Junior Beefmaster Breeders Excel at Annual Live Oak Bull Sale

By Charlie Wood | Published January 11, 2018

Boerne, Texas – Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is comprised of satellite organizations and marketing groups that host Beefmaster cattle sales throughout the year, among many other events. One of the satellites, the Live Oak Beefmaster Breeders Association (LOBBA), held their premier annual bull sale on Saturday, Jan., 6 at the Live Oak County Fairgrounds in Three Rivers, Texas. This sale is the longest running sale in the Southwest, offering high quality Beefmaster bulls to commercial and purebred cattlemen and women. This year 104 lots were offered, which included Beefmaster bulls from Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Louisiana. Several international buyers were present and purchased quality Beefmaster bulls. The Live Oak Bull Sale grossed $587,050 and the average was $5,645 per head. The two high selling bulls sold for $30,000 each.

All bulls were graded on phenotypic make-up by a select panel of graders. Prize money was awarded to the top ten grading bulls. Placing in the top 25 were two active Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) members. JBBA secretary Emily Martin of New Ulm, Texas sold the 5th place bull which sold for $30,000. JBBA member Cayden Carpenter of Tecumseh, Okla., also had a top placing bull. His bull placed 22nd and sold for $4,500. Emily’s two-year-old bull, ENM Future Info 1115 was one of the two high selling bulls at this year’s LOBBA sale.

“JBBA offers young people the opportunity to improve the Beefmaster breed,” said JBBA adult volunteers Casey Ballard and Darrell Glaser. “Through technological advances like AI, embryo transfer and carcass ultrasound, their cattle are quickly improving. Young breeders recognize the direction the breed is headed and they are leading the way.”

JBBA was founded in 1984 and is one of the fastest growing junior beef breed associations in the country. There are approximately 700 active JBBA members. JBBA members gain valuable knowledge about every phase of the cattle business and become better prepared to contribute to the beef cattle industry and agribusiness as adults through their involvement in the program.

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Lone Star Beefmaster Breeders Assn. Fall Sale – Dec. 2, Sulphur Springs, Texas

By Charlie Wood | Published January 8, 2018

22 Bulls – $75,700 – Avg. $3,441
5 Pairs/3n1s – $19,700 – Avg. $3,940
6 Bred Cows – $27,600 – Avg. $4,600
23 Bred Heifers – $70,650 – Avg. $3,072
14 Open Heifers – $42,600 – Avg. $3,043
1 Semen – $750

71 Lots – $237,000 – Avg. $3,338

 

Top Bulls:
Lot 4–Consignor: John & Heather Long, Axtell, Texas; Sold to Hanley Ranch Beefmasters, Lindale, Texas: $6,250

Lot 67–Consignor: Charlie & Debbie Bradbury, Huntsville, Texas; Sold to Curtis Proske, Lexington, Texas: $5,500

Lot 23–Consignor: Harold & Kyle Hoge, Joshua, Texas; Sold to Mike Little Brashear, Texas: $5,250

Lot 35–Consignor: David & Shirley Byers, Alvord, Texas; Sold to Ervin Allen, Scurry, Texas: $4,900

Lot 71–Consignor: E&E Ranch, Seagoville, Texas; Sold to Scott & Nora Smith, Saltillo, Texas: $4,400

Lot 26–Consignor: Tom & Deidra Hood, Tahlequah, Okla.; Sold to Pine Valley Farm, Jefferson, Texas: $4,250

Lot 31–Consignor: Ray Walker, Big Spring, Texas; Sold to Gary McKinney, Kaufman, Texas: $4,000

Lot 57–Consignor: Brock Clay, Meridian, Miss.; Sold to Lexington, Texas: $4,000

Lot 78–Consignor: Chastain Farms, Rogers, Ark.; Sold to Bill Dennehy, Kaufman, Texas: $4,000

 

Top Pairs/3n1s:

Lot 50–Consignor: Jeffrey Hedden, Hazel Green, Ala.; Sold to Brad & Wanda Vandever, Talco, Texas: $6,000

