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Cowswith the greatest influence on the Santa Gertrudis herd1. MB 8053 SANPALA 8053 G BOTHA2. DJW 9074 CONSORT 9074 DJ WILLIAMS3. MB 8503 SANPALA 8503 G BOTHA4. XY 8570 HENVIA 8570 T BRITS5. JL 89121 SANSA JL121 JW LOUWRENS6. DJ 7845 BIG RED 7845 GERRIE DE JONG7. DJW 89129 DJW89129 DJ WILLIAMS8. LL 74 ROJO MAGGY 74 AJS LOCK9. SG 8114 SANTA GEE 8114 DR DAVID GRIESEL10. JLB 8238 SKAALBREKER KIELIEKAT JL BOTHA11. XY 8544 HENVIA 8544 T BRITS12. LL 6479 LOCKLORE ADRIANA 79 AJS LOCK13. JF 8258 CATHREW 8258 J FYVIE (Transferred 1984 to P HOBSON)14. 93545 ELBERTA IMPORTED G DE JONG15. MB 72977 SANPALA 72977 G BOTHA16. YZ 8574 REDEEMER 8574 JT WILLIAMS17. DT 9233 RENSBOU 9233 DT VAN RENSBURG18. AT 8631 RAFT 8631 A STEYN19. SP 9351 SANTAPINE KENDRA PH HOBSON20. XY 6998 SGBI 69 T BRITS21. AT 8636 RAFT 8636 A STEYN22. RP 90102 TRUDIS 102 R PIETERS23. F550 FLETCHER 550 FLETCHER ZIMBABWE24. NEL 8047 SOMBRERO P NEL25. RYO 36575 RYO ALICE

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Welcomeon behalf of the Santa Gertrudis Breeders’ (Australia) Association

On behalf Santa Gertrudis Australia members I would like to thank the South African Association for hosting the 10th World Congress.

I would like to congratulate President, Willie de Jager, his fellow Councillors and the organising committee for their hard work in organising the programme that will bring Santa Gertrudis breeders from around the world together to celebrate the success of this great breed.

Australian Santa Gertrudis have just completed another successful bull selling season, again breaking records set only 12 months before. The overall auction sale average for 2016 was $7,948 for 2069 bulls, recording a clearance rate of 90% and a gross of $16,445,180. These record bull prices have also been emulated with increases in prices throughout the commercial sector.

Santa Gertrudis ability to perform in feedlots or on grass and out performing many other purebred and crossbreds in weight gain trials across Australia along with their ability to survive in harsh conditions have assured their success in both seed stock and commercial sale rings.

Towards the end of 2016 Australian cattle prices became some of the most expensive in the world for the first time in over a decade. While this is great if you are selling cattle it poses obvious challenges for those looking to buy cattle and sell into the global market. These increases are mainly attributed to short supply from the reduction in the Australian and US cowherd after years of drought in certain regions. The current cowherd is estimated to be 27.4 million including 2.8 million head of dairy cattle.

To put the price increase into perspective I will use the prices from the EYCI (Eastern Young Cattle indicator) and some examples;

November 2014 price – 320c/kg cwt, for a 200kg carcase = $640/headNovember 2015 price – 595c/kg cwt, for a 200kg carcase = $1,190/headNovember 2016 price – 630c/kg cwt, for a 200kg carcase = $1,260/head

Unfortunately, these increases have not coincided with the benefits of good seasons with much of Australia suffering what has been referred to as “the worst drought in Australian history”. Many Santa Gertrudis members have been decimated by this weather event. Fortunately, recent rain has fallen and we can only hope and pray that more rain falls soon.

Many South Africans and Australians have formed close friendships over the years as people have travelled to various locations to inspect and discuss Santa Gertrudis.

My wife Wendy, our children and I have been fortunate enough to host many young men from South Africa over the years and this has resulted in many close and lasting friendships.

We have travelled to South Africa several times to visit Santa Gertrudis friends and during our last visit attended the National’s in Vryburg where we were most impressed with the huge showing and several interesting property visits.

South Africans are renowned for their friendly personalities, their hospitality and the gift of entertaining. I am confident that this will be the case in early May 2017 when we meet in Bloemfontein to renew old friendships, make new acquaintances whilst discussing the might of Santa Gertrudis.

>>> SCOTT FERGUSON

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I was the president of the Santa Gertrudis Society form 1988 to 1990. The last time the World Congress was held in South Africa was in 1990 and to two years of planning. My most vivid memories of the Congress were the large group of delegates from Australia and America, bringing their bulls with them; four from Australia and three from Texas. This sparked a lot of interest from South African breeders. This was quite a gamble for us but proved so successful that the one Australian bull, Bacchus, bred by Brent and Lynn Harris, was sold on auction for R195 000! A price never before dreamed of. All the bulls were sold.

The minister of Agriculture, Pietie du Plessis opened the Congress, coming back to Johannesburg from the Kruger National Park especially to do so.

Our society decided to incorporate a world champion competition; as far as we knew this was a world first. We were very excited about this addition to the event and the winner was Yarrowongo Xmas form the Australian breeder Alistair Bassingthwaighte, runner up, was a South African bull JL 86 10 bred by the Louwrens family.

One of the highlights was the congress banquet held at the Carlton Hotel in Johannesburg. This included, amongst the “guests” Annie Locke’s Santa Gertrudis bull and cow, suitably penned for the duration of the evening, they arrived at the banqueting hall by lift.

After the congress, three busloads of delegates, both national and international, went for a four day trip

to the Kruger National Park. The foreign visitors really enjoyed seeing all the animals. One of the busses holding the Australian delegated, hit a snag when their bus got caught crossing a drift at the bottom of quite a steep decline. Nothing daunting, they all climbed out, ignoring the rules, and physically pushed the bus out! None the less a good time was had by all.

