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By Cody Morgan, Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) President-Elect

This show season has been a huge success for Beefmaster cattle and the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA). At every Texas major stock show Beefmaster cattle were either the first or second largest breed at the show.

Our first major was the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, where the breed was well represented with 227 entries. Next, we all traveled to San Antonio where there were 166 exhibitors showing their Beefmaster cattle. Just last week in Houston, our breed was represented with 265 heifers in the junior show. This year has been another great success for our breed and the quality of heifers continues to improve. The last Texas major is next week in Austin, come out and support our junior exhibitors as they compete at the Star of Texas show.

The show was not the only success for JBBA; the JBBA also had two successful hospitality rooms at the Fort Worth and Houston livestock shows. The participants enjoyed good food, games, leadership activities and learned about our national show. The 2013 National JBBA Show will be held in College Station, Texas starting July 22, 2013. Also, at every major this year we had JBBA officers and directors working the ring and helping out our junior exhibitors. Thanks to all the JBBA volunteers for donating their time and a big thank you to Allison Wells for her assistance as well. We also had BBU staff helping out, thank you to Collin Osbourn.

JBBA members will head to Brenham, Texas on April 27 for the Springtime in Texas Show, you may contact Dawn Compton with any questions about the show. The last show to round out the spring shows will be held in Salado, Texas and is the 2013 JBBA Extravaganza, Casey Ballard is the show coordinator. I hope to see you in the ring at one of these upcoming JBBA shows.

SAN ANTONIO – The Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association (LOBBA) officers and directors approved formation of the LOBBA Bull Development Test on Sat., Feb. 16, 2013. The program will begin the summer of 2013. Two tests per year will be held at the Tom Brothers Ranch in Campbellton, Texas.  The bull tests will begin January 1 and June 1 of each year. The bulls will then have a two week “cool down” period after the test before being sold and/or taken back to the owner’s ranch.

“Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is very excited about the level of interest exhibited by the Live Oak Beefmaster breeders toward the bull test. This new program will join the growing list of performance bull tests available to Beefmaster breeders,” said BBU Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, Ph.D.

Bull test participants must be a member of LOBBA to consign bulls to the program. LOBBA consists of Beefmaster breeders throughout the United States and membership is open to any interested Beefmaster breeder at a cost of $30 per year. The consignment fee per bull is $25 per head to cover cost of the data analysis.

All consigned bulls will be tested for a 112 day feeding period following a three week “warm-up” period and followed by a two week “cool down” period. Bulls that complete the test will have all yearling data collected.  The bulls will be weighed both on and off test and at the 56-day mid-point. In addition, the bulls will have an ultrasound performed (scanned) for rib fat, rump fat, ribeye area and percent intramuscular fat during the test. The bulls will also be measured for pelvic area, scrotal circumference and hip height.

Cost of yardage, feed, medication and data collection will be determined by the Tom Brothers Ranch (e.g. yardage: $0.40/head/day; feed cost plus 4% and medication: $10 pull fee plus cost plus medication plus 2%).  Additional services offered by Tom Brothers Ranch include sale preparation which includes clipping, videoing, breeding soundness exams, sale tags and delivery to the sale facility. Breeders will be invoiced monthly.

The bulls will have a 21-day warm-up and will be fed at two percent of body weight during the feeding phase.  This will include a Grower 1 (48% corn, 38% cotton burrs and 14% protein pellet) ration, Grower 2 (56% corn, 30% cotton burrs and 14% protein pellet) ration and a Gain (67% corn, 19% cotton burrs and 14% protein pellet) ration. CalMin and ZinPro will be fed to prevent acidosis and to maintain food and rumen health.  The bulls will have access to free choice coastal hay as well.

The first test will conclude around November 21 with a two week “cool down” period. The second test will conclude around May 23 with a two week “cool down” period. Both tests will end in time to allow consignors the option to consign their bulls to the LOBBA Beefmaster Bull Sale in January each year if they choose. A field day may be held at some point during each of the 112 day test for LOBBA members, BBU members and commercial cattlemen.

