SG_USA_November_2022

Five Js Cattle Co. Hosts BREEDERS OF THE CAROLINAS FIELD DAY By Jessie Topp Becker, Managing Editor

M ore than 100 people gathered at Five Js Cattle Co., in Clay ton, N.C., on Sept. 24 for the Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas Field Day. The event featured several speakers, a beef lunch, high quality cattle and a mechanical bull for the kids and kids-at-heart. The event started with a greeting from Angela Standley, who told attendees how Five Js Cattle has been in the Standley family since the 1800s. She discussed their Santa Gertrudis and Hereford oper ations, along with their STAR 5 program and farm-raised beef sales. “The Five Js family and crew rep resented Santa Gertrudis well,” says Kade Thigpen, Santa Gertrudis Breed ers International (SGBI) Board member. “They showed off their top-end Santa Gertrudis bulls and cows, while also showing the versatility of the breed in their crossbreeding program. Five Js was an incredible host and is one of the breed’s leading programs for Santa Gertrudis and Santa Gertrudis/ Herford STAR 5s, as well as purebred Herefords.”

Thigpen, with Hefte Ranch, spoke about the value of hybrid vigor and heat tolerance. Schumann, with Schu-Lar Herefords, spoke about rate of gain, carcass quality, fertility and Vytelle precision genetic livestock performance solutions; he was joined by Vytelle representative Kara Schmidt. Five Js Cattle and Sea-90 Ocean Minerals sponsored a beef lunch featur ing Five Js farm-raised beef, which everyone enjoyed. “All in all, the field day was one of the best I have ever attended,” Thigpen says. “If you ever get a chance to go to North Carolina, take the time to visit our fellow breeders and see the incred ible things they have going on!”

Santa Gertrudis Breeders of the Carolinas President Josh Bowman told attendees about the upcoming Breed ers of the Carolinas Sale, scheduled for May 13, 2023, in Monroe, N.C. This will be the group’s 50th sale. Bowman also shared about a new research program that’s in the works with North Carolina State University that will utilize Santa Gertrudis genetics (watch for more information in future issues of Santa Gertrudis USA ). SGBI Board member Mickey Bowman shared SGBI updates, includ ing the positive direction the breed is moving across the country. Other featured speakers included Kade Thigpen and Bryce Schumann.

"Five Js was an incredible host and is one of the breed’s leading programs for Santa Gertrudis and Santa Gertrudis/ Herford STAR 5s, as well as purebred Herefords.” – Kade Thigpen

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SANTA GERTRUDIS USA