Borchers Southern Y Ranches, LP, Victoria, TX was awarded the 2010 President’s award. This diversified ranching operation is owned and operated by Dr. Charles Borchers, the estate of the late Mary Katherine Borchers and their daughters Charla Borchers Leon and Mary Kay Borchers.
Borchers Southern Y has owned and operated cattle ranches for the last one hundred-three years. Currently, cattle are maintained in three divisions and grazed in seven counties around Victoria. Tommy Phillips serves as general manager of the ranches and Cody Talley is the cattle manager at the headquarters ranch. Richard Hood is an advisor to Borchers Southern Y Ranches for their Santa Gertrudis cattle. Dr. Borchers utilizes cowboys on a day contract basis to minimize long term labor costs. The fact that all Borchers Southern Ranches employees, including short term contract labor have been with the ranch for extended periods of time is a testament to the leadership and business expertise of the Borchers family.
Dr. Borchers is a strong believer in maintaining a strong commercial based cross breeding program. The ranch owns a herd of full blood Brahman cattle and a herd of registered Santa Gertrudis cattle to serve as the base to produce cross bred animals that maximize hybrid vigor and “work” in the south Texas environment. Dr. Borchers is quick to point out the Borchers family runs a commercial operation based on good cattle and sound economics.
Dr. Borcher’s late wife, Mary Katherine Borchers, was instrumental in the decision to introduce Santa Gertrudis cattle into the Southern Y cross breeding operation. All Santa Gertrudis breeders are grateful that Mrs. Borchers “persuaded” Dr. Borchers to purchase a herd of Santa Gertrudis cattle twenty-three years ago.
I was fortunate to get to know and appreciate Mrs. Borchers over the years. She was gracious, a savvy businesswoman and deeply involved with her family and her community. She was also quick to point out her deep and abiding allegiance to the University of Texas Longhorns. We truly were blessed to have her as a member of the Santa Gertrudis family of breeders.
The president’s award this year was based on promotion/utilization of Santa Gertrudis genetics and service to SGBI. Borchers Southern Y Ranches exceeds both of those standards.
Borchers Southern Y Ranches participate in numerous purebred sales around the country. They consign cattle to Star 5 sales including the annual sale in Caldwell, Texas. They hosted the first state wide Star 5 field day in 1999.
The Santa Gertrudis cattle used in the Borchers Southen Y program represent some of the top genetics in the breed.
Dr. Borchers served as western region director of SGBI from 2001 through 2007. He attended Board meetings for 8 years and was a member of the finance committee for the same period of time. I served a portion of the time on the finance committee with Dr. Borchers. He mostly listened and chewed on his ever present cigar; however, when he spoke the rest of the committee quietly listened and took action based on his insightful and on target comments.
Charla Borchers Leon attended SGBI Board meetings with her father during his term as a director and member of the Finance Committee. She served as a western Region director the past three years and was reelected to the same position during the last annual meeting. Charla was the point person responsible for initially formulating the SGBI Long Range Plan and she has been instrumental in coordinating the plan since its inception. She chairs the Long Range Plan Committee, coordinated the annual meeting in Austin, served as a member of the finance committee, chairs the Bylaws Committee and was elected as vice president for long range planning during the recent annual meeting.
Borchers Southern Y Ranches is a monthly advertiser in the SG USA magazine, has helped sponsor a number of annual meetings, purchased a spot on the Santa Gertrudis Foundation Brand wall and have generously donated time and money to other SGBI initiatives.
I was privileged to present this years President’s award to Southern Y Ranches and the Borchers family.
By: Lamar Kelly
