The History of Gertrudis Cattle: Distribution and Characteristics Santa Gert Cattle Breeds .
Gertrudis Cattle : A Hybrid Cattle Breed
Santa Gertrudis is a hybrid cattle breed officially registered as a pure breed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1940. Gertrudis cattle are a crossbreed resulting from the mating of Shorthorn cows and Ongole bulls (Zebu cattle). These cattle, often referred to as Gertrudis or Gert cattle, are primarily raised for beef production. In this blog post, we will discuss the history, characteristics, and beef production of Santa Gertrudis cattle.
Gertrudis Cattle Breed Information
| Conservation Status | Worldwide: Not at risk United States: At risk/vulnerable |
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| Scientific Classification |
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| Breed Type | Hybrid: Bos taurus × Bos indicus (Shorthorn × Zebu) |
| Alternate Names | Santa Gertrudis, Gertrudis Cattle, Gert cattle |
| Country of Origin | USA: King Ranch, Texas |
| Genetic Composition | 62.5% Shorthorn, 37.5% Ongole (Zebu) |
| Distribution | Primarily found in Texas, with significant populations in Australia, Brazil, and South Africa |
| Main Uses |
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| Physical Traits |
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| Size and Weight |
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| Breeding Tract | Primarily at King Ranch, Texas |
| Reproductive Traits |
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| Population Trends | Significant decline in the U.S. population over the past decades As of 2021, global population around 72,000, with the largest in South Africa |
| The Rajasthan Express: Gertrudis Cattle Breed Information | |
Origin and History of Gertrudis Cattle
The Santa Gertrudis cow is an American beef cattle breed developed in the early 20th century at the King Ranch in southern Texas. It is named after the Spanish land grant "Rincón de Santa Gertrudis," where Captain Richard King established his ranch. Initially, Santa Gertrudis cattle were kept with Texas Longhorn cattle. Around 1910, the ranch began crossbreeding British Hereford and Beef Shorthorn cows with Ongole bulls, a Zebu cattle breed imported from India, to improve the breed. This crossbreeding continued for about 10 years. By 1920, after consistent crossbreeding of Shorthorn cows with Ongole bulls, a new crossbreed emerged, which was named Santa Gertrudis. The Gertrudis cattle have 62.5% Shorthorn and 37.5% Ongole (Zebu cattle) characteristics.
By 1940, the Gertrudis cattle breed was officially recognized as a pure breed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, registered with a genetic mix of 3/8 Ongole (Zebu cattle) and 5/8 Shorthorn.
Distribution of Gertrudis Cattle
Gertrudis cattle have been exported to several countries, including Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. They are primarily found in regions with climates and terrains similar to Texas, such as Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. As of 2021, the global population of Gertrudis cattle was approximately 72,000, with the largest number residing in South Africa. The most significant population decline of Gertrudis cattle has been observed in the United States.
Alternative Name of Gertrudis Cattle
Santa Gertrudis cattle are often referred to as America’s original beef breed, owing to their significance in beef production and development at King Ranch. They are commonly known as Gertrudis cattle or Gert cattle.
Main Uses of Gertrudis Cattle
Gertrudis cattle are used for two primary purposes (Dual Purpose Breed):
1. Beef Production:
- Gertrudis cattle are primarily raised for beef production. Gertrudis bulls are castrated for more significant meat production. A castrated bull is called a "Steer." If a bull is castrated for draft purposes, it is called a "Bullock."
- Milk production in Gertrudis cattle is relatively low compared to beef production, so they are mainly raised for beef.
Breeding Tract of Gertrudis Cattle
The breeding tract of Gertrudis cattle is primarily considered to be the King Ranch in Texas. Crossbreeding was carried out in Texas with Shorthorn and Zebu cattle's Ongole bulls to create a breed that could adapt to the region’s semi-arid, subtropical climate. The resulting crossbreed possessed characteristics of both Bos taurus and Zebu cattle, leading to the formation of a new breed.
Physical Characteristics of Gertrudis Cattle
- Body Color:
Gertrudis cattle are known for their dark red coat and robust physical build, with some white markings on the body.
- Hump:
Gertrudis cattle have a small hump due to their crossbreeding between Bos indicus (Zebu cattle) and Bos taurus.
