SOUTHERN LIVESTOCK STANDARD
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2024
PAGE 1B
Brought to you by American Simbrah Breeders
4S Simbrah-more than a cattle operation; it’s a family business, a community and a lasting legacy By Martha A. Hollida
The Sansom family’s journey has been full of twists and turns, from a stint in the Army to an international marriage and a calf scramble certificate, all of which played a part in their commitment to the Simbrah breed and the creation of an elite cattle program. Don and Anika Sansom, along with their children, Kayla and Jakob, own and operate 4S Cattle, Brenham, Texas. They started their Simbrah journey with a show heifer named Smith Buresh Koleen for Kayla in 2019. Since then, they’ve quickly built a program recognized in SimGenetics circles. Don was raised in Brownwood, Texas, which is just about the center of the Lone Star State. He would leave home for a stint in the Army and while stationed in Germany, he would meet Anika. They would marry in 1999 and once his tour of duty ended the following year, the newlyweds moved to Brownwood. During the next 12 years, they would start careers, run commercial cattle and become parents. Then in 2012, a career move for Don led
At the 2023 International Show, Smith 4S Kayla Charming Emmy Lu 938K was the International Reserve Grand Champion and in 2024, she was named International Grand Champion. Pictured (l to r) Tim Smith, Jakob and Kayla Sansom.
them to Brenham. Kayla was 9 years old, and Jakob was 7 years old at the time. “We sold the cattle and soon bought some horses to ride. I had shown horses growing up, so I was probably the driving force behind horse ownership. Then came show pigs for the kids and they really enjoyed showing. At the same time, we were realizing the opportunities and life lessons livestock offered. Then the ag teacher suggested that Kayla participate in the Washington County Fair Calf Scramble. At that point we had no idea how our lives were going to change and all the good things that would follow,” explained Anika. Kayla did catch in the calf scramble and the family began to evaluate breeds to show, trying to learn about selecting, feeding and caring for show heifers. The most daunting challenge at first was choosing the breed and where to buy a heifer. “Our ag teacher suggested Simbrahs to us and told us there was an operation nearby in Giddings, Texas. We went to Smith Genetics and now, six years later, all our show heifers and genetics are from Tim Smith’s program,” said Don. The Sansoms were impressed with all the opportunities, scholarships and experiences Smith told them about through the American Junior Simmental Association (AJSA), Texas Junior Simmental/Simbrah Association (TJSSA) and American Junior Simbrah Roundup, Simbrah and Simmental Superbowl and the junior program benefits of Smith Genetics. They purchased Smith Buresh Koleen and the family’s journey into the purebred sector was off and running. Now, six years later, both children have competed across the country with their
Simbrahs, they have both served on the TJSSA Board of Directors, competed in FFA leadership experiences and acquired scholarships for their educational expenses. “Both of them are now in college and at this point, they have been able to pay for their education through scholarships and stipends related to their involvement in showing and primarily SimGenetics,” shared Anika, who now serves on the Texas Simmental/ Simbrah Board of Directors. “The Sansoms are a prime example of a family getting their start through a show heifer. In the beginning, they were more interested in having a heifer that they could learn about showing, more than winning. Then they realized feeding a great one or an average one would cost the same and their competitiveness grew. They began investing in heifers with lots of genetic strength. They also saw the value of junior programs and became interested in being part of the culture of agriculture,” described Smith. The couple is quick to say that the family had a lot to learn about purebred cattle and showing, but the Simbrah breeders have been really helpful, and that Smith has been invaluable to them in all phases-showing, selection, mating and has helped them reach answers and decisions to all types of questions and situations. A heifer named Smith Crack a Smile, a double bred Smith Bella Bella, was purchased for Jakob, while Kayla’s next heifer was Smith Charming N Lively 938F. Those females took the family from being in the show ring to standing at the backdrop at several shows. 938F is a Smith No Fear daughter with the Annie Lou Cow Family on the maternal side of the pedigree. Then, 938F’s daughter, sired by
The Sansom family of 4S Simbrah. L to r: Kayla, Jakob, Anika and Don. Smith No Better Than This, Smith 4S Kayla Charming Emmy Lu 938K, did the same for Jakob as he won the 2023 International Reserve Grand Champion title and the 2024 International Grand Champion titles in Houston and the reserve grand honor at the AJSA National Classic. Emmy Lu was also the Cattlemen’s Congress Grand Champion Simbrah Female and was named the Cattlemen’s Congress Third Overall American Heifer. This past summer, Jakob claimed the National Classic Reserve Grand Champion honor with Smith Take Me 2 the Dance 020L, a Smith Follow My Lead x Smith Diva’s Dancing Queen product. This heifer also won the 2024 TJSSA Futurity and the Overall Supreme Simbrah Influenced title at the state show. These heifers are now part of the 4S nucleus and the family’s focus has moved from showing to raising replacement females and herd sires, as well as show heifers. Some of the other notable females now in their program include Smith Diva Whisper, a Smith Made Solid daughter from the Diva Cow Family; Smith Solid Spark Juliet 215J,
Smith Crack A Smile 805H, this female was a many time champion for Jakob and is now a donor in the 4S program. She is Smith Bella Xtra Stretch daughter.
Smith Charming N Lively 938F, a female that took Kayla to the backdrop and is now a cornerstone donor for the Sansom family. She has already produced a daughter that claimed the 2024 International title. a Smith Made Solid x Juliet bred female; Smith Bella Bellissima 326J, a direct daughter of the Bella Bella cow and Smith Made Solid. They’ve recently added em-
bryos that are full siblings to the Take Me 2 The Dance heifer, as well as a percentage female carrying JSUL Something About Mary and Wentz Smith Superior (Continued on page 4)