To give the international delegates a taste of South African operations they were each invited to the various studs for about a week; spending time with the breeders. A day trip down a gold mine and a two day trip to the Victoria Falls were also organized. All in the entire three week program was a huge success.

Messagesfrom the PAST PRESIDENTS

>>> JOHN FYVIE

All our guests from other countries are warmly welcomed. We sincerely hope that World Congress 2017 will be worthwhile for all of you. Some of you have visited us before to attend the World Congress of 1990, and we are privileged to welcome you once again.

We, the Louwrens family, have been farming with Santa Gertrudis for 36 years. Through our cattle we became involved with the other members of the Society and the Board. We have had our ups and downs with the Santa Gertrudis, but through it all, we have gained a lot of valuable knowledge and experience.

Through the years we Santa breeders were blessed. Martin Seyfferdt was our Breed Director. Most of you know him because he is one of the best cattlemen and judges of all breeds in the world.

Martin has trained many of our Santa and

>>> KOOS LOUWRENS

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other cattle breed judges in South Africa. His thorough knowledge of other cattle breeds was a huge advantage for us all, because it helped to bring our Santa breed to the foreground and to develop the Santas to a breed perfectly suited for South African conditions.

Martin retired in 2009. We were blessed again when we came across Johan Malan in 2010. Johan strictly adhered to his convictions and managed the office with vigour and efficiency. He was particularly competent with financial administration. Johan enthusiastically attended courses, and in a very short time he was promoted to senior judge.

Johan tackled everything he did with enthusiasm and dedication, and the results of his efforts were evident in successful meetings, auctions, shows, farmers’ days and NAMPO participation. Unfortunately, Johan died in a motorcycle accident on 11 February 2017.

The arrangements for World Congress 2017 are almost in place. Susan van Tonder is working in the office

to organise and coordinate all the preparations for the Congress, and Norma Seyfferdt helped to collect historical data for our 2017 Journal. These two ladies have stood by Martin, Johan and the breeders through the years.

One of the important reasons for the success attained by Santa Gertrudis in South Africa is the fact that our breeders quickly realised that we should breed according to the demands of the commercial beef producers.

Initially, the Santa’s that we imported were too big. We have also received complaints about sheaths and navel flaps.

We have listened to our customers and bred cattle conforming to their demands. Today the cows are smaller-framed with smaller navel flaps. The bulls weigh between 700 and 1 000 kg, and they have smaller sheaths. All in all, we have succeeded in breeding cattle perfectly adapted to the grazing and climatic conditions of South Africa.

As I sit down to write this report it is one month short of 27 years that we hosted the last Word Congress here in South Africa. An event that is still the highlight of my Santa stud breeding journey, all 35 years of it.

Those of us that were privileged to attend this event will never forget the friendships forged during that week, culminating in the World Congress Stud sale, where record prices were set and only recently broken, though if one takes the value of the rand into reckoning (it was then +- $2 to the rand) Ibrox Park Bacchus price of R195000 would still stand. Those were the days my friends – before computers, fax machines, cell phones, e-mails and all the rest of modern technology, this all in the space of 20 years. What do the next 20 years have in stock? Frightening!

The Santa Gertrudis breed has certainly moved to new heights, both here in South Africa as well as in the rest of the world. The breed in each different country has had to adapt to ever changing environments and challenges. The days of the monstrous cattle are a thing of the past. Earlier maturing quick turn over stock with better feed conversions, better A.D.G. and shorter calving intervals has kept our breed competitive at the market place. The breeding for shorter sheaths has also been a huge step in the right direction. However, personally I feel we might be over-cooking this problem by removing the sheath entirely. By doing this we are losing our identity. Every breed is a link in the beef chain, each one conforming to its own identity. We must ensure we do not become the missing link.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our foreign visitors to our National Championship Show and Word Congress. I hope on the completion of your visit, you will be putting a return visit on your bucket list.

It is fitting that one of the judges at this Congress, was also one of the judges at our last World Congress 27 years ago. Congratulations and thank you to Martin Seyfferdt for coming out of retirement for one last time. It might be A.B.F. but greatly appreciated and well earned. The modern Santa in S.A. is his baby. “Long Live”.

It would be amiss of me to end off without mentioning the person to whom this Congress is dedicated: Our Breed Manager Johan Malan who died tragically in a motor cycle accident on 11-2-2017. Johan had every detail of this event carefully planned out on his computer long before his death. It was left to his right hand Susan van Tonder to crack the code to his computer to get this information out and put it into operation, a task she has done admirably. Thank you Susan we always knew you would rise to the occasion.

>>> PIP HOBSON

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The 2017 Santa Gertrudis World Congress in South Africa promises to be a memorable event, and I am honoured to welcome all our visitors from around the world.

I have been privileged to be part of the Santa Gertrudis breed’s story in South Africa since its early days and I have seen the breed evolve and establishing itself as a major force in the red meat industry.

The South African Santa Gertrudis animal is well adapted to the extreme climatic conditions of our country and is renowned for its superior feed conversion ratio. This has made Santa Gertrudis the choice of the commercial cattle breeder in South Africa.

The solid foundation laid by our founding breeders, as

>>> JOHANN DE WETwell as the passion and commitment for continued improvement by our younger members, forms the basis of the breed’s success in South Africa and I believe that it will continue to go from strength to strength.

I would like to thank and wish the organising committee all the best for a very successful World Congress and Show.

Today, it is my privilege to write a message for the special edition of the Santa Gertrudis Journal.

We South African breeders are hosting the World Congress, and I know it is going to be a resounding success. During their visit to South Africa, all our guests from abroad will be able to see that we have some of the finest animals in the world, and that we need not stand back a single step for anybody.

I wish to congratulate every Santa breeder in the country with your inputs and the achievements you have reached in recent times. Despite all the challenges that farmers have to face now and in the future, new records are established every year!

Congratulations to you all.

Every time I see or read about Santas, it sends my pulse racing and reminds me once more of the love I have for these cattle. We have a beautiful breed, and we can be very proud of our cattle.

