Congress 2010 - American International Charolais Association

2010
May 13-21
Congress
By: Kori Conley
Guests from around the world gathered
to celebrate the 2010 World Charolais
Congress. The tour kicked off in Oklahoma
City, Okla. with a big cowboy welcome and
finished with a gala in downtown San
Antonio, Texas recapping the weeks’ events.
Charolais breeders across the area were
gracious in hosting the international guests,
as well as those that were native to the
country.
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The welcome reception was hosted at the Cowboy Hall of Fame
and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Guests were
welcomed by a Champagne toast and the sounds of country swing
by the A Bar Bunkhouse Band. Following a fun-filled evening, the
tour buses headed north to Perry, Okla. to begin the 8-day journey
at M&M Charolais. The soggy weather and cool temperatures did
not detour the guests from taking a detailed spin through the
powerful set of cattle on display at the ranch. After a steak and
eggs breakfast, it was south to Lehman Charolais, Tioga, Texas
to take part in showcasing the youth members in a Charolais
Junior Heifer show. The exhibitors impressed all onlookers with
The traveling pace changed on May 17 as the guests loaded
a charter plane to head to Harlingen, Texas in preparing for the
visit to Thomas Charolais Ranch, Inc., Raymondville, Texas. A
Mariachi band welcomed everyone off the buses for a special treat
of authentic Mexican food and music. After hearing about the
operations at the ranch, a tour was provided for the guests to see
even more of the cattle and exotic pets of the Thomas family. As the
temperatures rose, so did the enthusiasm of the group en route to
a city with a slightly different flavor, Corpus Christi, Texas.
Next stop, Graham Feedyard, Gonzales, Texas for a complete
look at feed processing, planning and monitoring feeder cattle,
their dedication to the animals and outstanding showmanship
skills. Before dinner, a Purina Mills representative provided a
presentation on the importance of proper feed management and
conditioning.
The long afternoon wound up in the one and only “Cowtown”,
Fort Worth, Texas. After settling in, the guests took the opportunity
to browse around the downtown area. The following morning,
guests were invited to Marti Charolais, Cleburne, Texas. This
event was co-hosted with Bar J Charolais, MOGO Charolais and
OBBCO Ranch. As the buses rolled in, so did the cowboys driving
a small herd up the fence line alongside the buses. The herd
bull display caught a lot of attention leading up to the real live
branding demonstration by the cowboys of Marti Charolais. At
the conclusion of the ladies’ event at the Marti lake house, guests
boarded the buses once again to return to Fort Worth for an evening
of live honky tonk music and dancing at Billy Bob’s Texas.
many of Charolais influence. Unpredicted rain storms brought
a sloppy surprise to the feedyard, but gave the Graham cowboys
extra time to answer the lingering questions of the guests.
Upon arriving at the final destination in San Antonio, Texas,
guests had a free evening to explore the Riverwalk. On Wednesday,
the excitement continued to build for the 2010 World Charolais
Congress Sale. The sale featured 17 Genetic Package lots,
showcasing the high-selling lot of 1/4 interest in HAMM Mogo U23
commanding $7,000. The Genetic Packages averaged $4,025.
Not venturing far from San Antonio, guests explored the historic
town of Fredricksburg, Texas in Hill Country. The day filled with
shopping and special activities, brought the event to a close with
a formal reception and banquet. Awards were presented from
various countries, while recognizing those who made the event
possible. Details were also released for the 2012 World Charolais
Congress in the United Kingdom.
Photo at Marti Charolais, Cleburne, Texas
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May 7-13
Ranch Hosts –
Eaton Charolais, Lindsay, Mont.; DeBruycker Charolais, Dutton, Mont.; Cobb Charolais Ranch, Augusta, Mont.; Brevig Charolais,
Lewistown, Mont.; Lindskov-Thiel Ranch, Isabel, S.D.; Hubert Charolais Ranch, Oakley, Kan.; Rocking Arrow Charolais, Valentine,
Neb.; Hebbert Charolais Ranch, Hyannis, Neb.; Rambur Charolais, Sidney, Mont.; Maddux Charolais, Mooreland, Okla.
