The Beginning of Santa Gertrudis
The Santa Gertrudis breed was developed by Captain Richard King in the pursuit of an Animal superior in carcass to Longhorns and environmentally tougher than European cattle. King Ranch of Texas USA was founded in 1835 and is typically known for its harsh semi-tropical environment. The contributing factors of the Texas climate are well documented in the Santa Gertrudis history as key motivators in the King Ranch breeding programme. In 1920 after ten years of crossing shorthorns with Brahmans this programme produced a bull calf named "Monkey" because of his playful nature. The excellent weight for age characteristics of the Santa Gertrudis is evident from the very beginning with Monkey weighing 498kg (1000 lb) at 12 months of age. Monkey sired more than 150 useful sons before his death in 1932.
King Ranch's Santa Gertrudis expanded to other cattlemen in the 1930s who themselves continued to develop heads towards purebred Santa Gertrudis which saw the beefy red characteristics of the Santa Gertrudis infiltrate through the Shorthorn heads. In 1940 Santa Gertrudis was recognised by the United States Department of Agriculture as a pure breed. By this time King Ranch had a large herd of improved Santa Gertrudis forming the foundations of a breed that today is well established throughout the world.
Santa In Australia
King Ranch Australia introduced Santa Gertrudis in 1952 with the importation of 75 bulls and 200 heifers. Headquarters were established at Risdon, Warwick, Queensland and 12 bulls were offered at public auction on November 14, 1952. Included in the original shipment were three bulls for Mr. Murdo Mackenzie of "Old Hidden Vale", Grandchester, Queensland. Others to import were: Joyce and Joyce, Eidsvold Station, Eidsvold, Queensland; Joyce and Joyce, Gyranda, Cracow, Queensland; Peel River Land and Mineral Company, Goonoo Goonoo, Tamworth, N.S.W; Tropical Cattle Pty Ltd., Ingham, Queensland; Lyle Kirkby, Moree, N.S.W.
This small beginning has seen the breed spread to all States of Australia, with ??? studs currently registered with the breed society. By start with a foundation herd of any breed a potential Santa Gertrudis cattleman need only to select classified "S" bulls from a registered breeder and reach the fourth generation cross to be deamed as producing purebreds for classification and registration. This policy of open herd breeding is supported by the Santa Gertrudis Breeders International Association which was formed at Kingsville, Texas in 1950 and is underpinned by a desire to keep exploring new bloodlines. Today the Santa Gertrudis Breeders' (established 1954 in Australia) Association keeps control on registration and classification procedures. Registered fields officers travel to studs to view candidates for classification and only accept animals that meet classification standards. This practice gives a potiential buyer the peace of mind that a classifiied animal has superior characteristics and bloodlines back up by the stamp of approval of the Santa Gertrudis Association. The Santa Gertrudis Breeders' (Australia) Association remains the only beef society in Australia to maintain a strictly controlled Herd Classification System.
Santa Gertrudis cattle are known for their muscling, rapid growth, easy calving, higher weaning weights and better overall performance. Shifting the focus from the stud breeding arena highlights the benefits of an unclassified Santa Gertrudis bull. Well suited for commercial herds the commercial Santa Gertrudis bull delivers the traditional Santa Gertrudis traits of improving both the standard of cattle and the bottom line and is highly recommended to cattlemen seeking quality carcass animals.
Regardless of chosing to breed Santa Gertrudis cattle for stud or commercial purposed the satisfaction of running an eye over a speciman from this magnificant breed remains as the Santa Gertrudis continue to inspire cattlemen and women accross the world.