Visit the BBU website for more information about the LOBBA Bull Development Test or to complete an entry form to consign bulls to the program. For other questions or inquiries please contact the BBU staff members at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org.

By Lynzee Glass, Managing Editor, Ozarks Farm & Neighbor

Paul and Rhonda Wallen of Wallen Prairie Ranch - Lockwood, MO

Paul Wallen left the racetrack and automotive repair industry and got on the fast track to raising Beefmasters full time after experiencing success with the breed first hand.

In the early ‘80s, Paul and his father, Norban, and brother, Phillip, started raising registered Beefmaster, a breed derived from Brahman, Hereford and Shorthorns.

Norban and Phillip have built a foundation herd of 230 cows that are mostly sold to the commercial producer.

In 2006, Paul and his wife, Rhonda, bought more land outside Lockwood, Mo., and started the venture of raising their own herd of registered Beefmasters as Wallen Prairie Ranch.

“Beefmasters have small birth weights but grow quickly. They don’t have problems with pinkeye, they’re heat tolerant, easy keepers and fertile. And the best part is you can breed for the look you want and make drastic changes in your herd,” said Paul.

Keeping true to Beefmaster qualities the herd is bred for disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, hardiness and milk production. Wallen Praire Ranch raises strictly performance cattle. Performance data is recorded on all cattle, which includes birth weight, 205-day weight, yearling weight, EPDs and ultrasound data.

The evidence of quality genetics can be seen in one of the herd bulls, WPR Total Package. Total Package’s daughters average birth weight is 65 pounds, 205-day weight averages 643 pounds and yearling weight averages 942 pounds. Total Package’s sons’ average birth weight is 67 pounds, 205-day weight averages 774 pounds and yearling weight averages 1,296 pounds.

The Wallens use AI and natural breeding on their 150 registered cows. They have a 90-day calving window both in the spring and fall to offer the most options for their customers. “We strive to make better cattle everyday. That is why we utilize AI and embryo transfers. Our first ET calves were born this May. We had really good luck and will continue to use ET,” said Paul.

“We credit Jason Bates, Tommy Perkins and the rest of the Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) for our success,” acknowledged Paul.

To share their success and strategies Wallen Prairie Ranch is hosting a field day through the Ozark and Heart of America Beefmaster Breeders (OHOA) marketing group and Central States Beefmasters Breeders Association (CSBBA) satellite association on September 22.

To advocate the quality of the Beefmaster breed, Paul is on the board of the CSBBA and the OHOA. Paul and Rhonda were awarded Breeder of the Year of CSBBA.

Despite common misconceptions about Beefmasters being loose hided, with not as much muscle and more rib, Paul breeds his herd more clean, meaning tighter hides, strong muscled with more rib to generate better genetics. “We constantly strive to create the best real world cattle that are feed efficient and the most profitable cattle we can raise,” concluded Paul.

Original article on Ozarks Farm & Neighbor website

By BBU Executive Vice President, Tommy Perkins, Ph.D., PAS

Many cattle producers received some much needed moisture this past week, while cattle prices also remain high and the beef export market remains favorable. Other than the high cost of feed, fuel and fertilizer most beef industry professionals agree it is a great time to be in the beef cattle industry. There also seems to be trend in the beef industry to put the “cow” back into the beef industry’s “black hided” genetics. This has been very good news for the breeders of Bos Indicus cattle. This trend has been strong toward the Beefmaster breed. Here at Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) we have received more interest in Beefmaster bulls than ever before. It appears that cattlemen are searching out large numbers of Beefmaster bulls to breed the fertility, longevity, docility and growth back into their cow herds. Performance tested Beefmaster bulls have been selling extremely well recently and their demand does not seem to be slowing.

The beef industry has the lowest number of cattle in more than fifty years which should help maintain excellent prices for feeder and stocker calves. This is due to the inability for producers to supply the numbers that will be demanded by the feedlot, packer and ultimately the consumer. The value of the replacement female should remain at an elevated level for several years as the industry tries to rebuild the nation’s cowherd.

