Vineyard named president of IBBA

Dr. Robert Vineyard of Wharton has assumed the presidency of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA, headquartered in San Antonio) during the annual convention held in conjunction with the Houston Livestock Show. This marks the first time a person has served as the president in two separate board terms.

Vineyard started his registered Brangus operation in 1973 and over his course of 30 plus years has served in just about every leadership position there is and on countless committees, at the regional, state and national level.

He is currently serving his third year of two consecutive terms. He has served in the past on the IBBA board including from 1977 to 1983, then was elected to fill a vacancy in 1988 and elected to two consecutive three-year terms from 1989 through 1994.

In addition Vineyard was selected as the Brangus Breeder of the Year in 1990 and served as president in 1992.

His start into the registered business was initially just to raise bulls, but within a short time, he had entered into a breeding up program and by 1977 was involved in an extensive embryo transfer program.

At that time, he began collecting as much data on his cattle as possible and began the search for the one cow to build his herd around and establish his program.

That cow was Anna, who shows up in Brangus pedigrees as Ms HY-I Justana 23/2. She and her bull calf at side, WBH RSV Titan 23/6 "Tiny," would have a profound impact on the breed. Anna and her eight daughters, who were called "The Sisters" would put the Vineyard program on the map and remains an influence on the breed still today.

The herd sires of VCC Crackerjack 101N2, VCC Impact 92T17, VCC Dynasty and VCC Bonus, trace back to these initial genetics.

EPDs, performance programs, and ultrasound are all tools utilized by VCC and Vineyard was the first to implement ultrasound of his entire herd. Anna was the second cow in the breed to be placed in embryo transfer.

Last year the ranch was moved from Matagorda County to Wharton County on the Colorado River. Vineyard represents the third generation to be involved in the family operation.

He and his wife, Nancy, reside in Wharton, where he practiced dentistry for 18 years. In 1968, Vineyard co-founded the Dental Hygiene program at Wharton County Junior College and served as coordinator from 1969 through 1973.

Their children, Stirling and Kelly, are both now married and the Vineyard's enjoy five grandchildren.