The new cattle are a composite breed, produced
by first crossing Santa Gertrudis cows with Red Angus and Gelbvieh
bulls.
This initial union produces 1/2 Santa Gertrudis
and 1/2 Red Angus males and females; as well as 1/2 Santa Gertrudis
and 1/2 Gelbvieh males and females.
These half bloods are then crossed back on
each other to produce a 1/2 Santa Gertrudis, 1/4 Red Angus and 1/4
Gelbvieh composite animal, the finished product.
This is King Ranch Santa Cruz, as composites
are then bred to composites, fixing the characteristics desired in
the cattle and demanded by today's beef market.
Stephen J. Kleberg, Vice President of
King Ranch, Inc. said that King Ranch Santa Cruz cattle have “excellent
conformation, perform extremely well in the feedyard, and obtain maximum
results at the packing plant.” Hal Hawkins, King Ranch animal physiologist,
described the cattle as "very fertile, both male and female, reaching
an early sexual maturity at 12 - 14 months of age.
Weaning and yearling weights are excellent,
and they are very gentle cattle that demonstrate good mothering instincts."
The new breed produces both polled and
horned individuals. In color, they range from a light red or honey
to a Santa Gertrudis cherry red. Mature weight in cows ranges from
1,100 - 1,200 pounds, while bulls tip the scales from 1,800 - 2,000
pounds.
The cattle have proven very heat resistant
and adapt extremely well to South Texas' harsh climate and environments.
They range far and wide and work the large pastures of King Ranch
very well.
Early in 1987, the need for a more market
acceptable beef animal at King Ranch was the topic of conversation
from the working pens to the board room.
Top producers in the beef and livestock industry
were brought in to aid in the project. Educators from the major agricultural
universities across the United States were invited to share their
knowledge with King Ranch.
Twenty-six professors from fourteen universities
participated in the formulation of a master breeding plan. These specialists
in the various research fields which undergird progressive livestock
operations, like King Ranch, included carcass and meat experts, reproduction
and physiology scientists, breeds and breeding selection specialists,
geneticists, nutritionists, botanists, veterinary scientists, and
climatologists.
As a result of these meetings, King Ranch
set some short and long term objectives in its breeding plan. Short
term objectives included improved production (reproduction and fertility);
improved market acceptability (carcass quality - grade and tenderness);
and, cull cattle on strict economic considerations.
Long term objectives included single breed
type mating system using a composite breed; genetic policy that would
produce a phenotypic look-alike; and, early sexual maturity with superior
carcass quality and grade. The Santa Gertrudis breed was maintained,
improved, and made more competitive.
Two breeds were selected to add to the Santa
Gertrudis to achieve these goals. Gelbvieh were chosen for their fertility,
high growth, early maturity, shortened gestation length, and moderate
milk production. Red Angus were selected to add early fertility, ease
in calving, high carcass quality, efficiency, and polled characteristics.
Content providers for this page:
King Ranch, P.O. Box 1090, Kingsville,
TX 78364-1090 Phone: (512) 595-4150