- Ears:
Gertrudis cattle generally have medium to large ears.
- Skin:
Their skin is loose and heavily wrinkled, similar to Sahiwal cows. The loose skin contains sweat glands that help dissipate heat in warm climates.
- Horns:
Gertrudis cattle can be either horned or polled (hornless).
- Tolerance:
The Gertrudis breed is tolerant of external parasites and heat. They possess many traits of Zebu cattle, such as disease resistance.
Average Measurements and Growth Performance
Santa Gertrudis bulls typically weigh over 900 kilograms, while adult cows can weigh up to 750 kilograms. This breed is known for its rapid body growth, with bulls often gaining more than 1.5 kilograms per day. Females become ready for breeding at 12-14 months of age and can remain productive for up to 12 years, with some staying in the breeding herd for as long as 18 years.
- Weight of Cow: 700 - 750 kg
- Weight of Bull: 850 - 900 kg
Key Points
1. Types of Cattle Based on Hump:
(A) Humped Cattle:
- Cattle with humps, scientifically known as Bos indicus, are referred to as Zebu cattle.
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| Zebu Cattle Breed |
Zebu cattle typically have lower milk production compared to exotic cattle but possess higher disease resistance.
Examples include Gir Cow, Sahiwal Cow, Hariyana Cow, Tharparkar Cattle, Red Sindhi Cattle, and Punganur Cow.
(B) Humpless Cattle :
Cattle without humps are scientifically known as Bos taurus and are called exotic cattle.
Exotic cattle are used in cross-breeding, such as the Jersey × Red Sindhi cow.
Examples of exotic cattle breeds include Jersey, Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss, Red Dane, and Ayrshire.
2. Cattle-Related Terminology:
Beef: The meat from cows is referred to as beef. The dressing percentage for beef is approximately 55%.
Buffen / CaraBeef: The meat from buffaloes is known as Buffen or CaraBeef, with a dressing percentage of about 57%.
Calving: The process of childbirth in cows and buffaloes is called calving. The offspring of a cow is called a calf.
Gestation Period:
- For cows, the gestation period is approximately 9 months and 9 days, or 283 days.
- For buffaloes, the gestation period is around 10 months and 10 days, or 310 days.
Serving: The act of mating in cows and buffaloes is referred to as serving.
- Breeding between two different breeds of the same species is known as crossbreeding. The offspring resulting from crossbreeding is called a crossbreed.
- Breed Complementation: The desirable traits of different breeds are combined into one breed.
- Heterosis / Hybrid Vigor: The offspring outperform their parents, a phenomenon also known as Hybrid Vigor.
- Cross Breed Animals: Crossbreed animals can produce more with less feed.
Cross Breeding Examples
| Number | Cross Breed | Breeding |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jar Sindh | Jersey ✖ Red Sindhi |
| 2 | Jar Thar | Jersey ✖ Tharparkar |
| 3 | Hisardale Sheep | Merino Sheep ✖ Magra Sheep |
| 4 | Karan Fries | Holstein Friesian (HF) ✖ Tharparkar |
Adaptability and Use
Santa Gertrudis cattle are highly adaptable to various climates, environments, and terrains. This breed is renowned for its adaptability, disease resistance, and ability to produce more with less feed. Santa Gertrudis cattle are suitable for both pasture-based and feedlot systems. The breed's adaptability and disease resistance are mainly attributed to the presence of 62.5% Shorthorn cow traits and 37.5% Ongole bull (Zebu cattle) traits.
Population and Conservation
As of 2021, the global population of Gertrudis cattle was approximately 72,000, with the largest number residing in South Africa. By 1975, the number of Santa Gertrudis cattle in the United States was about 28,000, which was a large population at the time. However, their numbers began to decline over the following years. By 1990, the population had nearly halved to around 15,200. By 2000-2001, only about 8,500 cattle remained. This decline did not stop, and by 2013, the population had dwindled to around 5,000. By 2021, the Santa Gertrudis breed was officially listed as "at risk" in the United States.
"Explore Gertrudis Cattle, also known as Santa Cattle or Gert Cattle, known for their adaptability and efficiency in sustainable farming. Discover why Cattle Santa Gertrudis are the top choice for ranchers."
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