Lot 28–Consignor: Tom & Deidra Hood, Tahlequah, Okla.; Sold to Darin & Melissa Bass, Edgewood, Texas: $5,000

Lot 13–Consignor: Gerald & Christie Galbraith, Abilene, Texas; Sold to River Bunch, Stillwell, Okla.: $4,750

 

Top Bred Cows:

Lot 9–Consignor: Elizabeth’s Clear Creek, Columbus, Miss.; Sold to E&E Ranch, Seagoville, Texas: $9,000

Lot 49–Consignor: Darrell Sealey, Hazel Green, Ala.; Sold to Steve & Lyn Anderson, Amarillo, Texas: $5,000

Lot 85–Consignor: Pine Valley Farm, Jefferson, Texas; Sold to Scott & Nora Smith, Saltillo, Texas: $3,900

 

Top Bred Heifers:

Lot 18–Consignor: Hunt Beefmasters, Hallsville, Texas; Sold to Metz’s Blackland Beefmasters, Paris, Texas: $4,700

Lot 27–Consignor: Tom & Deidra Hood, Tahlequah, Okla.; Sold to Darin & Melissa Bass, Edgewood, Texas: $4,250

Lot 72–Consignor: E&E Ranch, Seagoville, Texas; Sold to Darin & Melissa Bass, Edgewood, Texas: $4,600

 

Top Opens:

Lot 40–Consignor: Woelfel’s Red Hollow, Giddings, Texas; Sold to Lura Lee Carraway, Kaufman, Texas: $4,600

Lot 11–Consignor: Elizabeth’s Clear Creek, Columbus, Miss.; Sold to Lura Lee Carraway, Kaufman, Texas: $4,000

Lot 25–Consignor: Harold & Kyle Hoge, Joshua, Texas; Sold to Rhodes Ranch, Sulphur, La.: $3,000

 

Volume Buyers:
Rhodes Ranch, Sulphur, La.
Darin & Melissa Bass, Edgewood, Texas

 

Auctioneer, managed, reported by:
Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, Texas

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Collier Farms Performance Bull Sale – Nov. 18, Brenham, Texas

By Charlie Wood | Published January 8, 2018

103 Lots – $953,750 – Avg. $9,260

 

Top Lots:
Lot 3–Consignor: 7C Anderson Cattle Co., Victoria, Texas; Sold to Lagow Ranch, Anahuac, Texas: $29,000

Lot 11–Consignor: Collier Farms, Brenham, Texas; Sold to Frank & Kyle Dittfurth, Livingston, Texas: $29,000

Lot 48–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to E&E Beefmasters, Seagoville, Texas: $28,500

Lot 49–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to Island Beefmasters, Houston, Texas: $26,000

Lot 1–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to KW Pritchett, Montgomery, Texas: $25,000

Lot 23–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to Jerry Reed, Austin, Texas: $22,000

Lot 14–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to Golden Meadows Ranch, San Antonio, Texas: $20,000

Lot 47–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to 7C Anderson Cattle Co., Victoria, Texas: $20,000

Lot 2–Consignor: Gary Delz, Georgetown, Texas; Sold to Hernando Guerra, Edinburg, Texas: $19,000

Lot 4–Consignor: Melvin Scherer Jr., Meyersville, Texas; Sold to Golden Meadows Ranch, San Antonio, Texas: $19,000

Lot 5–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to Jim Colvin, Seguin, Texas: $18,000

Lot 15–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to Tom Hood, Tahlequah, Okla., and Wesley Hood, Siloam Springs, Okla.: $18,000

Lot 13–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to Jose Gama, Lodi, Calif.: $17,000

Lot 43–Consignor: Collier Farms; Sold to Windy Hills Beefmasters, Poplarville, Miss.: $17,000

 

Volume Buyers:
Martin O’Connor Cattle Co., Victoria, Texas
Golden Meadows Ranch, San Antonio, Texas

 

Auctioneer, managed & reported by:
Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, Texas

 

Sale Consultant:
Bruce Robbins, San Antonio, Texas

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Ramirez Joins Beefmaster Breeders United Staff

By Charlie Wood | Published December 21, 2017
By Jeralyn Novak | Published December 21, 2017

 

Boerne, Texas – Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) is proud to announce the hiring of Yvonne “Bonnie” Ramirez as the JBBA/International and Membership Coordinator. Her duties include managing the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA) program, BBU memberships and the U. S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc., (USLGE) portion of the BBU international marketing program.

