This year's prestigious Brangus� Breeder of the Year honor was awarded to David Vaughan, owner of Salacoa Valley Farm, Fairmount, Georgia.
Vaughan was born and raised on a northwest Georgia Farm. His love for cattle started early as he was 4-H Livestock judger and showed steers. In fact he showed the Georgia State Grand Champion Steer three years and that record still stands. Vaughan received a degree in agriculture from University of Georgia and was a member of their judging team.
Vaughan also received his law degree from University of Georgia in 1959 and started his practice in Cartersville, Georgia. He served as Assistant Solicitor General Cherokee Circuit for a year. Then he was elected to the Georgia General Assembly and represented the 14th District for two terms. He served as the District Attorney for the Cherokee Judicial Circuit for two terms and has been in private practice since leaving public service.
He has actively been involved in farming all of his life; operating Salacoa Valley Farm which had commercial cattle as well as with two other registered breeds before becoming involved with Brangus�. In 1985, he began a joint venture with Willow Springs Ranch, becoming Willow Springs East and when Willow Springs dispersed, the name became Salacoa Valley Farm again.
Today Salacoa Valley is recognized as a leading producer of Brangus genetics and holds an annual production sale in June, as well as their own bull sale in December. Over 470 females have been sold over the past six production sales grossing over 1.5 million dollars. Demand has been strong by both purebred and commercial breeders for SVF bulls. At the 4th Annual Bull Sale this past December, 162 bulls sold for an overall average of $2,659. Cattle carrying the SVF prefix have become sire summary standouts, show ring winners, and overall herd improvers for both commercial and purebred breeders across the country, including South America.
He is a member of the Red Carpet Cattle Association, Georgia Cattlemen's Association, the National Cattlemen's Association, Georgia Brangus Breeders Association, Southeast Brangus Breeders Association, and the International Brangus Breeders Association. He has served on the Board of Directors and as President of the SBBA; and received the Award of Excellence from the SBBA in 2002.
In addition to serving on the IBBA Board of Directors, he has chaired
the Membership and Education Committee and served on the Finance Committee.
He and his wife, Susan, are parents to seven children and have eight grandchildren.
