Belgian Blue Breeder Associations Merge

HEDRICK - Sep 4/05 - SNS -- The two Belgian Blue Beef breeder associations in the United States, Belgian Blue Breeders Inc. (BBBI) and the American Belgian Blue Breeders, Inc. (ABBB), will merge their associations under one name -- American Belgian Blue Breeders, Inc.

The final vote was held August 20th, 2005 during the ABBB's annual general meeting held at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines, Iowa where a majority of ABBB members voted for the union. On April 1, 2005 a majority of BBBI members had voted for the blend of the two associations.

"This is a momentous event for the Belgian Blues in the US" beams Connie Brooks, re-elected ABBB President. "We now have an over 40% increase in membership and with our pooled resources, will be able to better meet the growing needs of our expanding breed with one US Belgian Blue (BB) Herdbook."

She continues, "over the last 16 years I've seen significant changes in the Blues and how they've evolved into a leading terminal sire for commercial breeders; this alliance will benefit all US Belgian Blue breeders."

Bob Love, who served as last President of the now-blended BBBI said, "Consumer demand for naturally lean Belgian Blue Beef and ever-increasing numbers of breeders seeking quality BBB genetics kindled the need for better cooperation between BB breeders and for a clearer BB voice in the US.

"Unity means we can now concentrate on building the future of the breed and further expand the BB meat and genetic markets nationally and internationally" he concludes.