 

Ramirez grew up in the small south Texas town of Encino and now resides in the Sutherland Springs/Floresville, Texas area. She joins the BBU team after most recently working for the International Brangus Breeders Association. Ramirez received a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture, with an emphasis in animal science and a minor in communications, from Sam Houston State University. Prior to working for the Brangus association, she worked for the Producers CO-OP Association’s La Vernia Country Store in La Vernia, Texas and served as director of communications for the Texas Animal Health Commission. Her other work experience includes the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, D&D Farm and Ranch, Wilson County News, and Ultimate Genetics-Sire Services.

 

Ramirez is very involved in her local community and the agriculture industry. She is currently an active member of the San Antonio Ranch Rodeo Finals committee and she and her family produce the annual Forget Me Not Benefit Alzheimer’s Team Roping. She has judged multiple public speaking and skill contests at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, as well as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. She was one of the original partners in the South Texas Women’s Ranch Rodeo Association. Ramirez serves as a freelance writer for The Ag Mag. Previously she also freelanced for the Texas High School Rodeo Association and Extreme Team News. Her professional accolades include Texas Farm Bureau “Excellence in Journalism” and outstanding volunteer of the year for the San Antonio Stock Show Ranch Rodeo Committee.

 

“Bonnie is passionate about agriculture and is a goal-oriented individual,” says BBU Chief Financial Officer Collin Osbourn. “Her knowledge and background in stock show management will be valuable to JBBA and she will bring great energy to the junior program. She will also serve as a great role model for our junior members and will be dedicated to our Beefmaster breeders in every capacity. We are excited to have Bonnie as part of the team.”

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

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Louisiana BBA Cowboy Classic Sale – Nov. 4, Lake Charles, La.

By Charlie Wood | Published November 28, 2017

14 Bulls – $35,400 – Avg. $2,529
5 3n1s/Pairs – $18,300 – Avg. $3,660
4 Bred Cows – $9,900 – Avg. $2,475
3 Bred Heifers – $7,400 – Avg. $2,467
2 Pick/Open Heifers – $14,800
– Avg. $7,400
16 Open Heifers – $35,700 – Avg. $2,529

45 Lots – $123,775 – Avg. $2,751


Casey’s Crooked Bar C Beefmaster Sale
2 Bulls – $4,500 – Avg. $2,250
8 Pairs – $31,550 – Avg. $3,944
11 Bred Cows – $41,400 – Avg. $3,764
15 Bred Heifers – $43,350 – Avg. $2,890
6 Open Heifers – $16,850 – Avg. $2,808

42 Lots – $137,650 – Avg. $3,277

 

Top Bulls:
Lot 3–Consignor: Sheldon McManus, Lake Charles, La.; Sold to Philip Gangie, Kaplan, La.: $3,500
Lot 48–Consignor: Rod Beefmasters, El Campo, Texas; Sold to J. Glenn Hughes, Orange, Texas: $3,300
Lot 14–Consignor: Kendall & Vivian McKenzie, Angie, La.; Sold to Craig Hargrave, Abbeville, La.: $3,000

 

Top 3n1s:
Lot 32–Consignor: Fred & Mary Moran, Greensburg, La.; Sold to Hans Wittenburg, Edna, Texas: $5,200
Lot 7–Consignor: Sheldon McManus, Lake Charles, La.; Sold to Kirk Hammatt, Oakdale, La.: $4,500
Lot 13–Consignor: Kendall & Vivian McKenzie, Angie, La.; Sold to Benton Scott, Iota, La.: $2,600

