Santa Gertrudis Cattle

The Santa Gertrudis is a breed of beef cattle developed in the United States.

This breed is named after the Santa Gertrudis Creek in Texas, where it was first bred on the King Ranch, one of the country’s largest and most famous ranches.

It was created in the early 20th century by crossing Brahman cattle (about 37.5%, or 3/8 ) with Shorthorn cattle (about 62.5%, or 5/8).

The creation of the breed is credited to Robert J. Kleberg Jr., a member of the family that founded the King Ranch ^{(see refs.)}.

The aim of this crossbreeding was to combine the heat and parasite resistance of the Brahman with the excellent beef production and adaptability of the Shorthorn.

This breed was officially recognized in 1940, making it the first beef cattle breed to be developed in the United States.

While the Santa Gertrudis was once a popular and widely bred cattle, its population has seen a significant decline over the years.

As of 2021, the breed’s conservation status in the U.S. was classified as “at risk”.

Characteristics

Being a crossbreed, these cattle have specific characteristics that set them apart.

Colors

The hair color of this breed is a solid deep red, which can range from light to dark.

This uniform coloration is one of the defining features of the breed.

White markings may appear on the underside or other parts of the body, but there are limits. Some streaked coloring is allowed, but the white should not cover more than 50% of the underside. The white must stay behind the front legs and should not go beyond the udder or testicles.

Skin

The skin color is also red-pigmented and smooth.

They were originally known for their loose skin, particularly around the dewlap and underline. However, modern breeding programs have significantly reduced this characteristic. Today, the breed features a much cleaner underline and tighter skin.

Head, Eyes, Ears, Muzzle

The head of the bull is broad with good length, giving it a strong, masculine appearance. The forehead is slightly convex, and the profile is straight.

In contrast, the female’s head is more feminine but still has enough length and width to maintain balance.

Both males and females have medium to large ears that are slightly drooping and open forward. Their eyes are large, prominent, and pigmented, giving them an alert and expressive look.

The muzzle is broad and large, a trait that reflects their robust and functional build.

Horns

These cattle can be both horned or polled.

Traditionally, many Santa Gertrudis were horned, but breeding programs have increasingly selected for polled genetics due to their convenience and popularity in modern cattle operations.

Today, both types exist within the breed, offering flexibility to breeders based on their specific needs or preferences.

Neck

The neck of a Santa Gertrudis bull is medium in length, muscular, and well-defined. It attaches smoothly to the shoulders and shows moderate development of the crest, hump, and dewlap.

In females, the neck is moderately thin and blends neatly into the shoulders, with only moderate dewlap development, giving them a more refined appearance.

Shoulders, Forearms

The shoulders and forearms of the bull are strong and muscular, showing a powerful, masculine build with well-defined forearm muscles. Despite their size and strength, the bull moves freely and easily.

The female has smoother, moderate muscle development, with the shoulders blending seamlessly into the rest of the body. From a side view, the forequarter of the female appears slightly less deep than the hindquarter, giving her a balanced and feminine look.

Crest

The crest of the bull shows a noticeable hump just in front of the top of the shoulders, highlighting its masculine features.

In females, the hump is absent.

Chest

The chest is full and wide, with a broad chest floor, well-developed crops, and a deep heart girth that provides plenty of capacity.

The brisket is clean and broad, contributing to their strong and balanced appearance.

Back, Ribs, Loin

The back, ribs, and loin of Santa Gertrudis cattle are naturally thick and strong. The ribs are well-sprung and arched, extending from the loin to provide good body depth and capacity.

Hindquarters

The hindquarters of Santa Gertrudis cattle are well-formed, with the tail head smoothly attached. The rump is long, level, and naturally thick, with a moderate slope from the hooks to the pins.

Front and Back Legs

The legs are proportional to the size of the animal, with strong bones and sound joints that support their movement and structure.

Round, Twist

For females, the muscling is moderate to moderately heavy, but the key feature is smoothness. The area is deep and full.

In bulls, the round and twist are thick and deep, extending well down to the hocks. The area is long with a well-developed stifle, and the muscling continues into the flank.

Udder and Teats

The udder of females is well-attached, providing strong support. It has four teats that are moderate in size and evenly placed beneath the udder for functionality and balance.

Testicles

The testicles of bulls are well-developed and proportionate in size. They have a minimum diameter of 13.40 inches (34 cm) by the age of 11 to 15 months.

