Improve Your Commercial Herd
Grading-up to purebred Santa Gertrudis cattle is a breeding program that has many advantages for the commercial cattleman.
The program is simply the use of classified Santa Gertrudis bulls on cows of any breed or combination of breeds and keeping the female offspring from four successive top crosses – eventually resulting in the production of an animal eligible to be presented for classification as a purebred Santa Gertrudis.
By doing this a breeder can operate his herd as a commercial cattle unit, sell his crossbred steer calves as he has done in the past and add Santa Gertrudis blood to his heifers at the same time.
- The first step is to purchase a Santa Gertrudis bull, classified "S" by the Santa Gertrudis Breeders (Australia) Association and be sure that you get his pedigree and a copy of the registered transfer form. Calves achieved from the mating of this bull with your cows will be first cross Santa Gertrudis.
- The next step is to keep the first cross heifer calves and when they are old enough breed them to another classified Santa Gertrudis bull, unrelated to their sire. The calves from this mating will be second cross Santa Gertrudis cattle.
- The same procedure is used in the next step which will result in third cross Santa Gertrudis, the only difference being that third cross females can be Produce Registered and presented for classification by SGB(A)A for the S Bar category.
- When the third cross heifers are mated to classified bulls, their progeny are considered purebreds and these cattle are eligible to be classified as purebred Santa Gertrudis cattle if they are accepted by a SGB(A)A Field Director.
When you start the grading-up program it will be most useful and helpful to contact a purebred breeder in your area or the Association`s official Field Director to advise you of the rules governing the program. You may obtain the necessary forms, etc., from the SGB(A)A.
The grading-up program ensures the commercial cattleman of a heavy calf at weaning, plus the advantage of building a herd of purebred cattle without having to buy purebred females.
A wide selection of classified purebred bulls is available from Santa Gertrudis breeders throughout Australia. Why not let an established breeder help get you started in a grading-up program?
The Breed
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