Once again, it is very dry and the farmers suffered severely, but during the recent months we were blessed with good rains, for which we are very thankful. At present, the meat prices are very favourable.

I wish every farmer in our country, whether he may be a cattle, sheep, fruit, vegetable or grain farmer, everything of the best for the future. Farming holds many challenges and will continue to do so in future.

To our office staff, please accept our gratitude for everything that you are doing for the breed. Johan Malan’s accident and passing was a severe shock for us all. He will be sorely missed. A special word of thanks to Susan. You are a star!

I am pleased to thank the present Board for all your hard work. You are doing a great job; keep it up. We all wish you strength for the future.

I also feel privileged to convey my thanks to oom Martin and tannie Norma for all that they have done for the Santas and their breeders over the years. Today, they may sit back and pride themselves in a breed that takes its rightful place in the meat industry – a pioneer in the field.

To our Heavenly Father our thanks for all the blessings bestowed upon us so abundantly.

Once again thanks to one and all for your hard work to make the Santa Gertrudis breed a success.

I love the Santas and will always continue to do so.

>>> MARIUS BARKHUIZEN

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Whew! When Johan requested me to write something for the Journal, I wondered what to write. Finally, I decided relate some snippets from my life with the Santas.

In 1973, I toured South Africa in the company of Mr Tony Brink and Dr Kiewiet Kotzenberg to record all the Santas in the country, after which the Minister of Agriculture recognised the Santa Gertrudis as an Associate Society. Since that year, I have been responsible for judging the Santa Gertrudis.

In 1982 I was offered the position as Breed Director of the Society, and I regarded this opportunity as a challenge to rectify the breed’s shortcomings, such as heavy bone structure, long sheathes, poor backs, large frame size and others. This I have achieved with the cooperation of Reheuel Borstlap, Dr David Griessel, Kosie Louwrens and Amy Williams, as well as most of the breeders, by presenting courses and an annual Breed Standards Day. And you have to admit, today the Santa Gertrudis is one of the most appealing and efficient breeds in the country!

At these courses, we have also met the most interesting people, and one of them was Gerhard Koen. When we first noticed this inconspicuous young man with his khaki shorts and velskoens, we wondered whether he knew anything about cattle. Well, he surprised friend and foe alike, for he passed with the highest percentage. A year later, we presented a course on the same farm and Gerhard turned up again, this time for his Junior Course. He ended up in a cow group class with me. After he discussed the class with me I asked him why he placed the cows in that order, and he promptly replied that six of the seven cows were in a group the previous year, and we placed them in that order for the following reasons. Astonishing! It is a pity that we lost him shortly afterwards as a breeder when he was overrun by a military vehicle in Ventersdorp.

I have had the privilege to judge cattle in various countries and to meet the most wonderful people. For a few consecutive years, I travelled to Avare in Brazil to judge cattle. The language always presented a problem, but with able interpreters such as Luiz Fernandez and Marcio, I managed to get by. After a visit to South Africa, on of the Brazilians took some Smuts Finger Grass seeds back home with him, hidden in one of his socks that was stuck into a shoe. When I next visited him in Brazil, he showed me the grass that he had planted, telling me that he would sell it to his fellow breeders. After the show, he invited all the exhibitors to his farm for a barbeque (obviously with premeditated plans). He led them to the Smuts Finger Grass, cut a bundle and offered it to one of his cows. However, the cow only sniffed the grass, turned around and walked away.

I have also judged cattle in Australia on several occasions.

>>> MARTIN SEYFFERDTAfter each judging session, we visited a number of breeders, and once the last one on the tour was Brent Harris. His farm was close to the Gold Coast. As usual, there were quite a number of breeders. We enjoyed the socialisation and even played tennis. That evening, the younger ones went to the city for more revelry. Early the Sunday morning, I went jogging. While jogging back to the farm, I was encountered by the young ones on their way back to the farm from their party. They stopped and offered me a lift to the farm.

The most difficult class I ever had to judge was in Rock Hampton; a bull class of 48 Santas. It took sweat to place only ten of them.

Now for other things: During the National Championships in 1987 in Johannesburg, the champion bull and cow were herded into the service lift of the Carlton Hotel and taken up to the second floor where the dinner and prize giving ceremony were underway. They calmly joined the party.

Once, it was also decided to display Santas in the then FVB Centre in Bloemfontein’s city centre. The breeders who were game for this adventure were oom Apie and tant Annie Lock from Schweizer-Reneke. Temporary cattle pens were erected in the middle of the shopping centre and straw bedding was put down, ready to receive the animals. A mobile loading ramp was organised and the animals were offloaded in Wesburger Street. And then something that nobody could foresee happened. The big bull was offloaded first, but he got stuck in the mobile loading ramp, as it was too narrow. The bull had to draw in his tummy quite drastically to pass through the narrow passage. When the bull was taken to the pens, he rounded a corner and startled a lady approaching him from the front because she never expected to encounter a bull in the city centre. All she could utter as she clutched her heart was: “Oh God, please help me!” The next morning, the planned parade marched through Maitland Street, the main street of Bloemfontein. The Santas were escorted by the cadet’s band of Grey College and the drum majorettes of Oranje Girls High School. Then, the unexpected happened: While stepping from the sidewalk onto the asphalt, the leading bull slightly lost his balance. He kicked out a hind leg and smashed the headlight of a parked Mercedes Benz to smithereens. The owner was highly upset (if it happened to my car, I would have been upset too), but within five minutes we had the matter settled and the headlight fixed. At the time, the cost was R150.

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Nonetheless, the parade could proceed without further ado.

