BRAHMAN - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Owner
- Owner and Co - General Manager
Widely respected as a leading Brahman breeder, Brandon Cutrer is globally recognized for his exceptional knowledge in genetic and performance innovations which have elevated the entire Brahman cattle industry.
Holding a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Mississippi State University, Brandon has served on numerous associations, including the Texas Beef Council, U.S. Meat Export Federation, American Brahman Breeders Association and President of the Mississippi Brahman Association, in addition to judging international cattle shows. Brandon judged the 2021 International Brahman Show, the largest single cattle breed exhibition in the United States.
He is the celebrated breeder of six Grand Champion Females at Houston, as well as the breeder of "Noble"-the #1 ranked Brahman bull in the world for siring championship show cattle.
Haleigh grew up in San Antonio where she was an active member of FFA, showing breeding gilts and competing in various agricultural events. Her interest in the agriculture industry led her to graduate magna cum laude from Texas A&M University in 2022 with a B.S. in Agricultural Communications and Journalism. Haleigh serves as program coordinator for BRC events including Brahman Days, summer showmanship camps, Brahman County Beef, and more.
Committed to excellent management, precise feeding, and superior showmanship, Harley Wade oversees the B.R. Cutrer Show Cattle Operation. A Florida native, Harley began showing cattle during high school. In addition to his role as BRC's Show Cattle Manager, Harley advises and mentors B.R. Cutrer Show Clients, including Junior Show Competitors. During his tenure at BRC, Harley has exhibited the 2023 International Champion Brahman Female, the 2022 National Champion Brahman Bull, 2021 International Champion Brahman Female, 2021 Reserve International Champion Brahman Female, and 2019 Reserve National Champion Bull.
Joel Hudgins was a carpenter by trade and had lost his first family prior to moving here. He purchased one-quarter interest in a sawmill that cut cypress for housing in the growing community. Brandon Cutrer too worked in a chip mill as a young man.
Joel Hudgins and Rachel Ann met and were married in 1847. They had nine children of their own, including three sets of twin boys and only one girl. She was the second child born to them and died when she was one year old.
The little girl was the first to be buried in the Hudgins family cemetery at Hungerford which is still in use.
Further hardships were to be experienced by Rachel Ann and her family during the Civil War. Cloth was extremely short and the family spun it's own. They were fed through their own efforts, raising pork and vegetables and eating their own products - meal, grits and bread. There was no flour.
Joel moved his family to Chappell Hill so they could be near the college where his sons could get an education. It was there that Joel died in 1873.
J.D. Hudgins, the more dominant of the Hudgins sons, was made the administrator of the estate.
While in Chappell Hill, one of Ranch Ann's daughters married a man by the name of Taylor. They had three sons and the daughter died in childbirth with the last boy. Rachel took the three grandchildren into her family to raise.
Although Joel had advised against it, because of the mosquitos and the fever, Rachel moved her family back to Wharton in 1874. It wasn't long after that time when the first sign of Brahman (called "Brahma") cattle began in the area. One of Rachel's grandsons wrote to relatives in Chapell Hill that one of his "bremmers" had a fat calf. The breed was apparently introduced through the open range from Louisiana where Brahmans had been brought in from India as a gift from a visitor from that country.
Only four of Rachel's sons were able to grow into manhood - J.D., Green, William, and Alexander - but she held this remnant of the family together. William and Green later died and it was left up to J.D., the leader of the boys, and Alex, the youngest to carry on.
At the time of her death in 1903, Rachel, having seen the problems family members face after the death of a loved one, distributed all her possessions between her four living sons, hence she didn't go to her grace without first ensuring the well-being of her family. Her sons J.D. and Alex formed a partnership that would last from 1903 to 1909, when J.D. took his own family into the partnership.
As we look back at the history of how BRC came to be, we can't help but realize that there are three very strong women who set us up for success: Rachel Northington Hudgins, Ethel Hudgins Forgason, and Mollie Forgason Williams. These three women are the legends that we teach our daughters about. These three women are the heroes that inspire us to believe in the power of strong women in Texas ranching. These three women are why we understand and recognize that ranching isn't just a business for men, it's often the women who are leading successful operations too.
Job Titles:
- BRC 's Director of Performance
- Director of Genetics
- Performance & Genetics
Devoted to Brahman genetic excellence, Keaton Dodd is BRC's Director of Performance and Genetics. Keaton is a nationally recognized livestock judge, overseeing competitions in 25 states, including 3 national breed shows. Keaton earned both a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Breeding Science from Texas A&M University, where his graduate research centered on Brahman pedigrees and genetics. Keaton has served as a coach of the Livestock Judging Team and coordinates the Brahman Country Genetics Cooperator Program.
Job Titles:
- Owner
- Owner and Co - General Manager
For more on Rachel Northington Hudgins, view her article on Texas State Handbook online. Rachel Cutrer was a proud contributor to this article. Fast Facts about Rachel Northington Hudgins:
A seventh-generation Texas rancher, Rachel Cutrer is internationally recognized as one of the most significant female Brahman breeders in history. She is President of Brahman Country Genetics and oversees the Brahman Country Beef operation.
She was named the first ever Outstanding Young Alumni of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, where she earned a B.S. in animal science. She also holds an M.S. from Michigan State University.
Rachel serves as a Board Member for several community programs, including 16 years on the board of the American Brahman Breeders Association. She currently serves as a director for Capital Farm Credit, one of the largest members of the Farm Credit System. A sought-after speaker, Rachel is regularly invited to speak at leading industry conferences and universities. Rachel has served as the judge of the 2022 and 2023 National Brahman Show in Mexico.
Rachel Ann Northington McKenzie Hudgins - Rachel Cutrer's 4x great grandmother and who she was named after.
Tradition and heritage is deeply rooted in everything we do at B.R. Cutrer. Our involvement in the Brahman breed all started with the courage and bravery of Rachel's great-great-great-great-grandmother: Rachel Ann Northington McKenzie Hudgins. Rachel Cutrer, Mollie Cutrer, and Annie Cutrer are all proud daughters of the Texas republic and proud to be 7th and 8th-generation Texas cattle ranchers.
Rachel Ann Northington was 15 years old at the time.
Following the battle of San Jacinto, the people returned to their homes only to find them burned by the Mexican army. The Northingtons were force to begin anew. It was only one of the challenges Rachel Ann was to face in her lifetime.