SydneyShow-SantasBackin Town:SantaGertrudisisfeature breedagainafter23years.
RJKlebergScholarship revamped:Detailsannounced soon.
“HotSanta”pie:thelatest“Pieof theShow”atSydneyRoyal.
FeedlotTrialUpdate:The inauguralSantaGertrudis FeedlotTrialisunderway with148headofcattle inductedintothetrialand viewingdayannounced.
SalesSuccess:Sales seasonunderwayinWA.
It’sshowtime!
As we step into April, we recognise that the past month has been particularly challengingformanyofourmembers.
SevereweatheracrossQueenslandandnorthernNSW markedbylatesummer cyclones and monsoonal conditions — has tested resilience across our industry. At the time of writing, numerous members in western Queensland are still navigatingtheaftermathofwidespreadflooding.Withwatersgraduallyreceding, the road to recovery will require significant clean-up and restoration efforts. We also acknowledge stubborn drought conditions that continue to plague southern Australiaandotherareasthathavemissedtherain.
Rest assured, your Association remains in close contact with key agencies dedicated to supporting primary producers in times of hardship beyond their controlandwewillcontinuetomonitordevelopments.
Weather disruptions have also impacted the Santa Gertrudis classification calendar Our field directors, Russell Smyth and Russell Yeates, are working diligently to adjust schedules and accommodate members as best as possible. Yourcooperationisappreciated ensuringanimalsareregisteredandprepared for a single visit will streamline the process. Unregistered animals and additional visits incur extra fees, so organisation remains the most cost-effective approach forbothmembersandtheAssociation.
Wealsoextendourbestwishestoallexhibitorsatthisweek’sSydneyRoyalEaster Show Monthsofpreparationhavegoneintomakingthisastandoutevent,thanks tothededicationofourstaff,especiallyCaritaHoldenandMaddisonMcCafferty.
Carita, RussellSmyth andIwillbeonthegroundsfromWednesday,andwelook forward to catching up with members around the ring and at our dedicated ‘SantaVillage’hospitalityarea.Besuretostopby,we’dlovetoseeyou!
BradCooper,GeneralManager
Ithasbeen23yearssinceSantaGertrudis gracedtheSydneyRoyalEasterShowas thefeaturebreed,andexhibitorsfrom fourstatesaredaysawayfromwritinga newchapterinthebreed’shistoryat OlympicPark.
Shedcaptainofthelast17years,Dennis Moxey,DenngalSantaGertrudisStud, Forbes,CentralWestNSW,saidtherewas nothingbutexcitementbuildinginthe ranksasthebreedtakescentrestagein Sydneyonceagain.
Thestudcattlewillbejudgedon Saturday,April12,withsteerstobe judgedonThursday,April10.
“Ibelievewe’regoingtoseewhatweused toseewithSantaGertrudisinSydney,with somanymorenumberscomingthanin recentyears,”Dennissaid.
“They’recomingbackindroves,with134 purebredanimals,and25steers,from fourstates.”
AmongtheQueenslandcontingentof SantaGertrudisexhibitorsattheSydney RoyalwillbeAndrewandAngela Doeringandfamily,SpringCreekSanta Gertrudis,Tansey,Qld.
Onthebackofsignificantsuccesswith theirsteersatlastyear’sSydneyRoyal,
Dennissaidtherewouldbetwo weight-basedSantaGertrudissteer classes,andtheawardingofGrand ChampionSantaGertrudisSteer thereafter
“Ithinktheexcitementfromeverybody tomakeitaneliteeventinourSanta Gertrudiscalendar–thepromotion, displaysites–itwillbeareallygood exampleofwhatSantaGertrudisare inthiscountry,”hesaid. theywereselectedtoprovidethisyear’s VictorChangCharitySteer.
“Wearereallyexcitedaboutthat,” Andrewsaid.
“Itissuchaworthycause,andheisa qualitysteer,soitwillbegreattosee SantaGertrudissupporttheVictor ChangCardiacResearchInstitute.”
OncetheSantaGertrudisshowingisfinished atthisyear’sSydneyRoyal,therewillbea post-judgingsocialevent,withspecialprizes presentedincludingtheHerdsmanAward, andAlfSmithMemorialTrophyfortheJunior ChampionBull.
TheAlfSmithMemorialTrophyisdonated eachyearbyGeoffandLindaPayne, BarrabaSantaGertrudisStud,Quorrobolong, southofCessnockintheNSWHunterValley, inmemoryofLinda’sfather,AlfSmith,who beganBarrabaSantaGertrudisstudin1980, togetherwithhiswife,Jeanette.
“Alfisthelongest-servingshedcaptainfor SantaGertrudisinSydneywith26years,” GeoffPaynesaid.
begoodtoseelargenumbersof SantaGertrudis–therewon’thave beenthatmanySantasatSydney Royalforquitealongtime,”Geoffsaid.
Danneikawasoneofourgroupleadersat theNationalYouthCampinWarwick,Qld inJanuary,joiningabout25otheryoung adultsinleadingmorethat120students throughcattlehandling,judgingand paradingactivities.
