BRINGING SANTA GERTRUDIS TO AUBURN By Jessie Topp-Becker, Managing Editor

n May 1, three Alabama and Auburn University. In fact, Auburn Santa Gertrudis breed- University’s Department of Animal ers – Grandview Farms, Sciences is located in Upchurch Hall, O Tinney Farms and Quail which is named after her. At its peak, Valley Farms – donated 54 embryos to Grey Rocks Ranch was home to nearly Auburn University to help establish a 500 head of Santa Gertrudis . “We purebred Santa Gertrudis herd. were the largest Santa Gertrudis ranch The donation is the result of a con- east of the Mississippi River,” explains The late Ann Upchurch, former owner of Grey Rocks versation during the Alabama Cattle- Win Parmer, former Grey Rocks Ranch Ranch in Autauga County, Ala., was a long-time men’s Association Convention earlier manager. supporter of and Auburn this year. SGBI Executive Director John Parmer, who managed the ranch for University. The donation of embryos took place at Ford asked Auburn University Research 38 years, says this is not the fi rst time Auburn University’s Upchurch Hall, which was named and Extension Centers Director Robert Santa Gertrudis breeders have donated after her. Britton how SGBI and Santa Gertrudis to the university. “Back in the late ‘80s breeders could help Auburn University or early ‘90s, we got a herd together, have a tremendous advantage here in promote Santa Gertrudis cattle. “Putting 22 to 24 head I believe, of bred heifers, the south because of the amount of high-quality Santa Gertrudis embryos and donated it to Auburn.” He explains rainfall, humidity, insects and things into recip females that we have here that Upchurch donated several heifers like that,” he says. “[Alabama] is a very would probably be the fastest way,” and got other Santa Gertrudis breeders diverse state and a tremendous amount Britton says he told Ford. This conversa- to donate as well. of breeds are represented, so there’s tion got the ball rolling, and the embryo Parmer says Upchurch would be defi nitely an attraction for us to be able transfer will take place later this year. thrilled to see her beloved dark red to do some research on eared cattle Although this is the fi rst time cattle being raised at Auburn University too.” Ford agrees, “SGBI looks forward embryos have been donated to estab- again. “She would’ve jumped for joy to collaborating with Auburn University lish a Santa Gertrudis herd at Auburn to see them giving some embryos to on both applied research and research University, this is not the fi rst connec- get another herd started; she would’ve projects that will strengthen the cattle tion between the university and the really supported that.” industry, especially related to the use of dark red cattle. The late Ann Upchurch, Today, Auburn’s herd is predomi- Bos indicus-infl uenced genetics in the former owner of Grey Rocks Ranch in nantly Angus with some southeast.” Autauga County, Ala., was a strong cattle as well. Britton is excited to add Britton explains that the long-term supporter of Santa Gertrudis cattle diversity to their herd. “Eared cattle goal is to have a herd of 25 registered Santa Gertrudis cows. “It’ll be a work in progress for several years to get us to that number and then to get to where we have a mature herd instead of a herd of heifers.” Ultimately, he expects the direction of the research to change as the herd becomes more estab- lished. “The reach and breadth of the research will probably become larger as we move away to a more mature herd.” For now, Britton anticipates the research will include “grazing patterns, resistance to specifi c diseases, things that are do-ability related, how long they stay in a group, conception rates, longevity and things like that.” For Ford, partnering with land-grant universities such as Auburn University is an integral part of the association’s effort to expand Santa Gertrudis’  industry presence. “Collaboration with land-grant universities provides the Partnering with land-grant universities, such as Auburn University, is an integral part of helping SGBI expand the breed a gateway to research and pro- breed’s industry presence. ducer outreach opportunities.” 20 SANTA GERTRUDIS USA Ricky Cleve- Ford and Cleveland view the part- bama breeders; however, one thing is land, owner of nership as an opportunity to increase for sure – the partnership with Auburn Quail Valley breed promotion and enhance visibil- University will play a signifi cant role in Farms, Oneonta, ity with the next generation of ranch helping expand Santa Gertrudis’ indus- Ala., says estab- managers. “Land-grant university try presence. lishing a pure- involvement places our cattle in front bred herd at Auburn of the industry’s next generation of SCIENCE CENTER University is the fi rst step toward leaders. Ag students attending land- CONTINUED FROM PAGE 16 gaining access to commercial breeders grant universities are the future deci- and increasing the visibility for Santa sion makers for the industry,” Ford to SGBI. John Ford, SGBI executive Gertrudis in the southeast. Cleveland says. “There’s a lot of kids that are director, explains that the revenue explains that Angus have become coming through this program and they generated from the collaboration will very popular in the region, despite are going to be the managers for these assist in funding special programs and the conditions being ideal for raising farms. I see it as a way of growing our activities. eared cattle. “I am excited about seeing industry,” Cleveland adds. Ford says he appreciates that the our cattle being put side-by-side with Delmo Payne, owner of Grandview Texas Science Center sees Angus and other breeds and seeing Farms, in Hamilton, Ala., says the value in its affi liation with SGBI. “When how they perform,” Cleveland says. donation of embryos on behalf of his we fi rst visited about the possibility of “I think they’ll shine and out-do some operation was a nod to Upchurch and a partnership, the Texas Beef Cattle of these other breeds that so many Parmer, who were instrumental in help- Science Center team indicated they people are stuck on here in the south.” ing him get his start with the breed. wanted to be associated with a breed Retha Tinney, owner of Tinney Farms, “Ann Upchurch was a great friend of that was expanding its footprint in the Hanceville, Ala., agrees. “We have a mine. In fact, I bought my fi rst 20 heif- industry and an association whose lot of competition and the fact that ers from her in 1984,” he says. Payne members were focused on profi tability Auburn, a major agricultural college is excited about the new partnership. for the commercial cattleman.” and vet school, wanted us to partici- “It is a tremendous opportunity for the Members interested in purchasing pate with them, I think it’s a great way breeders in Alabama and a tremendous from the Texas Beef Cattle Science to promote our cattle.” Tinney says opportunity for our association as a Center should contact Wayne Mikeska donating embryos to her alma mater whole. It’s recognition for our type of at (830) 992-1851, (830) 864-4729 was an honor. “We were honored to be cattle, because we know that we have a or [email protected]. Russell asked to be a part of it. It’s something really great product.” Rogers can be reached by calling (830) that I’m really looking forward to seeing It’s too soon to know the impact of 285-1179. Catalogs can be obtained by mature and hopefully better our breed.” this generous donation from the Ala- contacting SGBI.

june 2017 • www.santagertrudis.com 21