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Texas Agriculture Archive

March 19, 2004

Young at heart
Business, education good mix for Carlos and Sister Guerra...

Carlos and Sister Guerra with Lone Oak, a many-time champion Simbrah bull.

By Lana Robinson
Field Editor

"Young at heart" not only describes Carlos and Ofira "Sister" Guerra's zest for life, but their consuming interest in the development of youth programs and scholarships. As owners of La Muneca Ranch near Linn, in Hidalgo County, the Guerras have successfully combined their registered beef cattle operation with a variety of educational activities that benefit Rio Grande Valley youngsters and engage youth in agriculture.

The 16th annual South Texas Junior Roundup, for example, held at La Muneca last September, was an all-day, family-oriented affair featuring speakers who gave tips on selection, judging, feeding, fitting, and showmanship.

"We've always had field days. I'm a big believer in those," says Carlos Guerra, a fourth generation rancher. "If nothing else, it's a reason to clean up the farm. Seriously, this day is dedicated to kids. We stress education and opportunity. We always make sure to have something for girls and have ladies on the program to discuss topics like the future for women in agriculture. We give away over 100 door prizes. All the kids get to judge. And then our bank, the Texas State Bank, puts up prize money for kids to win. The roundup is financed through ticket sales of kids who buy our cattle. In 2003, it was $19,000. They get half the money up front and then they compete for the other half here at the show. We always stress showmanship. This is where you equalize the pocket book. Youth are recognized for their showmanship efforts. About 35 kids participate in the show, but in the field day itself, we have from peewees all the way through the adult division—everybody."

There is certainly no "energy" crisis where the Guerras are concerned. They are busier than most. The family leases approximately 6,000 acres and runs 400 head of registered Simbrah. A longtime supporter of 4-H, FFA, Simbrah and Red Brahman cattle, Carlos Guerra's ranching background dates back to 1873, when his great grandmother registered their world renown La Muneca brand. La Muneca's annual production sale occurs annually in September. The youth events also help showcase the fine cattle offered at La Muneca.

"No see, no tell, no sell," he suggests.

Carlos Guerra is vice-chairman of the Edinburg Education Foundation, Inc. His leadership has led to the raising of over $1 million for junior scholarship funds.

"I started hauling my little brothers to stock shows in the late 1960s," Guerra recalls. "We really got serious about scholarships when my little brother, Victor, passed away. We started a scholarship in his name."

One successful fund-raising activity sponsored by the Guerras is a three-day deer hunt.

"We've done that for the last 11 years. That sells for $100 a ticket, and we've raised close to $300,000 in scholarships. If we can, we'd be happy to share details with anybody interested in doing the same thing in their county," he says.

A Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show volunteer for the past 25 years, Carlos Guerra has also served on the board of directors of the Texas 4-H Foundation and the Texas FFA Foundation. He is past president of the Hidalgo County
4-H Foundation, which boasts more than 700 members countywide.

"My dad was one of the original board members. My wife has been the club manager for 20 years. All four of our children have served on the state 4-H Council," notes Guerra. "Just this past May, our local club awarded $40,000 in scholarships to 13 graduating 4-H seniors."

Guerra says the Hidalgo County 4-H club members have many programs from which to choose.

"Our members are involved in a little bit of everything. In addition to agriculture, we have a great cooking program. Also clothing. We try to instill in these kids that the only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary. We try to teach them to work smart and hard, emphasizing education," he says.

Bobby Aguilar, Texas Farm Bureau agricultural coordinator for the Rio Grande Valley, says the Hidalgo County Farm Bureau is involved in a lot of the same projects as Guerra, including the 4-H Foundation's prospect show. Two items donated by the Hidalgo CFB fetched $1,800 during the 4-H Foundation's live auction last October.

