GRaFICAS

Miami Dade Countryfest 2023

It was a pleasure of mine to be able to facilitate this transaction from start to finish for J. D. Hudgins Inc.

After the shipping was finalized, and the selection of the cattle process was to begin the delegation from Botswana met with Mr. Chris Shivers to began selecting and sorting the cattle.

muscle tone. They wanted animals that were good on their feet and legs and had calving ease based off of genetics and epds. These individual selected cattle that would be a great breeding piece as they moved towards genetic beef superiority on the continent.

After the selection process, the testing and ultimately, the shipping, and landing, this became a wonderful event for the entire country.

As a representative, J. D. Hudgins, I know that my job doesn’t stop here in assisting our customers. I have been consulting with the team that are working with the animals maintaining their success through feeding and growth and development of these 12 to 14 month old bulls and heifers.

It was the Ministry of Agriculture’s directive to the team that they would select Grey Brahmans from J. D. Hudgins, Inc. and V8 Ranch and the remainder of the breeds (Beefmaster, Santa Gertrudis, Red Brahman, Brangus (both red and black) and Angus, would be selected by the Botswanan Selection Committee with the assistance from Mr. Shivers and Ms. Strickland.

While at J. D. Hudgins, the team was meticulous in their selection process. They wanted animals that were docile. They wanted animals that had good

There was an enormous media presence at the landing of the animals and a great celebration. Government Ministers, President Massissi, the vice president and prominent ranchers in the country were invited to the ceremony when the plane touched the ground in Gabarone, Botswana. It was quite an event. From there they were taken to Ramatlabama, Botswana, near the South African Border, where there has been an enormous military presence around and protecting the cattle. There are vetenarians on site, 24 hours a day tending to the welfare of the animals. This is going to be a very successful operation for the country.

I was very fortunate to be able to travel to see the animals land and be a part of this wonderful celebration. For the first time in nearly 60 years new genetic lines from America touched the soil in Botswana to make the impact did the farmers need.

During my time in the country , I was treated so well and taken to all of the wonderful sights, met so many kind people and was able to taste the local cuisine. It was an experience of a lifetime.

Deals like this do not come around very often. Even though we enjoy when they do, we appreciate just as much the rancher that buys one bull to provide quality genetics into their ranch. We appreciate everyone for trusting our genetics. Guests are always welcome at the ranch and we would love to have anyone and everyone that would want to see the operation that the generations before me have built at J. D. Hudgins. It is a proud legacy that we would like to continue to improve through this generation to pass on to our children and our children’s children.