The Gertrudis is an obvious breed of exceptional quality. My love for this breed started when my late grandfather had purchased a bull from a breeder near Grootfontein about ten year ago. We kept the bull for roughly seven years and sold it. As of now, the blood line is still very much preserved in the herd together with other breeds such as the Simmental and Braunvieh. My grandpa's bull was tall, huge and very muscular in frame. He was very very calm and went into the 'mangaa' easily.
What is Santa Gertrudis?
The Santa Gertrudis is a beef breed of cattle developed in Southern Texas on the King Ranch. The breed resulted from mating the Brahman bull with the Beef Shorthorn cows. Now what in the world is a Beef Shorthorn? This is a breed from England and Scotland developed in the 1820s. The development was primarily for diary and beef production. The Gertrudis is 3/8 Brahaman and 5/8 Shorthorn.
The breed is cherry red in color with a short, smooth, silk coat. The ears are medium to large. One of the major characteristics of the Gertrudis is its hooded eyes. This results in the resistance to cancer and pink eye sickness. My favorite key characteristic is the lines on the neck and navel. Really cute!
Why farm with the Santa Gertrudis?
- A very good mascular medium sized frame. The mature bulls can weigh up to 900 kg and 500 kg for females. The more the KGs the more the dollars, the happier the farmer.
- These animals are very hardy and adapt very well to various climatic conditions. They easily adapt to extreme cold climate and very hot conditions in Southern Africa.
- These cattle have a lifespan of 13 to 15 years, conceiving yearly. WOW!!
- The are excellent mommies with good milk production and good udders. The calves have a larger birth weight compared to other breeds. This results to increased weight at weaning.
- Very fertile with few rates of abortions or still births.
- Perform very well in the veld and under feedlot conditions.
- Have very dominant genes. Can crossbreed with 'simple' cattle and produce a good line of calves.
I absolutely love this line of cattle. They are just true beauties.
For more information about the breed in Namibia visit http://www.santagertrudis.com.na/
The above pictures were taken from http://www.santagertrudis.com.za/
XoXo
Interesting. I did not know that much about cattle so i will definitely learn something here. where do you get your information?
ReplyDeleteMostly from the net Grace. But most of it will soon come with experience.
ReplyDeleteVery informative blog
ReplyDeleteThanks Thomas and Grace
ReplyDeleteVery informative. Would like to obtain semen or bulls from Namibia for introduction of SG genetics to Cameroon. Any information on how to obtain them? Thank you
ReplyDeletePlease do send me your email. I will give you all the information.
ReplyDelete