SAN ANTONIO, TX — The International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) convened for its annual convention during the opening week of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The event featured committee meetings, a board of directors’ session, and the annual general membership meeting. Attendees also participated in the National Show for black, red, Ultrablack, and Ultrared cattle, the 30th Annual Genetic Edge Sale, and an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding breeders for their contributions to the industry.

IBBA Executive Vice President Rick Cozzitorto addressed members on the current state of the breed and unveiled the association’s new marketing campaign, “Built for Business.” This initiative targets purebred, commercial, and feedlot sectors. He highlighted the breed’s achievements and upcoming challenges.

Committee chairs reviewed the past year’s progress and presented plans for the near future, while the long-term planning committee engaged members in discussions about strategic initiatives to strengthen the breed’s position in the years ahead.

Leadership and board elections

During the convention, members elected new leadership for the coming year. Grady Green of El Dorado, Arkansas, will serve as IBBA President, joined by First Vice President Dr. Josh Walker of Lomond, Arkansas, Second Vice President Dr. Warren Young of Blanchard, Oklahoma, and Secretary-Treasurer Jeremy Jackson of Gentry, Arkansas. Additionally, Sharee Sankey of Council Grove, Kansas, and Jodi Jackson of Waco, Texas, were elected to three-year terms on the IBBA Board of Directors.

Honoring industry leaders

The IBBA recognized several outstanding breeders for their dedication and contributions:

• The IBBA Breeder of the Year honor went to Cody Gariss, Lamar, Missouri. He is a third-generation cattleman and he and his family raise purebred and commercial Brangus, and run yearlings as Gariss Cattle Co. In addition, Gariss is currently the president of GenePlus, a Brangus genetic partnership and before that GeneTrust. He oversees the joint efforts of eight breeding programs and their two annual sales. He has served the IBBA as a board member and has been an active member of several association committees.

            • The IBBA Pioneer Award went to Larry Parker, Parker Brangus, LLC. The San Simon, Arizona breeder has been involved on a local, state and national level of the breed since the early 60s. His influence in the Southwest has been invaluable to the breed and he has served on the IBBA and Southwest Brangus Breeders boards. He has been a strong proponent of junior programs and he is one of five owners of the Roswell Brangus Sale, which just celebrated its 32nd sale.

• Joy Reznicek Sundbeck was named the IBBA Top Hand. Currently she is the president of Town Creek Farms, West Point, Mississippi, owned by her and her husband, Milton Sundbeck. She has been involved at all levels of Brangus since joining the Brangus Journal staff upon college graduation. She has served on committees, boards and provided strong support for junior organizations. Sundbeck has also been active with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, state cattlemen’s organizations and Beef Improvement Federation. She recently devoted countless hours to the planning and execution of the 75th Brangus Celebration, which was a weekend long event highlighting the rich history of the breed.

•The IBBA Commercial Producer of the Year honor went to the Georgia operation of Bland Farms, owned by Delbert Bland with Tony Bland as CEO. They entered the commercial Brangus segment with purchases in early 2020 from Cavender Ranches and have since built their herd to approximately 900 females. They utilize AI and the quality of the herd has quickly built a positive reputation. Their commercial Brangus females are sale toppers, and the ranch has become an advocate for the breed’s superiority.

• Darin Wiley was named the IBBA Herdsman of the Year.  A native of Saint Francis in Northwest Kansas, made his way to Texas for livestock judging at Texas A&M University. In 2021, he co-founded Origins Ranch in Somerville, Texas, where he holds the position of general manager and co-owner. Origins Ranch specializes in the production of elite, genetically-superior show cattle, emphasizing champion Brangus genetics as a foundational element of their breeding program. Alongside his wife, Taylor, Darin is deeply invested in the breed and is actively engaged in nurturing the next generation of leaders within the Brangus breed.

•Mark Koehl, Waxachachie, Texas received the Jake White Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a lifetime of excellence in herdsmanship, achievements in the exhibition of Brangus cattle, and contributions to the Brangus breed and the purebred beef industry. Koehl, who owns and operates KO Cattle Co, has been a fixture in Brangus show rings for decades. He has led a grand and reserve champion in every black and red division of the National Show. In addition, he has been named IBBA Herdsman of the Year three times and showed several show animals of the year. Koehl, who credits the generations before him for his knowledge and experience, works with youth to pass on the values and skills of fitting and showing cattle.

National Brangus Show & Genetic Edge Sale

The National Brangus Show showcased top cattle, judged by Harrison Smith of Gatesville, Texas. The four-day event concluded with the prestigious Genetic Edge Sale, where 28 lots averaged $17,446. A special fundraising effort, featuring a donated heifer from Tajo Ranch also raised significant funds for the International Junior Brangus Breeders Association.