International Report

Santa Gertrudis Breeders International was proud to send a delegation to Filadelfia, Paraguay, for the annual Rodeo Trébol, one of the largest and most significant agricultural and livestock events in the country. The delegation included Gene Kubecka, John Justiss, Darrell Pitchford, and Keaton Dodd, representing SGBI and the Santa Gertrudis breed on an international stage. Rodeo Trébol provided an incredible opportunity to experience the Paraguayan cattle industry firsthand and strengthen relationships with producers throughout the country. American genetics were in high demand, with strong representation not only at the show but throughout the Chaco region, where Santa Gertrudis and other American-influenced genetics are playing an important role in commercial cow herds.

During the trip, the SGBI delegation also had the opportunity to visit two of the region’s large cooperative experiment stations and genetic providers. While touring their multiple-hundred-thousand- acre ranching operations, we were able to see firsthand the environmental conditions and production challenges facing Paraguayan cattlemen. The producers expressed tremendous satisfaction with the Santa Gertrudis breed and its ability to perform and fit within their production systems.

The trip proved successful not only as a trade mission and an opportunity for fellowship, but also as an extremely educational experience for our delegation. Seeing these operations firsthand gave us a much better understanding of the environmental pressures, management systems, and demands that influence the Paraguayan beef supply chain. These experiences will help us here in the United States better understand what our international customers need and, ultimately, how we can continue creating the foundational genetics that will thrive in their unique production environments.

International relationships have always been an important part of the Santa Gertrudis story, and trips such as this reinforce the tremendous opportunity that exists for the breed around the world. The demand we witnessed for American genetics, coupled with the enthusiasm of Paraguayan producers for

Santa Gertrudis cattle, gives us great confidence in the future of the breed throughout South America.