On another occasion, also during National Championships held in Bloemfontein, we considered it a good idea to take the Santas into the Free State Rugby Stadium for the match between the Cheetahs and the Queensland Reds. Again, the Board and the breeders were pleased with the idea, and we immediately commenced with the organisation as many parties were involved, such as Free State Rugby’s management and TV’s Supersport programme. Everything had to run like clockwork for the TV. Tina de Jager undertook to deliver the cattle to the stadium with a truck normally used for transporting horses. The truck was low enough to unload the cattle without a loading ramp. She also undertook to inject every animal with a tranquiliser so as to avoid any possible trouble. The agreement reached beforehand with the Cheetah rugby management included stipulations that NO injuries should be caused to spectators by the animals, and that the cattle were not permitted to deposit dung onto the grass. In order to comply with the second stipulation, mobile dung receptacles were organised. We were also requested to use the Cheetah mascot, which was a stuffed cheetah doll. What a disaster! Norma decided to try a practice run with the Cheetah mascot at 15:00 at the show grounds. The guys fastened the mascot onto the back of a small calf, and all went well until they removed him from the shed. He started kicking and jumping, and the Cheetah slipped from his back to hang under his belly. The next moment we saw the head of the Cheetah flying to one side and the whole place, including the watery mud around the drinking trough, was covered with stuffing. Naturally, the calf’s conduct upset his mother,

and she also began careening about. In no time all the ladies in the vicinity flocked to the muddy area around the water trough. Everybody helped to collect the pieces of stuffing and to restuff the Cheetah. Fortunately, Elaine Hobson had her embroidery equipment in the car, and soon the head was stitched back into place, but the Cheetah was still covered in mud. Norma took it home, washed it as clean as she could and used a hair drier to dry it, as time was running out now. We had to deliver the cattle to the stadium at six o’ clock. Eventually, the cattle were delivered in time, but Tina forgot to give them their injections. However, there was no time to return to the show grounds for the syringes en tranquiliser. We simply had to hope and pray for the best. Exactly at the time stipulated by Supersport, the Santas were ready and waiting for the signal to enter the stadium. Accompanied by the Great March of Aida, the Santas entered the stadium with “small” Willem de Jager, and the Cheetah tied onto Shiner’s back. Spontaneously, the spectators rose to their feet and applauded enthusiastically. Unnecessary to say that we had positive feedback, even from Australia, from friends who saw the parade on TV.

During the World Congress in 1990, 419 Santas were entered for the Championships. Frans Swanepoel and I had only one day to judge them. Therefore, we started at 07:00 the morning, and completed the job the afternoon at 18:00, without any tea, coffee or lunch break. A collection ring helped very much to ensure a smooth and consistent flow of animals without unnecessary waiting periods. When the unplaced animals left the judging ring and while the placed animals where being discussed, the next class moved in.

Without the help of a servant, Norma provided a steady flow of tea and coffee throughout the day. Here, I must mention the name of Donald Williams, the true gentleman who offered to wash the dishes when he noticed that Norma had far too much to cope with alone.

On the same day, Norma was summoned before the President of the Johannesburg Show, Anthony Evans, because she arranged with the Cattle Committee that the World Championships would be judged in the Main Arena. He would not budge, but Norma stood her ground, claiming that she could not change the programme at that stage. After an hour’s negotiations, he granted permission with the condition that we had to complete it within five minutes – and we did.

In 2004, I shattered my left ankle while I was in the Eastern Cape for inspections. Butch James assisted me, and he took me to the hospital in Grahamstown. After hearing of the accident, Mr Pip Hobson said it was too dangerous to transport me by motorcar, and that no chances should be taken. He chartered a private aeroplane to take me to Bloemfontein. Howard Hobson was a university student in Bloemfontein, and at 20:00 he and a friend collected me at the airport to take me to the Rosepark Hospital where an orthopaedist was waiting for me. Some of our friends organised everything

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in advance with the orthopaedist. I was still walking with crutches when the production sales took place. At the first one, the one of Mr Johann de Wet, I went to shower on the morning of the sale. When I hopped out of the shower on my undamaged leg, I slipped and fell to the floor with a torn muscle in the healthy leg. Fortunately, Johann Jr, who studied Medicine, was quickly at hand to help me. For the rest of the day, I had to be transported on a wheelbarrow. The next sale was Tina de Jager’s, and they organised a quad bike with which I could move around amongst the animals.

As often happened, a breeder requested me to buy a certain bull for him at one of the production sales. So said, so done. This bull appeared very early on the auction roll. I made a bid and encountered a few other bids against me, but when we reached R30 000, (a lot of money in those days) the others, with the exception of one, stopped bidding. I then realised that the specific breeder did not need a bull, but was simply bidding to boost the price. Therefore, I decided to stop bidding at R40 000. The other bidder went up to R42 000, clearly under the impression that I would have gone even higher. But when the auctioneer asked me for a further bid, I refused. Whether the bull was sold in the end, I do not know. However, I decided to bid on a young bull that I have noticed the previous day in the veld, and that was lot 35. This bull went for R7 500. If you look on your list

of young bulls that exercised the greatest influence on the breed, you will find this bull there. He was named Equador after his sire, whose semen was imported from Australia.

In 2009, just before my retirement, I was hijacked in Bloemfontein. My vehicle was stolen and I had been shot because I refused to get back into the car. It was an extremely traumatic experience for me, Norma and our children. Some of our Australian friends were so upset that they urged us to immigrate to Australia immediately.

My career with the Santa Gertrudis Society was most satisfying. I had the privilege of working under many good Presidents, and with Norma in the office, I could take care of the inspections without problems.

Many of the breeders are still dear friends, and I still visit breeders regularly. With able senior judges to steer the breed in the right direction, I am convinced that the Santa Gertrudis breed has a bright future. Today, there are figures and data that breeders may use as an aid, but they should never disregard the importance of the eye.

Shun politics in the breed and do not begrudge your fellow breeder a place in the sun. If you cooperate and support one another, nobody will be able to beat you.

My wish is that you may go from strength to strength. Norma and I will never forget you!