Size

It is a large-sized cattle breed.

A bull can have a height ranging from 58 to 65 inches (150 to 160 cm) at the shoulder, while a cow typically measures around 52 to 58 inches (135 to 145 cm).

It’s important to remember that these measurements can vary significantly depending on factors such as genetics, nutrition, and overall management practices. The height and size of these cattle are also influenced by breeding programs.

Lifespan

They typically have a lifespan of 15 to 20 years with good care and proper management.

Their lifespan is a good one, reflecting that they can live a healthy and long life when cared for properly.

Growth Rate

How fast do they grow?

Their growth rate is fast.

The average weight gain for this cattle breed is around 1.7 to 2.2 lbs (0.8 to 1.0 kg). This growth rate depends on factors like nutrition, genetics, and overall care.

Weight

Mature bulls can weigh between 1,800 to 2,200 lbs (820 to 1,000 kg), and mature cows generally weigh between 1,200 to 1,600 lbs (550 to 725 kg).

These weights firmly place Santa Gertrudis in the large-sized cattle breed category.

The birth weight of calves in this cattle breed typically ranges from 74 to 78 lbs (33.6 to 35.4 kg).

Slaughtered Time

These cattle are slaughtered when they weigh about 1,100 to 1,300 lbs (500 to 590 kg).

They reach this weight at around 18 to 24 months old, depending on their diet and care.

In some cases, they may be slaughtered earlier, around 16 months, if a lower weight is needed for specific markets.

Temperament and Behaviour

This cattle breed has a moderate temperament.

They are playful, gentle, and calm, but they can also be quite stubborn at times.

For example, if they decide they don’t want to move, they will often refuse to budge no matter how much you try.

They enjoy being part of a herd and love to socialize with other cattle, which helps keep them happy and comfortable.

While generally non-aggressive and not dangerous, bulls can be more protective, particularly when defending the herd. Mothers with calves can also show protective instincts, but this behavior is natural and not usually a cause for concern.

Their calm nature means they are easy to manage, and if you want them to be more cooperative or less stubborn, training them from a young age can make a big difference.

Grazing is one of their defining behaviors. They spend much of their time calmly grazing and foraging, which suits their adaptable and easygoing nature.

Meat

They are known as one of the top and most efficient producers of high-quality beef in the world.

The meat is known for its tenderness, natural juiciness, and classic beefy flavor that makes it both enjoyable and satisfying to eat.

It has a good level of marbling, which enhances the taste and texture, making it appealing to beef consumers.

The carcass quality is very good, with a high amount of usable meat. Because of their strong, muscular build and large size, these cattle produce a lot of beef.

The meat from this cattle breed is not only delicious but also packed with important vitamins and nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins, as well as selenium and phosphorus.

Farmers and ranchers appreciate this breed for its ability to produce beef that meets market demands in both quality and quantity.

Raising

Feeding

Feeding this cattle breed depends on your goals and the timeline for achieving them.

If you aim to produce high-quality meat and you are not in a hurry, you can raise them on grass alone. While this method might take a bit longer, it’s still faster than some slower-growing cattle breeds.

If grass-fed meat isn’t your goal, you can provide them with fresh grass and supplement their diet with grains, or raise them on grass and finish with grains just before slaughter. This approach balances growth speed and meat quality effectively.

These cattle are efficient feeders, gaining 3.9 lbs (1.8 kg) per day while converting only 5.2 lbs (2.4 kg) of dry feed into 1 pound (0.45 kg) of beef.
While other breeds typically need 5.7 to 6.5 lbs (2.6 to 2.9 kg) of feed per pound of weight gain, these cattle achieve the same result with 0.5 to 1.3 lbs (0.2 to 0.6 kg) less feed.

Environment

These cattle can be raised in a variety of environments.

They are well-suited for farms and homesteads with open pastures, where they can graze freely. At the same time, they adapt well to closed systems, such as those used in large-scale commercial farming operations.

Climate

These cattle are versatile and can adapt to hot, arid, tropical climates and colder, temperate regions, which is a significant advantage for producers in diverse geographic areas.

They do best in hot, humid, and tropical environments, making them well-suited for regions with high temperatures and tough conditions. Their Bos indicus influence provides them with heat tolerance and adaptability to these climates.

However, these cattle can withstand cold and wet conditions, making them suitable for colder environments or higher altitudes.

