WelcometotheDecember2025editionofSantaExpress–news,informationand updatesfromtheSantaGertrudisBreeders’(Australia)Associationuploadedon thefirstMondayofeverymonth.
AllsetforYouthCamp
2026!
TheSantaGertrudisBreeders’(Australia) Associationisexcitedtoannouncethat preparationsarewellunderwayforour NationalYouthCattleCamp,taking placeatMorganPark,Warwickfrom January14–17,2026
Formorethan30years,thiscamphas beenacornerstoneofourcommitment todevelopingthenextgenerationof cattleenthusiasts.Designedforyoung peopleaged7–17,theprogram combinespractical,hands-onlearning withopportunitiestobuildconfidence, leadership,andlifelongfriendships withintheSantaGertrudiscommunity.
Participantswillgainexperiencein essentialskillssuchas:
Ropetyingandsafetyaroundcattle Animalcareandwelfare
Paradingandassessingstudand commercialcattle
Beyondtheworkshops,camperswill enjoyaseriesofeducationalsessions coveringtopicslikeanimalreproduction, fatandmusclescanning,DNAtesting, andevenworkingdogdemonstrations. Theseactivitiesnotonlyteachtechnical skillsbutalsofosteradeeper understandingoftheindustryandits future.
Thecampculminatesinanawards presentation,celebratingachievements withtitlessuchasChampion Herdsperson(whoreceivesastudheifer)
YulgilbarV265(P),theheiferdonatedbyYulgilbar PastoralCo
andAgeGroupChampions.These awardshighlightthededicationand growthofouryouthparticipants.
Whyitmatters
TheYouthCampismorethananevent it’saninvestmentinthefutureofour breedandthebroadercattleindustry.By equippingyoungpeoplewithknowledge, skills,andconnections,westrengthen thefoundationofourcommunityand ensureitscontinuedsuccess.
Withthankstooursponsors
YouthCampthrivesthankstothe generosityofoursponsors.Theirsupport ensuresthecampmaintainsitshigh standardsandhelpsfundotheryouth developmentinitiatives,including proceedsfromthesemenauctionon Fridaynight(January16).
Sponsorsfor2026alreadyinclude:
TheMyerfamily,YulgilbarPastoral Co,Baryulgil,NSW,donatingaheifer, YulgilbarV265(P),fortheJunior ChampionHerdspersonaward the pinnacleofYouthCamp.Lastyear’s winner,12-year-oldEllaPhillipsof Taroom,receivedaheiferdonatedby Murgona.
AllsetforYouthCamp
2026!continued
BillandGretchenSpeed,Brigodoon, Wandoan,returningtosupply premiumSantaGertrudisbeefforour campersandfamilies atrue showcaseofthebreed’squality. NutrienAgSolutions,withColbyEde andteamfacilitatingthesemen auction,supportedbyHughCourts, AuctionsPlusforonlinebidding.
AustralianCommunityMediawillbe theevent'sofficialmediapartner, offeringadvertisingpackagestothe valueof$10,000andeditorialsupport thatwillallowustopromoteour breedanddevelopmentprogramsto readersacrosstheirnationalprint anddigitalnetwork.
Thisyear,we’vealsosecuredshirt sponsors,helpingoffsetcostsforcamp workandpoloshirts.WiththankstoDr AnthonyCrombie,DundeeTyranook, SignatureAGMarketing,ACMAgri,Black BoxCo,NutrienAgSolution,AlignDigital Marketing,StrathmoreSantaGertrudis andDangarfieldCattleCo.
Plus,manysponsorsarecontributingto prizes,equipment,andproductsthat keepoverheadslowandallowusto investmoreinyouthprograms.Thanks toOffsiderAgEquipment,GardnerCattle Services,RossMartin,WiseRepro,and WatsonStockfeeds.
What’sNewin2026?
