MONTE CHRISTO CATTLE CO. Mike and I just returned from the annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course in College Station. A huge crowd was treated to lots of good informative presentations and demonstrations. One comment I heard more than once sounded something like “I just wish my father had lived to see these cattle prices!” So, it’s a great moment to be a cowboy.
REAVIS FARMS As we enter our 38th year as Simbrah breeders, we are as enthusiastic as ever about the limitless potential of the breed. Over the past year, we’ve introduced new genetics into our program, using top Simmental sires to enhance our EPDs and carcass traits. Our bulls continue to excel in the Rio Grande Valley Beef Improvement Gain Test and we’ve sold
more bulls this year than ever before. As our herd continues to grow, our focus remains on producing cattle that thrive in diverse environments, from rugged range conditions to the show ring. In addition to our cattle operation, we run a diversified family farm growing grain, corn, cotton, sunflowers, and watermelons, with a particular emphasis on producing sweet 1015 onions. We invite you to visit our farm and see our cattle—we believe they would be valuable additions to your program. A special thank you to Tim Smith for his long-standing dedication to the Simbrah breed. We look forward to seeing everyone at Synergy XVIII.
We recently finished weaning the last of our late fall calves and performing pregnancy checks to make room in the herd for our replacements. We had to cull some good looking bred 13 and 14-year-old cows, and most of them brought more money than we paid for them a long time ago. So, the summer has gone well, notwithstanding the heat for the last month. We’ve had timely scattered showers from mid-April through Independence Day. So, even though we’ve spent a fortune on “contract water”, we haven’t had to use much of it until the last 45 days, while Mexico is still holding out on repayment of the water debt. Secretary Rollins has done a good job of pressuring our neighbor to meet their obligations and the Water Master has promised some new allocations this month. So far, the irrigation is still better than last summer. We’re currently backgrounding a great set of replacement heifers featuring new genetics from the Brahman side of the industry, as well as three new Fleckvieh sires on the Simmental side, which will be breeding following our fall calving season. As a general practice, we’ve been breeding our heifers lately at 18 to 22 months and those calves are hitting the ground now with no issues and the mothers look like mature full-grown cows. This year we have kept a nice group of herd bull prospects from six Legacy Bulls with solid proven performance sires. So, we can offer yearling heifers, mature, heavy bred heifers and yearling bulls in good numbers. The Synergy Sale always conflicts with another important annual citrus event precluding our participation in the sale this year, but we will continue to support this great event. Good luck to us all!
MCCRARY FARMS This year marks our 29th year as Simbrah and Simmental breeders, and we’re thrilled about the high-quality cattle we’re bringing to Synergy XVIII. Mark and I are continuously refining our herd by leveraging the best sire power these breeds have to offer. If you take a closer look at our herd’s pedigrees, you’ll see
the influence of many of the breed’s greats. We are strong supporters of Simbrah youth development programs and actively sponsor numerous FFA and 4-H events. Located in the northeast corner of Texas, just south of DeKalb and near the Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana borders, we invite you to visit our farm anytime. We are proud members of the Synergy group and extend our heartfelt thanks to Tim Smith and the Smith Genetics Team for making Synergy the event of the year!
SMITH GENETICS As we celebrate 18 years of Synergy, Smith Genetics remains steadfast in our commitment to excellence. This event continues to grow and thrive, thanks to the elite genetics and proven cow families that form the foundation of our program. We are proud to host this annual gathering and look forward with excitement to the future of the Simbrah breed. A major milestone was reached at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show, where Smith Genetics cattle captured both the Grand and Reserve Champion Female titles in the open and junior divisions. Our program also bred the ARB Champion Female in the junior show and claimed the Grand Champion Bull title, while sweeping all group classes in the open show—the breed’s International Show. This marks the first time in Simbrah history that a Simbrah seedstock program has swept both female divisions.
The International Grand Champion Female was exhibited by Kannon Hill of East Bernard, Texas, with Smith Fabled Farmers Daughter, a standout from the Pop Star Cow Family. She was first named Calf Champion before going on to the overall Grand title. Hill also exhibited the Junior Champion and Reserve Grand Female, Smith Juliet Homecoming Queen, from the Juliet Cow Family. Both champions were sired by Smith Follow My Lead. The International Grand Champion Bull title went to TMP Smith Big Easy 614L, sired by Smith Follow My Lead and out of the She Moves Cow Family. He was named Junior Champion before taking top honors and is owned by Smith Genetics and TMP Livestock of Henderson, Texas. Adding to the success, Smith 4S Kayla Charming Emmylu was named “Miss North America” during the International Show. She is sired by Smith No Better Than This and out of Smith Charming N Lively, and is co-owned with the Sansom family of 4S Simbrah, Brenham, Texas. The Houston Junior Show, held the following week, continued the winning streak. Smith Genetics bred the Champion ARB Female as well as both the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Simbrah Females. Once again, Kannon Hill led the way with Smith Fabled Farmers Daughter, while Jacob Merritt earned Reserve Grand with his Smith Rite On Time daughter from the Juliet Cow Family. Both were winners from the calf division. Kaden Pilat claimed the ARB title with a CMFM Caught Lookin D929 daughter out of Smith Diva’s Dancing Queen 20F, continuing the legacy of the Diva Cow Family. At Smith Genetics, we remain committed to progressive breeding practices, incorporating genomic data alongside visual evaluation to make informed decisions. Beyond the show ring, our dedication to youth development continues through the Smith Genetics Cow Camp, which has become a cornerstone opportunity for junior and new breeders. Our operations span both Texas and Kentucky, including an expanding registered horse division in Kentucky. We are also growing our Simmental numbers at our Giddings location. This year’s Synergy sale lineup features genetics from some of our most influential cow families, including Bella Bella, Diva, She Moves, Pure Diamond, and 770P-R770, among others. Sires highlighted include Smith Steppin’ Up Your Game, Smith Follow My Lead, Smith Like Never Before 328G, and Something In Red (SIR), alongside proven leaders such as Satisfies, Practical 42D, Smith Have No Fear, Smith Made Solid, Lubbock, and Crockett. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and proud to once again host Synergy. We are confident that our cattle—and our program—rank among the very best in the industry.
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