Shelter

In hotter climates, they don’t necessarily require a full shelter, but having trees or a simple structure to provide shade is important. While they can tolerate the sun, like any other cattle, they need shade occasionally to prevent heat stress.

In colder climates, however, they do require shelter to protect them from harsh weather conditions such as strong winds, freezing temperatures, and rain.

How many cattle per acre?

You typically need around 3.5 to 5 acres per cattle.

But this is not a precise or universal measurement for all situations. The exact land requirement depends on several factors, including the quality of the pasture and the management practices on the farm or homestead. For instance, if you practice rotational grazing, you can optimize land usage and may require less acreage.

As for pasture quality:

Additionally, the need for land varies based on the type of feeding. If the cattle rely solely on grass, more land will be needed.

If you supplement their diet with grains or other feed, the acreage required may decrease. Proper planning and management are essential to determine the ideal land size for your specific operation.

Breeding

You can start breeding this cattle breed at around 13 to 15 months of age. Their breeding capabilities are excellent, and you have the option to use either natural mating or artificial insemination (AI).

In both cases, it’s important to monitor the cows for signs of their heat cycle to determine the right time for breeding. Common signs of heat include:

The ideal timing for both natural mating and AI is 12 to 18 hours after the cow is first observed in standing heat. This ensures that the sperm and egg meet at the optimal time for fertilization.

The gestation period for this breed is similar to most other cattle breeds, lasting 279 to 287 days, with an average of 283 days (about 9 months). This means they can have their first calf by 2 years of age.

Santa Gertrudis cows are known for their longevity, often producing calves well into their late teens, with some capable of calving until they are 18 years old.

On average, these cows produce more than 10 calves in their lifetime.

They are also popular for their easy calving, thanks to the moderate birth weights of their calves, as well as their excellent mothering abilities.

You should be cautious, especially with first-time mothers, as they can be very protective of their first calf. Additionally, they may display misdirected maternal behavior, where they try to “adopt” or care for calves that aren’t their own. This can lead to problems, particularly in large, open-range systems, as a cow that steals another’s calf might neglect her own.

As for the bulls, they are highly fertile and often used in crossbreeding programs to enhance the traits of other breeds through hybrid vigor. This makes them a valuable addition to breeding systems aimed at improving both productivity and adaptability.

Health Issues

This breed is hardy, offering strong resistance to ticks and bloat, as well as excellent heat tolerance.

Why should you raise it?

If you have a small farm, a homestead, or are looking to build a large-scale farming operation, this cattle breed is suitable for all these purposes.

You can raise it in any environment as long as you provide enough space to accommodate its larger size.

For homesteaders and small farms, this breed offers many advantages. It is cost-effective, hardy, and often does not require veterinary assistance, even during calving. Additionally, it has excellent feed conversion rates. Its high fertility allows for quick herd expansion, and its easy management makes it ideal for smaller operations.

For large-scale businesses, this breed adapts well to various environments and produces a high-quality carcass with less feed compared to other cattle breeds. The high fertility of both bulls and females is another significant benefit, contributing to greater efficiency in herd management.

As for the initial investment, the price of Santa Gertrudis cattle depends on factors such as age, gender, pedigree, and market demand. Replacement heifers typically range from $1,850 to $2,500 per head, while bulls are more expensive. Purebred bulls can cost upwards of $12,000, with some auction prices even exceeding this figure for exceptional animals.

This breed’s versatility and economic benefits make it a strong choice for farmers at all levels.

A&D

Advantages

• Highly adaptable to hot and humid climates.
• Can thrive in various environments, including colder climates and higher altitudes.
• Naturally resistant to many external parasites.
• Gain weight quickly with efficient feed conversion.
• Tender, juicy, and flavorful meat with good marbling
• Excellent mothers with high fertility.
• Suitable for both grass-fed and grain-fed systems.
• Strong and hardy.
• Crossbreeding potential, enhancing hybrid vigor when crossed with other breeds.

Disadvantages

• Purchasing purebred Santa Gertrudis cattle or high-quality breeding stock can be expensive.
• Their substantial size may require more space and resources.
• They require shelters in freezing climates
• Extreme conditions can strain their ability to produce enough milk, especially without supplemental nutrition.
• Mothers can be extra protective, especially with their first calf, which can make handling and care more challenging for farmers.

References

• Santa Gertrudis Breeders International ^link
• King Ranch ^link