Waco

Stud 114 – With passion, dedication and devotion to the breed spanning four generations, the future is strong, clear and bright for a Santa stud in its 56th breeding year as Waco begins a new era this September.

Dating back to the 1950s, Dave Bassingthwaighte introduced Brahmans into his Shorthorn females, purchased his first Santa Gertrudis bull, KRAR Associate for 800 guineas followed by Risdon Banjo, purchased at the King Ranch Sale. Dave registered his stud, Yarrawonga Santa Gertrudis in 1956.

In the early 1960s, Dave’s son, Alastair drew property west of Taroom in the ballots. Naming his new land Waco after recently visiting Waco in Texas, Alastair too had an eye and affection for Santa Gertrudis cattle and registered his own stud Waco, in 1965.

Being a new breed to Australia, Alastair’s passion for the breed led him all over the country exhibiting and promoting Santa Gertrudis cattle for many decades, along with his wife Louise. The couple poured their encouragement and mentoring into the breed and prospective breeders, but also into their own children as they instilled within their family a love for cattle and the breed, always sharing their knowledge, experience and guidance.

Today, David, Suzanne, Olivia, Howy, Tom, Drew and Pip are honoured and grateful to continue the legacy of the Waco stud.