 

Top Bred Heifers:
Lot 6–Consignor: Sheldon McManus, Lake Charles, La.; Sold to Spring Lake Ranch, Mauriceville, La.: $3,300
Lot 11–Consignor: Double B Beefmasters, Lake Arthur, La.; Sold to Daniel E. Mallette, Deville, La.: $2,000

 

Top Bred Cows:
Lot 9–Consignor: Double B Beefmasters, Lake Arthur, La.; Sold to Kirk Hammatt, Oakdale, La.: $2,900
Lot 8–Consignor: Double B Beefmasters, Lake Arthur, La.; Jarett Daigle, Prairieville, La.: $2,800
Lot 35–Consignor: Richard Roundtree, China, Texas; Sold to Trent Simon, Duson, La.: $2,300

 

Top Open Heifers:
Lot 10–Consignor: Double B Beefmasters, Lake Arthur, La.; Sold to Too Many Chiefs, Jennings, La.: $3,400
Lot 30–Consignor: Michael J. Ange, Lake Charles, La.; Sold to Rhodes Ranch, Sulphur, La.: $3,200
Lot 5–Consignor: Sheldon McManus, Lake Charles, La.; Sold to Crooked Bar C, Harahan, La.: $2,600

 

Other High Selling Lots:
Lot 15–Bull; Consignor: Geary & Ann McKenzie, Franklinton, La.; Sold to Glen Hetzel, Jennings, La.: $3,200
Lot 16–3n1; Consignor: Geary & Ann McKenzie, Franklinton, La.; Sold to Spring Lake Ranch, Mauriceville, La.: $3,200
Lot 42–Bull; Consignor: Gaston Gerald, Baton Rouge, La.; Sold to Kali LaLande, Jennings, La.: $3,200

 

Casey’s Crooked Bar C Ranch High Selling Lots:
Lot 60–Pair; Sold to Windy Hills Beefmasters, Poplarville, Miss.: $7,000
Lot 55–Pair; Sold to Ray Helton, Meridianville, Ala.: $6,750
Lot 56–Bred Cow; Sold to Ray & Kathy Walther, Giddings, Texas: $6,000
Lot 54–Bred Cow; Sold to Troy Scott, Iota, La.: $5,000\
Lot 58–Bred Cow; Sold to Steven & Lyn Anderson, Amarillo, Texas: $4,750
Lot 53–Bred Cow; Sold to Double B Beefmasters, Lake Arthur, La.: $4,250
Lot 84–Bred Heifer; Sold to Tilford Langlinais, Erath, La.: $4,250

 

Volume Buyers:
Too Many Chiefs, Jennings, La.
Rhodes Ranch, Sulphur, La.

Auctioneer, managed & reported by:
Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, Texas

 

Sale Consultant:
Bruce Robbins, San Antonio, Texas

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Carr & Others Fall Sale – Oct. 21, Floresville, Texas

By Charlie Wood | Published November 27, 2017

2 Bulls – $11,500 – Avg. $5,750
11 3n1s – $70,800 – Avg $6,436
29 Bred Heifers – $163,500 – Avg. $5,638
21 Open Heifers – $81,750 – Avg. $3,893
1 Classic Cotton Semen – $1,980
64 Lots – $329,530 – Avg. $5,149

 

Top Lots:

