American Brahman Breeders Association

Welcome...Welcome to the Winter Edition of the Common Denominator. This newsletter is an effort to keep Brahman enthusiasts informed of the activities and programs of the American Brahman Breeders Association. We hope you enjoy this edition and look forward to providing you additional information in the coming issues. If you have news or items of interest that you would like added to future newsletters please pass them along to Armelinda Ibarra at armelind@brahman.org.

3003 South Loop West, Suite 520 Houston, TX 77054

Phone: 713-349-0854 Fax: 713-349-9795

Website: www.brahman.orgEmail: abba@brahman.org

2 Winter Newsletter 2009

American Brahman Breeders AssociationCalendar of Events

Date Event PlaceDecember 31, 2009 Arizona National Open Brahman Show - Judge: Dr. Neil Burcham Phoenix, AZ

January 18, 2010 ABBA Winter Board of Directors Meeting FT. Worth, TX

January 19, 2010 Fort Worth Stock Show Open Brahman Show- Judge: John Maurer Ft. Worth, TX

January 22-23, 2010 SUT Cattle Show Thailand

January 25, 2010 Fort Worth Junior Heifer Show Ft. Worth, TX

January 25, 2010 South Florida Fair- Judge: Richard Sturlese West Palm, FL

January 27-30, 2010 NCBA Convention San Antonio, TX

February 4, 2010 Florida State Fair Open Brahman Show - Judge: Lorna Pelton

February 7, 2010 SALE Open Brahman Show - Judge: Mitch Thomas San Antonio, TX

February 7, 2010 Ft. Worth Commercial Female Sale Ft. Worth, TX

February 9, 2010 American Breeds Coalition Annual Membership Meeting San Antonio, TX

February 10, 2010 SALE Commercial Female Sale San Antonio, TX

February 11, 2010 SALE Junior Brahman Show San Antonio, TX

February 15, 2010 Dixie National Livestock Open Brahman Show - Judge: Jacob Tipp

February 17-21, 2010 Brahman Show, Monteria Colombia

March 1, 2010 Central Florida Fair Open Brahman Show- Judge: Sid Sumner

March 1-5, 2010 International Brahman Show - visit brahman.org for the itinerary Houston, TX

March 6, 2010 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Commerical Female Sale Houston, TX

March 19-21, 2010 TSCRA Conventiion Ft. Worth, TX

March 19, 2010 Rio Grande Valley Fair - Judge: Doug Pierce Mercedes, TX

March 20, 2010 Miami International Livestock Exposition

March 27, 2010 LBA F-1 Sale Carencro, LA

March 27, 2010 South Texas State Fair- Judge: T.J. Gibson Beaumont, TX

April 3, 2010 Showcase in the Pines Sale Arcadia, LA

April 10, 2010 Tom Oden & Friends Brahman Sale Marshall, TX

April 15, 2010 AJBA Australian Exchange Application Deadline

April 17, 2010 ABBA/TBA National F-1 & Brahman Female Sale Sealy, TX

April 11-18, 2010 EXPICA Show Guatemala

May 1, 2010 AJBA Field Day New Roads, LA

May 1, 2010 All American Ownership Deadline/ Scholarship Deadline

May 22, 2010 3S Cattle Co. Consignment Brahman Sale Henderson, TX

May 22, 2010 Blue Ribbon Brahman Sale Caldwell, TX

June 1, 2010 All American Entry Deadline - After this deadline late fees apply

June 12, 2010 Carolinas Brahman Sale Clemson, SC

June 25, 2010 Final All American Entry Deadline - No entries accepted after this deadline

