Jim Hogg Rancher Humberto Garza Develops leading Beefmasters.
Laredo BorderFest ’94 pays tributes to area rancher

HEBBRONVILLE- More than 50 years ago, Humberto Garza took a chance on a dream and from that beginning, he developed one of the oldest and most productive Beefmaster foundation herds in the country. 
He stuck to the task to the delight of his family and fellow ranching community of Jim Hogg County and South Texas.  For his achievements and contributions to the industry, Garza is being recognized as the Rancher of the Year by the Laredo BorderFest organization. 
Humberto Gaza was among the dignitaries at the ribbon-cutting to mark the opening of the 1994 BorderFest on the grounds of the Laredo Civic Center. 
Since 1945, he has raised Beefmaster cattle in South Texas and animals from the Violeta Ranch have been sold to buyers fro Idaho, South Dakota, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Mexico. 
Not a bad showing for a man who began with little more than a good idea and a lot of determination.  He was the first to buy Beefmaster cattle from Tom Lasater, who developed the breed in 1931, and got people’s attention inviting other ranchers to watch the bull weighing.  The impressive size and weight of the bulls began attracting potential buyers and in 1961 he held his first auction. 
As a Beefmaster breeder, he as cooperated with the soil and water  conservation districts for more than26 years, improving no only his livestock but also his grassland.  Over the years, he as tried many varieties of grass to improve the stocking rate of acres per cow.  He successfully experimented with a strain call Blue Panic, which led him to the use of buffle grass.  With proper management, buffle grass has become one of the most widely used grasses in deep South Texas counties. 
Humberto Garza is the son of Martiniano and Paula Garza.  He continues the 100-year old tradition of ranching established by his grandfather, Pedro Gaza, who ranched both sides of the border.  Martiniano Garza built a 400 acre inheritance into the original 20,000 acre Violeta Ranch which was divided among his children.  At this time, he ranches around 15, 000 acres of family ranch land and leased property, spread over three counties.  He is married to Petra Garza and will soon celebrate 65 years of marriage.  They have three children: H. H. Garza, Eduardo Garza, and Gloria Hinojosa, nine grandchildren, and 11 great-grand children. 
Over the yeas, he has received recognition from his peers and fellow cattlemen. 
In 1953, he was selected best conservationist by the Monte Mucho Conservation District.  He has served as a member of the BBU Beefmaster Association, serving as the Charter Director from 1972 to 1977.  He was also a member of the Foundation beefmaster Association, serving three years as director. 
He was elected Rancher of the Year for Hebbronville and Jim Hogg County in 1974 and in 1977 was named to the Cattle Breeders Hall of Fame.  He has most recently celebrated his 33rd annual auction, making it the longest running private auction in the country. 
At 85 years of age, he is still personally involved with the daily routine of ranching.  In recent years he as given over the operation of the ranch to his son Eduardo but Don Humberto still has the final word on the decisions that affect the Violeta Ranch. 

Reproduced from the Laredo Morning Times, Thursday, July, 1994. 
Written by Cynthia Garza Gutierrez, granddaughter of the Humberto Garza. 

Los Garza del Rancho La Violeta
The history of the ranch and its founders:
Don Martiniano Garza Flores and
La Doña Paula Villareal Benavides de Garza