Many good opportunities lie ahead for Beefmaster breeders in the coming years. Profitable seedstock producers will separate themselves from others by maintaining low to average production costs. Additionally, they will have a willingness to produce and deliver what their customers are asking for, while also standing behind the product they merchandize. Beefmaster breeders are definitely in the driver’s seat and they need to make sure to supply the “right kind” of cattle that the industry is seeking. For the best outcome breeders must continue to collect, and have available, as much data as possible on the cattle they market. This will help ensure the cattle buyer that they are buying a reliable set of cattle, while moving the breeder forward in the beef industry.

Are you in need of superior Beefmaster genetics? Look no further than the Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) International Beefmaster Semen and Embryo Directory. This directory is distributed annually to target our international Beefmaster breeders and connect our international partners with Beefmaster genetics located in the United States.

If you are reading this blog post then today is your lucky day because the directory is provided below through an electronic reader. It has a lot of pictures and numbers! You can also find it in the international section of Beefmasters.org.

Current Beefmaster breeders can use this document to make sound Beefmaster service sire selections for your future breeding decisions. As you will see, the directory provides important performance data and/or Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) on each bull. This will allow you to make balanced breeding decisions by including performance traits such as birth weight, weaning weight, yearling weight, or milk as well as reproductive decisions using total maternal and scrotal circumference information.

Not a current Beefmaster breeder? Not sure you want to make the leap into Beefmaster genetics? Then let’s discuss the Beefmaster background and how the Beefmaster breed can improve the efficiency and profitability of your herd.

Tom Lasater, founder of the Beefmaster breed, used Hereford, Shorthorn and Brahman cattle to form the perfect three-way cross that was superior to other cattle. Beefmaster cattle, recognized as a breed by the United States Department of Agriculture in 1954, were selected following Lasater’s ‘Six Essentials’. The ‘Six Essentials’ consist of disposition, fertility, weight, conformation, milk production and hardiness.

Disposition: Beefmasters are known for their calm nature and ease of handling. They are cattle with great dispositions that are a pleasure to work while improving herd profitability.

Fertility: For a female to remain in the herd, she should calve each and every year weaning an acceptable calve. Producers with a Beefmaster female, regardless of purebred or cross, will have a very functional cow to do just that. Let’s not forget about the bull. A bull’s fertility will be passed directly to his offspring.

Weight: Research and experience have shown that Beefmasters provide higher daily weight gain averages at weaning and yearling stages than other competitive breeds offer.

Conformation: Beefmaster breeders also recognize that yield grade is important. Lasater knew that animals that produce carcasses which yield the most pounds of tender, lean beef per unit of live weight demonstrated the ideal conformation.

Milk Production: Milk and maternal traits are part of the genetic strength of Beefmaster cattle in the United States.  In some regions of Central and South America, milk production from these animals is a second source of income for the owners.

Hardiness: Beefmasters adapt to heat with short hair and will grow longer hair coats in colder climates. Fleshy, heavily muscled Beefmasters provide strong heat tolerance. They also flourish in cold mountainous terrain.

Man, what a versatile breed! The females are “super moms” and the bulls produce high conformation and daily weight gain. Why would you not buy into these great genetics? Well, you can start today with the directory provided above, better start flippin’ and clickin’.

So consider this an invitation to a more profitable cattle operation. You are invited to incorporate Beefmaster genetics into your current program. So let’s get started because now you know that Beefmasters are simply more efficient, simply more profit.

If you would like a hard copy of the directory please contact the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or email us at info@beefmasters.org.

SAN ANTONIO - The 22nd Annual San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo All Breeds Bull and Commercial Female Sale proved to be a successful event for three Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) members. The Beefmaster breeders were recognized prior to the sale held on Wed., Feb. 13, 2013 after being selected as top-placing cattle during the show held on Tues., Feb. 12, 2013. This sale features purebred bulls and commercial heifers consigned by premier Texas and New Mexico ranches.