AdditionalDemonstrations
Vytelle:IVF
ThenewlookYouthCamplogoisreadyfor2026
BlackBoxCo:Usingdatatoimprove herdperformanceandbusiness outcomes
HusanleyWorkingStockDogs
RogerEvansScanning: demonstrationonfatscanning OutcrossSystems:presentationon stockbooks(animalmanagement program)
Neogen:demonstrationonDNA testing
MerchandiseSale
AfreshrangeofSantaGertrudisbrandedgearwillbeavailableon-siteor fororder,including:
Crocjibbitz(charmsforyourCrocs) Footyshorts
Shirts
Rugbyleagueballs
Waterbottles,travelmugs,umbrellas Rainjackets,caps,andhats
Stubbycoolers
We’llhaveanelectronicpayment terminalforeasypurchasesandorders.
Newlookoldlogo
We’vealsoresurrectedtheYouthCamp logobutgivenitarefreshedlookwith boldercolouringandsimplerstyling Expecttoseemoreofthelogobeing usedinconjunctionwithYouthCamp movingforward.
ExcitingOpportunityfor YoungSantaGertrudis
Members!
TheSantaGertrudisBreeders’ (Australia)Associationisproudto announcethatweareofferingone scholarshiptoattendthe2026Marcus OldhamRuralLeadershipProgram.
Thisnationallyrecognisedprogram, supportedbyNABAgribusiness,isan intensivefive-dayworkshopheldat MarcusOldhamCollegeinGeelong fromMay17-22,2026.Since1992,ithas builtastrongreputationfordeveloping leadershipskillsintheagriculturaland agribusinesssectors.
Theprogramwillhelpparticipants: Takeonleadershiprolesintheir industryorcommunity
Representtheirindustryconfidently indecision-makingforums
Understandandaddresskeyissues facingruralindustriesand communities
Thankstofundsraisedduringtheyear tosupportourdevelopmentprograms
LeadershipProgramin2025.
foryoungpeople,theAssociationwill coverthefullprogramfeeand contributetotravelvaluedatnearly $5000.
Applicationsopen:1December2025
Applicationsclose:20February2026
Successfulapplicantannounced:MidMarch2026
Eligibility:
MustbeanSGB(A)Amemberorwork withtheSantaGertrudisbreed Ideallyaged25–35(otherages considered)
AvailabletoattendinMay2026 Willingtoprovideawrittenreport andpresentlearningstoSGB(A)A Council
�� Applynowviathislinkhere
NorthernICMJ Conferenceopensup
TheSantaGertrudisBreeders’ (Australia)Associationisproudto announceitscommitmenttosending fouryoungpeopletotheAustralian IntercollegiateMeatJudging(ICMJ) NorthernConference,heldin Rockhampton,April8–11,2026.
TheICMJAssociationisanot-for-profit organisationwithaclearmission:to inspireanddevelopfutureprofessionals intheglobalredmeatindustry. Establishedin2018,theNorthern Conferenceprovidesaneducational platformtailoredtonorthernbeef production,reducingtravelcostsfor studentsandyoungprofessionalswhile deliveringworld-classtraining.
Participantswillgain: Enhancedknowledgeandskillsin meatqualityandcarcaseattributes Networkingopportunitieswith industryleadersandemployers Insightsintocareerpathways acrossthenorthernbeefsupply chain
ThisinitiativereflectsSGB(A)A’s commitmenttofosteringthenext generationofindustryprofessionalsand supportingeducationthatstrengthens thefutureoftheSantaGertrudisbreed andthebroaderbeefindustry.
ApplicationswillopenonMonday, December8andcloseonFriday, February6,2026.Keepaneyeonthe SantaGertrudisAustraliaFacebook pageandthewebsiteforreminders.
Continuedfrompreviouspage
ExclusiveSanta GertrudisCattleListings onBeefCentral
We’reexcitedtoannounceanew collaborationbetweenSantaGertrudis Breeders’(Australia)Associationand BeefCentral,oneofAustralia’smost respectedbeefindustrynewsplatforms.
Thispartnershipgivesourmembersan exclusiveopportunitytomarketcattlefor saleonaprofessional,high-visibility platformataspecialdiscountedrate.
Untilnow,ourwebsitehasonly supportedauction-listedcattle(mostly bullsales),leavingmanymembers, particularlysmaller-scalestudand commercialmembers,withoutan effectiveAssociation-supported marketingchannelforprivatesalesof bulls(forstudmembers)orlistingsof commercialsteersorheifers.
