef “ON” Forage Beefmaster Bull Sale, Collier Farms, Emmons Ranch, Thunder Valley Ranch, Wallen Prairie Ranch and Western States Beefmaster Breeders Association. Several commercial cattlemen and Beefmaster breeders will be featured on the video, as well as past BBU President Nolan Ryan and the Beefmaster foundation herd at The Lasater Ranch. The episode’s video was captured and produced by Superior Productions of Fort Worth, Texas and BBU Field Service Representative Jason Bates.

The American Rancher, hosted by Pam Minick, is entering its eighth 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 8 p.m. CST and re-airs Tuesdays 10 a.m. CST and again on Sundays 11 p.m. CST.

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, view our videos on YouTube, follow us on Twitter and receive our news updates through joining our mailing list.

SAN ANTONIO – Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) has welcomed a new committee to the organization. The South 40 (S40) committee will focus on empowering future BBU leaders and increasing membership in the Beefmaster breed of cattle.

The S40 committee was formed and designed to increase participation of Beefmaster enthusiasts and BBU members that are over twenty one years of age and south of, or younger than, forty years of age. It is not limited to people under the age of forty and all ages are encouraged to take part in the committee. S40 membership is free to current, financial BBU members and $25.00 for non BBU members.

“We encourage all BBU members and potential Beefmaster breeders to stop by the South 40 tradeshow booth at the 53^rd Annual BBU Convention happening October 31 through November 2 in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards,” said BBU Field Representative Jason Bates.

“Our convention events will be a great opportunity for people interested in the South 40 committee to learn more about getting involved, how to join and as well as attend a committee meeting.”

The goals of the S40 committee are to develop leadership skills and to create fundraising opportunities for BBU programs and encourage cattlemen and women to become more involved in BBU, as well as introduce a youthful voice to BBU and the industry as a whole. This will be accomplished by fostering lasting relationships, sharing ideas and by educating the future leaders of our breed and industry through seminars and field days.

“This new committee has brought a lot of excitement to the Beefmaster breed and we have a great group of committee members that are dedicated to the Beefmaster breed and empowering the young ranchers,” said South 40 committee chairman Trey Scherer of Brenham, Texas.

The committee vice-chairman is Justin Williams of Savannah, Tenn.; the committee secretary is Justin Rhodes of Axtell, Texas and the committee treasurer is Lauren Lyssy of San Antonio, Texas. The committee also consists of four subcommittees including education, communication, fundraising and membership. The S40 committee is a special committee that was approved by the BBU Board of Directors at the July 2013 meeting.

If you are interested in joining the South 40 committee click here for the South 40 membership application and you can also follow the South 40 committee on Facebook.

For more information about Beefmaster Breeders United and its South 40 committee 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.

About the Program: Stephen F. Austin State University is preparing for its Heifer Development Program. The program is designed to assist producers in selecting and managing for replacement heifers. It offers producers relief from providing additional facilities, labor, and feed to retain young heifers. The program is designed for heifers ranging in weight from 400-700 lbs. Heifers are entered into the program in mid-October and fed through mid-March. Producers are issued a monthly report on the performance of each heifer in the program with information including BW, ADG, REA, RF, IMF, and a relative temperament rating. Additionally, heifers can be entered into the breeding program and be artificially inseminated at the conclusion of the feeding period. Heifers should gain 1-3 lbs per day in the program.

Requirements

1. Heifers must be weaned and bunk broke for a minimum of 2 weeks.
2. Ear tag identification is required indicating owner and calf number.
3. Heifers must be dehorned or tipped (no longer than 2 inches).
4. Vaccination for brucellosis is recommended.
5. Heifers must be dewormed and deloused a minimum of 30 days prior to entry.
6. Heifers must be free of active Pinkeye, ringworm and warts.
7. Any bull exposure must be disclosed before entry.
8. Vaccination for the following must be completed according to the manufacturer’s specifications a minimum of 2 weeks prior to entry.

• IBR, PI3, BVD I / II, BRSV (MODIFIED LIVE WITH BOOSTER)
• 7-way Clostridium
• Haemophilus Somnus
• Pasteurella H&M
• Lepto and Vibrio
• Moraxella bovis (Pinkeye)

9. Unsound heifers will be reported to the owners and will either be treated at the owner’s expense or removed from the program.

