SANTA Gertrudis have been given the tick of approval from fifth generation Tooborac farmer Hec Hagan.
After a life-time of farming, Mr Hagan made the decision to replace his self-replacing Merino flock with Merino wethers, and before long cattle were brought into the mix.
“Prior to this year the wool price wasn’t great and the cattle job was easier for us,” Mr Hagan said.
Mr Hagan tried a number of breeds including Hereford, Shorthorns and Limousins, before narrowing it down to a mix of Santa Gertrudis and Angus.
Farming 800 hectares in partnership with his cousin Ian Hagan, Santa Gertrudis appealed for their ease of calving.
“We haven’t had any calving trouble and getting a vet is an expensive exercise,” he said. “We also haven’t had any eye problems and we don’t seem to lose any cattle from bloat.”
It was 12 years ago Mr Hagan’s stock agent purchased pregnancy tested in-calf Santa Gertrudis Angus-cross heifers at the Euroa store sale.
Beginning with 30 head, Mr Hagan’s breeding herd now consists of 280 Angus, Santa Gertrudis and Santa Gertrudis Angus-cross cows.
“Ideally we’d buy Santa Angus-cross cows, but they’re as scarce as hens’ teeth,” Mr Hagan said. “You can find 4-5 year old cows with calves at foot but you’ll pay $1850.”
Pure Santa Gertrudis cows have been purchased and are joined to Angus bulls.
Mr Hagan’s enthusiasm for his Santa Gertrudis-cross operation sent him to Tamworth in search of Santa Gertrudis cows, where he selected 30 cows with calves at foot.
A Santa Gertrudis bull was purchased three years ago at the Southern Santa Gertrudis Breeders sale at Finley and a second bull was purchased from the same sale this year.
The Angus portion of the breeding herd is joined to the Santa Gertrudis bulls.
“The hybrid vigour is good and the coats on the Santa-cross calves shine-up well; they don’t take as long as the Angus to lose their dry hair,” Mr Hagan said.
Breeding for the vealer market, calves are sold mostly through the Shepparton sale yards.
The mot recent consignment of Santa Gertrudis Angus-cross heifers and steers sold three weeks ago for a top of 232 cents a kilogram. Trading as Koala Grazing Co, the calves weighed an average of 360kg at 10 months.
Mr Hagan’s cross-bred calves are also keenly sought after by the Riverslea Group feedlot at Rochester, run by Alan and Sonia Martin, who pay a premium for Santa Gertrudis and Santa Gertrudis-cross cattle.
Mr Hagan said the colour of the calves varies, with more red calves from the Santa Gertrudis bulls.
“The market doesn’t seem to mind red cattle now,” Mr Hagan said.
In the not too distant future, Mr Hagan said their flock of 1200 Merino wethers for export and locals markets may not be replaced.
“We could run more cattle and I’m keen on the Santa Gertrudis breed,” Mr Hagan said.