Amulti-pagewrap-upofthepopular eventisthecentrepieceofthismonth’s edition,whichalsoincludesapreviewof thisweek’sSydneyRoyalEasterShow featurebreedshowcase,anin-depth interviewwithentrepreneurandSanta GertrudisbreederNormBlackanda colourfulfeatureonanewSantaGertrudis ‘paddock-to-plate’venturethat’staking offincentralwestNSWthankstomembers PeterandOliviaAtkinson.
Thursday,April10
3:00PM–SteerJudging (CattleJudgingLawn)
5:00–6:00PM–Friday NightDrinksintheSanta Village
Saturday,April12–JudgingDay
8:30AM–4:00PM–BreedJudging(Cattle JudgingLawn)
4:00–4:45PM–Parade
6:00–6:30PM–Announcements& AwardsintheSanta Village,includingraffle draw!
From6:30PM–Drinksat theCattleman’sBar
Monday,April14
InterbreedJudging
Watchtheactionfrom whereveryouare
Can’t make it to Sydney?
Australian Community Media will be livestreaming the Santa Gertrudis stud judging, which will be relayed to www.theland.com.au and simulcast on the Santa Gertrudis Facebook page.
TheSantaGertrudisBreedersAssociation is proudtoannouncetherevitalisationofthe esteemedRJKlebergScholarshipAward.
Followinganin-depthreviewconducted duringtheNovember2024Councilmeeting, theawardhasbeenreimaginedwithafresh focus,broaderopportunities,andanewtitle forthewinner.
Thisexcitingtransformationisdesignedto elevatethescholarship’sprestige,expand accesstoyoungleaderswithintheSanta Gertrudiscommunity,andensurea transparentandinspiringselectionprocess.
Theenhancedprogramaimstooffer unparalleledprofessionaldevelopment opportunitiesforitsrecipients,providingthem withaplatformtodriveyouthengagement andplayanactiveroleinshapingthefutureof thebreed
MoredetailswillbeannouncedbyPresident LizAllenafterjudgingonSaturday,with applicationsopenfromMonday,April14.
Thisyear,theRoyalSydneyShowis servingupsomethingextraspecialforpie loversandcattleenthusiastsalike:the “HotSanta”pie,thelatest“Pieofthe Show.”
Thankstoacollaborationbetweenthe AustralianBakeryAssociation(ABA)and theSantaGertrudisBreeders’(Australia) Association,withsupportfromGympiebasedprocessingcompanyNolanMeats, thisculinarycreationwillspotlightthe premiumqualityofSantaGertrudisbeef.
Everyyear,itistraditionfortheABAto producethousandsofmeatpieson-site attheevent,incorporatingbeeffromthe featurebreedasthestaringredient.
WiththeSantaGertrudisbreedinthe spotlightthisyear,the“HotSanta”pieisa primeopportunitytoshowcasethe flavourandtendernessofSantaGertrudis beeftothetensofthousandsofguests attendingAustralia’slargestagricultural showfromApril11–22.
TheSGB(A)AextendsitsgratitudetoTerry NolanandtheteamatNolanMeatsfor theireffortsinisolatingasuperiorpenof SantaGertrudisanimalsforthisprojectat theirCinnabarfeedlot,westofGympie.
Pieloverscanlookforwardtothe“Hot Santa,”whichaddsaboldtwistto traditionbycombiningpremium
AdamSheehan,ofKurriKurri’sBreadBasket BakeryintheNSWHunterValley,headsupthe teamofbakerschargedwithcreatingthis year’sHotSantapie
SantaGertrudisbeefwithjalapeños andcheeseforaflavourfulkick.
SydneyShoworganisersaregearing uptopromotethistantalisingcreation asamust-tryforShowattendees.
SGB(A)AgeneralmanagerBrad Coopersaidthatformembersofthe SantaGertrudiscommunityattending theShow,eitherasexhibitorsor observers,the“HotSanta”willalsobe servedateveningfunctionsinthe ‘SantaVillage’hospitalityarea.
“It’sanaddedbonusformembersto celebratethebreed’smomentinthe limelight,”hesaid.
“TheRoyalSydneyShowalways deliversexcitementandinnovation, andtheintroductionofthe“HotSanta” pieisnoexception.”
TheSantaGertrudisbreedhasreachedan excitingmilestonewiththelaunchofthe inauguralSantaGertrudisFeedlotTrial, whichkickedoffonFebruary18at PakaderingaFeedlotinKingaroy, Queensland.
With148headofcattleinductedintothe trial,thislandmarkeventsetsthestagefor producerstogainvaluableinsightsinto feedlotperformanceandcarcaseresults.
FielddirectorsRussellYeatesandRussell Smyth,bothpivotalfiguresinorganising theprogramandcattle,oversawthe inductionalongsidethePakaderingateam ledbyownersLachieBrownandEmma Worstear.Theircombinedexpertise ensuredasmoothstarttothetrial.
Theeventattracted13studand commercialproducers,withcattle transportedfromupto1000kilometres southand600kilometreswest.
SantaGertrudisfielddirectorRussellYeates (left)welcomesBlackBoxCochiefoperating officerEmmaBlackwithPakaderingaFeedlot ownerLachieBrownattheKingaroyfacility.