Program Timeline

The 2013-2014 program is accepting heifers October of 2013. Heifer calves weighing between 400-700 lbs are eligible for the 4 month program. Acceptance into the program will be first come first serve, based on availability of silage and feedlot space. Contact Dr. Erin Brown (936)564-5924 or Chris Koffskey (979)224-8178 for reservations.

1. Sign-up prior to October 1st
2. Drop off heifers in mid-October
3. Feeding trial starts November 1st
4. Weights recorded monthly November- March
5. Ultrasound for carcass data late February
6. End Feeding trial mid- March
7. A.I. program begins mid-March
8. Synchronize and breed eligible heifers by timed A.I.
9. Ultrasound for conception mid-April
10. A.I. heifers go home mid to late April

Program Cost

Cost will be figured by entry weight starting at $2.00/day for a 400 lb heifer. An additional $0.15 will be charged for each cwt above 400 lbs. The cost will remain fixed for each individual heifer throughout the program. In other words, a heifer coming in at 600 lbs will be charged $2.30 per day until it leaves the program. The A.I. program costs roughly $100 per head including one month feeding, synchronization, breeding, and ultrasound for conception.

Price is subject to fluctuation with market values of corn and beans. Additional costs include medical treatment or veterinary care if deemed necessary by the SFASU staff. Unthrifty heifers will be brought to the attention of the owner before consideration for removal from the program. Billing is conducted on a monthly basis. All bills must be paid before cattle are allowed to leave the facility.

For more information or to visit the facility contact:

Dr. Erin Brown 936-564-5924 or Chris Koffskey 979-224-8178

Stephen F. Austin State University SFASU Beef Farm

442 CR 123

Nacogdoches, TX 75965

Click here to download the Development Program Agreement that is located on page 3

About the Program: Stephen F. Austin State University is preparing for its Backgrounding Program. The program is designed to assist producers in managing weaned calves. It offers producers relief from providing additional facilities, labor, and feed to background calves. The program is designed for weaned calves ranging in weight from 400-700 lbs. Calves are entered into the program in mid-October and fed through mid-March. Producers are issued a monthly report on the performance of each calf in the program with information including BW, ADG and a relative temperament rating.

Requirements

1. Calves must be weaned and bunk broke for a minimum of 2 weeks.
2. Ear tag identification is required indicating owner and calf number.
3. Calves must be dehorned or tipped (no longer than 2 inches).
4. Calves must be dewormed and deloused a minimum of 30 days prior to entry.
5. Calves must be free of active Pinkeye, ringworm and warts.
6. Vaccination for the following must be completed according to the manufacturer’s specifications a minimum of 2 weeks prior to entry.

• IBR, PI3, BVD I / II, BRSV (MODIFIED LIVE WITH BOOSTER)
• 7-way Clostridium
• Haemophilus Somnus
• Pasteurella H&M
• Lepto and Vibrio Moraxella bovis (Pinkeye)

7. Unsound calves will be reported to the owners and will either be treated at the owner’s expense or removed from the program.

Program Timeline

The 2013-2014 program is accepting calves October of 2013. Calves weighing between 400-700 lbs are eligible for the 4 month program. Acceptance into the program will be first come first serve, based on availability of silage and feedlot space. Contact Dr. Erin Brown (936)564-5924 or Chris Koffskey (979)224-8178 for reservations.

1. Sign-up prior to October 1st
2. Drop off calves in mid-October
3. Feeding trial starts November 1st
4. Weights recorded monthly November- March
5. End feeding trial mid-March

Program Cost

Cost will be figured by entry weight starting at $0.50/lb of gain per day or a minimum of a $1.00 per day.

Additional costs include medical treatment or veterinary care if deemed necessary by the SFASU staff. Un-thrifty calves will be brought to the attention of the owner before consideration for removal from the program. Billing is conducted on a monthly basis. All bills must be paid before cattle are allowed to leave the facility.

For more information or to visit the facility contact:

Dr. Erin Brown 936-564-5924 or Chris Koffskey 979-224-8178

Stephen F. Austin State University SFASU Beef Farm

442 CR 123

Nacogdoches, TX 75965

Click here to download Backgrounding Program Agreement that is located on page 3

Last week the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association had their national convention in Bryan, Texas at the Brazos County Expo. During the 29th Annual National Convention and Junior Heifer Show several juniors took a break from washing, feeding and walking their cattle to represent the breed on multiple news sources. Take a look at the videos posted below and see how our great juniors are representing our breed and all of agriculture.