GeorgiaKirkby,Waterloostud,Bellata,NSW At20,Georgia isoneofouremergingstudbreedersmakinghermark developingherherdandshowingcattle Shewillbe exhibiting6headatthisyear’sRoyalSydneyEasterShow
READYTOSHINE
WelcometotheApril2026editionofSantaExpress–news,informationand updatesfromtheSantaGertrudisBreeders’(Australia)Associationuploadedon thefirstMondayofeverymonth.
KlebergScholarship: Applicationsopennow.
MarcusOldham:This year 'srecipientconfirmed
Fuelcosts:Whatyoucan dotohelp
WASales:More marketingsupportonits way
ThemightySantas inSydney
WelcometoSantaExpress,comingto youalittleearlierthanusualduetothe Easterlongweekend.
Atthetimeofuploadingthisnewsletter, eightexhibitorswereinSydneypreparing toshowtheirSantaGertrudisstudcattle intheshowringofOlympicPark, Homebushaspartofthespectacular RoyalSydneyEasterShow.
Abigthankyoutomemberswhohave preparedandpresentedtheircattleto showcaseourbreedintheheartof Australia’sbiggestoutdoorevent.
Ageneralmeetingofmembersis scheduledonthegroundsinthe SomervilleRoomafterjudging,followed bycasualdrinksinthecattlepavilion, courtesyoftheAssociation,toshowour appreciation.
Summerland salecorrection
Apologies to the Summerland Sale vendors for publishing the incorrect date of their 2026 sale in the 2026 Santa Gertrudis calendar and the recently published Santa Journal.
KeepuptodatewithresultsontheSanta GertrudisAustraliaFacebookpageand watchoutforafullreportwithphotosin theSpringeditionofSantaJournal,outin August.
AreminderthattheSantaGertrudis officewillbeclosedfortheEasterbreak, closingat5pm,ThursdayApril2andreopeningTuesday,April7.
Wewishallourmembersandreadersa happyandsafeEasterseason.
BradCooper GeneralManager
SantaGertrudisBreeders’(Australia) Association
Our error also caught out GeoffButler of Kamawa stud, who advertised in the edition with the wrong date.
The correct date, as it appears on our website is Thursday, June 25 at the Northern Rivers Livestock Exchange, Casino, NSW.
Atasteof thingstocome
As promised, the hot Santa pie that wowed showgoers last year has returned to Olympic Park this year with a bigger brand presence to match its growing profile.
If you’re at the event this year, keep an eye out for these signs near the showring.
The Mighty Santa pie, featuring genuine Santa Gertrudis beef thanks to Nolan Meats, Gympie, Qld, will be on sale for the duration of the Show.
Show your appreciation for great tasting, succulent Santa Gertrudis beef by purchasing a Mighty Santa pie, born in cattle country, built for big appetites, with a surprising culinary twist of jalapenos and cheese.
KlebergScholarship openstoday
Theopportunityforoneyoungpersontotakea fullyfundedtriptotheUnitedStatesand representourAssociationasBreedAmbassador for2026isnowopenforapplications.
The2025BreedAmbassador,EleniFogden,of Loxton,SouthAustralia,returnedfromvisiting ranchesandcattleeventsacrossTexas,USin February.Herstoryappearsinthelatestedition ofSantaJournalandshesharedmoreofher experienceswithmembersduringtheSydney Show.
TheKlebergScholarshipisthehighestaccolade offeredbytheSantaGertrudisBreeder’s (Australia)Association.The2026recipientwill markthe30 timethehonourhasbeengranted toayoungpersonshowingdedicationtothe breedandleadershipskillsandqualities.
Formoreinformationandtoapply,followthis linktothewebsite.
2025BreedAmbassadorEleniFogden
MarcusOldhamwinner announced
It’sbeenabigyearforPeterandJustine Fogden,ofNangaringa,Loxton,SA,with daughterEleniinthespotlightasBreed AmbassadorandherbrotherThomas electedtoCouncilandnowpreparingto takehisseatattheMarcusOldham RuralLeadershipProgramnextmonth.
AyoungSantaGertrudisbreederwho manageshisfamily’scroppingprogram, atjust24yearsold,Thomasisthe youngestmembereverelectedtothe SantaGertrudisCouncil.
TheMarcusOldhamselectionpanel notedthatinvestinginhisdevelopment demonstratesstrongsupportforhis contributionasoneoftheAssociation’s keydecision-makers andsendsa clearsignalthatwearecommittedto identifyingnewtalentandgrowingour futureleaders.
“Iaimtobecomeanapproachable leaderwhoisn’tafraidtotakeonbig challenges,”Thomaswroteinhis application.
CarcaseCrewSGheads
toRocky
ThefirstSantaGertrudisteam representingthebreedattheInter CollegiateMeatJudgingNorthern Conferenceareliterallygearingupfora bigweekinRockhamptonfromApril8.
ThomasFogdenpicturedassessingcattleduring YouthCampatWarwickinJanuary.
