About the IRBBA
The History of the International Red Brangus Breeders
Association
The formation of the IRBBA was the result of ten long-time Red
Brangus breeders realization that the breed had to transform itself
from the half-blood breed it had been for forty years to a purebred
3/8 Brahman by 5/8 Angus breed considered the standard for American
breeds. Many of the other half-blood Red Brangus breeders at the
time had not yet realized the need to change.
Determined to move Red Brangus into the mainstream of the beef
cattle business, each of the breeders contributed one thousand
dollars to form the IRBBA.The decision to change took place in 1991,
the organization of the IRBBA by the ten charter members followed by
two years. Eight of the original ten members remain active in the
breed with most serving on the board or special committees. Jim
Hunt served as President in the two years prior to the official
formation of the IRBBA. After the association was formed, Pete
Keeling served as President for the first three years. He was
followed by Don Cox and Dennis Kmiec for three years each. Pete
Keeling returned as President for one more year. Marcos Borges, a
Brazilian citizen and rancher in Wharton, Texas was recently elected
President. This continues a trend to make the organization truly
international by electing Marcos, a Brazilian, and Guillermo
Zambrano, a Mexican citizen, to the board of directors.
In September of 2003, the first board meeting outside the United
States was held in Monterey, Mexico in conjunction with Mr.
Zambrano's annual production sale. The commitment from the charter
members was to use the best of Angus, Red Angus, Brahman, Brangus,
and Nelore to breed the best beef cattle in the world for tropical
and subtropical climates. The first few years were devoted to
breeding quarter-bloods to be crossed with the half-blood herd to
produce the purebred Red Brangus IRBBA breeders targeted. In 1996,
the membership decided to have its' first breed sponsored sale. The
sale was named the Genetic Edge Sale and planned for March in
Brenham, Texas. The first sale had bidders from four states and the
Republic of South Africa. The thirty-three lots brought ninety-nine
thousand dollars for a thirty-three hundred dollar average. This
started a string of successful sales that continues today. In the
year 2000, the sale was moved to Houston and held the first weekend
of the Houston Livestock Show. This was done to accommodate the
many international Red Brangus breeders that like to attend both
events. In 2005, the Genetic Edge Sale will celebrate its' tenth
year.
This was done to accommodate the many international Red
Brangus breeders that like to attend both events. The sale has
expanded to include more of the membership, but the quality and sale
average have remanded high.
The commitment to quality cattle, successful breeders, and the
opportunity to market through the Genetic Edge Sale are three of
many reasons to breed Red Brangus and join the IRBBA. The charter
members made a commitment to the breed and to each other to work
hard, breed smart, and help each breeders (new or old) be successful
in the purebred Red Brangus business. We are no better than our
weakest breeder has always been the boards motto and all a breeder
needs to do is ask and help will be given. |