July 22-25, 2010 LJBA State Show West Monroe, LA

July 26-31, 2010 All American National Junior Show West Monroe, LA

August 1-4, 2010 TAMU Beef Cattle Short Course College Station, TX

August 6-7, 2010 Bluebonnet Kick Off Classic Brenham, TX

3Winter Newsletter 2009

American Brahman Breeders Association

ABBA Hosts Successful Activities in Shreveport, Louisiana 2009

The American Brahman Breeders Association held its Fall Board of Directors Meeting and National Show in Shreveport, LA the last week of October. The first of the week

consisted of the committee meetings followed by the Board of Directors Meeting. The seven committees met and put together some outstanding programs and opportunities for the coming year and beyond. The highlight of the Board of Directors Meeting was the unveiling of the Long Range Plan that had been assembled over the previous six months. Everyone thought this was a great framework to lead ABBA into the future. The full Long Range Plan can be viewed on the ABBA website, www.brahman.org. The conclusion of the weeks activities consisted of the 2009 National Brahman Show that was judged by Gerald Young of Katy, TX. This years show was not only one of the largest in recent times but was also one of the most competitive with some of the breeds

finest competing for the coveted title of National Champion. The following were the National Champions.

National Brahman Show Winners:2009 Reserve NationalChampion Gray Bull

JDH Hawk Manso 666/5 Owned by J.D. Hudgins, Inc. of

Hungerford, Texas 2009 Grand ChampionGray Female

Lady H Lanel Manso 911Owned by Heritage Cattle Company of

Hempstead, Texas and Underwood Ranch of

Sealy, Texas2009 National Champion

Gray Brahman BullMr. V8 463/6

Owned by V8 Ranch of Boling, Texas

2009 Reserve National Champion Red Brahman Bull

Mr. H Majestic 51/6Owned by Megan Cullers of Hungerford, Texas and J&R Farms of Cabbot, Arkansas

2009 National Champion

Red Brahman BullDB Southern Style 435/7. Owned by

Detering Red Brahmans of

Hempstead, TexasShown by

Michael Joyce2009 Reserve National Champion Gray Brahman Female

Exhibited by Brandi Barnes and Debra Barnes • Owned by Tic Tac Toe Ranch of Frost, Texas

2009 National Champion Red Brahman Female

BB LP Wham Bam 913Owned by La Preciosa S.A. of Nicaragua and

Bryant Red Brahmans of Dallas, Texas

2009 Reserve National Champion Red

Brhaman FemaleMiss Winchester 4/8

Shown by Darby Oden, an AJBA member from Texas

4 Winter Newsletter 2009

American Brahman Breeders Association

ABBA Hosts F-1 Field Day in Southeast

The American Brahman Breeders Association conducted an F-1 Field Day near Eutaw, AL on September 26th at Beeker Cattle. This event was well attended and

provided an opportunity to familiarize commercial cattlemen with the Brahman F-1.The program started with a welcome by Chip Beeker, Owner

of Beeker Cattle and Mike Dee, President Elect of the Alabama Cattlemens Association.J.D. Sartwelle, Jr., ABBA Marketing Committee Chairman,

was the moderator and laid the groundwork for the days program by explaining the real world importance of the F-1 Cow. He summed it up that the F-1 Cow is the “Queen of Cow Country” because she does more for longer. This message was further validated throughout the days program. Chris Shivers, ABBA Executive Vice President, then discussed

the ABBA F-1 Certification Program and its role in the commercial industry.Dr. Frank Owsley, Alabama Extension Beef Cattle Specialist,

explained the scientific aspect of the superiority of the F-1 Cow due to heterosis and that maximum heterosis is gained by crossing Bos Indicus and Bos Taurus breeds. A group of producers then formed a panel and explained why

they use the F-1 Cow and spoke to the results they received from using her. They also discussed how they market their ¼

blood progeny and have no problems selling these offspring.Another panel discussion followed with producers explaining

how they make and market the F-1 female and steer. Each of these producers reported that there is an overwhelming demand for the females and they either collectively market the steers or feed them and have had great success with both efforts.After a barbecue meal the crowd was treated to several

livestock market operators and sale managers discussing the opportunities that are available to market both the steers and heifers and that top dollars is being received for both.Maurice Janda, Graham Land & Cattle Co., then discussed

the option of feeding F-1 & ¼ Brahman Steers. He gave the crowd some previous data on the cost of gains and feedlot performance.Jonathan Gladney, Extension Agent, updated the crowd on

new technologies in the beef industry that could be used as a tool to progress their breeding programs. These included DNA testing, ultrasound and carcass data collection. Following his presentation a drawing for some donated door prizes took place and the program was adjourned to the viewing of some display cattle.Everyone in attendance agreed this was a successful event and

it further validated the importance of this cross in an already established market.