Pre-Tour participants began their tour a week earlier than the rest of the World Congress traveling through 7 states
representing nearly 50 percent of the United States beef cow herd. Guests arrived into Great Falls, Mont. to take
in the breath-taking mountain country visiting leading Charolais ranches. The tour continued east through Montana,
venturing into North Dakota and South Dakota driving through Standing Rock Indian Reservation and Cheyenne River
Sioux Indian Reservation. After these historical visits, the group continued on through the Badlands and the Theodore
Roosevelt National Park, continuing the journey through the northern plains. On into the High Plains of Nebraska to
enjoy the scenic Nebraska Sandhills. The tour into western Kansas included stops at feedlots and visits to Charolais
producers in the area. The night wrapped up in the historic cowboy town of Dodge City, Kan. The Pre-Tour participants
joined the World Charolais Congress Tour on May 14 in Oklahoma City, Okla.
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With plenty of time to relax and settle in from long, strenuous
travel schedules, guests took a look around the city visiting the
historic Bricktown, Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum
and the Oklahoma City Stockyards. The event kicked off with an
exciting welcome reception to let everyone get acquainted and meet
up with friends old and new. The sightseeing continued on Friday
leading up to a night filled with cowboy history and country music
at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. After taking
a stroll through the museum and broadening their knowledge of
cowboy history in the United States, a prime rib dinner was served
and followed up by dancing.
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Perry, Okla.
“During our tour in the United States each of the breeders put emphasis
on calving ease, the ability to produce high weaning weights and carcass
merit in spite of very different surroundings. The character of
each herd gave us something to aim for!”
––Zoltan Domokos, National Association of Hungarian Charolais Cattle Breeders Director
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Following a steak and eggs breakfast, Manager Kevin Wiley,
outlined the basics of the program, highlighting several of
the donor females, herd bulls and calves from the M&M ET
program on display. Wiley, who has been with M&M for over
28 years emphasized producing quality bulls for commercial
cattlemen in Oklahoma and adjoining states.
AICA President, James Hayden, presented Kevin Wiley,
M&M Ranch Manager, with a token of appreciation
for enlightening the group with information about the
program at M&M.
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Tioga, Texas
Robbie and Larry Lehman were recognized for hosting the
World Congress group and their dedication to the junior
Charolais program.
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Reserve Champion Female
Champion Female
“The visit to Lehman Charolais was extremely encouraging. We saw the
Lehman’s so obviously committed to encouraging the Charolais
youth program. This involved both the commitment from
not only the children, but the parents too!”
––David Benson, British Charolais Society Chief Executive
Next stop, Tioga, Texas! Lehman Charolais welcomed the
3 tour buses with open arms. In the barns along side the herd
bulls on display, the Junior Heifer Show was in full swing. Guests
recognized the hard work and dedication that each of the young
exhibitors displayed in preparation for the showring. Champion
Female was awarded to Kendra Elder, Blum, Texas with TR Ms
Firegirl 8652, an October 3, 2008 daughter by TR Mr Fire Water
5792RET. Reserve Champion was awarded to LC Ms Gunner 9036
P, a March 18, 2009 daughter by Link Mr Gunner Wind 317 P.
The long afternoon wound up in the one and only “Cowtown”,
Fort Worth, Texas. After settling in, the guests took the opportunity
to browse around the downtown area.
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Cleburne, Texas
Co-hosted with Bar J Charolais, MOGO Charolais and OBBCO Ranch
Marti Charolais
OBBCO Ranch
Bar J Charolais
MOGO Charolais
Each of the four ranches were recognized with a gift for their collaborative efforts in making
the visit to Marti Charolais an extremely memorable tour stop.
“What a great sense of cooperation! For all of those breeders with
common goals to get together, coupled with the generosity of the Marti
family to put on such an impressive display will leave lasting memories for
all of those who participated in the Congress.”
––Jack Henry, Charolais Society of Australia Ltd., General Manager
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Leslie Stelzer welcomed the women on the World Tour to the Marti lake house for a special women’s event.
The event hosted handmade jewelry, unique handbags and sparkling accessories. The women were able to enjoy
the glamorous shopping experience with an outstanding view from the lake house!
As the buses rolled in, cowboys on horseback set a breathtaking scene as they drove a small herd of cattle alongside of the
Charolais Congress caravan. Upon arriving at Marti Charolais,
guests took the opportunity to look through the full French
genetics on display.
The fun certainly did not stop there as guests returned to Fort
Worth and strapped on their dancing shoes for a night of dancing,
music and fun at Billy Bob’s Texas.
Marti Charolais, in cooperation with Bar J Charolais,
MOGO Charolais and OBBCO Ranch provided World
Congress guests with the ultimate ranching experience
including driving and branding a small sampling of their
herd of commercial cattle.
