2013 Year in Review and 2014 Preview

Although it's near the end of January, figured we should go ahead and do a run down on 2013. Breeders of the Carolinas started off the year with a very successful showing at the National Open Show in Jackson, MS: breeders Creech Farms, Hadley Farms, and J.C. Sherrill, Jr. Ranch hauled cattle to the event and between them brought home three class winners. Hadley Farms sold their class-winning bull at the Mid-Coast Super Sale in Houston.

The 2013 Breeders of the Carolinas Sale was one of the most successful ever: 28 registered lots averaged $2090 and 22 crossbred heifers averaged $1825! Entry forms have just gone out within the last few weeks for the 2014 sale--to be held May 10, 2014 in Chester, SC. If you have Santa Gertrudis influence in your herd and are looking to take advantage of an established market, please consider consigning to the Breeders of the Carolinas Sale. The catalog should be posted here in early to mid April.

Our juniors also had a busy year: they participated in the North Carolina Junior Beef Round-Up in Raleigh, the National Junior Heifer Show in San Marcos, TX, the South Carolina Junior Beef Round-Up in Clemson, and the North Carolina State Fair Junior Show. A detailed account of the National Junior Heifer Show appeared in the September edition of the Carolina Cattle Connection.

In our two primary open shows, the North and South Carolina State Fairs, attendance was a little down from previous years. Creech Farms swept Grand and Reserve Champion in the female part of the show, Dietrich Farms took Grand Champion Bull, and Creech Farms took Reserve Champion Bull. Dietrich Farms was the only Santa Gertrudis exhibitor for the South Carolina State Fair. We hope to increase participation in 2014. Results from both fairs have been posted on the facebook page.

We're looking forward to 2014, and are off to a good start so far: Creech Farms made the trek out to Ft. Worth for the National Open Show.

We did not have a Field Day in 2013, but anticipate the 2014 Field Day being at Lou-Al-Tuck Farms in Great Falls, SC. Stay tuned for details.

The Breeders of the Carolinas is an active affiliate and welcomes new members. Please contact Carlyle Sherrill for membership information: 704-633-5723.

You may also consider membership in Santa Gertrudis Breeders International, which enables animal registration, participation in shows, and access to our breed's EPD system. Membership applications are available via www.santagertrudis.com under the Forms link on the SGBI tab. SGBI membership in the Carolinas has fallen to 21 members from 28 in 2011 (25% decrease)--membership in SGBI helps to maintain our representation on the SGBI Board and have a greater voice in our national association.