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The Santa Gertrudis Breed History in Namibia, goes as far back as 1964. The first Santa Gertrudis animals arrived in Namibia in 1964, not from the USA, but were transferred from the Mara Research Farm in South Africa to the Omatjenne Research Farm in Namibia (the than South African Department of Agriculture had imported the first 20 heifers and two bulls from the USA for comparison purposes) In total 23 cows and heifers and two Bulls were transferred to Namibia. Interesting to note is the fact that of the 23 females transferred to Namibia, seven were from the original females imported from the USA. The research work, R. Borstlap, the manager of Omatjenne at the time, played a big role in the development and establishment of the Santa Gertrudis Breed not only in Namibia but in Southern Africa as a whole.

In 1967, Mr. Mieta Louw, Head of Research and Information in the than South West Africa and Mr. Rudo Winkler CEO of the FCU Cooperative, together with 4 Karakulfarmers travelled to the USA. With the assistance of the Santa Gertrudis Breeders International (S.G.B.I.) the group were able to inspect about 30 Bulls. This resulted in the purchase of the Bull 296 for Omatjenne from Allan Anderson, Frisco Texas. Mr Winkler, who was so impressed with what he saw, bought the Bull Pedro, bred by Byrd Cattle Co. The irony

Was, that Mr. Winkler bought the bull without even owning a farm…. On his return however, he formed a Partnership with Mr. Weilbach and together they

imported 10 heifers from the USA. (Winrock,El Colina, Twin Oaks,) This stud was sold during 1971 because of ill health of Mr. Weilbach.

In as far as the development of the Santa Gertrudis Breed in Namibia is concerned, 1968 must have been the most decisive year. Apart from various imports by individual

breeders, a further 36 cows, 5 heifers and 6 bulls were transferred from the Messina Research farm to Omatjenne. Other breeders, with the assistance of Mr. Vernon Murray, Head of the Studcattle Department of Vleissentraal, amongst others, Messrs H.R. Schneider Waterberg, E. L. Botha, R. Borstlap, H. Kolmitz, D. H. Botha Oom Ouboet, J.M. de Wet, K Schmerenbeck, H. Merckeras well as Messrs Leicht, Martens and Venter. In those days the South African Rand was valued at 1.50 to the Dollar. Very comparable to the prices of Breeding Stock in the country at the time.

Through the years up until 1975 and apart from the animals that were imported or transferred to Omatjenne Research Farm, a total of 70 Bulls and 80 female animals were imported by these breeders. Imports were stopped because of import restrictions on Stud animals and a deteriorating Rand. It is important to note that during all the years that Mr. Martin Seyfferdt was the Breed Directors of the Santa Gertrudis Breed, his knowledge and experience has had a fundamental influence on the development of the Namibian Santa Gertrudis. To this day Martin still visits Breeders in Namibia to assist with

THE SANTA GERTRUDIS BREED IN

NAMIBIA

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the selection and evaluation of their Herd’s.

Over the years the Santa Gertrudis Breed in Namibia has grown and at its peak in 2011/12 was represented by 29 Breeders with 4709 animals. Today we are only 12 Breeders with 1653 animals. Unfortunately, many of the large Breeders (e.g Marathon, Schneider Waterberg, Big J, Kavango Bees) have discontinued breeding for various reasons It is also very difficult to attract new Breeders for various reasons, one being the high cost factor during repeated years of drought etc. Our Breeders breed Bulls mainly for the Commercial Stock Farmer and currently none of our Breeders take part in Shows. New Genetics are mostly imported from Breeders in South Africa, with the result that our national Breed has excellent linkages to the herd in South Africa. During 2016 and 2017 for example, 8 Bulls were imported by 4 Breeders. 4 of our Breeders have committed to the BGP (Bull Genomics

Program) and have just completed the first round during which we made use of the Bull Jogi SP07 0039. This year we will proceed with a further group of 90 heifers and will use the following Bulls XX 13 0014, VV 11 0145 and VV 11 0196.

We do believe that although the Santa Gertrudis Breed has reduced in Numbers and Members, the Breed has an excellent reputation and fills a niche for those producers, who understand and see the value in the Santa Gertrudis excellent cross breeding abilities. Santa weaner claves are thought after at auctions as they are popular with the South African Feedlots, who buy about 120 000 Namibian weaners annually.

On behalf of the Santa Gertrudis Breeders’ Association of Namibia, we wish our South African Breeders and their visitors a successful World Congress.

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The Beef Genomics Programme (BGP)Marrying DNA technology and Performance Recording

Introduction: The origin and objectives of the BGP

The Beef Genomics Programme was conceptualised over three years ago with the overall objective of fast tracking genetic improvement of beef cattle using cutting edge DNA technology. This initiative gained momentum when a consortium was formed to manage this programme and which consisted of the Agricultural Research Council (both manager and a service provider), the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), industry (breed societies totalling 97% of the SA stud industry), service providers to industry (Breedplan, SA Stud Book and the ARC) and higher education institutions (a number of universities, including UP). Government funding for the BGP is sanctioned by TIA, while industry, through the participating breed societies, contributes 50% of the total cost of BGP. Each breeder’s society also has its own tailor made BGP project plan which guides the intended outcomes, funding and operations.

The main objective of each society’s BGP plan is firstly to establish, over time, a reference population for which traits of economic importance are recorded. These traits will include the difficult or expensive-to-measure traits as well as traits that can only be measured in one sex or at an advanced stage of the production life of an animal, and include female fertility, maternal traits, feed efficiency, carcass quality traits and disease susceptibility and/or resistance. The second step is to combine these accurately recorded phenotypic trait data with the DNA data (genomic data, also referred to as the genotype) of the animals with the ultimate goal of identifying genetically superior animals. This is achieved in principle by establishing the association between the phenotypes (e.g. growth, carcass traits, feed efficiency etc.) and the genotypes (through the DNA profile), also considering pedigree information. The genetically superior animals are eventually identified by making use of a genomic

>>> BEN GREYLING & FRANS JORDAAN, ARC-API ben@arc.agric.za; fransj@arc.agric.za

breeding value or selection indices that incorporate the genetic information.

