At Smith Genetics in Giddings, Texas, the breeding program doesn’t just promote better cattle – it also promotes a better community.
Under the management of Tim Smith, Smith Genetics blends elite reproductive technology with decades of leadership in youth development and education. As a Powered by Vytelle® Satellite Partner, their legacy is as much about building character as it is about breeding champions.
Tim Smith founded Smith Genetics in 1989 after moving from Kentucky to Texas to build a registered Simmental and Simbrah program rooted in maternal strength and genetic excellence. What began with a five-gallon bucket and a living room full of campers has grown into a nationally respected operation. From “Granny P” to Smith Bella Bella, his cow families have helped rewrite breed history.
Today, as a registered Simmental, Simbrah and SimAngus outfit and a Vytelle Satellite Partner, Smith Genetics continues to push the industry forward. By using advanced IVF and embryo transfer tools, they accelerate genetic progress while helping both commercial and seedstock clients improve herd fertility, efficiency and performance. Their partnership with Vytelle gives breeders the power to make smarter, science-backed decisions – one embryo at a time. For more information on Vytelle ADVANCE™ click here.
Shaping young lives through Cow Camp
Despite the strong legacy he’s built, Tim’s proudest achievement isn’t found in the show ring, but in the next generation. “It’s not about me,” he says. “It’s about the kids.”
For more than 30 years, Cow Camp has been the heart of Smith Genetics. Every May, young people from across Texas and beyond gather to learn about beef cattle, leadership, and life. From reproductive tract labs to Stock Show U sessions, the camp offers hands-on education in breeding, showing, and industry skills.
But more than that, it’s a safe space – where kids build confidence, friendships, and futures. Tim’s own childhood was shaped by trauma, and he knows firsthand how powerful it is for young people to feel seen, supported, and capable. That’s what drives his commitment to mentorship.
“If we can give kids a path away from hardship and toward hope,” Tim says, “we’ve done our job.”
The program’s success is measured not just in knowledge transfer but in relationship building. Tim proudly notes that four former campers now bring their own children to participate, creating a generational cycle of mentorship. “These kids are building networks,” Tim emphasised, explaining how camp relationships have led to college roommates, business connections, and even marriages.
The 2025 Cow Camp continued this strong tradition, and Vytelle was proud to sponsor the event, supporting campers to gain invaluable real-world experience in advanced cattle breeding techniques like artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and IVF.
Ready to explore how a Vytelle Partnership could transform your operation and community impact?
Contact Jaci Deitrick at [email protected] to learn more about satellite partnership opportunities and discover how you can follow in Tim’s footsteps—building better cattle and better futures, one generation at a time.
