Third-generation Santa Gertrudis breeders Kendall and Brigid Bassingthwaighte of Yabba Pastoral Company, Kilcoy have bought bulls from the Brisbane Valley Santa sale in the past.
The Bassingthwaightes run commercial Santa Gertrudis cattle, turning their grass-fed feeder steers off at about 500 kilograms to the local feedlot market.
Each year they retain some replacement heifers, with those relinquished also turned off to feedlots at about 400kg.
Kendall said he focused on his herd’s temperament to keep his family safe and, as such, prioritises the temperament of the bulls he buys.
He believes there is a direct correlation between temperament and doing well.
Having grown up with Santa Gertrudis cattle, Kendall feels they are adaptable to the climate and market conditions.
“I find because they adapt so well, that they are also easier to sell into any market, so we always have a market for our cattle,” Kendall said.
The Bassingthwaightes prefer the larger frame of the Santa, as it gives them plenty of room to grow, they also seek their structural correctness. Reproductive soundness is also important, with easy, strong calves that are highly resistant to many common issues.
Santa Gertrudis cattle have an excellent reputation in the feedlot market for doability and high yielding carcass performance as they adapt easily and quickly to a wide range of climatic conditions.
Yabba Pastoral Company buys Santa bulls annually and the Brisbane Valley sale is one of the sales that they attend each year to source quality bulls.
The Brisbane Valley Santa Gertrudis sale will offer 73 lots in total, with 69 bulls and four heifers.
The sale starts at 12.30pm on Wednesday 18 September at the Toogoolawah Showgrounds and on AuctionsPlus.
Shepherdson and Boyd is the sales agent
All sale bulls are inoculated for vibrio, seven-in-one, three-day sickness and blooded prior to the sale date.
The vendors under this year’s spotlight are some of Queensland’s most prominent Santa
Gertrudis studs:
Russell and Robyn Gray, Arioca, Linville, Queensland, Dave and Lacey McCabe, Coulsonview, Boonah, Queensland, Rod, Margaret, Ross, Louisa and Sara Wilson, Hayleigh, Durong, Queensland, Max and Roz Baldwin, Talgai, Nindooinbah, Queensland, Howard, Flo and Jeff Beutel, Boonah Queensland, Scott and Therese Humphreys, Welbatch, Mummulgum NSW and Neil, Lance, Kym Baker and family, Woodmillar, Gayndah, Queensland.
The invited vendor is Taylor and Darby Humphreys, Bellview, Mummulgum, NSW.
