Santa Gertrudis Cattle

By: John Ford

Executive Director – Santa Gertrudis Breeders International

Santa Gertrudis females have long been known for their versatility and outstanding maternal traits.  The Santa Gertrudis F1 female is highly prized among commercial cattlemen and demand for these productive females is growing.  

Santa Gertrudis influenced females are quickly becoming the commercial females of choice across the United States.  The versatility of the Santa Gertrudis breed ensures that it is a compatible and profitable cross with a wide variety of breeds and the results are a highly marketable feeder and an extremely valuable F1 replacement female. 

Commercial cattlemen understand that today’s volatile business environment demands a female that is productive for an extended period, a female that weans a heavy healthy calf in the most challenging of environmental conditions, and a female flexible enough to fit into a wide variety of breeding schemes from the Texas Coastal Plains to the rugged and often demanding desert areas of West Texas.  

Santa Gertrudis influenced females fit the bill and cattlemen that infuse Santa Gertrudis genetics into their programs quickly find that they have made a profitable and sound business decision.  

There is no doubt that the breed’s outstanding maternal qualities are worth bragging about and throughout the years a majority of Santa Gertrudis Breeders International promotional efforts have focused on maternal performance.  However, the breed’s efficiency as feeders and outstanding carcass traits highlight the fact that Santa Gertrudis cattle are competitive and profitable in every sector of the industry.  

The recently concluded National Steer Feedout emphasizes the fact that Santa Gertrudis are efficient feeders that produce high quality lean carcasses. Over 1,000 head of purebred Santa Gertrudis steer were tested in the feeding trial, the average daily gain was an extremely acceptable 3.49 pounds and the average Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (tenderness) measurement of 6.25 pounds was well under the 7 pounds considered tender, proof that the final product is consumer pleasing. 

A Texas A&M University Ranch to Rail feeding trial, found that purebred Santa Gertrudis steers had a net profit of $100.87 per head, compared to minus $50.29 for 1,334 steers representing other breeds and crosses. The results of a quality study conducted by West Texas A&M University in 2013 found 90 purebred Santa Gertrudis steers harvested at a Texas Panhandle plant graded 77% choice or premium choice.  

Santa Gertrudis breeders have been focused on carcass quality for a number of years. The collection of ultrasound data has been and remains a common practice for numerous breeders.  The data is undeniable and it supports the fact that Santa Gertrudis cattle produce a highly desirable carcass with consumer pleasing results.

Santa Gertrudis Breeders International is committed to producing animals that meet the demands of cattlemen and consumers. Earlier this year the association became the first and currently the only Bos indicus influenced breed offering the reliability of a DNA verified genetic evaluation. 

What does this cutting edge technology mean for cattlemen and consumers? 

Predictability, SGBI’s reliable genetic evaluation ensured that cattlemen can make sound breeding selection decisions identifying those animals that will perform profitably and produce a consumer pleasing product. Santa Gertrudis cattle are profitable-predictable-productive.