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.

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Gertrudis Cattle Breed Information

Conservation Status Worldwide: Not at risk
United States: At risk/vulnerable
Scientific Classification
  • Domain: Eukaryota
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Artiodactyla
  • Family: Bovidae
  • Subfamily: Bovinae
  • Genus: Bos
  • Species: Bos taurus/indicus
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
  • Beef Production: Main use, particularly prized for rapid weight gain and meat quality
  • Milk Production: Secondary, less emphasized
Physical Traits
  • Body Color: Dark red with occasional white markings
  • Hump: Small, typical of Zebu ancestry
  • Skin: Loose and heavily wrinkled
  • Horns: Can be horned or polled
Size and Weight
  • Males: 850–900 kg
  • Females: 700–750 kg
  • Growth Rate: Bulls can gain over 1.5 kg/day
Breeding Tract Primarily at King Ranch, Texas
Reproductive Traits
  • Females reach breeding maturity at 12-14 months
  • Can remain productive for up to 12-18 years
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.

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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.”

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2. Milk Production:

  • 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.

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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. 
Zebu Cattle Breed, indian cow breed, zebu cattle
Zebu Cattle Breed

(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.

3. Cross Breeding:

  1. 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

 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.

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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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What are Santa Gertrudis best known for?
Santa Gertrudis cattle are best known for their adaptability, disease resistance, and impressive beef production. Originating from the King Ranch in Texas, they were specifically bred to thrive in harsh, semi-arid climates and are recognized for their robust physical build and ability to produce high-quality beef with less feed.

What are the characteristics of Santa Gertrudis cows?
Santa Gertrudis cows are known for their dark red coat, medium to large ears, and loose, heavily wrinkled skin that helps them dissipate heat in warm climates. They typically have a small hump, inherited from their Zebu (Bos indicus) ancestry. Santa Gertrudis cows are also characterized by their strong disease resistance and tolerance to external parasites.

Is Santa Gertrudis beef or dairy?
Santa Gertrudis cattle are primarily beef cattle. While they can produce milk, their milk production is relatively low compared to their beef yield. This breed is mainly raised for its high-quality meat.

Which two breeds crossed to form the Santa Gertrudis?
Santa Gertrudis cattle are the result of crossbreeding British Shorthorn cows with Ongole bulls, a breed of Zebu cattle imported from India. This crossbreeding, initiated at the King Ranch in Texas, combined the desirable traits of both breeds to create a hardy and productive new breed.

What are the benefits of Santa Gertrudis?
The benefits of Santa Gertrudis cattle include their adaptability to various climates, strong disease resistance, and efficient beef production. They are also known for their ability to gain weight rapidly, making them an ideal breed for beef production. Additionally, their resilience in challenging environments and lower maintenance needs contribute to their popularity among cattle breeders.

Are Santa Gertrudis horned or polled?
Santa Gertrudis cattle can be either horned or polled (hornless). This variation in horn status is a result of their diverse genetic background, which includes both horned and polled ancestors.

Where is Santa Gertrudis from?
Santa Gertrudis cattle originated from the King Ranch in southern Texas, United States. The breed was developed in the early 20th century and is named after the Spanish land grant “Rincón de Santa Gertrudis,” where the ranch was established.

What is the usage of Santa Gertrudis cattle?
Santa Gertrudis cattle are primarily used for beef production. Due to their adaptability and disease resistance, they are suitable for both pasture-based and feedlot systems. While they can produce milk, their milk yield is not the primary focus of their breeding.

What do you mean by crossbreeding?
Crossbreeding refers to the process of mating two different breeds within the same species to combine their desirable traits in the offspring. The resulting animals, known as crossbreeds, often exhibit improved characteristics such as increased productivity, better adaptability, and greater resistance to diseases.

What is an example of a crossbreed?
An example of a crossbreed is the Santa Gertrudis cattle, which were created by crossing British Shorthorn cows with Ongole bulls (Zebu cattle). Another example is the Jar Sindh, a cross between Jersey cows and Red Sindhi cows.

What is the crossbreeding method?
The crossbreeding method involves selecting parent animals from two different breeds that possess desirable traits and mating them to produce offspring that combine these traits. This method aims to enhance the overall productivity, adaptability, and vigor of the resulting crossbreed, a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor or heterosis.

What is another name for Bos indicus cattle?
Another name for Bos indicus cattle is Zebu cattle. These cattle are known for their humped backs and are commonly found in tropical regions, where they are valued for their resistance to heat and diseases.

What are Bos taurus cattle also known as?
Bos taurus cattle are also known as exotic cattle. These humpless cattle are typically found in temperate regions and are often used in crossbreeding programs to improve milk production and other desirable traits.

What is the difference between Bos taurus and Bos indicus?
The primary difference between Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle lies in their physical characteristics and adaptability. Bos taurus cattle, also known as exotic cattle, are humpless and generally thrive in temperate climates. In contrast, Bos indicus cattle, or Zebu cattle, have a distinctive hump and are well-suited to hot, tropical climates due to their heat tolerance and disease resistance.