Classification Of Santa Gertrudis

Advantages of Grading-up to Purebred

Santa Gertrudis Classification Service

An Association recognised Grading-Up program requires the use of a classified `S` Santa Gertrudis bull at each successive stage in the breeding program.

Fundamentally, breed associations are organised to improve a particular breed and further its interests. With the achievement of this objective in mind, a major service provided by the Santa Gertrudis Breeders` (Australia) Association to its members is a classification system.

From the inception, Santa Gertrudis cattle were subjected to individual inspection and classification, firstly by visiting American classifiers and from 1963 by full-time Association-employed classifiers (now termed Field Directors).

The responsibility of the official Field Director is to inspect Santa Gertrudis cattle in Australia which are included in a recognised breeding program – a program which must be recorded with the Association.

The classification service is restricted to registered members of the Association. A fee is charged for this service.

This system of personal inspection and classification – in addition to advice and guidance given to breeders – ensures that a standard and uniformity, based on the Standard of Excellence for the breed, is maintained.

Santa Gertrudis Branding

Classified cattle are branded in two categories as follows:

All branding is done in the presence of the Field Director.

S branded males and females only are accepted for the Santa Gertrudis Stud Book. S bar branded females are registered in an Appendix section of the Stud Book.

Calves, both male and female, from S and S bar classified females and sired by S bulls, are eligible for registration in the progeny register.

The services of the Field Directors are available to members for inspection visits when advice on breeding programs, culling levels, etc., may be offered.

Santa Gertrudis Standard of Classification

An Association recognised Grading-Up program requires the use of a classified `S` Santa Gertrudis bull at each successive stage in the breeding program.

The animal itself determines the Degree of Excellence. The stud breeder has but one and only one purpose – to produce seed stock for the commercial operator.

Show Ring Classification
It then follows that the show ring has but one main purpose – the decision of a qualified authority as to the better purebred individuals that will sire superior animals for the commercial operator.

However, it would be wrong for a breeder to deviate from his goal of producing superior seedstock for commercial cattlemen through a desire to win in the showring.

It is the responsibility of the judge to thoroughly study and acquaint himself with the basic fundamentals of a superior beef animal and the particular characteristics of the breed concerned.

If the show ring is to gain and keep the respect of practical cattlemen, the judge, whether or not he realises it, has a tremendous responsibility. He must be competent, completely serious in his task and let nothing alter his quest for an animal with the best basic components.

The Santa Gertrudis Breeders` (Australia) Association realises the responsibility associated with showing and judging and continually strives to select better qualified judges, to further train present ones and to periodically hold conferences where all things pertaining to judging Santa Gertrudis are thoroughly discussed.