Santa Gertrudis

History, Mission and Breeding Philosophy

Background of the Tibra Santa Gertrudis Stud

We started to breed Santa Gertrudis Cattle with the purchase of a number of cows and a bull from the herd of Mr. Chris Roode in 1999. We were also fortunate to buy a number of females and two bulls GR92-052 "Tarzan" and XY92-028 "Magnum" at the dispersal sale of Mr.Balloco the same year. The cows were mainly Magnum daughters with calves at foot from the bull AB95-055.These cows and especially the calves later turned  out to be of our best cattle. At the end of that year our entire farming operation relocated from Thabazimbi in the Northern Tranvaal to Vrede in the Eastern Free state.

The Vrede district is known to be one of the finest livestock farming regions in the country, but it is maybe better known for it's extreme cold an long winters. These conditions, every cattleman will tell you, is a true challenge for any breed of cattle. In 2003 we bought 20 heifers from Tinus Benade of the Lacornie herd. Since then only selected females were purchased except for one large consignment of cows and calves that came from the Kalahari. These cows, the whole herd of the seller, represent cattle out of some of the well known herds in South Africa. Brands like LL, GR, SP, VV, GS and SV. The two bulls GS99-011 and JO98-058 and some of their offspring were included in the package.

We made some good friends since we started breeding Santas but I would like to mention three of them with whom the friendship developed to a higher level. Mr.Naude Pienaar of Zondagspan Santas, Mr. John Schmidt of Verbos Santas and Mr. Johan Pietersen of Killowen Santas. These fellow breeders and I formed a informal study group with the aim to better our herds. I was also privileged to obtain three good bulls from Zondagspan namely PZ98-030 "Oorlog", PZ99-044 in partnership with Verbos and PZ04-047. Another exceptional bull that we own in partnership is the great SV98-139, for a long time the record priced South African sire. The bull JI97-160 that we bought as a 5 year old also made his mark in our herd. Our latest sires from outside are VB03-013 and VB04-045. 

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