SG_USA_September_2020

Commercial Corner

SANTA GERTRUDIS

SGBI, USU COLLABORATIVE HETEROSIS UPDATE By Matthew Garcia, M.S., MBA, Ph.D., Beef Specialist, Utah State University

W hile the majority of the country and its activities have slowed down or completely come to a halt, there is some comfort in knowing that agriculture has contin- ued to move forward. One such example is the col- laborative project between Santa Gertrudis Breeders Interna- tional (SGBI) and Utah State University (USU). While it may be difficult to believe, we are actually entering Year 4 of this collaborative process. Overall, we are in the full-steam-ahead part of this project and look forward to all the future research, production and collaborative efforts with SGBI and the beef cattle industry. While I will write about some specific data points we have collected from both a production and research perspective, I think it’s important to also emphasize that we have addressed and dispelled many of the misconceptions associated with

incorporating Santa Gertrudis genetics into Utah beef herds. Specifically, the project has demonstrated that Santa Gertru- dis-influenced calves are capable of adapting to cold weather (calved during February in northern Utah), that they were capable of reaching Choice quality grades at a similar level as their Angus-influenced counterparts and that they would be as efficient, if not more, than their Angus counterparts in feed conversion (13 percent less feed to finish in pilot study). As a result, this past year six different Utah beef producers from six different regions incorporated Santa Gertrudis bulls into their breeding systems. It is also estimated that Santa Gertrudis bulls imported to Utah will cover approximately 500 females this breeding season. While this number may not seem impressive, it is important to remember what the numbers were prior to starting this project and the fact that we expect these numbers to expand dramatically once more producers are able to see the benefits of incorporating the Santa Gertrudis breed in to crossbreeding strategies.

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A TOAST TO LIFE AND SANTA GERTRUDIS CATTLE

A Great Kentucky National Sale

Thank You

To Jewett Borden, Cedar Creek Beef Co., Shepardsville, Ky. for purchasing our high-selling pair. And also to Dennis and Amanda Lee,Mocksville, N.C. for their purchase. DEL & GINNY THOMAS Pleasant Hill, IL 62366

(217) 734-2283 ginny2@irtc.net

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SANTA GERTRUDIS USA