As I write this column, the excitement of the summer is in full swing. One of the highlights for many in the association is the opportunity to be attending the 2022 World Brahman Congress in Asuncion, Paraguay. This event brings together Brahman enthusiasts from around the globe and I am excited to make the trip south to experience this event first hand. Planning for this event has not been without it’s challenges. The Paraguay Brahman Association has had to be resilient and has overcame many obstacles to finally be able to host congress in their country. The organizers have planned and re-planned this event since it had to be cancelled in July of 2020. I know that all those who attend will be welcomed to a week of educational seminars, shows and ranch visits and let’s not forget the great hospitality. It is great to see international travel returning to normal and I look forward to visiting multiple countries in the near future. The American Brahman has had an immense impact on a worldwide scale and it is evident when on these trips.
When you read this column, we have just concluded the 2022 AJBA All American Junior National Show in Mercedes, Texas. This week-long event is culmination of many hours spent by our junior members on their leadership contests, poster and photos, and yes, all their time in the barn getting their cattle ready for this great event. I want to thank Morgan, Logan and the ABBA Youth Committee for their dedication to this event. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to all of the generous sponsors of this year’s All American. An event of this magnitude would not be possible without your support and we thank you for playing a role in molding the youth of today into leaders of tomorrow.
New to the All American this year will be the inclusion of the ABBA Committee and Board of Director meetings. This gives our board the opportunity to conduct business and witness the hard work and dedication of our AJBA members. Our junior program is one of the strongest in the nation and I look forward to welcoming ABBA Board Members to witness this great event first-hand. As this meeting is the first in-person meeting of the newly elected board, we are also gearing up for multiple productive and in-depth committee and board meetings. I would like to thank all of the hard-working men and women who have devoted so much to our committees and tasks at hand. This is only the beginning of the year and I look forward to what is to come.
This August, we will once again be participating in the Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station. Since 1942, this event has brought together thousands of cattlemen and women to Aggieland for an extensive and detailed educational program, research focused seminars and truly remarkable opportunity for networking with people from multiple different walks of the industry. The ABBA has been participating in the Short Course for many years and it is safe to say that it is definitely a highlight of the year for our team. A big thank you to Dr. Jason Cleere and his team for the hard work that goes on to putting on an event of this caliber year after year. If you are in College Station August 1-3, 2022, I encourage you to come by Rudder Auditorium and get in on the action. Make sure to stop by the ABBA booth and visit with us about the benefits of Brahman cattle or just swap stories!
As I close this edition of From the Desk of the EVP, I encourage each of you to take advantage of everything that life has to offer. With our busy schedules, it is easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle and forget to enjoy the little things.
See you Down the Road!!
Joe Mask