Theintensivefive-dayprogram,heldat theMarcusOldhamCollegecampusin Geelongfrom17–22May2026,is supportedbyNABAgribusiness.Itisone ofAustralia’slongest-runningrural leadershipcourses,focusedon developingskillsinleadership, representation,andaddressingthe challengesfacingruralindustriesand communities.
TheSantaGertrudisBreeders’ (Australia)Associationisproudto commitalmost$5000tosupportone participanttoattendthecourse.
Together,theseinitiativesreflect SGB(A)A’scommitmenttodeveloping thenextgenerationofindustry professionalsandstrengtheningthe futureoftheSantaGertrudisbreedand thewiderbeefsector.
Ourteamofyoungpeople–Lachie Martin,BridgetMadigan,Monique AmadoroandteamcaptainSamFalls–willbeeasytoidentifyintheirCarcase CrewSGteamshirts.
Wewillhaveupdatesontheirprogress ontheSantaGertrudisAustralia Facebookpage.
Importantmessageto members–classificationservices andfuelcosts
Wewouldliketoaskmemberstobe mindfuloftheadditionalburdenthat recentspikesindieselpricesareplacing onouroperatingcosts.
Whileweacknowledgethefinancial stresspricevolatilityisplacingon members,theAssociationisalsonot immune.
Thisimpactisparticularlyfeltinthe deliveryofclassificationservices,which requireourFieldDirectorstotravel significantdistancestoassessherds acrossthecountry.
Wecontinuetocloselymonitorfuelprice movementsandhavetakeninternal stepstoensuretheseexceptionalcost increasesareadequatelymanaged Importantly,wearedoingeverything possibletocovertheseincreaseswithout passingadditionalfeesontomembers.
Memberscanassistusinmaintaining costefficienciesduringthese challengingconditionsby:
Prioritisingtime‑critical classificationvisits,andwhere possiblemakingthedecisiontodefer nonurgentworkwhenanimalscan besafelyheldoveruntil2027.
Consolidatingvisitstoreduce unnecessarytrips,whichmay involvecoordinatingwithother membersinyourdistricttoalign datesandtimes.Thisgreatlyassists FieldDirectorswithschedulingand reducestravelinefficiencies.
Duringperiodssuchasthese,the numberoneruleisplanearly,get organised,andcommunicate.
Asalways,membersrequiringa classificationvisitareremindedto ensurethat:
Animalsareregisteredandcorrectly branded
Stockareyardedandreadyonthe day
Aworkingbrandingfurnaceis availableforapplicationoftheS brand
Ourclassificationteamisonlytoohappy toassistmemberswithpreparation advicewhereneeded.
KeyContacts
FieldDirectors:RussellSmyth0428 684227andRussellYeates0428161 283
Registrar:CaritaHolden(07)3216 2708orsg@santagertrudis.com.au
Thankyouforyourongoingcooperation andsupportasweworktogetherto deliverefficient,high‑qualityservicesto allmembers.
SantaJournal outnow
We hope members are enjoying the latest Santa Journal, packed full of meaty goodness for readers to digest, particularly the multipage report highlighting all the action from National Youth Camp in January.
The next edition will be our Spring 2026 volume, out in August. To advertise, email Sheree Kershaw at media@santagertrudis.com.au or phone 0447 429 693. Bookings close June 26.
Councillorsinclass
Whatdoyougetwhenyouputagroupof doctors,solicitors,healthcareprofessionalsand threebullbreedersinthesameroom?
Apparently,agovernancecourse.
ThatwasexactlythecaseinBrisbanerecently, whereSantaGertrudisCouncillorsBevan Pearce,CraigRossandMaggieWelshjoineda diversecohorttocompletetheAICD GovernanceFoundationsforNotforProfit DirectorscourseonMarch23–24.
Thecourseisamandatoryrequirementfor newlyelectedCouncillors,ensuringtheyarewell equippedtoexercisestronggovernanceand informeddecisionmakingintheirroles a cornerstoneofeffectiveleadershipandsound organisationalmanagement.
FellowCouncillorThomasFogden,whowas electedtoCouncillastyearalongsideBevan, CraigandMaggie,completedthesamecourse earlierinAdelaide.
CouncillorsBevanPearce,MaggieWelshandCraig RosswithAICDlecturerDrJohnSing(secondfromleft)
WASantasales thismonth
Two Santa Gertrudis bull sales are happening this month –Biara on-property at Northampton, WA on April 21 and the multi-vendor Santa Gertrudis Combined Bull Sale at Dandaragan, WA on April 23.
Results will be posted on the Santa Gertrudis Australia Facebook page and the website under the Sales tab
Vendors holding sales this year will be receiving even more promotional support from the Association in the lead-up to their events.
Members should keep an eye out for a direct email from the office which will include links to catalogues of upcoming sales.
The email will be issued once a week on a Friday. To ensure your catalogue is available to upload to the website and include on the email alert in time for your buyers to peruse, please send to Carita Holden at sg@santagertrudis.com.au
TheodoreFeatureShow
ShowyoursupportforSantaGertrudisbyeither enteringcattleintotheTheodoreFeatureShow onMay12orsponsoraclass.Forsponsorship opportunitiescontactWendyJamesat admin@santagertrudis.com.auorphone(07) 32168207.