Rancho Dos Vidas Ltd., Moore, Texas was recognized before the annual sale as the Overall Grand Champion Pen of Females after also winning first place Beefmaster pen. Don Mullins is the owner of Rancho Dos Vidas Ltd., and Lane Roberson is the ranch manager. Mullins is one of the first ranchers to utilize the Beefmaster breed, dating back to the 1960s.This pen consisted of a super set of moderate framed, easy fleshing BBU certified Beefmaster Advancer females with superb udders and Brangus sired calves at side.

“This is our second year to compete in the San Antonio All Breeds Sale. We started breeding our BBU registered females to Red Angus bulls four years ago in an effort to clean up their underlines, get moderate sized calves and to become more functional as commercial Advancer cattle,” said Roberson.

Beefmaster Advancer cattle are animals of fifty percent or more registered Beefmaster breeding and fifty percent or less of other registered, DNA genotyped non-Beefmaster beef cattle breeding.

“Don and Lane are to be commended for bringing such a fancy set of Beefmaster Advancer females with perfect udders to the competition,” said BBU Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins, Ph.D. “The pen of five females and calves was the top choice for the 12 judges serving on the All Breeds Sale judging panel, as well as for many of the attendees at the show and sale.”

Two more Beefmaster honors went to well known Texas ranches and prominent members of BBU. The first place Beefmaster Bred Female award was presented to HT Chapman Cattle Company, Rockport, Texas. The High Grading Beefmaster Bull award was presented to Collier Farms, Brenham, Texas.

Of the three Beefmaster winners at the All Breeds Sale, none of their entries were eligible for the $5,000 Beefmaster Bonus Challenge money that was initiated in 2011. The bonus cash for Champion pairs or 3-N-1’s with Beefmaster sired calves at side will be carried forward and available to breeders at the 2014 All Breeds Sale. To be eligible for next year’s $7,500 cash bonus the calves of the Overall Grand Champion Pen of Females must be sired by a certified Beefmaster bull and pass inspection by BBU personnel.

“The Beefmaster Bonus Challenge is an added incentive for any consignor at next year’s sale. Now is the time to purchase some good Beefmaster genetics, either semen for artificial insemination or bulls for natural service, to breed next year’s potential entries and to compete for the added $7,500 bonus,” said Perkins.

For more information about the Beefmaster Advancer Program or the Beefmaster Bonus Challenge, call 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 added a new team member; Jeralyn Stephens will be serving as the Communications Coordinator. Stephens will serve the BBU organization by promoting the general functions of BBU with an emphasis in media and website promotion, as well as advertising development. Her responsibilities include managing the bi-monthly newsletter Beefmaster E-News, managing electronic media including social media platforms, writing news releases and assisting with video development. Additionally, she will serve as the liaison between BBU and the agriculture trade media in an effort to increase breed recognition with beef cattle industry publications.

Stephens grew up in McKinney, Texas where she was active in her local FFA and 4-H chapters. She was involved in each program through exhibiting market goats and breeding beef heifers while also participating in several leadership programs. She received a Bachelor of Science in agricultural services and development with an emphasis in agricultural communications from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. While at Tarleton State University she served as a member of the meat evaluation team, Sigma Alpha agricultural sorority, agricultural ambassadors and several other leadership organizations.

Stephens has an extensive communications background and has worked on multiple marketing campaigns, website development projects and beef cattle communication efforts. She comes to us from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) where she served as a public policy intern in Washington, D.C., and as the manager of web content in Denver, Colo.

“We are blessed to have such a qualified person heading up our communications and media services. Jeralyn has all of the skills needed to advance the breed’s recognition in the industry,” said BBU Executive Vice President Tommy Perkins. “Ms. Stephens has excelled in every facet of her life, including high school, college and professionally. We could not have written a job description more perfect for the outstanding attributes that she brings to the job.”

For more information or to contact the BBU staff members call the office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org.