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Raymondville, Texas
Temperatures soaring over 100 degrees did not crack the enthusiasm during the hayride tour around the Thomas Ranch. Portions of
the ranch were previously known as the King Ranch providing the guests with a very scenic tour winding through South Texas. After the
excitement of authentic Mexican food and an outstanding Mariachi band, it was back on the buses to head to Corpus Christi, Texas for the
evening. Then on to the final destination, San Antonio, Texas. Many of the guests took a stroll along the Riverwalk to check out the sites,
while some opted for a relaxing boat tour of the area.
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The children of the Thomas Ranch were
eager to show the guests their favorite
parts of the ranch, as well as hand out
gifts to everyone.
Mitch and Tonnyre Thomas were
recognized for bringing a “South of
the Border” feel to South Texas!
Our visit was a
wonderful experience!
The hospitality was
outstanding and the scale
of the whole operation
was mind boggling!! We
saw some very good cattle,
and particularly liked the
feminity of the females.
Six generations of family
involvement is something
we really appreciate in
Ireland!
––Nuala Hourihane,
Ireland
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By: David Hobbs
Late Wednesday afternoon, with a
sense of excitement in the air, World
Congress attendees gathered in the San
Antonio Crown Plaza Hotel Riverwalk
Ballroom for the 2010 World Charolais
Congress Sale.
After introductions by the sale
manager, Greg Hubert, Hubert
Cattle Sales, Colonel Dennis Metzger
auctioned a fast paced, spirited sale.
Lots were presented in a power
point presentation. Many in the crowd
were intrigued by the use of ringmen,
internet bidding and phone activity
during the sale.
Highlighting the sale was onequarter semen interest in the 41st
National Reserve Grand Champion
Bull, Hamm Mogo U23. Presented by
Mogo Charolais, AL, and Bar J Charolais,
TX, a group of Missouri breeders, Wild
Indian Acres, Hale Farms, Jason Kisner
and Kirk McElrath had the winning bid
at $7,000. In addition, export semen
packages on the bull totaled $7,200
selling to Erwin Klassen, Paraguay;
Ian Cameron, Australia and Graham
Smith, Australia.
Topping the flushes was a
presentation by EJ Shepherd Charolais,
Iowa, EC Lady Duke 2022 P, the dam
of EC No Doubt 2022. The winning
bidder on the phone was Costello
Pastoral Pty., Ltd., Australia.
In conclusion, the sale averaged
$4,025 on 17 Genetic Package lots with
20 buyers from 11 states, Paraguay,
Colombia and Australia. Foreign
selections accounted for 35% of total
sales.
The banquet held the final evening in San Antonio was an opportunity for everyone to present
gifts to one another and enjoy the company of friends made on the tour. Everyone was able
to exchange stories from the weeks’ events and make plans to attend the next World Charolais
Congress.
Leaders from participating countries joined together for the final event of the journey.
Many gifts and laughs were exchanged throughout
the presentations from country to country.
Participants from the United States left the tour full
of knowledge about programs that many had never
had the chance to visit.
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2010
Congress
Countries Represented
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Czech Republic
Denmark
England
France
Hungary
Ireland
Mexico
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Sweden
United Kingdom
United States of America
Ranch Hosts:
M&M Ranch, Perry, Okla.
Lehman Charolais, Tioga, Texas
Marti Charolais, Cleburne, Texas
OBBCO Ranch, DeLeon, Texas
Bar J Charolais, Liverpool, Texas
MOGO Full French Charolais, Florence, Ala.
Thomas Ranches, Raymondville, Texas
Corporate Sponsors:
Texas Department of Agriculture
United States Livestock Genetics Export
Bovine Elite, LLC
Purina
Beef Magazine
Oppenheimer/Blend and Tate, Bruce Mitchell
British Charolais Cattle Society
Breeder Sponsors:
Eaton Charolais, Eaton Families, Lindsay Mont.
Hayden Farm, Bardstown, Ky.
Windy Hill Charolais, Cedar Hill, Mo.
Riverdale Land & Livestock, Sunset Hills, Mo.
OBBCO Ranch, DeLeon, Texas
Chomiak Charolais, Mundare, Alberta, Canada
Faraway Cattle Company, Alexandria, Va.
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Don’t miss the 2012
Congress
in the United Kingdom
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