This year the annual Florida Brahman Association field day and sale was hosted by Larry Barthle and family on April 22nd and 23rd at their Grand Bar Ranch in San Antonio, Florida. The FBA had yet another successful event with around 150 cattle enthusiasts in attendance to participate in the meetings, listen to the speakers, visit the ranch and watch the sale.
The weekend event started on Friday evening with a wild game dinner that was prepared on the ranch property at the Barthle family’s Three Pines Preserve quail camp. Dinner was donated by both Three Pines Preserve and Grand Bar Ranch. Following the meal there was the annual FBA membership meeting and election of officers. FBA President is Jerry Davis, Vice President is Tyler Pugh, Secretary is Jesse Sevall and the Treasurer is Stacey White.
The Saturday morning event began with the annual Florida Junior Brahman Association meeting. The Juniors discussed their future State Show and the 2022 All American show.
Dr. Todd Thrift of the University of Florida was one of the key note speakers. He discussed the results from the recent feed and carcass test. He stressed the importance of testing and discussed the good results in tenderness and marbling.
Dr. Hal Phillips talked about utilizing Brahman genetics in his herd. Dr. Phillips has retained ownership of his Brahman Cross calves for over 25 years and he focused his discussion on mature cow size and performance.
There was a variety of lots sold in this sale including Brahman cattle, Brahman genetics and agricultural products and services. 11 Heifers sold for an average of $5,994.00 per head. There was one package of three conventional embryos that sold for a total of $2,400.00 and a package of three reverse sorted embryos that sold for a total of $7,500.00.
The high-selling heifer was Lot 1, a 4 month old unnamed nursing heifer which sold for $15,000.00. The heifer’s sire is NMSU Dubo Cherra 1136 and her dam is BB Ms Jean Manso 620. The heifer, consigned by Grand Bar Ranch, has since been named by the buyer and is now known as GB Ms Barlynn Cherra 860.
The second high-selling heifer sold for $9,500.00 and was consigned by the University of Florida. Lot 6 was UF Miss Gator 743/1, ABBA #1041775, sired by Mr Kallion 1352 and out of UF Miss Gator 215-0348
The third high-selling heifer, Lot 9 from Register Sawmill, sold for $7,250.00. KR Miss Starry Night 282 has a pending ABBA number and is sired by KR Little Tebow 252 and out of KR Barns on Fire 209.
In attendance was a good friend to the Brahman breed, Dr. Neal Burcham of New Mexico State University. Neal traveled the farthest to be at this event. Dr. Burcham is a long time supporter of Florida Brahman Breeders.
A bull that Grand Bar Ranch had bought from the performance focused New Mexico State breeding program was the sire of the high-selling Lot 1. A number of the Florida Brahman breeders, including the University of Florida, have invested in the performance oriented Brahman genetics from New Mexico State.
Ricky Booth of Doc Partin Ranch, Kissimmee, Florida volunteered to be the auctioneer and did a great job. Talking the lots was none other than the knowledgeable Marcus Shackelford of Rocking S Ranch, Wauchula, Florida. Larry Barthle of Grand Bar Ranch was on hand to help with whatever else was needed during the sale.
This is always a great event with a good sale and lots of educational information. Make plans to attend next year, and keep an eye on BrahmanEvent.com for more information about next year’s event.