Lot 48–3n1; Consignor: Billy & Marie Welkener, Kenedy, Texas; Sold to John Rediger, Pecos, Texas: $13,000
Lot 5–Bred Hfr; Consignor: Bill & Dusty Carr, Laredo, Texas; Sold to Anacleto Longoria, Edinburg, Texas: $12,500
Lot 11–Bred Hfr; Consignor: Bill & Dusty Carr, Laredo, Texas; Sold to Windy Hills Beefmasters, Poplarville, Miss.: $10,000
Lot 20–Bred Hfr; Consignor: Bill & Dusty Carr, Laredo, Texas; Sold to Bill Botard, Alice, Texas: $9,500
Lot 50–Bred Hfr; Consignor: Billy & Marie Welkener, Kenedy, Texas; Sold to John Rediger, Pecos, Texas: $9,500
Lot 33–Open Hfr; Consignor: Bill & Dusty Carr, Laredo, Texas; Sold to Jim Colvin, Seguin, Texas: $8,000
Lot 10–Bred Hfr; Consignor: Bill & Dusty Carr, Laredo, Texas; Sold to Anacleto Longoria, Edinburg, Texas: $7,500
Lot 44–3n1; Consignor: Tony & Karen Psencik, San Antonio, Texas; Sold to Mackie Bounds, Axtell, Texas: $7,000
Lot 52–3n1; Consignor: Bob & Bonnie Siddons, Lakeway, Texas; Sold to Hans Wittenburg, Edna, Texas: $7,000

 

Volume Buyers:
Anacleto Longoria, Edinburg, Texas
Swinging B Ranch, Axtell, Texas
George Damm, Hidalgo, Texas

Auctioneer, co-sale manager, reported by:
Anthony Mihalski, San Antonio, Texas

Co-sale managers:
Bruce Robbins, San Antonio, Texas
Mike Green, Franklin, Ga.

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Beefmaster Foundation Launches National Endowment Campaign

By Charlie Wood | Published November 13, 2017

During Beefmaster Breeders United’s (BBU) recent convention in Galveston, Texas, national campaign co-chairs Mackie Bounds and Bob Siddons, announced the public launch of the “Foundation for the Future” endowment campaign, an initiative to secure a permanent financial base which will enable theBeefmaster Educational Endowment Foundation (B.E.E.F.) to aggressively accomplish research and education, which will help to both enhance the breed and provide credible scientific research and information for BBU members and the public on the benefits of the Beefmaster breed.

 

The phase one goal of the campaign was to secure $1 million in pledges, which may be paid over five years, at the time of the public launching of the campaign.

 

“We have now already made history with over $1 million having been committed at the launch of the campaign today and that the committee is now moving forward to the phase two goal of $2 million in 2018,” said co-chair Bob Siddons.

 

Co-chair Mackie Bounds informed the attendees that with a permanent endowment in place — the Foundation will fund educational and breed specific scientific research from the earnings from the endowments corpus leaving donated monies in perpetuity. He also announced that anyone donating to the campaign in 2017 will be recognized as a Foundation “Founding Member”.

 

All new foundation campaign donors and those who may have increased their respective pledges will be formally recognized each year at BBU’s convention and throughout the year. Furthermore, it should be noted that all donations to B.E.E.F. are fully tax-deductible as provided by law.

 

The following individuals were publicly recognized for their generous support of the “Foundation for the Future” and, in addition, were recognized as a “Founding Member” of the endowment campaign:

 

The Breeder’s Legacy Society

Foundation Governor – $100,000+

Mackie & Norma Jean Bounds

Bill & Dusty Carr

Tim & Debbie Chapman

Mike & Rhonda Collier

Dr. Jim & Pam Colvin

Clark Jones

Bob & Bonnie Siddons

 

Foundation Regent – $50,000+

Larry Meacham

Dalton & Kathy Skinner

 

Foundation Fellow – $25,000+

Anonymous

Farm & Ranch [Kito & Leti Saenz]

Dan & Karen Gattis

Heritage Cattle Company

Dr. Roger & Cindy Holden

ISA Beefmaster [Lorenzo Lasater & Family]

Sheldon & Margaret McManus

Tony & Karen Psencik

Rick Stonecipher

J.C. & Teri Thompson

Ray & Kathy Walther

 

Foundation Patron – $15,000+

Foundation Beefmasters – Dale & Alex Lasater

 

Foundation Guarantor – $10,000+

Andy & Kim Boudreau

Roger & Kaye Fuller

Gerald Galbraith

John & Sue Pierson

 