What’sincluded:
ExclusiveSantaGertrudismember rate:$50+GSTperlisting(normally $195+GST).
ListingsappearonBeefCentral’s website,inweeklyemailalertsto subscribers,andacrossBeef Central’ssocialmediachannels. Aweeklyposthighlightingvendors andlinkingtotheBeefCentrallistings willalsobesharedontheSanta GertrudisFacebookpage. MemberscansubmitlistingsviaBeef Central’sonlineformorbydirect email.
AnexampleofalistingontheBeefCentral website.
“Thisisafantasticopportunityfor memberstoshowcasetheircattletoa large,engagedandinformedaudience acrossthebeefindustryatahighly affordablerate,”generalmanagerBrad Coopersaid.
“Thisofferisanotherexampleofthe benefitswearecontinuouslybuilding intotheSantaGertrudismember experience,andIthanktheBeefCentral teamforpartneringwithustodeliverthis valuableinitiative.
“CommercialSantaGertrudisoperators whowouldliketotakeupthisopportunity butarenotyetmemberscaneasilyjoin byaccessingmembershipformsonour websiteoremailing admin@santagertrudis.com.au.”
Formoredetailsortosubmitalisting, visitwww.beefcentral.com/cattlelistings/application-form/orcontact NikkiNasonnikki@beefcentral.com
We’reexcitedtoconfirmthatthe Associationwillrunasecond Association-backedfeedlottrialnext year hostedonceagainbythe outstandingteamatPakaderinga FeedlotnearKingaroy,Qld.
Theirsupportin2025wasexceptional, andwe’rethrilledtobeworkingwith themagain.
InductionDate:Mid-February2026
Location:PakaderingaFeedlot,Kingaroy, Qld
TargetEntry:150head
Classes:
TradeClass
�� Singlesteer
�� Singleheifer
�� Penof3steers
�� Penof3heifers
ExportClass:
�� Singlesteer
�� Penof3steers
CattleintheexportclassonfeedatPakaderinga FeedlotinMay2025,justpriortotheirexit Picture: PrueBygrave
Awardsfor:
�� Weightgain
�� MSAcarcase-basedawards
�� DNAverifiedcattle
�� Juniorentrants(under17)
Thisisamajoropportunitytoshowcase SantaGertrudisandSanta-infused geneticsinacommercialsetting, generatevaluableperformancedata, andpromotethebreednationally.
Whetheryou’reaseedstockproduceror commercialclient,wewanttoseestrong representationacrosstheboard.
Wewillneedyournumbersconfirmedby mid-January2026. Let’smakethistrialbiggerandbetter thanever.Moredetailscomingsoon!
Formoreinformation,phoneRussell Yeates0428161283orRussellSmyth 0428684227
Christmas closure
The Santa Gertrudis office will be closed from midday on Friday, December 19 and will reopen on Monday, January 5.
Thank you to those who have supported SantaExpress this year, particularly our readers and advertisers. Support for this electronic newsletter continues to grow.
As per our schedule of uploading SantaExpress on the first Monday of every month, the first edition of 2026 will be uploaded on January 5.
Until the office staff return, please enjoy a happy and safe festive season break with favourable weather for your paddocks and cattle.
KeepaneyeoutforSanta Journal
Makesureyoubendthekneeswhenyou’re liftingthesummereditionofSantaJournalout ofthemailboxthismonth–at120pages,it’sa whopper.
Whilethebookmaycarryweight,thereading certainlyisn’theavy,withstoriescoveringthe reasonsbehindSantasuccessatsaletimeand everysalereportfrom2025’sSpringbullsales. Here’sthisedition’sfrontcover.
SantaJournaliscurrentlybeingprintedand willbemailedfromBrisbaneonDecember11.
SantaJournalisagreatwaytostay connectedwiththeAustralianSantaGertrudis community.Itispublishedthreetimesayear–December,AprilandAugust.
Ifyou’dliketobeaddedtothedistributionlist, becomeanAssociatememberfor$80ayear, plusreceivefurtherbenefits.Becominga memberiseasyviathisformhere.
