The certificate program, offered by the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management (KRIRM) at Texas A&M University-Kingsville as a component to KRIRM’s outreach efforts, awards individuals for the completion of a series of lectureships and symposia throughout a three-year period.

An endowment by Texas AgFinance in 2008 has culminated this lectureship series and symposia, which has reached more than 2,750 individuals from 33 states and five countries, into the Texas AgFinance Certificate in Advanced Ranch Management. Certification requires completion of four lectureships and two symposia within a three-year period.

Lectureship topics range from prescribed burning and equine management, to managerial accounting, systems thinking and strategic planning. Each event is instructed by internationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Lectureships promote group work and discussion. In addition to the classroom style workshop, a number of lectureships include hands-on training and field exercises.

The KRIRM showcase event each year is the annual Holt Cat Symposium on Excellence in Ranch Management. The topic changes each year, but is always based on current issues in the ranching industry and provides knowledge that enables attendees to think more critically about the issues at hand.

This year’s symposium topic, in celebration of KRIRM’s 10-year anniversary, was “An Industry in Transition: Dealing with Change,” which highlighted issues affecting the future of the ranching industry. Experts from across the nation discussed factors such as climate, beef prices and managing risk. Sessions also addressed drought recovery and ranch expansion through purchasing and leasing.

The individuals who completed the certificate requirements were recognized at the symposium prime rib dinner on Oct. 24. The 2013 certificate recipients were Dr. Joseph Bahe, Tuscon, Arizona; Paul Bennet, Wharton, Texas; Justin Cantú, Kingsville, Texas; Jeri Donnell, Ardmore, Oklahoma; Mick Glaze, Hays, Kansas; Jonathan Graber, Yoakum, Texas; Nathan Hubert, New Branufels, Texas; Brett Huegele, Victoria, Texas; Dr. Mickey Keim, Omaha, Nebraska; Dr. Alfonso "Poncho" Ortega, Kingsville, Texas; Fernando Peña, Roma, Texas; Cody Wood, Midland, Texas; and Kit Wood, Midland, Texas. 

—King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management news release