DNA technology in perspective

DNA technology has been used by the livestock industry for many years already and contributed significantly to the advances made in the beef breeding and production industry worldwide. It has amongst others been used as a valuable tool for paternity verification and traceability, diagnosis of heritable diseases and syndromes, forensics (in particular relating to stock theft) and for population genetic studies of breeds and species around the world. Many breeders and beef producers in South Arica are familiar with its use in breeding programmes through pedigree verification and forensics relating to stock theft cases, the latter of which has contributed significantly towards an increased conviction rate in these cases. In the past few years, population genetic studies have also received prominence due to the importance of assessing the level of genetic variation within and among populations and the factors that affect variation (e.g. gene flow between populations). It is clear that DNA technology has become indispensable for addressing a range of issues that relate to breeding, genetic improvement and general animal husbandry practises.

Back to the Basics

DNA is the blueprint of life itself and our ability to use it for a number of applications lies in the fact it contains information that have been captured over many thousands of years. It basically consists of a code, in principle similar to an identification number (ID) that is passed on to offspring in a 50/50 manner. This means that a calve inherits exactly equal amounts of DNA from the cow and the bull, a phenomenon that enables us to select animals for breeding with the aim of improving

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specific traits. The 50/50 principle on which the inheritance of DNA is based is also central to the manner in which nature ensures the creation of genetic variation and diversity that are vital for the continued existence and fitness of a species. The creation of variation principle is best illustrated by the fact that a cow and a bull can produce a calve with one of several billion possible DNA profiles (genotypes). This means that, with the exception for identical twins, you will not find two animals with the same DNA profiles or genotypes.

Scientists have also known for many decades that DNA consists of four different building blocks (a whole 3 billion of them in a single cell!) and the mere sequence in which they are arranged (similar to our ID numbers) make us either similar or different. The interesting fact is that we are extremely similar on DNA level – humans all around the world for instance share 99.9% DNA sequence similarity. One of the aims of genetic studies is to pinpoint where individuals (human or animal) differ from each other and whether these differences are associated with particular traits. Some sequences (or differences from what is considered a normal sequence) for instance may result in a genetic disease (e.g. bulldog calf syndrome in cattle) whilst another may be associated with a superior production trait, e.g. milk production or growth. This is the very principle on which Genomics is based: associating a particular trait (good or bad) with a particular DNA sequence.

Focal traits focused on by the BGP and assessed by the ARC

Feed efficiency

Since feed is one the main cost drivers in beef production systems, one of the objectives of the BGP is to enable the selection and breeding of animals that are more feed efficient. Measuring feed efficiency is however rather difficult and expensive due to the necessity to measure individual feed intake. Individual feed intake and growth rate (measured as average daily gain) are both tested for at the ARC’s bull test centres and a few accredited third party service providers (including Sernick in the Free State and GenTechSol in Namibia). Participants should take note that bulls to be tested for feed efficiency must be approved by both the respective breed society and the breeder and they must also take note of the compliance requirements before an animal is eligible for testing. For instance, animals need to be within a specific age range and within a well-defined contemporary group to be considered for testing.

Meat Quality

Meat quality analyses are conducted on a specific number of animals that successfully completed the feed efficiency tests and that were slaughtered following

a feedlot-phase to ensure the animals are market-ready. The following meat quality traits are measured: Intra-muscular fat percentage (marbling), rib and rump fat thickness, eye-muscle area, muscle pH, shear force as measurement for instrumental tenderness, cooking losses, hot and cold carcass weight and carcass classification data (specifically fat, conformation score and age).

Genotyping: From hair samples to DNA profiles

The genotyping (analyses of the DNA) of animals takes place at the Biotechnology Platform (BTP) of the ARC at Onderstepoort. For this, hair samples (with roots!) are needed from which the DNA will be extracted. Semen samples can also be used in exceptional cases. It is highly recommended that the hair samples are submitted to a Biobank for safekeeping and controlled storage. The ARC has a Biobank at Irene that was established in 1999 and that already retain over 100 000 samples. Breed societies can make use of this Biobank’s Lidcat system that is specifically designed to accommodate hair samples for DNA analyses. A sample sheet, uniquely bar-coded sampling bags and sample submission forms are provided by the Biobank. Semen samples should be delivered directly to the BTP. It is important to note that the integrity, identity and traceability of a sample is vital when it comes to genotyping, hence it is a requirement that a minimum amount of information must accompany every sample submitted for storage and subsequent DNA analyses. This information should include the following as a minimum: the animal identification number; animal registration number; breeder/owner of animal, herd number (in accordance with member number on INTERGIS); sire and dam identification numbers and unique bar code number provided by the Lidcat system. The provider/owner of a sample may opt not to make use of the Lidcat system in which case he or she must contact their respective breed society.

Samples to be genotyped are submitted (following a request) to the BTP where the DNA extraction and subsequent genotyping takes place. The latter entails technology called SNP profiling. In essence, a partial DNA sequence (SNP profile) is generated for each sample after which it is stored in a recently established SNP database. Access to the stored SNP information will be granted to researchers and stakeholders, which include participating breeder’s societies, on an ad-hoc basis. The database will not be made public, unless otherwise decided by the stakeholders of the BGP.