Brahman Activities at Houston Livestock ShowMake your plans now to attend the 2010 International Brahman Show and 86th Annual Membership Meeting

of the American Brahman Breeders Association to be held in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo March 1-7, 2010. Cattle will begin arriving on March 1. March 2 will consist of the weighing and measuring and the Executive Committee Meeting. The Annual Membership Meeting will begin at 9:00 AM on March 3 and the Pre-Sale Cocktail Party will follow at 5:00 PM with the Prestigious International Sale start-ing at 6:30. The International Brahman Show Female

Judging will begin at 8:00 AM on Thursday and the Bull Judging will begin the following day at the same time.

On Saturday, March 6 over 250 ABBA Golded Certified & Certified Females will be sold during the Houston Livestock Show Commerical Female Sale by ABBA’s Premier F-1 Program Members. For a more detailed

schedule and hotel information you can visit the ABBA website at www.brahman.org.

ABBA Carcass Evaluation Program Underway

The American Brahman Breeders Association has held a National Carcass Evaluation Program since 2000 for its members to cooperatively feed and

collect data on their genetics. The Eighth Annual Program just started with over 200 head of Spring

2009 born Red & Gray Brahman steers nominated. These cattle will be fed for 180-200 days and then harvested with all of the feedyard and harvest data in addition to a Warner Bratzler Shear Score for

Tenderness being collected and given to the breeder. In addition to the information being provided to the breeder it is also recorded by the ABBA and Carcass EPD’s are generated on the participating sires. Currently ABBA has Carcass EPD’s on over 300 sires and was the second breed to calculate a

Tenderness EPD.

5Winter Newsletter 2009

American Brahman Breeders Association

IN THE NEWS...

ABBA To SPoNSor AWArDS For F-1 WINNErS

The ABBA Board of Directors recently approved to add $500 additional premiums to ABBA Golden Certified /Certified F-1 Winners at the Ft. Worth, San Antonio,

Houston, Louisiana Brahman & National F-1 Commercial Female Shows & Sales.

This is an effort to reward the F-1 Program members who excel and rank at the top of

their classes and the show.

BrAHmAN BLogYou can now keep up with the latest

happenings and current events of ABBA and the Brahman Breed on

the Brahman Blog. Rachel Williams serves as the editor of this and keeps

it updated on a daily basis with upcoming, events, show results,

interesting articles, interviews, etc. Check it out at

www.brahmanblog.com.

ABBA ANNoUNCES rELEASE oF

WINTEr EPD’SThe American Brahman Breeders Association recently released their Winter EPD’s. These include the traditional growth traits of Birth Weight, Weaning Weight, Yearling Weight, Milk in addition to the following carcass

traits: Hot Carcass Weight, Fat Thickness, Ribeye Area, Marbling, Retail Product & Tenderness. You can view the entire sire summary including trait leaders at www.brahman.org or request a copy from the

ABBA Office at 713-349-0854.

FoUNDATIoN HEIFEr DoNATED By

DUBINA roSE rANCHDubina Rose Ranch of Schulenburg, TX is the donor of the 2010 AJBA Foundation

Heifer. DRR Miss V8 882/9 is an April 2009 heifer sired by the International Champion, +Mr. V8 846/5 and a top daughter of JDH Domino Manso 42. She is a beautiful heifer

that will be halter broke and ready to be shown. We appreciate Dean Burkhardt & Alison Smith donating this heifer and their

support of the AJBA.