Collin Osbourn, left, Beefmasters Breeders United’s Chief Operations Offi cer from San Antonio, with Norma Jean and Mackie, who have been honored as 2013 Beefmaster Breeders of the Year.
other. That’s important in any reg- istered group.” Mackie and Norma Jean entered
the Beefmaster community in a small way, they say. “We didn’t have a lot to invest, so we made purchases here and there, picking up cattle that we’d see in the news- paper,” Norman Jean says. Mackie describes himself as a
“number nut” and dived into re- searching the Beefmaster blood- lines. “I had some bulls in mind that I liked because they had a lot of muscle and meat, and they were great bulls, but I didn’t realize the breed had already moved beyond those genetics.” Swinging B Ranch was produc-
ing cattle Mackie and Norma Jean liked, selling a few show heifers for around $900 each, and he says they were pretty pleased with the world. Then they went to the President’s Council Sale, hosted by the associa- tion at the BBU annual convention in San Antonio. Mackie remembers being a bit stunned and a lot frustrated.
tscra.org
“I watched those animals come through the ring at $3,000, $5,000, $6,000. I couldn’t afford the bulls I was interested in. I sat there think- ing, these cows have a mouth, a tail and 4 legs just like my cattle. What’s the difference?” Mackie pondered the sale on
their way out of downtown San An- tonio, headed north toward home. “I never said a word to Norma Jean until we got to the Red Lobster on the north side of San Antonio. She knew I was deep in thought. I told her we’re doing something wrong. I said, ‘This isn’t right and I’m
not happy anymore!’ So Monday morning, I picked up the phone and called Anthony Mihalski,” a noted auctioneer, who made an important introduction. Mihalski introduced Robert Wil-
liams, a former fi eld service repre- sentative for BBU, to the Bounds. Williams helped them develop a more progressive herd, leading them through some painful changes in their herd makeup. Once Williams had accomplished as much as he thought he could for Swinging B, he suggested Mackie consult with Mike Green. Green also took them through some painful changes in the herd makeup and helped them acquire a herd which he had helped earn the 2007 BBU Breeder of the Year Award. Mackie says the offspring of the
herd he purchased in 2007 are in his donor female program, still pro- ducing quality offspring.
What it takes to be a Swinging B donor Females have to pass stringent
March 2014 The Cattleman 71
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