Warenda

Stud 1293

Sylvia Kirkby has been breeding stud Santa Gertrudis cattle for over 40 years, with 2025 marking the 60th anniversary of the first Santa Gertrudis bull being purchased her father, Nick Scholefield. This bull was used over Poll Hereford cows, with the benefits of Santas quickly becoming obvious. Only Santa bulls were purchased thereafter, and a Santa commercial herd was established. This herd became the base of the Warenda stud, plus a select number of females purchased from the King Ranch dispersal, Yarrawonga, Elloree, and Rockingham studs in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Valued sires were purchased over the years and home-bred bulls retained; many have proven to be very influential in the stud and for the breed. A.I. programs using leading sires have also been conducted.

Female selection is strict and of the utmost importance. Neat udders, a quiet temperament, structural soundness, plus doing ability and fertility are required and strived for. Very few females are sold for breeding except at the Santa Central Female Sale held intermittently. The last Warenda female sold was in 2022 when Warenda Q47 (P) sold for the top price of $24,000.

Warenda Stud commenced showing in 1990 and met with success in regional shows, breed feature shows, and Royal shows. Broad ribbons have been won at Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne Royals with bulls, heifers, and cows, with Warenda Pollyanna wining Grand Champion Female at the EKKA. Warenda has now ceased showing.

Warenda conducted an on-property sale for 12 years until 2009 when the stud had a reduction sale. Bull sales were successful with good clearance and a high percentage of repeat buyers. In 2006, Warenda Sahara (P) sold for $80,000, a breed record which was held for 8 years. In 2010, Warenda commenced selling at the Santa Central Sale with bulls selling to influential studs and commercial herds.