Santa Gertrudis Source October 2024

Santa Gertrudis Source Producer

Q&A BY JESSICA WESSON, CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Santa Gertrudis is a breed known for its adaptability, maternal proficiency, heterosis and productivity. Santa Gertrudis Source asked seven breeders from across the country to give their thoughts on the breed, how it fits into today’s cattle industry and why it is the preferred American beef breed. Their insights are consistent, yet diverse – a reflection of the diversity in climates, production processes, goals and marketing programs. These breeders provide a true insight into the ability of Santa Gertrudis cattle to add profit to any cattle herd across the United States.

DAVID HARRIS, HARRIS RIVERBEND FARMS, GLEN ROSE, TEXAS cass quality to where many herds will grade 80 to 90 percent Choice. Q: How do today’s Santa Gertrudis com

Harris Riverbend Farms is a seed stock and cow-calf operation that raises purebred Santa Gertrudis cattle. They market 75 to 100 bulls annually, along with an assortment of females. Q: How does Santa Gertrudis add value to the cattle industry? A: The females work with almost any bull, and they have great heat tolerance. If you’re breeding for the terminal side of the business, Santa Gertrudis cattle will give you het erosis. The females also provide great maternal traits for being productive in the cow herd. The breed has done a lot of hard work to improve the car

we started buying some Santa Gertru dis replacements. The weaning weights on those calves outperformed every other calf on the farm, no matter what the Santa Gertrudis cows were bred to. Back then, that meant the world to me. Overall, they outshine other breeds from the weight standpoint. Q: What does the future hold for Santa Gertrudis cattle? A: In the future, we’re going to have to expand our commercial base. Some may have to do it with females rather than bulls. Overall, our goal should be to produce more and more cattle that will work for the commercial cattleman.

pare to the Santa Gertrudis of 50 years ago? A: The breed has more moderation, and the bulls have much better sheaths. Overall, I also think the carcass qual ity and disposition of the cattle have improved. We also have more tools to work with and to use for improvement. I think our product is much better suit ed for the commercial sector as well. Q: What made you choose to produce Santa Gertrudis cattle? A: We started working with Santa Gertrudis in 1984. We had a variety of breeds in the operation at the time, and

JOE JONES, BRIGGS RANCHES, VICTORIA, TEXAS

on our Santa Gertrudis cows to develop a Black Super Amer ican, and these females are popular, too. And we’ll also use Santa Gertrudis bulls on Santa Gertrudis cows to get a pure bred Santa Gertrudis heifer. Our goal is to have a product that fits many different needs. We want to offer a variety of cattle to cater to customers’ preferences. Q: How do Santa Gertrudis genetics best fit into a commercial cattle operation? A: Santa Gertrudis fit best by taking advantage of a cross breeding program. The more crossbreeding you have, the more it seems to enhance everything. When you put a San ta Gertrudis bull on about any other breed, the heifers and steers are explosive and competitive.

Briggs Ranches is a relatively large operation that started in the 1940s with Hereford cattle. They added Santa Gertru dis bulls and upgraded to purebred status by the 1950s, which served as a perfect base for the operation. Briggs Ranches currently has three divisions in Texas and have approximately 600 purebred Santa Gertrudis cows and about 250 Brangus cows. Q: What has allowed Santa Gertrudis to thrive in Texas and be yond? A: Santa Gertrudis cattle have always withstood our envi ronment. They are drought and heat-tolerant, and they’re as thrifty as they can be. Over the years, Santa Gertrudis has been kind to us in the production line. Our steers have done well in the feedlot. The females have performed well in both the purebred and commercial sectors. Q: How does offering two breeds elevate Briggs Ranches and Santa Gertrudis cattle in particular? A: We try to grow a product that will fit the commercial industry, and we are Santa Gertrudis based on most of the cattle we raise. We’ll buy some Hereford bulls to put on the Santa Gertrudis cows to create a red-motley face, which is a highly sought-after product. We’ll use some Brangus bulls

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SANTA GERTRUDIS SOURCE

OCTOBER 2024