by IBBA President Brandon Belt

We are moving forward. The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) has several projects in the works for upcoming events and research initiatives to move the Brangus breed forward. Your help and participation is imperative if we are to be successful.

I know, I know, I know, it takes time and money, but so does most everything that is worth doing. Take time now to do the things that need to be done to move your program and the breed forward. Gather data, information and DNA. I hear it all the time, and I am guilty of it myself, “Why would I gather that information or turn that in? They aren’t doing anything with it.” Have a little faith! Believe it or not, we are asking for all of this data, information and DNA for a reason. We have a plan, but we can’t roll out new and exciting things like new EPDs and indexes without the data to build them and back them up.

We do have an exciting new opportunity to feed cattle and get kill data on our genetics through a program sponsored by the association. You don’t have the excuse any more that you don’t have a full load to send to the feedlot; we now have an avenue for you to send small groups of cattle to be fed with other member’s cattle. (Click here to learn about IBBA’s Carcass Merit Excellence Challenge program.)

The International Brangus Breeders Foundation has taken advantage of an awesome opportunity to partner with Raluca Mateescu, PhD. and Florida State University on a program to identify genetic markers for heat tolerance in Brangus cattle. (Click here to read more.)

Stay tuned in coming months for other ways the IBBA is moving forward to test, identify and promote superior Brangus genetics.

I would like to thank the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Alex Johns for hosting the Southeast Brangus Breeders Association’s field day and the IBBA Fall Conference. We had a big time in Florida, and saw a lot of country and cattle. It looks a good bit different in Central Florida in August than it does in Central Texas. Good people and good cattle, I always enjoy traveling around and visiting with fellow Brangus breeders. No doubt, we have the best people in the cattle business.

Speaking of good people, you may have heard, the World Brangus Congress is coming to the USA in 2018! The IBBA International Committee needs your help. We need cattle to be presented at field events, we need member participation in functions, and we need financial sponsors. The International Committee has come up with a comprehensive program; please contact a member today to see how you can get involved. (Click here for more information about WBC.)

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