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Braunvieh Breed Names New Executive

published: November 3rd 2008
source: Braunvieh Association of America

The Braunvieh Association of America (BAA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of a new executive vice president. Ronald P Bolze Jr.  He will start in his new leadership role on Nov. 1 and will work closely with current executive vice president Mark Nelson until the end of December.

“The BAA is fortunate to have Ron lead our breed and association through the next few years.  We are excited about the experience and knowledge of the cattle industry that he brings to our organization,” says Larry Yates, BAA president.

In the last several years, the Braunvieh breed is one of the few cattle breed associations that have posted growth. In fact, they have experienced 10 percent growth in membership and 8 percent growth in registrations. Braunvieh breeders are progressive and the cattle are the single best continental option producers have to produce a consistent, high quality end product. 

Bolze previously worked with the Red Angus Association of America, where he was commercial marketing director responsible for providing enhanced marketing opportunities for commercial cow/calf, stocker and feedlot users of Red Angus genetics.   “I look forward to working closely with Braunvieh cattle breeders and commercial users of Braunvieh genetics to increase the breed’s presence in the U.S. beef cattle industry,” says Bolze.  Contact Bolze by phone at 402-466-3292 (BAA office); 402-426-2033 (home office) or 402-321-0067 (cell) and by email at rbolze@braunviehbull.com.

Throughout the course of his career, Bolze has worked for Ohio State University and Kansas State University Extensions, and with specialized organizations such as Certified Angus Beef and the Beef Improvement Federation. In 2003, Bolze became executive secretary of the American Shorthorn Association. He was instrumental in establishing a proactive approach to genetic defect identification through DNA-marker technology. He initiated efforts within the Shorthorn breed to create greater awareness and appreciation for commercial application of Shorthorn genetics.

Bolze grew up on a dairy and general livestock farm in south central Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Pennsylvania State University in 1976. After graduation, he returned to the family farm and spent the next five years developing a commercial beef cow-calf and cattle-feeding enterprise. In 1985, Bolze received his doctorate in reproductive physiology from Kansas State University.