Keentobenchmarkyour Santas?
ThereisstilltimetoentercattleintotheSanta GertrudisWeightGainandCarcase Competition,organisedbyBartholomewand Co,BeaudesertandhostedatFreestoneFeedlot, WarwickandsupportedbytheSantaGertrudis Breeders’(Australia)Association.
EntrieswillcloseApril24,withdeliveryto FreestonefromMoretonandBeaudesert SaleyardshappeningApril29.
FormoreinformationgototheSantaGertrudis websiteorrefertoyourlatesteditionofSanta Journal.EmailGarthWeatherallat beaudesert@bartholomew.com.auforanentry form
ToowoombaRoyal Show
Quality,functionalityandmarket relevancewerefrontandcentreatthe SantaGertrudisJudgingatthe2026 ToowoombaRoyalShow.
JudgeScottWaldronpraisedthecalibre ofexhibitsondisplay,notingthatboth GrandChampionsperfectlycaptured whatthebreedrepresentstoday cattlecapableofproducingan outstandingtradesteerorheifersuited tosupermarketspecifications,whilestill offeringthegrowthpotentialtofinishinto thetraditionalJap‑Oxbullock.
MrWaldrondescribedthestandout exhibitsasparticularlysmoothand cleanintheirmakeup,withwonderful depth,softnessanddoingability hallmarksoftheSantaGertrudisbreed.
GRANDCHAMPIONBULL–SantalandsYesSirY2 (P)exhibitedbyGlennandFranHolt.
CHAMPIONSPANEL
CalfChampionBull–RibbletonWhere’s Wally(PP)exhibitedbyHutchinsonFamily.
ReserveCalfChampionBull–RosehillW171 exhibitedbyJA&RAMcCarthy.
JuniorChampionBull–SantalandsYesSir Y2(P)exhibitedbyGlennandFranHolt.
ReserveJuniorChampionBull–Ribbleton Wazza(PS)exhibitedbyHutchinsonFamily.
GRANDCHAMPIONBULL–SantalandsYes SirY2(P)exhibitedbyGlennandFranHolt.
CalfChampionFemale–RosehillWilma exhibitedbyJA&RAMcCarthy
ReserveCalfChampionFemale–Rosehill WillowexhibitedbyJA&RAMcCarthy.
GRANDCHAMPIONFEMALE–ForestPark2851(P) exhibitedbyHutchinsonFamily
Theresultsbelowreflectastrong showingfrombreederscommittedto producingcommerciallyrelevantcattle withoutsacrificingperformanceortype.
JuniorChampionFemale–ForestPark2851 (P)exhibitedbyHutchinsonFamily.
ReserveJuniorChampionFemale–RibbletonWhitney(P)exhibitedby HutchinsonFamily.
SeniorChampionFemale–Rosehill VeronicaexhibitedbyJA&RAMcCarthy.
GRANDCHAMPIONFEMALE–ForestPark 2851(P)exhibitedbyHutchinsonFamily
SUPREMECHAMPIONEXHIBIT-Santalands YesSirY2(P)exhibitedbyGlennandFran Holt.
BreedersGroup–RosehillStud,JA&RA McCarthy SantalandsYesSirY2(P)wentontobe chosenReserveChampionInterbreedBull.
MountPleasantwin Twobigtrophies onoffer
Entries open next week for:
EDDIEHACKMANSTEER TROPHY
The 2025 trade steer and carcase exhibitor of the year awarded to the member who has gained the most points in trade steer and carcase classes for the 2025 calendar year.
ALASTAIR BASSINGTHWAIGHTE MEMORIALTROPHY
The 2025 stud led exhibitor of the year awarded to the member who has gained the most points in the stud led show ring for the 2025 calendar year.
Look out for the entry guidelines announced next week on Facebook and the SGB(A)A website.
NangaringaViktoriaV770,exhibitedbytheFogden family,winstheSupremeChampionBeefExhibitatthe MountPleasantShowon21 March.Photocourtesy CarlaWiese-Smith.
Publicityfeenotices
Notificationscallingformemberstocalculate andpledgetheirpublicityfeecontributionswill beissuedaftertheEasterweekend.
Areminderthatallmemberswhosellregistered cattleforbreedingpurposes,whetheratauction orprivately,arerequiredtopay1%+GSTofthe salepricetotheSGB(A)Atosupportmediaand year.
18April
21April
23April
23April
1May
BeaudesertSantaShow&Sale,BeaudesertQld
BiaraSale,NorthamptonWA
CoolabuniaWeanerSale–sponsored bySGB(A)A, KingaroyQld
SantaGertrudisBreeders'CombinedWABull Sale,DandaraganWA
BurnettSalewithspecificSantaclass–sponsoredby SGB(A)A,BiggendenQld
2May TamboStockShow–sponsoredbySGB(A)A,TamboQld
Promoteyourstud, businessorevent
Nobodyeversoldasecretsoifyouhave somethingtopromotetotheSanta GertrudiscommunityacrossAustralia, thenwhynotadvertiseinSantaExpress orSantaJournal.
ThenextSantaExpresswillbeuploaded onMonday,May4.