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By Webb D. Fields, SGBI Executive Director VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP

It’s 2020. The world seemingly is getting smaller year after year. Informa- tion is more easily accessed than ever before and you now have the ability to market your product worldwide from the comfort of your pajamas as you sip your morning coffee. So, why, with all the advancements that have been made and your ability to direct market, would you spend money to be a member of an association? For us, that answer is simple as everything we do at Santa Gertrudis Breeders International (SGBI) is done to advance our members’ ability to better market and add value to their products. However, let’s take a closer look at the value of membership and the reasons why, in 2020 and beyond, being a part of a breed association is a powerful tool. In a time where the world is at your fingertips, it’s maybe more important than ever to be associated with your fellow breeders. Growing our network and having a unified voice allows us to remain at the industry table with strength in our message. As far as the actual daily business, on the surface, SGBI maintains the registry and handles the transactions involved in operating within the pure- bred industry. This role however contin- ues to evolve beyond simple registra- tions and ownership transfers. As we know, performance records and data collection are here to stay. In this new, fast-paced world of detailed available data, it is imperative that you measure, collect and provide information on how your cattle perform. We know that the best way to accu- rately measure without environmental bias is through expected progeny dif- ferences, so having an association that can gather this information from you and keep the integrity of the genetic evaluation is vital. Commercial bull

experience and expertise. You don’t have to look very far to find great examples of this within our own asso- ciation. The SGBI Board of Directors has people from across the country who share a common interest in Santa Gertrudis cattle, but all have different environments and experiences. We have cattle folks as well as business- men and women with a ton of experi- ence across many different industries. All of these different experiences and ideas make for an invaluable resource when it comes time to make deci- sions that affect the breed’s future. The association allows for breed standards, discussions on breed improvement and growth, as well as the rules that govern the way the body wants to do business and be perceived within the industry and to the public. Having a likeminded group that’s also diverse is important when making these decisions. One constant at SGBI, and most other quality associations, is education. It is vital to continually provide educa- tional opportunities for members. This education can come in many different ways. The magazine you are reading currently is a great avenue to keep members up-to-date on activities sur- rounding the breed, as well as provide information on industry trends. Social media allows the association to remain connected with members and provide webinar events to highlight a topic and drive membership to pertinent infor- mation. Constant education within the association enables members to be more powerful promoters of their own product, providing the type of knowl- edge and insight to grow market share. The other end of education is provid- ing information on the cattle and what SGBI stands for to the masses. This is done not only through effective market- ing, but by educating with substance behind the message. Research through universities interested in beef cattle advancement provides an excellent source to gather this information to educate interested parties about our

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buyers are more educated than ever, so providing detailed information on how the cattle perform and where they rank across traits as it relates to the entire breed is imperative. You cannot put a price on grow- ing your network. Finding likeminded people for idea exchange and conver- sation not only helps provide potential growth for your own operation, but these conversations and friendships often turn in to business opportunities as well. This is where the association begins to quickly add value. Events and organizations that bring members together create a powerful atmosphere for you to network and grow your business. Maybe a new breeder who is looking to invest in genetics attends an affiliate field day or you learn that an old friend is looking for a bull and you have just the one for him. Gatherings provide ample opportunity for you to identify potential customers. Countless times I’ve seen contacts made at association functions and activities turn into friendships, partnerships and financially beneficial endeavors. Beyond that, the association provides networking opportunities that can turn into self-education from simply visiting with your fellow breeder. These events are great for idea exchange. You can learn a lot by just showing up and listening. The relationships you develop through an association also quickly allow you to leverage each individual

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SANTA GERTRUDIS USA