Alex Dees Career

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Alex Dees

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Elmo Dees

Melvin Dees

Ranch Tour

January 20, 1940
» Alex U. Dees is born in Yuma Arizona. He is one of 16 children born to John and Allily Dees and is raised on a family farm near Yuma.

Late 1940's
» The Brangus breed is developed in the late 1940s. The breed is a cross of three eighths Brahman and five-eights Angus, which produces a hearty breed with flavorful meat.

Mid-1950's
» Dees excels in showing cattle while in high school, twice winning the showmanship championship at the Yuma County Fair.

1959
» Dees shows cattle on the road with Darrel Chapman, manager of the Cow Palace, and becomes interested in a career as a rancher.

1960
» Dees is hired as a herdsman for the Yuma Valley Cattle Company.
» Alex marries Phyllis Polee.

1962
» Member of International Brangus Breeders Association
» Dees begins showing cattle at the Arizona National Livestock Show and receives an award for Reserve Grand Champion Brangus Bull.

1965
» Dees becomes ranch manager for the Yuma Valley Cattle Company.

1966
» Dees begins raising Brangus Cattle & becomes involved as a broker

1970
» Dees returns to the family farm, starting his own registered Brangus operation. He builds his herd around the "Black Duke" bloodline & concentrates on show ring competition.

1973
» Dees starts his own showing and fitting service and begins exhibiting at the Grand National in San Francisco.

1974
» Dees travels to Kerrville, Texas for the 25th anniversary of the Brangus Futurity, and his A.D. Miss Maybelle wins grand champion, launching Dees career.

1976
» Dees has established a solid reputation for breeding and selling quality Brangus bulls for commercial herds. His cattle frequently take top prizes at shows throughout Brangus territory.
» By 1976, Dees owns approximately 300 Brangus on 160 acres, raises Brangus for other ranchers & is in high demand as a broker. » Ebony Magazine runs a 5 page biography on Dees titled
"Champion Brangus Breeder".
» Dees becomes involved in the International Visitors Program sponsored by the Department of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

1980
» By February 1980, Alex Dees has over seven years experience exhibiting at the Grand National in San Francisco for seven years and four years of involvement in the International Visitors Program.
» Livestock Magazine publishes "Portrait of a Stockman" highlighting Dees ranching acheivements.
» Dees joins the International Brangus Breeders Association.

1986
» Alex Dees is inducted into the Heart of America Brangus Breeders Hall of Fame. The Yuma Daily Sun features an article on the achievements of Alex Dees in the December 26, 1986 edition of the paper.
» At this time Dees operates a 250 acre ranch running approximately 200 head of Brangus breeding stock. He is considered a key person in Southwest livestock shows, is the Director of the Southern Arizona International Livestock Show, and assists local and state youth groups.
» Heart of America Brangus Association Inc. Hall of Fame

Mid 1980's
» Unstable economy forces Dees to drastically reduce his herd numbers and merge his operation with Canta Rana Brangus, forming a partnership named C&D Brangus. C & D operates for three years before a drought forces a liquidation of numbers and an end to the partnership.

1989
» As a 29 year veteran in the Brangus cattle business, Dees has gained stature as a professional cattle judge and is acknowledged as the first African American to receive recognition in the professional judging world.
» Foothills News publishes an article in the September 21, 1989 edition about Dees achievements as a professional livestock judge.

1991 » Arizona Hall of Fame

1992
» The Yuma Sun publishes a profile on Dees acknowledging his reputation as one of the most respected Brangus breeders in the country, noting that the Dee's name is said to be synonymous with the Brangus Breed.

1995
» Dees operation, Dees Bros. Brangus runs about 90 registered Brangus in addition to a few cattle from other clients. The business operates as a family outfit, with Elmo, Alex's younger brother, and Elvenee, his son, working closely to build the herd. Alex actively consults for herds in Hawaii, and other breeders in the Southwest.
» By 1995, Dees has spent over 20 years on the board of the Arizona National Livestock Show, run the cattle division for seven of those years and has held the title of vice president for two years.
» Alex reduces the amount of time spent showing Dees Bros Brangus and focuses on judging shows and providing consulting work in the Brangus Industry.
» The October edition of the Brangus Journal notes Alex Dees lifetime devotion to Brangus with a three page biography of Dees Brothers Brangus.

2002
» As one of the most famous Brangus cattle breeders in America, Alex Dees becomes a Dedicatee of the 2002 Arizona National Livestock Show (ANLS).