I attended my first Tarentaise sale in Virginia at Laurel Hill Farm. There, I purchased 2 purebred bulls and 3 cows. I was most impressed with their quiet disposition. Even the bulls were a pleasure to be around. The cows had small, tight udders that maintained their ideal shape for many years, yet they produced milk that was not only plentiful, but rich in protein and fat. She could wean a calf over 50% of her own weight in 205 days! She was moderate in size, had a large pelvic area for easy births and matured early. Therefore, she began producing quicker than other breeds.

I then began attending sales throughout Canada and the U.S. where I acquired a select group of foundation seedstock. I purchased top bulls and bred heifers from some of the best Tarentaise herds available.

At the time, Clay Simms of Monroe, Georgia was the first Tarentaise breeder in the state. I became the second. In 1994 I, along with several breeders throughout the Southeast, organized an annual "Southeastern Tarentaise Sale". Our first sale was held in Anderson, South Carolina and was a huge success. The following year we established the Southeaster Tarentaise Association. We have held annual sales thereafter. Many people have discovered Tarentaise through our sales. We have had many satisfied new owners. Some have started their own registered herds, others have crossed them into their existing herds with various breeds. Some have gone on to be shown by youth in FFA and 4-H with much success.

I have been a member of the American Tarentaise Association for 7 years. I became a Director in 1996. In January 2000, I was elected President of the association. I am also a member of the Southeastern Tarentaise Association and Chairman of the annual sale, and a member of the Georgia Cattlemen's Association.

I have exhibited Tarentaise at the Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, Georgia and the Georgia Cattlemen's Convention. We also show our cattle at livestock fairs throughout the Southeast.

We consigned heifers to the first Commercial Heifer Sale held at the Georgia Beef Expo in Perry, Georgia in April of 1999, as well as the first University of Georgia Extension Service Herd Development Program in Tifton, Georgia in 2000.

Our cattle have participated in many feedlot studies with very impressive results. This has confirmed our belief that Tarentaise is the cattle for the future.