Red Brangus Breeders Meet for Fall IRBBA Meeting

The International Red Brangus Breeder’s Association (IRBBA) held its fall membership event “Fall in Love with
Red Brangus” Saturday, November 3, 2018 at Chappell Hill, TX. Members from Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and
Mexico enjoyed great weather, Chappell Hill charm and the warm hospitality of hosts Triangle K Farms and Oak
Creek Farms.
To start the day off Dennis Kmiec welcomed the 80+ participants and provided them breakfast followed by a
tour of his Chappell Hill operation, Triangle K Farms.
The group then moved on to nearby Oak Creek Farms for an IRBBA Meeting. President Marcos Borges presided
over the meeting. To generate funds for promotion and marketing a fundraiser was held selling tier
advertisement on the IRBBA website. A resounding $18,000 was raised. A special thank you to Cox Excalibur
Brangus and Tajo Ranch for purchasing the two premier tier spots.
Afterward a barbecue lunch from Chappell Hill Bakery and Deli was served compliments of Oak Creek Farms.
Following lunch the IRBBA Scholarships were presented. Tracee Buffaloe-Price IRBBA, Scholarship and
Foundation Committee Chair, presented a total of nine scholarships totaling $14,000. Congratulations to the
following recipients.
IRBBA Junior Scholarship – Marcos Machado Borges, III Memorial
Philip Matocha, La Grange, TX
Nicholas Matocha, La Grange, TX
Molly Parker, Ben Lomond, AR
Donald “Trey” Ivey, III, Brownwood, TX
IRBBA Senior Memorial Scholarship Foundation
Jim Hunt Scholarship – Caryn Smart, Runge, TX
Don Jobes Scholarship – Jacob Jones, Stillwater, OK
Wilma Buffaloe Scholarship – Audrey Acord, Madisonville, TX
Senior Scholarship – Claire Smart, Runge, TX
Senior Scholarship – Tanner Miller, Gilmer, TX
Senior Scholarship – Abbey Ivey, Brownwood, TX
It was very fitting that the 2018 “IRBBA Breeder of the Year” was presented to John and Carolyn
Kopycinski of Oak Creek Farms (OCF). The Kopycinski’s were founding members of the IRBBA and it
was recalled that the initial meetings to form the association were held in the OCF barn. For more
than 50 years Oak Creek Farms has focused on developing genetics that excel in the practical and
economically traits most important to commercial cattlemen. They have been utilizing ultrasound
data for 46 years and have been using DNA results for improving heritable traits for the last 15 years.
Their annual sale is a recognized source of Red Brangus and Brangus bulls that have been developed
to perform in the pasture and sire progeny that perform on the rail. Johnny can always be relied on
for perspective, sharing his experiences and vision for our breed in the industry. The IRBBA
congratulates and thanks the Kopycinski Family for their many contributions!
The final award of the day was presented to Allen Goode. He was recognized as the 2018 “IRBBA
Member of the Year.” He currently serves as the IRBBA Vice President and is the IRBBA Annual
Meeting Chairman. Goode was key in the planning and execution of the 2018 World Brangus
Congress held in Houston as well as the World Brangus Post Tour. He also serves on the International
Brangus Breeders Association Board of Directors. “Goode is one of those members that you wish you
could clone!”
Wrapping up the day, John Kopycinski gave a Herd Management Program presentation and participants
were able to view OCF cattle on display.
The IRBBA is a regional association of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA). The two
associations share common objectives in advancing the quality, reliability, and value of Brangus cattle,
Red and Black, for the beef industry. The IRBBA is comprised of breeders who produce and market 3/8
Brahman by 5/8 Red Angus registered cattle. The IRBBA exists to provide marketing avenues for
registered Red Brangus cattle within the continental United States, as well as tropical areas around the
world. Registration of cattle, administrative functions, and Total Herd Reporting are accomplished by
the IBBA.For more information on the IRBBA, visit the website at www.redbrangus.org or by email at
[email protected].