On-farm recording

A number of on-farm phenotypic recordings also form part of the breed societies’ BGP plans, which include birth weight, weaning weight, days-to-calving or inter-calving period. Most, if not all, of these are recorded by

Services:Wildlife: (TOPS Accredited Laboratory)

- Sable- Roan- Oryx- Impala- Wildebeest- Springbuck

- Nyala- Blesbuck- Bontebuck- Lechwe- Kudu- Eland- other Antelope (on request)

T: +27 72 626 2826 E: info@clinomics.co.za

Postal Address: P.O. Box 11186, Universitas, Bloemfontein, 9321, South Africa

Physical Address: Uitzich Road, Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein, 9338, South Africa

Solving problems, Crea�ng trust

clinomics

Follow us on: WWW

Mitochondrial origin test for Roan & Sable

Avian:- DNA sexing- DNA virus detec�on in psi�aciform birds

- Ca�le (ISAG panel)- Canine (ISAG panel)- Equine (ISAG panel)- Goats (ISAG panel)- Ovine (ISAG panel)- Pigeon (ISAG panel)

Ca�le Speci�c Tests:

- Ca�le gene�c disorders- Polled vs horned

- Rhinoceros

www.clinomics.co.za

www.clinomics.co.za

Services:Wildlife: (TOPS Accredited Laboratory)

- Sable- Roan- Oryx- Impala- Wildebeest- Springbuck

- Nyala- Blesbuck- Bontebuck- Lechwe- Kudu- Eland- other Antelope (on request)

T: +27 72 626 2826 E: info@clinomics.co.za

Postal Address: P.O. Box 11186, Universitas, Bloemfontein, 9321, South Africa

Physical Address: Uitzich Road, Bainsvlei, Bloemfontein, 9338, South Africa

Solving problems, Crea�ng trust

clinomics

Follow us on: WWW

Mitochondrial origin test for Roan & Sable

Avian:- DNA sexing- DNA virus detec�on in psi�aciform birds

- Ca�le (ISAG panel)- Canine (ISAG panel)- Equine (ISAG panel)- Goats (ISAG panel)- Ovine (ISAG panel)- Pigeon (ISAG panel)

Ca�le Speci�c Tests:

- Ca�le gene�c disorders- Polled vs horned

- Rhinoceros

www.clinomics.co.za

www.clinomics.co.za

the breeder himself. Some traits however, such as carcass traits, are measured on-farm by making use of Real Time Ultrasound scanning technology and are recorded by an accredited technician. Data recorded on-farm is verified and captured on the INTERGIS and subsequently also submitted to the relevant breed society.

What happens with the performance- and genotype data once recorded?

All performance/phenotypic data collected and recorded will be captured on the National Database, the INTERGIS. Data integrity is subsequently verified and submitted to the respective participating breed society. The importance of accurate data recording, its subsequent processing and capturing in databases are central to the overall objectives of the BGP, which include the development of technologies and methodologies aimed at estimating genomic breeding values, the enhancement and further development of the databases in question and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that focus on the identification of genes or gene-markers that are associated with particular traits.

Benefits associated with the BGP

Experience from countries abroad that invested in Genomics revealed that there is indeed a positive return on the investment in this technology. Two of the most noticeable benefits emanating from it is firstly our ability

to predict the genetic merit of an animal more accurately and secondly to do it at a younger age, which enables us to select more intensely/stringently and to shorten the generation interval. The latter is central to our objective of fast tracking genetic improvement. The success of a programme of this magnitude is also dependent on the involvement of all industry stakeholders and their interaction and collaboration. Great care must also be taken to ensure the associated returns will benefit all sectors of industry, from the stud breeder to the emerging farmer. The ultimate success indicator of the BGP will be the degree to which the project has enhanced the competiveness, sustainability and profitability of the different sectors of industry.

Stakeholders should take note however that genetic improvement is a long-term investment, and that the returns are not immediate and not only measured in terms of the potential higher monetary value of an animal. There are in fact many other factors that are indicators of positive returns, including mitigation of certain risks that are associated with beef production and the ability to make better management decisions relating to breeding and marketing of animals. Last but not the least, success is also dependent upon continued cooperation and interaction among all stakeholders, including producers, researchers, breeding and biotechnology companies, consumers and government.

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COLOLO KENNETH MATSWIRI BOTSWANA 267 713 21000 kmatswiri@valuechain.co.bw

GENETIKA DARRYL VAN DER WESTHUIZEN ASKHAM 267 7350 2877 dwes.stud@gmail.com

MembersSANTA GERTRUDIS

>>> BOTSWANA

>>> EASTERN CAPE

>>> FREE STATE

SANTADALE BUTCH JAMES CATHCART 082 784 4979 fern@eci.co.za

BOMVU ALAN KIETZMANN THORNHILL 082 820 6429 clifton@intekom.co.za

CADO KERNEELS CLAASSEN REITZ 082 374 6295 cjccado@gmail.com

BOA SANTA OSCAR DE FREITAS LADYBRAND 083 458 7065 jodefreitas@telkomsa.net

SANVORS PIETER VORSTER BLOEMFONTEIN 082 457 2053 pjvorster@vodamail.co.za

CORCIA JAPIE COETZEE PARYS 082 771 7167 j1@coetzs.co.za

KROONSPRUIT SIAS VAN RENSBURG KROONSTAD 082 264 3059 kroonspruitsantas.kss@gmail.com

TRISTAR ERASMUS VAN SCHALKWYK HENNENMAN 082 774 3193 annekerasmus4@gmail.com

EVANTON ANTON MULLER EVANTON TRUST ROUXVILLE 083 235 3742 evantontrust@yahoo.com

PINNACLE HOWARD HOBSON LADYBRAND 082 410 2401 pinnacle.santas@gmail.com

KLEYNHANSVELDE HERMAN DIE ERIKA KLEYNHANS TRUST KROONPARK 082 451 3800 kvs@gcs.co.za

BIG ACE HUGO & JUDY GROENEWALD TRUST

FRANKFORT 082 569 7205 groenewaldhugo@yahoo.com

SIERRA ZULU SIMON & MICHELLE RIDLEY SAXONWOLD 083 408 1573 travelshop@icon.co.za

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SANBACH FREDDIE & JORINA RAUTENBACH EXCELSIOR 082 775 2408 jorina@webmail.co.za

