UPGRADING

1. Santa Gertrudis bulls when mated to cows of other breeds, have consistently sired calves that weigh from 22kg to 28kg more at weaning time.

2. The consumer demand is for lean beef - not so much wasteful fat. Beef of this type is produced by Santa Gertrudis and Santa Gertrudis crossbreeds.
   With the new meat grading system where two tooth cattle are now going to be classified as Super Grade Beef, the Santa Gertrudis will be in a league of its own, as Santas and Santa Crossbreds only shed their milk teeth 4-6 months later than other breeds.

3. For crossbreeding purposes Santa Gertrudis bulls mated to any type of cow cannot be beaten. This breed has the ability to add kilograms to calves at weaning time.

4. The reason Santa Gertrudis can do this is that they are the end result of a breeding programme aimed at red meat production with fewer health and environmental problems.

5. Reports from commercial cattle producers in South Africa and other countries verify (over a period of years) that Santa Gertrudis bulls can produce more meat for less money.

6. Times have changed - cattlemen don't get less per kilo for crossbred calves. Moreover, your crossbred calves will outweigh the others, giving you a greater return at sale time.

7. Good Santa Gertrudis bulls are available to commercial farmers at realistic prices.

8. A uniformed red coloured herd is visible after the 3rd generation when Santa bulls are used in an upgrading programme. You will have Stud Book proper animals after the third generation.