The International Brangus® Breeders Association (IBBA) made the change to Total Herd Reporting (THR) beginning in 2006. IBBA is the first American breed and only the second breed in the United States to require mandatory total herd performance reporting from member producers. THR is a simple straight-forward system designed to promote collection of performance data of progeny from Brangus cattle in an effort to define the genetic... Entire Article ...

Complete Herd Data is a Necessity
By Loren C. Jackson
Director of Research and Program Development

Defining the genetic merit of animals in the seedstock business is the main purpose for existence of seedstock producers in the cattle industry. Information and data are fundamental to any business in today’s world. Whether we like it or not, the entities that have the information and knowledge to utilize data are going to be the most successful in making genetic change. Seedstock producers that do not take the responsibility of being the best genetic supplier possible seriously are doing a disservice to their program, the breed and beef industry... Entire Article ...

Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Tolerance in Brahman-influenced Cattle

M. A. Brown1 and A. H. Brown, Jr.2
1USDA-ARS, Grazinglands Research Laboratory, El Reno, OK
2University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Forage-based cattle production provides the foundation for the beef cattle industry. It is the most cost-efficient way to meet nutrient requirements for the cow herd. The eastern and southeastern United States, with plentiful rainfall and good forage growing conditions produces a significant proportion of stocker and feeder calves produced in the U.S. each year. However, this region of the country and particularly the area of the Mid-Southern states is home to 36 million acres of endophyte-infected tall fescue, a cool-season grass that is easy to establish, productive during the fall and spring, and is tolerant of drought, insects, and overgrazing.... Entire Article ...