FERNANDO FRIKKIE OOSTHUIZEN FRANKFORT 082 940 0552 frikkie.fernando@gmail.com

SANTARIFIC DESMOND SANTARIFIC SANTA STOET BLOEMFONTEIN 082 494 7032 desmond@desley.co.za

PROTEA CHRISTO BRINK VILJOENSKROON 082 676 9573 christo.brink@erm.com

RED DIAMOND DE KLERKS RED DIAMOND STUD FRANKFORT 082 412 8860l emile12deklerk@gmail.com

SANT-A-MÉ STEFAN, ANNEME SANT-A-MÉ STOET LANGENHOVENPARK 082 381 7563 stefan@agritrader.co.za

CHERRY RED TIMMY ROBERTSON BLOEMFONTEIN 079 493 0115 dolene@desley.co.za

VIVERE PIETER KLEYNHANS 072 528 3480 pieterkleynhans.santa@gmail.com

VEEPLAAS BLOUSKOOL MARNE ANDERSON VEEPLAAS KROONSTAD 082 562 2188 frikkie@blouskool.co.za

SOMBRERO J.P. BOTMA (JNR) 084 0332 596 igbotma@btbits.co.za

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>>> GAUTENG

>>> KWAZULU-NATAL

>>> LIMPOPO

>>> MPUMALANGA

TIBRA Tiaan BEKKER MODIMOLLE 082 773 9391 tibra1@942.co.za

LEOTAL GEORGE STEGMANN LYNNWOOD MANOR 082 579 5041 stegmann@mweb.co.za

SIRKEL W Jacob vd Westhuizen JAYOPI FAMILIE TRUST NIGEL 082 873 3642 info@sirkelw.co.za

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LIBRE ALLANT JOHANN VAN HEERDEN HEIDELBERG 082 448 8644 hndp@autocity.co.za

OPLAAS GELUK HENDRINA DU TOIT HEIDELBERG 084 682 1946 hen3na@yahoo.com

HIGHLAND GATE Marius Freemann HIGHLAND GATE BOERDERY NELSPRUIT 083 508 5376 marius@fermar.co.za

CALSAN CALLAN STROUD IRENE 082 446 5758 mwstroud@mweb.co.za

DOUBLE DEE Gouws Dawie & Diwan DOUBLE DEE BOERDERY LYTTLETON 083 635 6515 dawie@qs2.co.za

BRUWERTAS JACQUES W. BRUWER BROKERS

PAARDEKRAAL 083 458 9988 jacques@bruwer.co.za

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BOVROS Louw Nel SURPLUS GRAIN TRADERS CC CITY DEEP 082 771 7810 info@surplusgrain.co.za

SUPER TROUPER ESTIE ACKERMAN 083 633 2248 else@capegate.co.za

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DRAKENSBERG Justin FYVIE BERGVILLE 082 925 3742 justinfyvie2000@gmail.com

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LEOCOR LEON DE LANGE IRENE 082 292 2273 ldelange@arc.agric.za

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LEEUPAN MANIE LOUWRENS REMAN BOERDERY (EDMS) BPK

KINROSS 082 335 7220 reman@vodamail.co.za

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KOCHBO DANIE & FRANCO KOCH FAMILIE TRUST MOORREESBURG 082 783 5364 kt@kochbo.co.za

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BREEDE PIETER NIEMAND WORCESTER 082 840 6134 niemand@breede.co.za

>>> NORTH WEST

>>> NORTHERN CAPE

>>> WESTERN CAPE

LOCKLORE KOOS LOCK SCHWEIZER-RENEKE 082 578 9758 koos@locklore.co.za

RENSBOU DAIL VAN RENSBURG DELAREYVILLE 082 809 8841 dail@cluesnet.co.za

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TOP CIRCLE LOUWRENS TOP CIRCLE SANTA GERTRUDIS ZEERUST 082 718 4305 topcirclesantas@gmail.com

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RED ROCK ABRI LOCK RED ROCK SANTAS SCHWEIZER-RENEKE 082 570 6325 abrilock@gmail.com

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A well-known fact is that, as a Farmer our ‘income stream’ can fluctuate immensely, depending on the Grain Price, Meat price and who knows how many other prices that can affect us daily. These prices are one of the main factors that determine our monthly salary. To have maize to sell it must first be planted, it must rain and several other factors must be taken into account. In the same way a cow must calve, meat prices must stay stable etc. etc.!

BUT what will happen if an external factor causes you to be involved in an accident, or a serious illness lands you in hospital, resulting in no one being there to plant the maize or manage the cattle? Where will the money come from, or will you have to rely on neighbors to oversee the planting or weaning of the calves?

When there is no income, it isn’t just another cheque but it becomes a life giving stream! Often wê come across Insurance portfolios that make enough provision for insurance that allows the policy holder to pay off debt, but what then? How do you live from month to month? Its not possible to sell off a part of the farm every month to cover expenses such as Medical aid, Insurance and cost of living. For those expenses a monthly income is needed. Of course, you can invest a portion of the ‘lump

sum’ to provide an income, but what if your chosen funds don’t perform as they should, or the monthly amount that is required is more than the acceptable %? Wouldn’t it be easier to get a monthly cheque that doesn’t depend on fund performance that can also grow by a pre-determined percentage per year?

The good news is that WE CAN INSURE OUR MONTHLY INCOME. Numerous insurers have products that will insure your goal. Your income can be paid monthly in cases where you as the insured cannot generate your own income. Some products allow you a lump sum as well as a monthly income. The burning question however is whether or portfolio is structured in such a way, making provision for this type of payout.

At Ultrafin we have a team of knowledgeable people that can go through the whole process with you, and assist you in finding a workable solution. To this end, we would invite you to call us or send an e-mail. Wê will gladly arrange an appointment to sit down with you and work through this often neglected aspect of your Financial Planning.

Contact us on 0861114602 of charl.oosthuizen@ultrafin.co.za. we look forward to hearing from you.

ChequeIT’S ONLY A

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