SAN ANTONIO – At its January 2013 meeting the Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation (B.E.E.F.) Board of Directors finalized funding for a research project at the University of Missouri for genomic sequencing of Beefmaster bulls. This sequencing is meant to enhance the understanding and genetic prediction of Beefmaster cattle performance.

The $27,500 research study was recommended for funding to the board by Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Long Range Planning Committee and will be awarded to the University of Missouri’s Dr. Jerry Taylor who serves as the wurdack chair of animal genomics and curators’ and a professor of genetics and animal sciences.

Taylor expressed that the B.E.E.F., funding will be used in tandem with funding provided by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) to deep sequence the genomes of high-impact bulls to identify variation in growth, carcass quality, feed intake, disease resistance and early embryonic loss.

“The funding will also support our development of an assay to generate genomic-enhanced EPDs and will include up to 6,000 of the variants detected in the sequencing project to test their affects on fertility in 10,000 genotyped heifers,” said Taylor. “The results will lead to improved EPDs for fertility and production traits in Beefmaster cattle.”

BBU will benefit from this research, as the association will receive DNA sequence data on the bulls and then obtain additional knowledge tied to a large reservoir of sequenced bulls internationally. Sequence data can be used to expand existing high-density 50K (HD 50K) DNA data at the University of Missouri into whole genome results, which in turn creates potential for advanced Beefmaster selection tools at the association. The DNA sequence data on Beefmaster bulls could ultimately lead to genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs).

Beefmaster breeders do not currently have access to GE-EPDs through the association’s National Cattle Evaluation program. BBU Executive Vice President Dr. Tommy Perkins said the DNA research on Beefmaster cattle creates multiple opportunities for enhancement of current and future EPDs through improved accuracy levels. It could afford additional EPDs and other selection tools for traits that measure reproduction performance.

“Beefmaster genetics are known around the world for outstanding growth and overall reproductive performance. With this newly funded study, Beefmaster breeders can move forward with greater optimism as the genomic technologies continue to evolve,” said Perkins.

B.E.E.F., President Davin Vaughn said research is only one of three components that the Beefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation funds, with the other two components being youth and education.

“Research projects such as the Beefmaster bull genomic sequencing project at the University of Missouri are invaluable to the Beefmaster breed. Benefits to the membership and their operations from B.E.E.F.’s investment in this project are an overwhelming positive move forward,” said Vaughn.

B.E.E.F., was established in 2009 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to support Beefmaster education, youth and research. To learn more about B.E.E.F., and the programs it supports visit the BBU foundation history web page.

For more information and results, call the BBU office at 210-732-3132 or visit www.beefmasters.org.

Beefmaster cattle sales have been pretty awesome lately.  Maybe it is because of the recent (and much needed) rain that many of you have received.  It could be due to the extremely high commercial market prices that we are seeing across the nation.  Or perhaps it could be in response of cattleman to the extremely maternal characteristics that our breed has to offer the beef industry.  Cattlemen know that there is no better “mama” cow in the industry.  Beefmaster females offer strong maternal instincts, extreme docilty, excellent fertility, added longevity and superior environmental adaptability.  A Beefmaster bull, bred to the current “black hided” commercial cow, will result in every advantage afforded through heterosis.  There is no better time than now to properly invest in the future of rebuilding the nations cowherd – purchase a Beefmaster bull today.  Feel free to contact us at the BBU office (210-732-3132) or a Beefmaster breeder in your area to find a bull or bulls that will work for you.

I welcome everyone to the new look BBU website.  All of the same information you have come to rely on with the old site is still there, but the new site features easier navigation and more functionality.

Some additions to the new website include the ability to open and pay for a new membership account online, pay for renewal membership dues online, pay for cattle registry online and the ability to complete and email some additional forms online.

This should reduce some of our staff labor at some point. We are still learning the in’s and out’s of the form reporting to us but it will really be of benefit sooner than later.

Please try submitting some data using the new website forms online and let us know what you think.