AgriLife Research Brahman program at Overton named Breeder of the Year

The recognition underscores the center’s five decades of leadership in Brahman performance testing, research-driven innovation and service to the beef industry.

“It’s an enormous honor for the research herd and our team to be recognized,” said Charles Long, Ph.D., center director and professor of animal breeding and genetics in the Texas A&M Department of Animal Science. “This research has been a true team effort to advance the science in ways that directly impact cattle producers and the industry.”

The Texas A&M AgriLife center’s purebred Brahman program began in 1974, complementing a Brahman-Hereford F1 herd established in 1967. Today, the breeding program maintains a 200‑head registered Brahman herd and is known for comprehensive, long-term data collection spanning reproduction, temperament, grazing management, feed efficiency and carcass merit. Data from the herd are routinely submitted to the Brahman Herd Improvement Registry and used widely by producers and researchers.

Research impacts ripple through beef industry

The research herd has become a foundational resource for understanding tropically adapted cattle.

The AgriLife Research program at Overton has been guided by Long, Ron Randel, Ph.D., beef cattle physiologist and professor emeritus, and George Perry, Ph.D., beef cattle physiologist and professor, all in the Department of Animal Science; and Monte Rouquette, Ph.D., forage physiologist and professor, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences. Additional support staff involved include Don Neuendorf, M.J. Florence, Joel Kerby, Kyle Turner, Dustin Law, Sandra Welch and Kelli Norman.

Research conducted with the herd has helped refine breeding protocols, uncover physiological differences unique to Brahman females and improve strategies for managing temperament and transportation-related stress. Long-term carcass data collected over more than 30 years continues to strengthen industry knowledge of traits affecting yield, value, beef quality and palatability traits in Brahman and Brahman-influenced cattle.

The program has also excelled in maternal performance. Since the inception of the ABBA Maternal Merit Program in 2009, the herd has produced 22 Elite Maternal Merit Females, four Supreme Maternal Merit Females and three Silver Maternal Performance Sires, demonstrating a sustained commitment to advancing reproductive efficiency and longevity — traits of critical economic importance to producers.

Beyond genetic and performance achievements, the Texas A&M AgriLife breeding program plays a vital role in innovation and talent development. The herd supports research in genetics, reproduction, forage systems and beef production modeling, aligning closely with AgriLife Research and Department of Animal Science strategic priorities of innovation, enhancing productivity and sustainability, and training future leaders.

To date, the Brahman program has contributed to the training of more than 225 graduate students, along with numerous interns and early-career scientists whose work continues to influence beef production systems nationwide.