Foundation Benefactor – $5,000+

Steve & Lana Carpenter

Melaine Hardwick

Tom & Deidra Hood

Larry Lairmore

Dave Loftin

Anthony & Harriet Mihalski

John Rediger

Bruce & Annette Robbins

San Gabriel Beefmasters [Barry Parker]

Ray Walker

Robert & Carol Williams

3G Sales & Service

 

Foundation Sponsor – $1,000+

John & Barbara Evangelo

Gary Frenzel

Lawrence & Cynthia Lyssy

John & Heather Long

Kendall & Vivian McKenzie

Ronnie Teague

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Wittenburg Honored with Beefmaster Legends Award

By Charlie Wood | Published November 9, 2017

Hans Wittenburg of Edna, Texas was presented the Legends Award by Nolan Ryan during the 57th Annual Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Convention “Beefmasters on the Bay” in Galveston, Texas. The Legends Award was started in 2002 by then BBU president Nolan Ryan and is awarded to members who have been raising Beefmaster cattle for 50 years or more. There have been eight previous Legends Award recipients prior to Hans Wittenburg.

 

Wittenburg grew up in Lockhart, Texas and graduated from Texas A&M University in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry and was commissioned second lieutenant in the United States Army. As a young man fresh out of college, Hans married his wife Mary Ann on January 28, 1951, and went to work for Green Valley Cattle Co. in San Marcos, Texas. During this time, he saw his first Beefmaster cattle, and their performance at the feedlot made a memorable impression on him. After serving in the Army for two years, Wittenburg began working with his father-in-law at John Deere of Edna, Texas in 1955 and he went on to own the John Deere dealership until 1998. During this time he was named Jackson County’s Chamber of Commerce “Man of the Year” in 1967 and he became an active member of BBU in 1968 after purchasing his first Beefmasters at a sale in Alice, Texas.

 

As a Beefmaster breeder he has influenced and paved the way for advancements in the breed for almost fifty years. In 1976, Wittenburg served as the president of the Lone Star Beefmaster Breeders Association and went on to serve on the BBU board of directors for eight years, serving in all officer positions including president. In 1983, Wittenburg was selected as the BBU breeder of the year and also went on to serve a second term on the BBU board of directors. From 1968 until 2015, Wittenburg served as chairman or member of every BBU committee, including a decade of service to the breed improvement committee. In 2003, Wittenburg was inducted into the BBU Hall of Fame and throughout the years has been awarded Jackson County “Rancher of the Year” multiple times. Wittenburg has consigned a number of animals to various Beefmaster sales over the years, ultimately having the good fortune of winning grand champion numerous times at the sales and futurities.

 

Hans and Mary Ann have three sons Fritz, Randy (wife Joanie), and Joe Mack (wife Beverly) and Hans is the beloved “papa” to ten grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. Hans Wittenburg is truly a legend within the Beefmaster breed and a well-known man throughout the agriculture community.

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Oklahoma Cattleman Selected as Beefmaster Breeder of the Year

By Charlie Wood | Published November 8, 2017

BOERNE, Texas – Tom and Deidra Hood, Hidden Hollow Beefmasters of Tahlequah, Okla., were announced as the 2017 Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) Breeder of the Year during the 57th Annual BBU Convention “Beefmasters on the Bay” in Galveston, Texas.

 

Tom and Deidra have been BBU members since 1984 and are active members of the Central States Beefmaster Breeders Association (CSBBA), Arkansas Beefmaster Breeders Association, Central Texas Beefmaster Breeders Association, Louisiana Beefmaster Breeders Association and the Ozark and Heart of America Beefmaster Marketing Group (OHOA). The Hoods played an important role in the success of both OHOA and CSBBA for more than a decade, serving as sale manager for their annual sales and serving in multiple leadership roles, including on the board of directors. Tom also served on the BBU board of directors from 2014 to 2016 and this dynamic duo has worked for over three decades marketing Beefmaster cattle throughout the United States.

