Emily posted on July 26, 2011 11:42
In 1979, Miss Double TT 77/282, shown by Bill Cousins was selected by Dr. Bill Turner as the National Junior Grand Champion Female at the 3rd National Junior Santa Gertrudis Heifer Show in Brenham, Texas. In addition to receiving the standard Purple and Gold banner and prize money, he became the first recipient of a donated heifer awarded at the National Junior Show. Winrock Farms of Morrilton, Arkansas, was the donor while the Reserve Champion exhibitor received a donated heifer from Joe Frensley Ranches in Oklahoma. Since its inception, breeders have donated over 500 heifers for this one of a kind program.
Three men, Johnny Carleston, Norval Sells and Wylie Taliaferro initiated the idea of awarding the National Junior Grand and Reserve Grand Champions a donated heifer. Even though the Santa Gertrudis Breeders International (SGBI) board was skeptical of the program, the three persevered and set in motion a tradition that has endured the years.
The following year, due to numerous ranchers wanting to donate to the program, a heifer was awarded to each class winner, fourteen in all. At the 1980 National Junior Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma, each of the donating ranches brought a halter broke heifer to the show, allowing the class winners the ability to go home with their prize.
After several years, the donated heifer program evolved, and the winning exhibitors began traveling to the donating ranches to select their heifer. With the new option, exhibitors are able to see various ranching operations and interact with the breeders while developing personal relationships. Throughout the year, the recipients of the donated heifers stay in touch with the breeders. This personal contact has fostered many friendships through the years, and is invaluable to both the recipients and the breeders.
In the past, it was up to the sponsoring affiliate of the National Junior Show to come up with the heifers. This was changed however in 2003 when a special committee was appointed by the SGBI Youth Activities Committee to oversee the program. The Donated Heifer Committee, working with the sponsoring affiliate, gathers those wishing to donate heifers, as well as does the administrative work of the program.
From the original two heifers to fourteen heifers to the twenty heifers given today, the program has thrived. Over the years several donated heifers have been added due to the expansion of the show. Heifers are now awarded to the Bred and Owned Champion, the Best of Polled Champion, along with the Star Five Champion. Two Donors, Dan and Jane Wendt of Wendt Ranches and John and Mary Wilson of Lazy E Ranch provide the heifers for the Bred and Owned and Best of Polled champions respectively. Dan Wendt says, “as long as there is a Bred and Owned Show at the National Show, Wendt Ranch will donate a heifer”.
One of the requirements of the donated heifer program is that the heifers be brought back and shown in the following years’ National Junior Show, as well as in a special Donated Heifer class. Heifers are stalled on the “Donated Heifer Alley”, showcasing not only the heifers, but also the breeders. As for the heifers, quality runs deep. Two donated heifers have gone on to be selected National Grand Champions at the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Heifer Show, Miss Winrock G180 donated by Winrock Farms and shown by Boone Smith in 1998, and Lazy E 763 donated by Lazy E Ranch and shown by Lauren Grainger in 2009.
Former junior, Christy Fuchs Moran says, “This program fosters great relationships between junior members and ranches and allows juniors to expose the ranch and brand while showing the heifer. The donated heifer program is one of a kind and one that has always been admired by other breeds across the nation”. In a testament to the foundation of the program, Wylie Taliaferro stated, “I will donate a heifer every year because I know what it does for the kids. It helps them get started in school and life”.
With a mission statement that says, “To encourage recipients to build their herds with genetics through the generosity of the Breeder’s donation, while honing communication skills and contacts in their promotion of the Santa Gertrudis Breed”, the program has become and remains an important and unique asset to the Santa Gertrudis breed.
If you would like more information on this program, contact the SGBI office at 361-592-9357 or the Donated Heifer Committee Chairwoman, Cheryll Grainger at 979-830-8785.