SG_USA_October_2019

www.santagertrudis.com

SGBI recently rebuilt the www.santagertrudis.com website, and if you’ve not had an opportunity to check it out – you should! The site is totally re-designed, with new content, all new navigation and the ability to display in other languages.

KALLI KIMBLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 Talking to breeders you don’t know can be intimidating, but it is such a valuable experience, and Kimble encourages youth to visit with breeders whenever they can. “I used to be so shy that I used to have to force myself to go talk to people,” she admits. “All these breeders who you might be scared to walk up to, they do a lot for us, and they do so much for our junior association that can really impact your breeding program and the person you are,” she adds. “It just takes that one confident spark in yourself to ask them a few questions and you’ll build a lifelong relationship.” As a young leader in the breed, Kimble is excited for what the future holds for Santa Gertrudis. “Some people underestimate what the Santa Gertrudis breed has come to, but I think we’re at this peak right now and we’re going to progressively continue to do better,” she says. Editor’s Note: NJSGA membership is open to anyone under age 21. To learn more or to join, visit https://santagertru- dis.com/sgbi-youth/how-to-join/.

QUAIL VALLEY FARMS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

The breed’s advancements can’t be credited to one person, but to the collec- tive work of Santa Gertrudis Breeders International (SGBI) and all the producers involved. Cleveland gives much of that credit to the leadership of the SGBI Board of Directors and Executive Director John Ford. He says they have moved Santa Gertrudis in the right direction and have been instrumental in the breed’s success. “I can’t say enough about John Ford and what he has done for the association and this breed,” Cleveland says. But high-quality cattle aren’t worth much if there’s no market for them. “I think the benefits of the association are through marketing,” he says. “We’re not going to be successful unless we can sell to the commercial cattlemen. And getting that message out there of what these animals can do with the carcass quality and EPDs, and how these animals are grading – that’s helped a lot. “The old stigma of Santa Gertrudis is gone and the new genetics everyone is producing is making it a lot easier to sell these bulls to commercial guys,” Cleve- land says. “These crosses are making exceptional animals that any commercial guy could utilize.” Along with being very active in SGBI for the last four years, Quail Valley Farms will be the first ranch tour stop for the Santa Gertrudis World Congress 2019 this October. “It’s exciting and scary at the same time,” Cleveland admits. “We’ve really been doing this four years, so to be the first stop on the World Congress tour is intimidat- ing and exciting at the same time. “But our staff and my wife, Angie, are sharing responsibilities and goals. We’re going to do our best to make sure everyone has a great time.” Through their incorporation of reproductive technologies and involvement in SGBI, Quail Valley Farms has grown exponentially over the last few years in their quest to raise high-quality Santa Gertrudis cattle. “Hats off to the Santa Gertrudis breeders and where they’ve come in such a short time,” Cleveland says “We’re just blessed to be a part of it.”

38

SANTA GERTRUDIS USA