"Hidalgo County (Farm Bureau) also purchased a table to attend the annual
4-H Foundation event," Aguilar reports. "The Foundation cleared $101,000 in one night selling tables to sponsors, tickets, and from the live auction. The money all goes back to scholarships and pays a portion of the 4-H camp fees for kids to go to Brownwood. They also buy tee shirts that represent Hidalgo County 4-H. Carlos was the Foundation president last year. He's somebody who is not worried about the outcome. He never looks at these events as a big risk, and because of that, they always go over well."

Carlos Guerra is active in many beef organizations, where he has taken a leadership role. He has served on the boards of the Texas Club Calf Association, Edinburg Beef Club, and the Texas Junior Simmental/Simbrah Association (TJSSA) Advisory Board. He currently chairs the TJSSA Scholarship Committee and is on the American Simmental Association Simbrah Committee. Guerra is past president of the International Zebu Association and the Rio Grande Valley Simbrah Association. He has authored several articles on the selection and marketing of registered cattle.

Carlos and Sister are equally enthusiastic in their endeavors and devote many hours to their community.

In November, the Guerras hosted a country western dance at their home to get folks together to organize a new show for Hidalgo County. Called South Texas Agricultural Roundup (STAR), the first show was held Feb. 25-28 in Edinburg. Again, the emphasis was "showmanship—taught and rewarded."

"It has taken many ideas from many different successful shows to try to make it the greatest show on earth. Half of all the kids were eligible for the premium auction, and all the kids were eligible for an add-on incentive program, so that we do our part in seeing that no one is left behind," says Guerra.

Bobby Aguilar serves on the STAR board of directors. According to Aguilar, more than 750 animals were registered for the county show by its Dec. 15, 2003 deadline.

"The Guerras donated $10,000 that was used solely for showmanship. Usually, when you have these shows, you have the different species with a junior and senior division. The seniors, who are more experienced, usually win the buckles. What Carlos has done and outlined is that each species—market hogs, market goats, breeding goats, breeding gilts and so forth—be broken into five different age groups. For just the showmanship part alone, they gave away about 50 belt buckles. When he (Guerra) worked this up, an exhibitor can only show in one showmanship competition, giving the opportunity for 50 different kids to walk away with a buckle."

Each first weekend in January, the annual Cougar and Fiesta Classics rolls around. This TCCA junior show, sponsored by the Edinburg North FFA Booster Club, was created with the help of Carlos and Sister Guerra. He is a past chairman and she has served as treasurer for a decade.

"Every year, every senior FFA graduating member is eligible for a $500 or $1,000 scholarship. Thanks to this show, we've been able to award more than $100,000 to our FFA grads over the past 10 years," Guerra reports.

The Hidalgo CFB also purchased belt buckles for the recent Booster Club fund-raiser.

Guerra-bred cattle have accumulated over 800 championships in both open and juniors shows throughout the country in three major beef breeds.

Guerra cattle have established several breed sale records and have sold all over the U.S and have been exported to several foreign countries.

Guerra has judged the National Red Brangus and Zebu shows, the Houston Red Brangus Show and many junior shows.

La Muneca was named "Premier Breeder" at the 12th annual Simbrah Sensation in Tyler last June. The Sensation features cattle from the herds of participating sponsors and is designed to serve as a promotional tool for the breed and a marketing vehicle for the sponsors. The award goes to the sponsor whose cattle accumulated the most points in the Sensation events.

The event, which was held in conjunction with the American Junior Simbrah Round-up and the American Junior Simmental Association South Central Regional, drew contestants from nine states.

"We are trying to leave this world better than we found it," Guerra concludes. "Our son, Carlos Jr., graduated from A&M and is now managing the ranch. He's been back home for two years. We work good as a family. That's a dream come true for us. My oldest daughter Laura, an attorney, is very involved in politics. She just got married and plans to help agriculture through politics. Our other son, Victor, is a senior at Texas A&M. He plans to go to law school. Cristina is a senior. She will go to A&M and major in some kind of agriculture, perhaps marketing. I think we need to continue to promote the future of agriculture by keeping our children involved."