Description of Santa Gertrude - a breed of cows bred in the USA from the best producers of beef cattle breeds. The breeding traits inherited by the cattle of this breed combine the best qualities of their ancestors - endurance, the ability to quickly gain weight, large size, adaptability to different climatic conditions and resistance to piroplasmosis (a disease that develops after the bite of blood-sucking insects).
History of the breed
To obtain the first individuals of the breed, breeders from the state of Texas in the USA, starting in 1910, crossed Indian zebu bulls and Shorthorn cows.Initially, the prerequisite for developing a new breed was the intolerance of cattle to extreme heat. Cows died from numerous infections resulting from the bites of blood-sucking insects (which are very common in hot climates).
As a result of the experiments of breeders, the breed appeared, but the first batches were subjected to careful research. The best, according to scientists, were considered to be those whose bodies contained blood in the following proportions:
- 3/8 from zebu bulls;
- 5/8 from Shorthorn cows.
In 1920, a parent pair was isolated from which the bull Monkey was obtained and raised. During his research, high-quality genetic material was discovered, and Monki’s offspring were considered elite producers of the breed.
It was only in 1940 that cattle were recognized as a separate breed, after which cattle began to spread around the globe. Now Santa Gertrude is bred not only in the USA, but also in Asia, Africa and since 1956 in Russia (Volga region, Caucasus, Urals).
Description and characteristics of Santa Gertrude cows
The appearance of the cattle is massive. The color is dark cherry; there may be light blotches on the belly skin. From zebu bulls, cows got a small hump on their backs. Representatives of the breed can be recognized by characteristics that have been formed over many decades:
- short hair that shines in the sun and is shiny;
- small head;
- thin ears hanging down;
- short straight neck;
- developed muscles in the meaty areas of the body - on the chest, back, back;
- stable, not very long legs.
Adult individuals reach a large mass and a height at the withers of about 140 centimeters. Bulls weigh 800-1000 kilograms, cows - 550-600 kilograms.Calves are born weighing 25-40 kilograms, but grow quickly. The average daily weight gain is 850-900 grams. The daily milk yield of first-calf heifers is 5-10 liters of milk with a fat content of 4-6%.
Advantages and disadvantages
Thanks to the careful efforts of breeders, it was possible to develop a breed that is unpretentious to weather conditions, blood infections and with high meat productivity.
This cattle has many advantages:
- high body weight gain even in hot climates with a high-quality diet;
- thick skin that protects animals from frost;
- the presence of sweat glands, which perform a thermoregulatory function and prevent overheating in the sun;
- pronounced maternal instinct in females;
- no problems during calving;
- savings on livestock maintenance, especially for areas where the stall period is short;
- absence of mortality and immunity to diseases such as piroplasmosis, thelaziosis, theileriosis.
Santa Gertrude cattle produce high-quality meat with a fat content of 20% and a distinct taste.
Subtleties of maintenance and care
Farmers have no particular problems with keeping these cows. Cattle are adapted to driving over long distances and can be exposed to heat and cold for a long time. Maximum weight gain is observed in the autumn, with a high-quality diet. Thanks to their thick skin and thick, but short, fur, the animals do not freeze. A stall with dry and clean bedding is sufficient for them.
Feeding
Grazing large areas allows cattle to find a variety of coarse and soft grasses.If there are not enough forbs, you can add hay with salted barley to the diet; in winter, Santa Gertrude eats reeds. The menu consists of:
- corn silage;
- roughage;
- haylage;
- legumes and cereals;
- molasses;
- bone meal;
- phosphates.
Cattle of this breed do not require a lot of water, but it must be present in the drinking bowls, clean and fresh. In spring, it is recommended to increase the amount of greens in the diet, and closer to autumn - roughage plant feed.
Reproduction nuances
Calving in Santa Gertrude cows is easy and rarely requires medical procedures with the participation of a veterinarian. Sexual maturity occurs at 18 months, the first calving occurs at 30 months. Until the age of 6 months, the calf feeds on its mother’s milk, but from the age of two months it can be fed with hay.
It is recommended to graze young animals on the same pasture as adults. Cows have a wonderful maternal instinct; they do not let the calf go far from them.
The optimal time for calving is spring. Farmers need to remember that during suckling the calves and the cows themselves are timid, so you should not bring strangers into the pen or make loud noises.
Possible diseases
The Santa Gertrude cattle are in excellent health. They are not susceptible to infectious diseases and have strong immunity. Like other breeds, Santa Gertrude cows sometimes experience tympany (overflow of the rumen with gases) and atony (insufficient activity of the forestomach due to overfeeding). To prevent infection with mass infections (foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis, tuberculosis), routine vaccinations are carried out.
Santa Gertrude is an excellent meat breed that farmers in many countries have come to love. The slaughter yield of cattle is 70%, the meat is of excellent quality and low in fat.A distinctive feature of the breed is its unpretentiousness to weather conditions. Cows can live and get food for themselves even on depleted pastures, which is important for areas with little fresh vegetation.
