Santa Gertrudis Source March 2024

A&M University in 2005 and a mas ter’s in ranch management from the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Man agement in 2014. “I am passionate about helping ranch ing operations improve profit potential through a holistic, systems, business like approach,” he says. “Continuous genetic improvement in an increasingly competitive marketplace will continue to differentiate the most profitable cat tle operations. Ranches that raise Santa Gertrudis-influenced cattle will be no different. Being a part of a team working to advance such a historically signifi cant breed has been extremely enjoyable and rewarding.” Matthew Zajic Matthew Zajic is

“The biggest challenges I believe we face are creating new revenue streams for our association while trying to in crease our number of members and reg istrations,” he says. “I think we must fo cus on the commercial market to do this, which will allow us to get more cattle in the marketplace, especially the great bulls we are producing. “We need to continue to champion our junior program and retain those juniors in the breed as adult mem bers,” he adds. “We also need to con tinue to push an aggressive marketing campaign to inform others about the benefits of Santa Gertrudis. Through this, we can change the negative perception of our cattle, especially in a commercial setting.” Matthew has always wanted to raise cattle and farm for a living. After buy ing his first set of Santa Gertrudis, he started Zajic Farms. Matthew focuses on improving his herd through ET and an aggressive AI program. ​“My passion and appetite for success is what drives me to tackle the issues we face as a breed and offer new ideas

was to help build a better relationship with other Santa Gertrudis breeders from around the world and to gain any knowledge I could,” he says. “It was a great learning experience to see how other farmers and ranchers raise cattle in Brazil and around the world.” He currently serves on the SGBI Performance, Sales & Marketing and Breed Promotions committees. “I’m committed to the growth and vi ability of the Santa Gertrudis breed,” he says. “If I am elected on the SGBI Board, I will do what is best for the breed as a whole. I will strive to help our breed grow and help breeders have more out lets for their products.” Darrell White Darrell White is

seeking re-election to his Western Re gion director seat. Personal highlights from his year of ser vice on the board include hiring a new executive director

the area manager of cattle operations at King Ranch. Pri or to joining King Ranch, he was gen eral manager of ranching operations in Encinal, Texas, and Okeechobee,

Matthew Zajic

Darrell White

and pushing the breed forward by sitting on the Performance and Marketing com mittees.

Fla. His educational background in cludes a bachelor’s degree from Texas

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Limitless Future

A GREAT

Flush Opportunity! CLB 2221 TANA MARIE HEFTE RANCH F46 x HONEY LOUISE E22 2023-2024 SGBI Overall High Point Female 2023-2024 SGBI High Point Senior Female

CLB 2221 Tana Marie

Red Lady TN

And Her First Calf

III

MARCH 23, 2024 777 Farms • Magnolia, Ark.

MATT NICHOLS | 940.393.2305

SANTA GERTRUDIS SOURCE

25

MARCH 2024