 

The Hoods take pride in being whole herd reporting members and recording one-hundred percent of their calf crop with BBU for the past 20 years. They understand the importance of BBU classification and ranch visits, through both of these programs they have been able to improve their cattle herd and gain Typesetter status on several animals. The Hoods have implemented artificial insemination and embryo transfer into their breeding program. About eighty percent of their heifers are artificially inseminated for their first calf, while forty percent of their breeding females are inseminated with top performance bulls. They have collected ultrasound data on their entire calf crop since 2012 and have used this data for heifer and bull selection. All herd sires are selected for minimum intramuscular fat (IMF) and ribeye area (REA) values, ratios and expected progeny differences (EPDs). EPDs are front and center for their program, as well as DNA verification. All of these practices have ultimately led to extremely quick genetic progress for Hidden Hollow Beefmasters.

 

“Their main goal is to produce functional, quality bulls for the commercial cattleman,” said Wesley Hood, the son of Tom and Deidra. “They have used their position as sale managers to market thousands of Beefmasters to a vast array of commercial producers, advancing the breed in various areas. But more importantly, they have utmost integrity.”

 

The Hood Beefmaster operation is a complete family enterprise. Their son and daughter-in-law are active partners in the cattle and sales management business, while also operating their own veterinary clinic and Beefmaster herd. Tom and Deidra also have two granddaughters that are active in showing cattle through the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association. Overall, the goal of the Hood family is to continue Beefmaster genetic advancement and family ownership for many more years to come.

 

The BBU Breeder of the Year award was created to recognize the efforts and contributions made by members to promote BBU and Beefmaster cattle, while also evaluating the type, size and management practices of the member’s breeding program. The award requires that the breeder is an active BBU member in good standing, and has not received this award in the previous seven years.

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Kentucky Cattleman Selected as Beefmaster New Member of the Year

By Charlie Wood | Published November 8, 2017

 

BOERNE, Texas – Brian and Becca Melloan, Channarock Farm of Rockfield, Ky., were announced as the 2017 Beefmaster Breeders United (BBU) New Member of the Year during the 57th Annual BBU Convention “Beefmasters on the Bay” in Galveston, Texas.

Brian and Becca, along with their son Garrett, are lifetime members of BBU and the Southeastern Beefmaster Breeders Association (SEBBA). They participate in whole herd reporting and they DNA test all of their embryo donor cows. They also ultrasound and measure all animals on the farm, use artificial insemination and embryo transfer significantly, and they are proud supporters of the Junior Beefmaster Breeders Association (JBBA). Brian is on the SEBBA Board of Directors, BBU International Committee, South 40 Committee, Chair of the SEBBA Executive Sale Committee, and the manager of the first SEBBA bull test.

 

“The Melloans are in this for the long haul and are making every effort to be successful,” said SEBBA Executive Secretary Ronnie Teague. “Brian loves the cattle. After taking over the operation, following the unexpected death of his father-in-law, he is beginning to make the operation their own.”

 

Brian has worked on multiple sale committees, where he promotes the sale and handles any problems that arise. Becca and Garrett are also very active in SEBBA; she helps with fundraising and auctions, while Garrett shows a Beefmaster animal at both JBBA and SEBBA events. The Melloans understand the importance of marketing their cattle. They advertise in The Beefmaster Pay Weight, The Beefmaster Cowman, and participate in SEBBA cooperative advertisements. They also recently started a new website to promote their cattle.

 

Brian and Becca are very hands on when trying to improve their cattle herd. They recently completed ultrasound training and purchased a machine, which will improve time management when ultrasound scanning their animals. They also understand the importance of helping others and recently sponsored a new breeder in their area, helping him get started in the Beefmaster business.

 

“The Melloans have impeccable integrity and honesty,” said Teague.

 

The BBU New Member of the Year award was created to recognize the efforts and contributions made by members to promote BBU and Beefmaster cattle. The new member must have been a BBU member for less than eight years or had an extensive ownership/management change for that membership number for less than eight years.
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