Localproducersalsoaddedtothe stronglineup,showcasingtheir dedicationtoadvancingtheSanta Gertrudisbreed
Cattleintakebreakdown
Thetrialcomprises:
96steersona100-dayfeed program(averageweight:431kg)
46steersona70-dayfeed program(averageweight:348kg) 6heifersona70-dayfeedprogram (averageweight:367kg)
Afterthefeedingperiod,thecattlewillbe processedatTeysBeenleigh,withtrade cattlescheduledtobekilledonMay1and exportcattlescheduledforJune3.
Partnershipsdrivingsuccess
Thetrialhasnotonlybroughttogether producersbutalsogarneredsignificant supportfromindustrypartners.
BlackBoxCo,aleaderinlivestockdata analytics,hasjoinedastheprincipal partner,offeringparticipantsthe opportunitytoreceivecomprehensive performancedatafortheircattle spanningboththefeedlotandthekillfloor.
Additionalkeysupportersinclude:
StephenandKatherineBeddows,of BeddowsPregnancyScanningand SemenTesting,Kingaroy;KenMills Toyota,KingaroyandSeilers Transport,Kingaroyofferingcash support. Feedlottrialcontinued...
ScottReedofMultikraft,donating productforthedurationofthetrial. MarkPetersofDatamars, contributingfeedlottags.
TeysAustraliaandBradPassfield,of HournandBishop,Moura,providing invaluablesupport.
Producerswillhavethechancetoviewthe heaviersteersfirsthandatadesignated viewingdayatPakaderingaonMay28 startingat9.30am.
MembersandadmirersoftheSanta Gertrudisbreed,whohaveaninterestin seeinghowthecattlehaveperformed,are welcometoattend.
Therewillbepresentationsfromkey
GeneralmanagerBradCoopersaidthe trialmarkedanexcitingchapterfor SantaGertrudisbreeders,thankingthe twofielddirectorsforconceivingand runningtheproject.
“Itoffersauniqueplatformtoevaluate performance,fostercollaboration,and furtherstrengthenthebreed's reputation,”Bradsaid.
“Weappreciatethesupportthisevent hasattractedsofarandlookforwardto
Lunchwillbeprovided ToregisteremailMaddison McCaffertyatadmin@santagertrudiscomau
Wetweatherprovednodampeneronthe enthusiasticbuyingforquality,awardwinningSantaGertrudiscattleatthe CoolabuniaWeanerShow&Salenear Kingaroy,QldonThursday,April3.
SantaGertrudiscommercialbreederMargie LeeandherchildrenBridgetandJack, Broadmere,Nanangowereallsmilesafter presentingChampionPenofSteerswhich wentontowinGrandChampionpenoverall.
Forthefifthconsecutiveyear,Margieandher childrenalsoclaimedfirstprizepenof replacementheifersandthirdplacepenof heifersoverall
The50headofBroadmeresteerssoldtoBill Speed,ofBrig-O-DoonCattleCompany, Wandoanfor468.6c/kgat259.3kgav weight,whilethe30headofheiferssoldto KHT,Blackbutt,Qldfor396.2c/kgat227.2av weight.
AdelightedMargieLeeispicturedwith SGB(A)AfielddirectorRussellYeatesfollowing thesalefacilitatedbyAussieLand&Livestock andGrantDaniel&Long
Whiledelightedwithalltheaccolades, MargietoldSantaExpressthatthe recognitionforherreplacement heiferswasstillthepinnacle.
“Towinfiveyearsinarowshowsthe commercialrelevanceoftheSanta Gertrudisfemale,”shesaid.
“Iknowit’sbullsthatgettheattention butabull’snogoodiftheydon’thave therightfemale.Inmymind,the replacementheifersisstillthemost prestigiousprizetowin.” SantaExpress advertisingavailable Ifyou’dliketoadvertiseinSantaExpressat competitiveratescontactusat admin@santagertrudis.com.au. ThenexteditionofSantaExpresswillbe uploadedMay5.
ThepurchasingofWestAustralianSanta Gertrudisbullsisabouttomoveintopeak seasonwithtwoWAstudspresentinghigh impactherdimproverstobuyersover comingdays.
WendyGould’sWendallastudatBolgart willhostedabullviewingdayonSaturday, April5,whileGlennHasleby’sBiaraSanta GertrudisStudon-propertysaleat Northamptonwillstartat12noonWSTon TuesdayApril8,facilitatedbyNutrienAg SolutionsandinterfacedwithAuctionsPlus online.
WASantaGertrudismembersarelooking forwardtokeeninterestandspiritedbuying inthesaleringandpaddockthisseason,
PicturedisGlennHaslebypreparingforTuesday’s saleof100bulls,70PPand30Porscur.
supportedbymarketingassistance fromSantaGertrudisAustraliavia FarmWeeklyintheleaduptobull sellingseasoninWA.
FieldDirectorRussellSmythwillbeat BiaraonTuesday.Saleresultswillbeon FacebookandtheSantaGertrudis websiteassoonastheybecome available.